Before discovering FitCity, Lenora Mosley said that she lead a sedentary lifestyle and would consider herself obese.
“I wouldn’t say that I’m fit, but I have been moving more,” said Mosley on her new attitude to fitness.
One of the most beneficial pieces of information she’s found on FitCity’s website is motivation to get moving and easy, healthy recipes.
In 2005 FitCity began as a resource to help address childhood obesity, but today it is an online guide and motivator using periodical fitness challenges and campaigns for all Indianapolis residents to eat healthier and get more exercise.
“We try to be the hub of information that families can go to when they are at the beginning of adopting a healthy lifestyle,” said Eleather Baker, FitCity program director. “We especially target moms because they are the ones that tend to set the overall atmosphere in the family for fitness.”
Although anyone can go on the FitCity website and find a boxing program at Riverside Park or a Zumba class at Municipal Gardens, Baker said FitCity’s ultimate goal is to provide realistic advice.
Mosely said it took her several months to get started. Once she finally made the decision to get healthy, she began with new recipes and began walking. Baker believes that Mosely’s approach is the perfect way to begin lifestyle changes. She also suggests incorporating fun activities such as roller skating and dancing. The key is taking small steps that lead to a lifestyle change.
In addition to over-committing to a healthy lifestyle and the Black community choosing their hair over health, Baker said Indy residents also have trouble finding adequate resources that are either low cost or free and also their belief that healthier foods are more expensive.
“We don’t encourage people going from a diet they’re used to to one where they only shop at Whole Foods or the farmer’s market. We want people to be balanced in what they choose,” said Baker. “If you go to your local Kroger or Safeway, look for healthier options there. Each of those stores has something healthy. It may not be what you see at a fresh food store, but there are choices you can make within your own community.”
When transitioning to a healthier lifestyle, nutritionists recommend simultaneously increasing physical activity and eating healthier.
What also makes FitCity a prime resource for all things healthy is its focus on family, support and togetherness. Statistics show that having a workout partner or support network greatly increases the chances of success.
Mosley cites the FitCity pedometer challenge that she and her 11-year-old daughter, Khala McGee, participated in. They’ve also begun walking and working out together.
“She’s not obese – she’s a small child but she eats a lot of junk. I know that with me being on the bigger side, I wanted to make healthier choices not just for me, but for her as well,” said Mosley. “This has helped me to say ‘I’m going to eat like this, so are you. I’m going to move, why don’t you join me?'”
She adds that through family exercise and eating healthy, Mosley and her daughter’s relationship has improved.
While FitCity does most of its advocacy online via its website, Facebook and Twitter, it is currently promoting a new campaign called “Every Body Is Beautiful.” The emphasis on this program is to show various body types that they are beautiful because of the efforts they put into becoming healthy.
Another upcoming campaign is the “Next FitCity Moms Contest.” Baker and her team are looking for a new voice to add to their blog.
For more information, call (317) 536-1216; or visit www.fitcityindy.org, www.facebook.com/fitcity or on Twitter @FitCityIndy.
