Small steps to a better life: add a little spice to your fitness and wellness regimen

Ebony, July, 2008 by B. Smith

As a restaurateur, food is my passion and a major part of my life. I am not "naturally" thin, so I work diligently to keep my weight under control.

Many may wonder how I stay trim even though, as the owner of three restaurants, I'm always around food. Let me tell you a story that will give you a peek into how I approach life.

Recently, while waiting for an elevator in Atlanta, I surprised a young woman with me by saying: "Let's take the stairs." She was less than half my age and probably never expected to follow me up two flights when an elevator was available.

But I believe in staying on the move. I'm in airports at least three times a month, which gives me an opportunity to keep active before and after flights. I take advantage of opportunities to get in some steps, some movement, some physical activity.

When I darted up the stairs rather than wait for the elevator, I was en route to an appointment as spokesperson for Journey for Control, a campaign that encourages people with type 2 diabetes to recognize that small changes can have a big effect in managing diabetes successfully. That's what this campaign is all about--small changes having a positive effect. I believe it's a realistic way to approach eating healthy, whether you have diabetes or not. One of the most important things I can tell someone who is managing type 2 diabetes, or just watching their weight, is that you do not necessarily have to follow a rigid, restrictive diet of tasteless foods. By making small changes in the way you and your family prepare meals and eat, you can continue to enjoy your favorite dishes.

Good food is one of life's great joys, and special meals are at the heart of African-American family celebrations and traditions. You must be sensible when preparing meals and choose ingredients that won't add excess calories. It is possible to make your favorite family recipes better with some easy modifications. Choose leaner cuts of meat. Saute vegetables in chicken broth, not butter. Add zest with Cajun blends or Italian seasonings. Enjoy food in reasonable portions.

I've had plenty of experience substituting lighter ingredients in favorite dishes and have gotten pretty good at it. After years of cooking for my own family members with type 2 diabetes, I've learned how to create healthy meals without sacrificing flavor. I know that by using various herbs and spices, and by incorporating nutritious food substitutes, you can keep meals interesting and healthy while still satisfying your appetite and your taste buds. (To see how I remade some tasty recipes with this approach, visit journeyforcontrol.com.)

Now, let me tell you another story that I hope will encourage you to stick to your weight, diet and nutrition goals. Not too long ago, a reporter looked at my achievements and called me a "superwoman." I just laughed and said: "I'm not a superwoman. I'm just super at getting things done."

And that's the truth. I was just a kid with dreams from a small, Western Pennsylvania town who was good at making plans and sticking to them. When it comes to food, I recognize that what I eat affects the way I look and feel. Consequently, I make smart food choices that contribute to my fitness, rather than interfering with it.

This is the message I want to leave with you: Don't feel as though you have to make a "super womanly" effort to get where you want to be. Instead, establish a goal and move toward it one small step at a time.

--B. Smith is a restaurateur, television host, author and entrepreneur who is widely considered an expert on casual, elegant living.