Columbus Sisters take up the challege

By Asti Winston
Contributing Writer
Columbus Post

“When your car breaks down you don’t fix it yourself, you go to a mechanic. So why wouldn’t you hire a professional to help fix your body,” Jeanette Jenkins, personal trainer and fitness expert, said.
Columbus natives Kimberly Brant and her sister Kele’ Willis are doing just that by exercising their way into a new life with professionals in the 2005 Healthy BET Challenge.
The BET Foundation and General Mills brand Honey Nut Cheerios and Chex Cereals have partnered to fight obesity in the African-American community by challenging four teams of women to set fitness goals and accomplish them over a 12-week term. On June 15, 2005, each team will weigh in to see who actually met the challenge. The winning team will receive a trip to the 2005 BET Awards, which airs at 8 p.m., on June 28. There they will walk the red carpet and meet and greet this year’s hosts, Will Smith and Jada Pinkett-Smith.
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services overweight and obesity statistics are higher in racial and ethnic minority populations, which adds to the many health challenges that face these groups including depression, hypertension, and various cancers. With 51% of African-American women battling obesity, The BET Foundation decided to take a stand.
“We wanted to provide our communities with living advocates, Linda Dorman, executive director of the BET Foundation, said. “Showing not only how to get fit but how to reduce their weight and lead healthy lives.”
The ladies admit that managing their weight had not always been a problem. They were active throughout their college experience but once the real world set in they became comfortable and were not as focused on maintaining a lean healthy body. Unfortunately, in 2003 their mother died of colon cancer but not before requesting that both her daughters make losing weight a priority. After promising their mother, Brant and Willis both looked for creative ways to lose the weight. The sisters, who were selected among thousands to be two of the eight finalists, believe that the Challenge might have been their only hope to fulfilling their promise.
“We keep our mom in the forefront of our thoughts when we feel like quitting,” Brant said.
Contestants were flown out to California where they partnered up with celebrity trainer and fitness expert Jeanette Jenkins. Each contestant was given fitness clothing and shoes from Lady Foot Locker so that they could begin the look of fitness success they were trying to achieve.
“We were looking for women who represented all women,” said Dorman.
Jenkins helped the women by providing them with the knowledge that would keep them healthy.
“Everyone has the ability to live a healthy life,” Jenkins told Urban Edition. “The hardest thing is commitment, actually making the change and taking time out for yourself.”
“They pushed us hard even though we were beginners,” Brant said. “We felt a sense of accomplishment once we were done, and I realized I could continue doing it once I returned home.”
After undergoing a series of testing and workshops on food preparation and fitness techniques, each team returned to their respective city where they received a three-month health club membership, access to a local trainer, a library of fitness material from Jenkins and a supply of honey nut cheerios.
“I’ve already gained everything I could ever ask for by gaining knowledge through the challenge,” Brant said.
During seminars, Jenkins taught them that the more they prepare their foods the less nutritional value they’d receive. The ladies were instructed on how and where to shop for foods.
“I want them to make the connection that this helps them,” Jenkins, said. “Then they will be able to put it in action.”
Both Brant and Willis are striving to be living advocates not only by getting fit but by preaching fitness to everyone who crosses their paths. The women are keeping a journal that documents their physical, emotional and spiritual health throughout the challenge.
“All aspects of our lives have changed dramatically,” Brant said.