Mommy Talk Show Candid Conversation with a TV Mom
Overall, I’m a healthy over-40 Black woman, but I’ve had my share of health challenges. I had a demanding, high-stress TV news career for almost 15 years where I worked long hours, covered tragedies like Hurricane Katrina, deadly house fires, and murders. (Whew! I don’t know how I faced those stories for so long.) At one point, I moved three times in five years for my career. I went to graduate school and got my first two TV news jobs. Later, I recognized then coped with anxiety and depression thanks to psychotherapy and help from my primary care doctor. Uterine fibroids bothered me for years until I had surgery to remove them. The myomectomy likely made it possible for me to get pregnant, then safely deliver our son by c-section. I’m considered advanced maternal age because I had our son when I was 36. I would be considered much healthier if I lost at least 20 pounds. In my mind, I’d love to lose 40 and get back to my ideal adult weight. In this sponsored post, I’ll share how Take Action for Health is helping Black Americans improve their health.
Pre-covid, I’d hit the gym occasionally or attended a Zumba class. Now I take walks in my neighborhood with our son a few times a week or do Zumba class online via zoom.
Perimenopause is currently wreaking havoc on my sleep at night and my energy levels during the day. Thanks to a cooling pillow cover, I just flip my pillow to the cool side around 2 a.m. every morning, then hope I can fall back asleep.
Recent Health Changes:
Once COVID hit, I scaled back on my doctor’s visits and dental checkups until I felt it was “safe.”
In December, I caught up on my health screenings including my yearly physical with my primary care doctor.
Last month, I went back to my OBGYN for the first time in more than a year for my women’s wellness exam.
I’ll need to wait a few weeks for my mammogram because I just received the Johnson & Johnson COVID vaccine and due to breast tissue swelling, women are asked to wait at least six weeks post-vaccine to get a mammogram or risk re-testing.
Even though I’m relatively healthy, as a Black woman I’m at risk for some key issues due to heredity and other key factors.
Health-Focused Site for Black Americans:
TakeActionForHealth.org is designed to guide Black Americans through five (5) key health areas that remind us of risks, recommended screenings along with the ability to track/share your progress.
The five key areas Take Action for Health helps Black Americans can focus on are:
- Emotional Health
- Cancer
- Heart Health
- Prediabetes
- Kidney health
Register for Take Action for Health
I know my emotional health is something that needs constant monitoring, so I’m looking forward to getting guidance from the site, although it’s important to note it shouldn’t take the place of talking to your doctor.
Without socialization, work events and travel, I definitely feel like my mood could use some improvement. Yes, I see a few friends outdoors with masks, but it’s not the same as curling up on a friend’s couch with a cup of coffee and chatting it up.
You can register online at Take Action for Health for guidance on any of these risk factors.
If you don’t have insurance, have a high deductible plan, or are overwhelmed with the thought of a co-pay, Take Action for Health is Free.
