Health and wellness have been growing concerns for Americans in recent years. Fad diets, miracle cures and innovative workouts have trended just as much as any other piece of pop culture. Now, with the world during the COVID-19 pandemic, health and wellness seem to be more of a public safety issue, rather than just a way to look good for beach season.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the United States has been afflicted with nearly 5.5 million cases of COVID-19, and roughly 170 thousand deaths.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, CDC data suggested that the severity of a COVID-19 infection will increase when coupled with pre-existing conditions such as asthma, diabetes, obesity, or the like. While measures including mask wearing and social distancing have been highlighted as important methods in suppressing the spread of COVID-19, they also are dependent on the cooperative action of others. How can you increase your own protection against infection if you still find yourself in constant contact with others? Perhaps the answer is addressing the preexisting risk factors that make the immune system more vulnerable to COVID-19.
Two local women are tackling the health issues in their community amidst the global health crisis. Diane Simmons is the founder and owner of Simply Fitness, a weight loss and nutrition program that seeks to empower clients through confidence building and communal support. Shaqueena Gamez is founder and chef of Queen Vegan Cafe, a catering service dedicated to crafting and serving Afro-centric vegan dishes. Diane and Shaqueena created their businesses in 2015 and 2018, respectively, by expanding on their own personal goals and extending them into their communities. Both women said they experienced tiresome weight gain, which posed severe health risks, especially for Shaqueena. Their mutual desire to attain a healthy lifestyle inspired their business pursuits.
After earning a degree in respiratory therapy, Diane began to encourage patients to live a healthier and more active lifestyle, while she, herself, was overweight. She realized the need to live what she was preaching. “I decided once and for all to get fit,” Diane said. She lost 80 pounds and chronicled her fitness journey on Facebook.
“I heard a lot of stories from a lot of different women, especially black women, about the confusing messages that we received concerning weight and food,” she said. According to Diane, eating a certain way in a black family was considered traditional, as was being “bigger boned” as a black woman. At the same time, Diane said that the same family members who would tell you to lose weight would, in the same breath, invite you over for dinner.
Diane’s background in women and black studies helps to form the way she works to combat stereotypes as a part of her business. Nearly every piece of Diane’s past is woven into Simply Fitness’ programs. Her time as a young girl trying to copy the dances in her favorite music videos, and as a high-school cheerleader formed Simply Fitness’ flagship Hip Hop dance class.
“I put all of that together to be an agent for social change through health and fitness,” Diane said. Diane wants her clients to realize that they are not on their own in their fitness journey and that “fit can be any size.”
Simply Fit also provides personalized fat loss nutrition programs as well as meal prep courses, for those seeking a proper diet to match their active lifestyle. For her, the most rewarding aspect about Simply Fitness is watching people who do not normally workout discover their own desire to make a change.
Shaqueena chose a different path to her journey of self-improvement. Queen Vegan Cafe and Shaqueena’s vegan lifestyle stem from her family’s African heritage. “Most of my foods consist of an Afro-centric or Caribbean component,” Shaqueena said.
As the single mother of a special needs’ child, Shaqueena wanted to make sure she was healthy to provide the best care for her son. As her business vision expanded, Shaqueena wanted to educate her community about food sustainability, change the perceptions of veganism, while breaking her own generational health curses.
“You’re only as good as your immune system. If your immune system is highly compromised then that means any sickness can defeat the body quicker,” Shaqueena said. Although Shaqueena does not seek to convert her entire community to veganism, she does urge those around her to be more dynamic and mindful about their food and personal wellness. “Nothing tastes as good as health does. Pay a little bit extra for food now, or pay extra on your medical expenses,” Shaqueena said.
Shaqueena also works with several organizations to educate the community on the importance of a healthy diet. She believes her food is delicious enough to convince any vegan skeptic to give her ideas a chance.
Despite their call for health and wellness in the community, the pandemic has significantly impacted Diane and Shaqueena’s businesses. While neither business has been irreparably damaged by the quarantine measures, Queen Vegan Cafe and Simply Fitness have had to adjust in their business models. “We weren’t sure what was gonna happen,” Diane said.
For Simply Fitness, social distancing played a major role in how class dynamics would play out. A 10-foot distance was measured out between each participant, marked by colorful and personalized spots created by Diane. She made sure to break up classes with a strict capacity limit to avoid overcrowding.
Fortunately, Diane also hosts Simply Fit TV, a livestream available to members anywhere they are. Shaqueena’s operations as a caterer and chef were not so damaged as they were shifted. While she admits the pandemic has slowed down business, she was able to adjust by working more online.
Although the end, or even slowing of the pandemic still seems unclear for Americans, there are many doing their due diligence to keep the virus at bay.
Despite the global health crisis, both women seem committed to keeping their communities healthy in their own ways. Diane and Shaqueena are both spearheading health movements to enrich themselves and others through food and fitness.
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