BlackDoctor.org is excited for this content partnership with GirlTrek to feature #BlackGirlHealing, an initiative created to document the narratives, struggles and successes of Black women on the journey to living their healthiest, most fulfilled lives through the habit of daily walking. This initiative will further the mission of decreasing health disparities and stigma among women and girls, and further the conversation that self care is a revolutionary act of love. Join the movement at www.girltrek.org.
I can remember it like as if it was yesterday. I have been employed at a hospital for 24 years. Each year, my employer conducts a health fair. This health fair consists of health insurance vendors, universities and nurses offering health screens. In 2003, as I do every year, I went to the health fair and browsed around for about 10 minutes. I looked over at the health screening line and there was nobody in line. So, I went over to have my blood pressure checked and my finger pricked for diabetes and cholesterol screenings. I made small talk with the nurse about the weather and my children as we waited for my results to show on the small hand held screen. After a few moments, I heard the beep; I looked down to see my blood sugar was perfect. However, I glanced at the second machine to see the number 260 glaring back at me.
The nurse looked at me and said, “You have high cholesterol?” I responded, “No, not to my knowledge.” My heart began to race. She asked if she could prink my finger again. Surely, this was a mistake and this time, my perfect numbers would show up. After another screening the number showed 262. I decided to stop while I was ahead. I was advised to visit my primary care physician for follow up.
I went back to my office and began to curse the sleeve of Shortbread Girl Scout cookies that I had eaten the night before. Yes, I did say sleeve! Or could it have been the bottles of 16oz Coca-Colas that I would consume on a daily basis? Where did this come from? I have been in great health most of my life with the exception of asthma when I was young.
All In the Family
I scheduled an appointment with my physician only to confirm my high cholesterol. My physician explained that my numbers were not super high, but if I didn’t make changes I would be required to take medication.
I called my mom to have her join me in prayer. When I told her about my numbers, she responded, “Oh, it’s hereditary. I have it, your grandmother had it, and my sisters have it. We are all on medication.” I looked at the phone thinking, “This would have been good information to know.”
Let me be honest and say that I did not have a plan. I didn’t acknowledge the impact that high cholesterol could have on my body. I had no idea how to lower my cholesterol. My doctor gave me pamphlets, but it just didn’t appeal to me. My motivation was not to take a pill every day.
Each year, I would return to my physician for annual check-ups only to find that my numbers had stayed the same or went down by 4 to 5 points. I did understand that I needed to be fewer than 200. At this rate, I had a long way to go.
Steps In the Right Direction
In December 2015, I was in church and a preacher made a statement that would change my life: “What you do now matters later.” It hit me like a ton of bricks. I need to make a change now. If I was going to live my life to the fullest, what I did now would matter later in my life. I was tired of losing and gaining the same 15 pounds over and over again.
So I began to make changes in every area of my life. I understood that what I do now matters later in my physical, mental, and spiritual life. I started intentionally changing my physical life by walking, walking and walking. I was already a member of the GirlTrek, but now I was serious. I joined other local ladies and we began to walk on Friday nights, Tuesday nights and Saturday mornings. I began to walk approximately 15 miles per week. I changed my diet by eliminating soda, chips and fast food. With this change, I lost 15 pounds and have kept it off for 18 months.
After making these changes, I started feeling better mentally and physically, so when the opportunity to join the GirlTrek Adventure Squad presented itself, I signed up. The Adventure Squad is a group of ladies from across the United States that lead hikes and treks at our national parks and local trails in their areas. This has been a challenge, but has led me to Yosemite to experience awesome views and to Hidden Falls Trails to witness awesome streams and water falls.
Prayer & Sisterhood Changes Things
Because I do believe that I am my sister’s keeper, I started a walking group at my church. Each year my church, Progressive Church of God In Christ participates in the Prayer Trek Challenge. This has been a great way for ladies of all ages to join together for one purpose. We encourage one another and keep each other accountable during the Prayer Trek. One of the most inspiring moments was when an older lady in my church told me how great she felt by walking. She stated that she was going to continue to walk after the Prayer Trek.
Recently, I was having other medical issues and had to visit my physician. I got nervous when my physician stated that she wanted me to have my blood drawn. I knew what that meant — she wanted to check my cholesterol levels. I went to the lab and had my blood work completed. A few days later, I received an email stating that the results from my blood draw were now available online. With my balmy hands, I logged on to my online healthcare account. I nervously scrolled down to my cholesterol levels only to see that I was within normal levels. I was 191 for the first time in about 15 years! I jumped from my computer and started to scream. I did a screenshot and sent it to my husband, children and my sister.
My daughter, Ashayla, is one of my biggest supporters. She treks with me and assists me in leading women on adventures. Because of our medical history, I make sure Ashayla understands how important it is to take care of her body now. I am consistently reminding her that what she does now matters later. I don’t want her to deal with high cholesterol or any other preventable disease.
Before my feet hit the floor each morning, I pray and ask God to help me make good decisions for that day. I am aware that I will have to make many decisions throughout the day and I want them to be the best decisions. One bad decision can change your life, but one good decision can move you forward by leaps and bounds. What I have learned is that we all have a choice to make on a daily basis for every area of our lives. We just need to learn to make good decisions today. Because what you do today does matter later.
– Kendria McKnight, GirlTrek
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Every year, GirlTrek, the largest national public health nonprofit and movement for Black women and girls, hosts an annual walking competition for Black churches across the country. The 9-day Prayer Trek takes place October 1-9 and is open to all denominations. The Black church has always been a pillar of social justice on the front-lines of social change. GirlTrek is asking the sisters from every church to take to the streets to walk and pray for social change.
The way it works is that churches register to participate at PrayerTrek.org and for nine days straight, they walk together. Each day there will be a prayer assignment in accordance with the nine fruit of the spirit. The church who has the most walkers participate at the end of the challenge wins the national trophy. If you do not belong to a congregation, you can participate too by registering online.
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