Sisters Inspiring Sisters: Dr. Sharon D. Ricks – Tapping the Fortitude Within for her Well-Being

One of the things that I am committed to featuring on my Sisters40Plus blog is stories from sisters who are role models for healthy living and thriving. Out of that commitment, Sisters Inspiring Sisters (SIS) was born.

This first SIS post comes from my dear friend and sorority sister, Sharon D. Ricks, EdD. Sharon and I pledged together 35 years ago (yes, we are in our mid-50s). Her line name was “Square Biz” because she gets things done! In the interview below, Sharon shares what motivated her to prioritize her health and how she achieved her goals. Most importantly, she inspires us to dig deep and challenge ourselves.

Photo credit: Antoine Smith

What motivated you to focus on your health?

Since graduating from college in 1987, I watched my weight increase year after year. With the increase in weight came hypertension, pre-diabetes, knee pain and lack of energy. As a New Yorker, I often found myself looking up at the subway stairs simply dreading the climb. The more weight I gained, the more I ate and I simply gave up. In May 2018, I stepped on the scale in my doctor’s office and it read 301 pounds. I knew I was headed for a stroke or heart attack. After some tears, I said to myself, “Sharon, you gotta do something.” On June 1, 2018, I set the goal of losing 100 pounds in one year. I figured losing a third of my body weight would improve my health. That is when my journey began.

What did you do to achieve your goal?

On the same day I set my goal, I joined WW (formally Weight Watchers). We had a WW group at my workplace which made it easier to go to the weekly meetings. I followed the plan and began to see some positive results. Prior to joining WW, I rarely cooked, shopped for food or monitored what I ate or drank each day. It was difficult at first making these adjustments to my lifestyle. I started cooking more at home. I adjusted my portions (more veggies and a little less pasta) and made substitutions to some of my food choices. For example, I used oil and vinegar on my salad instead of a creamy dressing. It was not a diet, but a deliberate and conscious effort to make healthier food choices.

Next, I incorporated exercise into my “get back my health” journey. In July 2018, I joined the WTF (Work-Train-Fight) Boxing Gym in Manhattan. I didn’t even know then what a burpee was much less how to do one, but eventually I did it! I started working with a wonderful trainer, Amber Trejo. Later that year I started taking spin classes. On the weekends I would walk three to five miles. Healthy food choices and exercise were the two tools I used to improve my health.

What were the results?

Losing the weight gave me so much more energy. My knee pain is gone. I am no longer pre-diabetic. I learned to make healthier food choices that I enjoy eating. I cook more at home and eat more fresh fruit and vegetables. I can walk up steps without losing my breath. For the first time in 30 years, I went jogging. I achieved my goal and lost 100 pounds by June 2019. I am currently at my final weight goal with a total weight loss of 120 pounds. My family, friends and co-workers have commented that I look younger and seem happier. I am happier because I am healthier and feel better about myself.

What challenges did you face and how did you overcome them?

Some people were discouraging, even if well-meaning –

These are just a few of the comments made to me:

“You will never lose 100 pounds.”

“You lost too much weight.”

“You will get flabby and have too much loose skin.”

“Your face will get saggy.”

“You are six feet tall, too tall to lose that much weight.”

How I overcame the discouragement –

I kept focused on my goal. I refused to let these folks share space in my head. I also had the encouragement of family, friends and sorority sisters.

Exercising!

At 300 pounds, I was self-conscious about going to the gym. It was much easier to head home after work with a bottle of wine to watch television for a few hours. I tried working out at home but couldn’t stay motivated.

How I committed to regular exercise –

I decided not to worry about what people might say or the stares and joined a gym. In order to exercise regularly, I made sure I put my gym time (three to five times a week) on my personal and work calendars as a recurring two-hour meeting. I selected gym locations close to my job to make it easier to get to them and to commute home after my workout. I was able to walk to one gym and the other was just 15 minutes away by subway. Finally, I picked two activities that I really enjoyed: boxing class and spin class. I figured if I enjoyed the workout, I would stick with it. I was fortunate to have a trainer who kept me going and pushed me.

At first, a limited vision of success –

In the beginning I was too focused on the number on the scale going down. I would beat myself up if I did not lose weight at my weekly weigh-in.

How I learned to appreciate every achievement –

I had to remind myself that my journey was not just about the weight but rather my overall health and mental well-being. I also celebrated the small victories along the way.

What advice would you give to sisters who want to lose weight and enhance their health?

§ Set a goal. It could be a weight goal, an exercise goal, etc. Pick something that will motivate you!

§ Keep a food journal. I found that tracking my calorie intake, portions and number of meals helped me monitor and improve my eating habits.

§ Find a physical activity you will enjoy and challenge yourself. It will keep you motivated. For example, I really enjoy spin class (an extension of my love of bike riding as a child). The spin instructor always directs the class to “turn the knob to the right.” On the bike if you turn the knob to the right, you add resistance. It makes peddling harder. You feel like you are going uphill. You have to dig deeper and find your core strength. But you can ignore the instructor, not turn the knob and stay where you are. My advice is to give it a bit more and not give up! Choose each day to “turn the knob to the right.” You can do it!