The Feminist Queries: Kimberly Linton

For this Feminist Query, Change.org has interviewed Kimberly Linton is a personal trainer, former body builder and group fitness instructor.  After obtaining her MBA and working for a large consulting firm, Kimberly realized that her true passion was to help people stay fit while raising families and pursuing their careers. Kim is DC's toughest trainer and I can certainly attest to that--I have lost nearly 25 pounds working with her! She writes about health and fitness at her blog, Living the Fit Life. I got a chance to talk to Kim about self-care, creating a feminist brand, and why fitness and health is such an important issue to women of color.

Why is fitness and health so important to women of color? 

Nearly twice as many women in the United States die of heart disease, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases as from all forms of cancer, including breast cancer. Race is definitely a huge factor. Black women have a greater risk of heart disease and stroke than white women. Compared with whites, African-American men and women are more likely to die of stroke. Studies indicate that some of the reasons are that black women have limited access to preventative health care, health education, and through ethnic eating habits predispose themselves to these chronic diseases.  One of the reasons I am so passionate about fitness/living a healthy life is due to my own family history. My mother and father both have high blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes. I have high blood pressure but it is controlled with diet, exercise and low dose medication.  I know that if I wasn't exercising/eating right, I would need more than 1 medication right now like my mother.  Black women especially need to be concerned with their health. Many times they are the primary/only earner in the family--and any loss of work due to illness or death could devastate the families that depend on them.

Many black women are encouraged to be "thick"--full figured and curvy but not necessarily in shape. With Michelle Obama as our First Lady--with those fabulous arms--How do you think this will change the standard of beauty for black women? 

I think it will definitely have an impact on the way black women view their bodies.  Now we can see what healthy really looks like without all the stereotypes of the media.  I like the focus that has been given to her exercise regime and fitness goals.  They are aligned with most working mothers out there-do what you can-never take your health for granted.  The media reported early in the campaign that Mrs. Obama gets up at 4:45am with a friend and just gets it done with cardio and circuit training.  I think she will appeal to many black women out there to adopt a healthy lifestyle and be as active as they can be.  Remember the picture of her hula hooping with her daughters?  That was a wonderful example of how having fun with your children can also be "exercise".  

Ananda Leeke, a black female author and yogini, spoke with us a few weeks ago about the importance of self-care as it relates to feminism. How does your work as a personal trainer speak to the idea of self-care? 

I totally emphasize to my female clients the importance of taking care of themselves first--even before family. The family is depending on you to be so many things--if you don't take care of yourself that just won't be possible.  Keeping fit and eating right is at the center of self-care as well as getting regular check-ups and screening.  Many women actually feel guilty for the desire to take time for themselves to get in shape.  One lady told me she only wanted to workout once per month so her kids/husband wouldn't have to worry about dinner etc. when she was out training every week.  I told her that she works full time and provide a wonderful home for your family--you deserve and need to take time to get in shape. This will make you a better equipped mom and partner to your husband. It changed the way she looked at having a personal trainer/exercising and she decided to be serious with her goals/expectations.

My particular brand of feminism brings together my girly side that wears pumps and dresses with my devotion to gender equality and reproductive health. Do you consider yourself a feminist, and if so, how does fitness and nutrition play a role in your brand of feminism? 

I do consider myself a feminist as I believe in self-empowerment! Because of all the health statistics pertaining to women it is important for us to own the responsibility we have and take our health more seriously.  I feel that giving women the opportunity to change their own lives through health and fitness will empower them in ways they never knew possible.