My Story: "It's Not About Weight Loss, It's About Health Gains" - BlackDoctor.org

She appeared in the Oscar nominated film “Precious,” on numerous comedy stages and television sitcoms, but the next starring role actor, stand-up comedian, writer and director Erica Watson wants to land is that of a healthy Erica. She embarked on a journey to not only lose weight, but to be healthy inside and out. She sat down with BDO to share in her process:

BDO: Was there a defining moment that made you want to lose weight?
EW: I wish there was only one defining moment. Unfortunately there were many moments that added up to me being a very frustrated woman. Listen, I love my body and I encourage all women to embrace themselves no matter what size they are, but I know that for losing weight is necessary in order for me to have a better quality of life. I had a horrible incident with Southwest Airlines as well as a Delta Airlines flight that forever scarred me. I also had a really bad case of Sciatica last year. All of those things coupled with me just wanting to get healthy lead to me starting my fitness journey.

BDO: What is your goal weight and how much have you lost so far?
EW: For me it’s not about weight loss. It’s about health GAINS. I’m not as focused on the number on the scale as I am with how I feel. So far I have lost 51 pounds, but who knows where this fitness journey will take me. Ultimately I want to get as healthy as I can, but I don’t have a weight equivalent for that. If I lose 100 pounds and I feel good I’ll stop. If I have to lose 150 that’s great too. I am going to keep going until my body says stop.

READ: How I Lost The Weight, but Kept My Curves

BDO: What are you doing to lose weight?
EW: I started losing weight on my own by changing my diet. I started eating more raw fruits and veggies and drinking greens. Slowly but surely I started incorporating exercise. I would swim 1 mile, 3-5 times a week. Then I realized that I needed more help. I started working out with a wonderful trainer named Aja Davis in Brooklyn and attending her boot camp. Recently, I started working with Alonza R. Thornton from ART of FItness, Inc. in Chicago. He has been a Godsend. With him I have been able to increase my strength and endurance and lose inches. So far his training has made the biggest impact on my weight loss. I work out 5 days a week now. Yet, changing my diet has proven to be the best thing I could do to sustain my overall health.

BDO: What was your biggest obstacle so far in your journey?
EW: Staying motivated has been my biggest obstacle, especially when I reached a plateau. When it comes to exercise, I don’t mind going to the gym especially to swim. But staying on track with the food is hard. I try to take it one day at a time.

BDO: What would you recommend for someone trying to lose weight?
EW: First of all you have to love yourself. You have to look in the mirror and accept yourself, flaws and all. Only when you truly fall in love with yourself will you make smart choices when it comes to treating your body well. It’s a process. It does not happen overnight, but it starts there. Then you have to take a critical look at your lifestyle to figure out what your triggers are that allow you to make the unhealthy food choices that you make. You must change your diet. You can still eat the foods you love, but you have to be on your best behavior 85% of the time, so that it leaves room for you to splurge from time to time. You do not have to join a gym and you do not have to hire a trainer, but you have to get moving. Go for a walk everyday. Do sit ups and push ups in your house. Watch workout videos online. Get a group of friends together and go for a swim. Do whatever you have to do to get active, and surround yourself with positivity.

In addition to shooting television pilots and starring in Chris Rock’s new movie coming out in 2014, Erica is starting a new initiative called “Get Fit With Erica”. She continues to tour her one-woman show showcasing America’s obsession with size.