Your body is your temple

 Beverly, a vibrant Caribbean woman with a laugh as warm as the island sun, arrived in New York City with ambition and dreams as big as the skyline. Her intent was simple — fulfill her 60 month employment contract and make a new way for herself abroad, but the relentless pace and the siren call of cheap, readily available fast food began to take their toll. Back in Grenada, meals were a ritual, a symphony of fresh ingredients, fragrant spices, and shared laughter. Here, it was a grab-and-go affair, a greasy burger or a sugary soda snatched between shifts at the bustling diner.

The change was gradual, almost imperceptible at first. Her clothes felt a little tighter, her energy a little lower. The vibrant rhythm that usually pulsed through her veins felt sluggish, replaced by a constant hum of fatigue. The bright spark in her eyes dimmed, replaced by a dull ache of unease. Beverly, once a picture of vitality, was slowly fading. She wondered, Was this what it felt like for Caribbean folk migrating to the US?

One sweltering summer afternoon, while struggling to climb the stairs to her cramped Flatbush apartment, Beverly caught her reflection in a dusty mirror. The woman staring back was a stranger: her face rounder, her once trim figure softened. A wave of sadness washed over her, a sharp pang of homesickness for the woman she used to be. It was a wake-up call.

Remembering her grandmother’s words, “Your body is your temple, child,” Beverly knew she had to make a change. The next day, she hesitantly walked into a local gym, the thumping music and the sight of toned bodies initially intimidating. But she persevered, signing up for a membership and joining a beginner’s Zumba class. The familiar rhythms of soca and reggae, the jab-jab music of her homeland, filled the room, and for the first time in months, Beverly felt a flicker of her old self.

It wasn't easy. The first few weeks were a struggle, her muscles aching, her breath short. But she kept showing up, drawn by the sense of community and the growing feeling of empowerment. She started to pay attention to what she ate, swapping greasy burgers for fresh salads and sugary drinks for water infused with fruit. She rediscovered the joy of cooking, experimenting with new recipes and incorporating the fresh herbs and spices she missed from home.

Slowly but surely, Beverly began to reclaim her health. The extra weight started to melt away, her energy levels soared, and the spark in her eyes returned, brighter than ever. The gym became her sanctuary, a place where she not only strengthened her body but also nourished her mind. The anxiety that had plagued her began to dissipate, replaced by a sense of calm and control.

One day, while walking down a busy street, Beverly caught her reflection in a shop window. This time, the woman staring back was familiar: strong, vibrant, and full of life. A smile spread across her face, a genuine smile that reached her eyes. Beverly had invested in herself, not with fast food and empty calories, but with exercise, healthy food, and self-care. And the returns, she realized, were immeasurable.