I started running when I was a teenager with my Mom in Atlanta, Georgia. She was my inspiration to exercise for fun, and running became that for me. Years later, walking in Central Park is my workout routine. But sometimes when I’m not motivated, I exercise at home, and that’s why I like BennieGirl.

Ms. Benita Perkins created a positive way to stay on track for a healthy and wellness lifestyle. I admire Ms. Perkins’ entrepreneurial spirit and determination for remaining rooted in all things healthy, happy, and wise.

For my interview below, you will gain knowledge about her tools to stay on track, keep in motion, and have fun at the same time.

What do you advise for new beginners to stick to a plan to exercise?

Do activities that you can measure improvement. Improvements will indicate that your workouts count and will motivate you to continue. For example, if you’ve committed to start an exercise program, (first Yea!):

• Start with a 1/2 – 1-mile walk. You can start with a block if you need to.
• Time yourself.
• Maintain that pace for one week.
• Week 2 walk faster and try to take 45 seconds – one minute, off your fastest time in the prior week. Follow the same goal in weeks three and four.
• Increase distance after a few weeks of sustained faster time and start the process again.

Is there one routine that you abide by every day for beauty and strength?

• I try to get at least 7 hours of sleep.
• I have the good fortune of living on the 3rd floor of a walk-up apartment building and working on the 3rd floor for my current contract. Walking those steps several times a day has made me stronger, and I see the results in firmer buttocks!

What obstacles do some women give regarding why they don’t exercise?

• The most popular obstacles are time and motivation. With a demanding job and or kids, time can be difficult. Try to sneak in RAF, random acts of fitness. That includes taking stairs, walking the dog, chasing or playing tag with kids, walking to places to run errands, parking at the back of parking lot to walk further, etc.
• Motivation is more challenging to tackle. Where there’s a will, there’s a way.

Your international brand is educating women the tools of a healthy lifestyle from high-risk communities, to women who are looked down upon for being overweight, and women who are deemed as fit, and are passionate about maintaining it. How do you stay focus as an entrepreneur, a Mom, and a motivator?

• My biggest motivation is improving the quality of life for those whose plates might have been burden with the products of inequality. I strongly believe in ‘talk the talk, walk the walk.’ I try to express and exemplify the importance of exercise and time for self-care with my own family as well as women I meet.

Are your Zumba classes the secret to your healthy glow?

• My healthy glow is from enjoying the opportunity to exercise and sharing that joy with others. It truly is a medicine that cures a lot of ailments.

Catch it if you can at www.healthyheritagelifestyle.com, and https://benniegirl.wordpress.com,