Accessibility links

Farai's Fitness Challenge Browse Farai Chideya's regular reports on the progress of her quest for fitness, and on fitness-related issues:
Special Series

Farai's Fitness Challenge

Follow Farai's journey to get in shape, and stay there.

Farai's Fitness Challenge: Healthy Holidays

Nutritionist Rovenia Brock chats with Farai Chideya about how to stay healthy and not overeat this holiday season. Brock is the author of Dr. Ro's Ten Secrets to Livin' Healthy.

Farai's Fitness Challenge: Healthy Holidays

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/6554371/6554372" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Tae Bo Adds Punch to Fitness Quest

Billy Blanks, a former professional kickboxer, innovated a unique hybrid of martial arts and aerobics that has earned converts around the globe. I admit it looked pretty intimidating -- but the high-energy Blanks turned out to be a potent motivator.

Tae Bo Adds Punch to Fitness Quest

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/6149396/6152423" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Week 17: Hitting the Court with the L.A. Sparks

I was one of those kids who was humiliated on the basketball court. I had no idea how to play, but I was forced in gym class to compete with girls on the basketball team. Two decades later, I'm still just getting over it -- just in time to take to the hardwood with the L.A. Sparks of the WNBA.

Week 17: Hitting the Court with the L.A. Sparks

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/5550594/5550599" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Week 15: Shopping Tips for Healthy Eating

Farai Chideya tours a grocery store with nutritionist Rovenia Brock, aka Dr. Ro, for some aisle-by-aisle advice on how to shop for a healthful diet. Here's a couple of tips: don't shop hungry, and stay close to the produce section.

Week 15: Shopping Tips for Healthy Eating

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/5517818/5517819" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Week 13: The Proper Way to Exercise

In the last three months, my fitness regimen has played out like a soap opera -- I've lost a few pounds and gained a few back. But one thing that's remained a constant are my aches and pains. So I turned to an expert for some advice on how to exercise smart and prevent injuries.

Week 13: The Proper Way to Exercise

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/5483678/5483681" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Week 11: Getting Back on the Wagon

Farai Chideya continues her path to healthy living with some tips from nutritionist Rovenia Brock on staying motivated after falling off the fitness wagon. Brock is the author of Dr. Ro's Ten Secrets to Livin' Healthy.

Week 11: Getting Back on the Wagon

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/5441465/5441466" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Week 9: Weightlifting with Ms. Los Angeles

Everybody has an ideal type of beauty. Some people like them thin or athletic or round. And some people like them big -- real big. I learn to incorporate weights into my workout with help from champion female bodybuilder Dianne Solomons.

Week 9: Weightlifting with Ms. Los Angeles

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/5410250/5410263" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Week 7: Finding Fitness with the 'Sweet Science'

It's week seven of my fitness challenge, so it's on to the Wild Card Boxing Club. I got a huge adrenaline rush from the pace and speed of sparring. Boxing was definitely the most exciting sport I've tried so far in my six-month program to get fit.

Week 7: Finding Fitness with the 'Sweet Science'

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/5378230/5378247" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Week 6: Strip Moves, Pole Dancing for Fitness

Farai Chideya continues her six-month fitness challenge -- this week, she takes on a hot new workout: erotic dance. She travels to the S Factor studios to learn the moves on the stage and with the pole with striptease maven Sheila Kelley.

Week 6: Strip Moves, Pole Dancing for Fitness

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/5363871/5363876" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Week 5: Dietary Supplements and Vitamins

Nutritionist and fitness guru Rovenia Brock -- aka Dr. Ro -- is back to give Farai Chideya some advice on the best way to incorporate vitamins, minerals and other nutritional supplements into your weight-loss regimen.

Week 5: Dietary Supplements and Vitamins

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/5350086/5350117" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Week 2: Dr. Ro's Diet and Exercise Advice

Nutritionist Rovenia Brock, aka. Dr. Ro, knows that eating well is easier said than done. She's an authority on fitness and diet, and her advice to those starting out on a new fitness regimen is simple: Adopt a meal plan and a movement plan that you can live with, right now.

Week 2: Dr. Ro's Diet and Exercise Advice

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/5308226/5308231" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Opinion

Beginnings: Making the Choice for Change

This week, Farai Chideya vowed to turn over a new leaf and take more responsibility for her own health. According to the FDA, 60 percent of Americans are overweight -- and Chideya doesn't want to be one of them anymore. She begins a six-month journey to get in shape and stay there.

Beginnings: Making the Choice for Change

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/5293831/5293848" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Browse the section archive or