Having seen life through the lens of an overweight teen, author Bernadine Lightfoot wishes she could tell her younger self everything she knows now. Realising she won’t quite be able to do that, she wrote a book instead.
As a youngster Bernadine Lightfoot had little self-confidence, always lacked energy and was constantly yo-yo dieting, which only made her feel worse in the long run. It was only in her 20s that she discovered the benefits of running and gained knowledge on a proper diet which turned her life around.
“I was a very chubby teen and goodness knows, it was not because I was lazy or lacked self-control. I was simply clueless. If someone had written something similar to my book, ‘Hol!’ (Run!) back then, I believe it would’ve changed my life.
“Not only would I have been much healthier, but I would’ve had so much more fun. It’s such a killjoy always being on a diet, starving yourself and going to the beach in long pants because you are ashamed of your body.”
It was during her years of teaching that Bernadine noticed how unhealthy body weight is still negatively affecting teens and their mental state. She asked herself ‘How can we at least try to curb this trend?’. The answer? A running guide disguised as a gripping teen romance novel.
‘Hol!’ tells the story of an overweight teen who falls in love with the school heartthrob – until she meets his older brother. Let’s just say things get very messy and life takes a few interesting turns. The book not only consists of an unpredictable love story with lots of romance, mystery and humour but also includes easy recipes and a running program. It’s ultimately aimed at equipping the young reader with all the knowledge they need to go from couch potato to – dare we say it – marathoner.
“I believe the book holds the potential to change the reader’s entire life. The fears, misconceptions and confusion about becoming a runner will be laid to rest once you put the book down. I guess the main thing that sets it apart is the fact that while it entertains, it also empowers and informs.”
If you’re going to talk the talk, you’ve got to walk the walk, right? It comes as no surprise that Bernadine just loves living a lifestyle that contributes to her overall well-being. In wanting her 11-year-old son, Jedd – who also loves running – to share in the benefits of healthy living, he has been taught to read food labels and distinguish between the good and bad ingredients. This way, he is in charge of his own health and knows what’s beneficial for his well-being, and what is best to avoid.
Although Bernadine might not always say no to a slice of chocolate cake, she tries to make smart food choices most of the time. Luckily, she enjoys running just as much as she enjoys something sweet from time to time. Because that’s when she dreams up new stories, connects with herself and nature, and cures a worried mind.
“One thing I would encourage everyone to try – especially with their family – is the local parkrun. Beg or bribe your hubby and children if you must, but just try it. You might get hooked. Never heard of it? Well, if you’ve ever driven past a colourful-looking group of people on a Saturday morning, and wondered what this medley of young, old, thick, thin, walkers, runners and pets have in common – then you’ve most likely witnessed a parkrun.
“I absolutely love running, it keeps me fit and sane. Always remember, it doesn’t have to be graceful, it just has to be done! And even though I try to make more good food choices than bad, I believe it still has to taste good and you have to get enough of it to fuel your body.”
If there’s one message this lover of life would like to get across, it’s this; ‘You are in charge of your own happiness, health and life. If you are overweight or stuck in an emotional dead-end, whatever your nemesis, whatever your load, just begin. You don’t have to go fast, and you don’t have to go far. Just go!’
Healthy living for youngsters…
Having worked with teens for many years, and raising her 11-year-old son, Jedd, Bernadine knows just how important helping children live a healthy lifestyle is. She shares a few tips on how you can improve your child’s physical and mental health.
• Improve their diet – Slowly implementing small changes could change your child’s life. A simple way to go about this is to create a snack center in your fridge. Place a bowl at eye level, and stock it with seed crackers, trail mix, fresh fruits, homemade cereals, nut bars, and other healthy favourites.
• Turn healthy eating into a fun project – Having weekly ‘healthy’ cook-off sessions can help everyone in the family to develop a taste or liking for healthier foods. Dedicate two nights a week to eating healthier versions of what is generally considered junk food, with mom and dad being the chefs one night and the kids the other. Love pizza? Try making your own healthy pizza sauce, cutting out the sugar and using fresh roasted tomatoes. Throw in a cauliflower base and mozzarella, but no cheddar.
• Create a Gratitude Jar – In a world where social media continuously instills envy and FOMO, it is easy for our kids to take for granted what they have and to become discontent or ungrateful. Gratitude jars provide a simple way to cultivate the habit of being mindful of the good things in your life. Each day or week, the child writes down one thing for which they’re grateful and put it into the jar. Open the jar every so often and read it with them.
• Make exercise a family affair – Exercise not only contributes to our physical health but also to our happiness. You could try slowly implementing a daily family activity for half an hour at a time. Bowling and batting or ball kicking are some obvious choices, but you could create a deck of fitness exercise cards with ordinary playing cards. Hearts stand for jumping jacks, clubs for crunches, diamonds for push-ups, and spades for squats.
• Foster good communication – Children who communicate with and trust their parents grow into happier adults. As a parent, it might be somewhat of a tricky and difficult road, but it is not impossible to have open communication with your teen. When possible, have casual chats. When issues arise, don’t try and argue every point to the bitter end. Say what you need to and then stop. Later, when your child is alone, chances are he or she will consider what you’ve said. Make it a habit to listen carefully and without interrupting.
Text: ALANICKA LOTRIET. • Photographer: JACO BOTHMA. • Make-up: HEIDIE FOURIE. • Hair: JANINE VERTUE LATEGAN.
