Jay Elle Alexander, 33, the CEO of Black Girls Run, shared her story because she understands that losing weight in our 30s and beyond is hard.
Editor’s note: This article was originally published on January 29, 2021. It has since been updated.
Everyone who has been on the weight loss journey has likely struggled with it, and it's always nice to have someone who would be our partner through it. A 33-year-old mom, who lost 115 pounds, is now inspiring other women to start adopting the method she used to fit: running.
Jay Elle Alexander, 33, is now the CEO of Black Girls Run, an organization that encourages Black women to go on a healthy journey by running. "When you’re trying to lose weight or get healthier, it’s not easy, especially when you’re in your 30s, 40s, and 50s," Jay told Good Morning America. "Having people who look like you that share in that experience, I think just means so much from a support standpoint, accountability and people just to encourage you on the pavement," she added.
Jay, who lives in Richmond, Virginia, found herself working with Black Girls Run, a national organization, almost 10 years ago. She said that she would often be the only Black woman in running groups and at races. "Back then, there were no African American women running in 10Ks, half-marathons, and so forth," she said. She started running after a doctor told her she needed to get healthier. "When you go to a training team and you see the only one other Black woman there, you sort of gravitate to each other," she added.
She faced a challenge with her health after giving birth in September 2019. She said that she was at her "heaviest" then. The same year she got her leadership position with Black Girls Run. "Because I lead [Black Girls Run], I thought this is really a time for me to be an advocate for the mission that I preach," she added.
It has not been an easy journey. She had to change her diet and recommit to running. She set up a goal to run at the Life Time Miami Marathon in February 2020, which was only four months after giving birth. "I started signing up for virtual races, being conscious of my eating, getting my husband involved, and getting him running too," she said. Her husband also lost around 50 pounds. "We took a family and team approach in terms of weight loss and meal planning," said the mom.
Jay lost 115 pounds in a year and she has been able to maintain it for almost five months. "Now I have my own personal journey to share with other women, letting women know that it’s not easy and if I can do it, I know everyone else can," she said. "I’m being an advocate and walking the walk of the mission that we preach every day."
She has been able to inspire many other women of her race who were previously intimidated by the sport. "A lot of the women that are joining our community .... want to reinvest in themselves. They want to join a community of women who look like them to say, 'This is my time,'" she said. "We want women to just become healthier and just start moving," she added.
Having been part of the fitness scene for many years now, she tells people that being healthy doesn't happen overnight. "It’s truly a lifestyle. That’s the part that people have to understand and really acknowledge," she said. She added that not every day during the process will be a good one, nor will every run be a good one. So, it is important to start the process with the right mindset.
We agree!
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