NABJ News Blog

Danielle Wilson
Monitor Staff Writer

In today’s fast-paced newsrooms, eating and exercising properly frequently fall by the wayside, but Los Angeles National Public Radio talk show host and author, Farai Chideya, is confident it can change.

The substitute host of “News & Notes with Ed Gordon,” said she’s always battled with her weight.

But since March, she has lost 20 pounds after issuing a challenge to her listeners to join her in a program to exercise and eat healthily. Now, she’s bringing the program to NABJ with a morning workout beginning Thursday at 6:30 a.m.

“I’m getting older and my knees are beginning to complain,” said Chideya, a self-described workaholic. “There are weight problems in my family and I don’t want to have (health) problems later in life.”

Chideya, 37, wants to encourage convention goers to invest in their health as much as they focus on their careers. Chideya encourages NABJ members to come to the workout sessions and get “jazzed” about being healthy.

During the workout session, Chideya also will talk about emotional, spiritual and mental health.

“I’ve got really good house music,” she said, hoping participants will focus on the beat of the music – not the fact that they’re exercising.

“If they do come, they will have fun,” Chideya added.