How Queen Latifah’s Life Changed After Her Mom’s - Article Health

In 2006, Queen Latifah's mother Rita Owens was diagnosed with heart failure. Since then, the 46-year-old actress and her family have dedicated themselves to leading heart-healthy lifestyles by focusing on smart diet changes and getting plenty of exercise. The experience also inspired Latifah to join the American Heart Association's Rise Above Heart Failure movement to help spread awareness for the condition, which affects 5.7 million people in the United States. We had the chance to speak to the actress about her mom's journey—as well as how her own life has changed since the diagnosis.

When did you start realizing how important heart health is?
I’ve always felt like heart health was important, but I haven’t necessarily lived my life that way. I think when it really became important was [during] my mom’s diagnosis of heart failure. Heart health was immediately put at the forefront of our lives, and just walking through this process with her has taught me so much. She’s helping me to be stronger by just taking this journey with her.

After your mom’s diagnosis, did you make any lifestyle changes?
One of the first changes we started to make was really getting a handle on her diet and liquid intake. The journey just changed the way we looked at food. I think food should be healing; it’s something that can help heal your body. So, learning to shop in different ways and make different food selections. Taking the salt down. Eliminating as much salt in your diet as possible.

Along with the changes you've made with your diet, did you and your family also make an effort to be more active?
I’ve always enjoyed hiking. I usually even go to a hiking boot camp at least once a year where I go away for six or seven days and just hike. I think yoga’s a great thing to do, and I’ve been doing more Pilates, but hiking is great because I like to be in nature. I like to be outside in the fresh air.

Any advice that you would give to people that are trying to be healthier?
Do things you enjoy. Obviously it’s great if we can exercise at least half an hour a day, five days a week. But I think it’s more that it becomes an actual lifestyle change where you just incorporate this into your life. Not necessarily just in the gym, but getting out in nature and just exploring.

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