A healthier me, was not the goal.

Seulupe  Michelle Macdonald, a wife, mother, and General Manager of the British American Tobacco company in Samoa, and the President of the Samoa Chamber of Commerce find her commitment to her career and her family more important than caring for herself.

“Ten years back, pursuing a healthier me goal was on hold, because I just was not making enough time for me”, she said. “Even with my medical condition that had me taking steroids since 2016, I still neglected to care and prioritize myself.”

“When I heard about the UN and MY Fit Samoa 12 weeks #ChooseToChallenge for Women Health and Well-being, it presented an opportunity to reignite my passion to pursue a healthier me.”

“I’ve done challenges before and by nature, I’m a very disciplined structured individual and this time I am committing 100% of all my time for a sustainable health change.”

“My goals are simple, start my health crusade by starting to exercise, lose some weight, gradually and sustainably, and most importantly try and reduce my high blood pressure and diabetes borderline prediction.”

In reigniting her healthier me passion, joining the Challenge has helped reset her mindset, giving her the ability to adopt a new life schedule and where she has found the will to stick with it.

Michelle has attested to how her mind has been conditioned to wake up as early as four o’clock in the morning to prepare for her gym session at 5 a.m. She goes about her daily work with a renewed energy, putting her best foot forward in her duties and responsibilities.

But a sustainable health change needs exercise, good nutrition and enough rest, Michelle believes. “At the end of the day, I make sure I have a nutritious meal before 8 pm (and I have been very disciplined not to eat after 8 pm) and then I make sure I have a good rest so I am up early, strong and ready for the new day."

Michelle has seen rewarding results since she started the challenge.

“In my recent visit to my doctor, I was told that my blood pressure was excellent. There has been a noticeable reduction in my being sick with the flu since I started the challenge." She also said that perhaps she needs to update her wardrobe as she is getting smaller for her old clothes.

With her determination, she hopes to inspire other women who still can not find time to care for themselves, and her message is simple, “time is very precious and now is the time to make that commitment for a stronger and healthier you.”

Michelle is one of the 60 women that signed up for the UN and MY Fit Samoa 12 Weeks #ChooseToChallenge for Women Health & Well Being. This initiative aims to remind all women especially mothers, of the important role they carry and play every day in shaping positive attitudes towards health and raising strong, healthy families. 

About the 12 Weeks Challenge: The 12 Weeks #ChooseToChallenge for Women Health & Well Being is part of the UN SDG Advocacy Movement to spur national interests, commitment and actions towards the achievement of the 2030 Agenda and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, within this Decade of Action. The Activity is composed to achieve the following Sustainable Development Goals;

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger through the work of the FAO on food and nutrition
• SDG 3: Good Health and Well Being, through the work of UNFPA on the sexual reproductive health of women
• SDG 4: Gender Equality through the work of the UNDP under the Women in Leadership
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals through the work of the UN in partnership with the private sector.

The 12 Weeks #ChooseToChallenge for Women Health &Well Being is an initiative that aims to undo unhealthy habits and to create a sense of self-care and self-love for everyone to embrace a healthier and active lifestyle. The Challenge was launched in commemoration of International Women's Day and will complete its 12 weeks by the end of June 2021. The 12 Weeks Challenge is an initiative led by the UN Resident Coordinators Office with the support of the FAO, UNDP and UNFPA in close partnership with the MY Fit Samoa.

Note to Editors: For more information contact;

Aterina Samasoni – aterina.samasoni@un.org Tuiloma Walter Imo - tuiloma.imo@gmail.com