Making Wellness Fit Real Life By Funmi Chris-Oberiko
For Funmi, wellness did not arrive as a dramatic lifestyle overhaul. It found its way into ordinary parts of her day: the second half of a lunch break, a flight of stairs during an Alberta winter, a Saturday morning she once believed was better reserved for sleeping in, and eventually, the steep rocky trails of a mountain she still wonders how she managed to climb.
Since joining SistaWalk, Funmi has discovered a version of wellness that works with real life rather than competing against it. Her story is about becoming more intentional with movement, but it is equally about finding community outside work and faith, forming genuine friendships, learning from other women, and realizing that taking care of herself deserves a permanent place on her list of priorities.
The Lunch Break Looks Different Now
Before SistaWalk, I knew exercise was important, especially because my work keeps me sitting at a computer for most of the day. But knowing something and actually building it into your life are two different things.
Now, I am much more conscious about moving my body. At work, I no longer spend my entire one-hour lunch break sitting and gisting with colleagues. I eat my lunch, then use the remaining half hour to walk. Sometimes colleagues come with me; sometimes I go alone. On those super-cold winter days when going outside is simply not appealing, I use the stairs instead. Up and down I go. I have learned to work with the day I have rather than wait for ideal conditions.
I still laugh when I remember my first SistaWalk at West Edmonton Mall. It was a shocker! I couldn't believe how many people were already there that early in the morning. Even young children were playing hockey. Meanwhile, I had been convinced that Saturday mornings were meant for sleeping in.
My perspective has definitely changed.
I now look forward to Saturdays, and I notice how much more energized and connected I feel afterward. Of course, the physical activity matters, but so do the conversations, laughter and genuine care. We exchange recipes, talk about what's happening in our lives and, very importantly, somebody always seems to know where there is a good sale happening!
Those little exchanges may seem ordinary, but together they create a strong sense of support and belonging. That is also wellness to me!
Checked off Box
There were things I had wanted to do for a long time but hadn't quite figured out how to begin.
One was finding a community that was separate from my work and faith circles. I wanted another space where I could connect with women, build friendships and simply enjoy being part of something.
SistaWalk gave me that.
Another box on my list was hiking.
Hiking had been sitting on my "things to do" list for the longest time. I was interested, but I wasn't sure how to navigate it, where to go, what to expect, or how to get started safely.
Then came SistaWalk.
My first hiking experience was Eagle Mountain, followed by Elk Island and then Marble Mountain. The weekends away with the ladies at Eagle Lake and Marble Mountain became some of my favourite experiences because we weren't just hiking. Spending that much time together gave me the opportunity to know some of the women differently and develop stronger relationships. It really was a bonding experience.
But Marble Mountain? That taught me something about myself.
Honestly, I still don't know how I managed to climb some of those steep, rocky trails! There were sections that made me question what I had signed myself up for. Yet I kept going, surrounded by women who were doing the same.
When I think about that hike now, I realize how easily we can underestimate our own capacity. Sometimes you don't know what you can do until you're in the middle of doing it, with the right people encouraging you.
I climbed that mountain. And yes, I am very proud of myself!
A Community Where I Can Be Myself
Community and cultural identity are very important to me, and SistaWalk has strengthened both.
What I find interesting is that although we are women from different cultures, backgrounds and experiences, we have so much in common. There is something special about being around women who can relate to parts of your cultural identity and lived experience without you having to explain everything.
At SistaWalk, I feel relaxed. I feel comfortable being myself.
I value the stories we share, the laughter, the meaningful conversations and the opportunity to learn from women whose experiences may be different from mine. Almost every Saturday I come home knowing something I didn't know before.
Culture and connection show up naturally in stories, humour, shared experiences, food, advice and the kind of conversations that happen when women have several kilometres ahead of them and plenty to talk about.
Sometimes those conversations even change what ends up in the grocery cart!
For example, I now eat sourdough bread instead of wheat bread. 😁
That change came from a conversation with some ladies during our Saturday morning walks.
It sounds simple, but that's exactly my point. You never know what one conversation might introduce into your life. We talk about health, food, family, work, life and everything in between. You listen, you learn, you decide what works for you.
That exchange of knowledge is one of the things I value most about this community.
When I Miss Saturday, My Body Knows
My motivation for continuing to show up is really two things: the health benefits and the connection with the other sistas.
Of course, there have been Saturdays when I couldn't attend. Life happens. But then the pictures from the walk start appearing, and I immediately wish I had gone!
I've also noticed something else. When I miss my walking routine, I can actually feel the difference in my body. I feel heavier, less energized, and I know it's time to get moving again.
That has become my cue.
So unless something genuinely beyond my control comes up, I try to take advantage of the energy that comes from being part of this community. It is much easier to stay motivated when you are surrounded by people who are also making their health a priority.
And if I am being truthful, as valuable as the exercise is, connecting with the ladies remains one of my biggest reasons for coming back.
A Message to women struggling in their Wellness Journey
If You Love You, the Take Care of You!
If you want to become more active but you're unsure where to start, my answer is simple: just do it.
You may think you should have started yesterday. Fine. Yesterday has passed. Start now.
You don't have to begin with the biggest challenge or suddenly change your whole life. Start with what you can manage. What matters is deciding that your health deserves your attention.
Having a community helps tremendously because there is accountability. There are people expecting to see you, encouraging you and sometimes doing the difficult thing right beside you.
I also believe this strongly: If you love You, you will take care of You.
Life will always be busy. There will always be work to finish, people who need us and responsibilities competing for our time. But somehow, we make time for what we decide is important.
Our health has to be one of those priorities.
Learning to Put Myself on the Priority List
If I had to describe my biggest transformation since joining SistaWalk, I would say I have learned to prioritize myself and my well-being.
Physically, I can see the difference. I don't pant the way I used to when exercising. I am more intentional about staying active, and movement has become something I naturally look for ways to include in my day.
I've learned that taking time for myself isn't selfish. When I take care of myself, I have more energy and capacity to show up in every other part of my life.
The sisterhood, accountability, laughter and conversations have made a genuine difference in how I approach wellness. I've found a community that supports me while also reminding me to support myself.
For me, that is what, Making Wellness Fit Real Life means.
It isn't waiting for life to become less busy.
It's deciding that somewhere between work, responsibilities, lunch breaks, cold winter days, Saturday mornings and everything else life brings, there must also be room for me.
August Spotlight Reflection: Making Wellness Fit Real Life
Funmi’s story reminds us that wellness doesn’t require perfect conditions or an abundance of free time. It can live within the life we already have, in a lunchtime walk, taking the stairs on a cold day, choosing to move on a Saturday morning, or making room for community in an already busy schedule.
Her journey shows that prioritizing ourselves is not about doing everything; it is about recognizing that our health deserves a place alongside our many responsibilities. At SistaWalk, we believe sustainable wellness is the kind that fits into real life, supported by community, strengthened through consistency, and flexible enough to grow with us.
Because taking care of yourself shouldn’t be something you get to only when everything else is done.
You belong on your own priority list too.
Reported by SistaWalk CommunityMember Spotlight Series — August 2026
