#BlackGirlFitness: 7 YouTubers Who Will Get Your Body Right
Summer is pretty much wrapping up at this point, but our journey to a summer body doesn't have to end when the leaves start falling.
Working on my fitness has been a love/hate journey and I know I'm not alone. Still, I used to seriously despise working out. There weren't enough Beyonce playlists and motivational videos to make me enjoy going to the gym, but of course, that's one of the keys to getting fit and healthy.
I started looking up videos on YouTube until I came across a few that I liked and felt good doing from the comfort of my living room. It didn't take long to find out that Black girls are out here running the fitness game! Check out a few ladies who will help you get and keep your body right (and just happen to be full of melanin).
1.Keaira LaShae
Keiara LaShae was actually one of the first videos I came across on YouTube. I found her Hip-Hop Tabata workout on PopSugar's YouTube channel. Let me say, this is not easy! But as Keaira says, "With challenge comes change." I cried after my first workout, but after doing it multiple times, you do feel a change and it feels so good. I did a little stalking and Keiara's specialty is the Tabata workout that helps you work out every part of your body, from your thighs to your abs. And she makes it fun! The videos are about 30 minutes, but it actually goes by quickly. Not to mention, cardio is something you can definitely be proud of when you're finished. This is now my go-to workout. My husband even noticed that I was getting toned, which is huge because he hardly ever notices anything.
Start here: 30-Minute Hip-Hop Tabata to Torch Calories
Featured image by madison lavern on Unsplash
Charmaine Patterson is a journalist, lifestyle blogger, and a lover of all things pop culture. While she has much experience in covering top entertainment news stories, she aims to share her everyday life experiences, old and new, with other women who can relate, laugh, and love along with her. Follow Char on Twitter @charjpatterson, Instagram @charpatterson, and keep up with her journey at CharJPatterson.com .
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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Rihanna Talks Shedding Expectations And Finding Balance As A Mother
Since becoming a mother in 2022, Rihanna has defined parenthood by her terms and hopes to pass that sense of autonomy on to her children.
For Vogue China’s April cover story, Rihanna shared her perspective on raising her two sons with A$AP Rocky, and how she hopes to preserve her children’s uniqueness, devoid of societal expectations.
"The most beautiful thing...is that [children] come into the world with their own individuality and sincerity, without any logic or conformity,” she told the publication. “Which usually makes you feel that you must fit into a certain group."
The “Work” artist, known for her trendsetting style and captivating persona, expressed her desire to support children in fully embracing their individuality and encouraging them to be whoever they want to be. "It's really beautiful to see and I want to continue to help them navigate that and make sure that they know they can be whoever they want to be,” she says.
She continues, “They should embrace it completely, because it's beautiful, and it's unique. I love them just that way."
From shattering music charts to shaking up the beauty industry, Rihanna has forged a path that has since created the “dream” life we see today. One that she says has made her parents proud of.
“I’m living my dream,” she continued. “My parents were very proud of that because they just wanted me to be happy and successful. So, I think the key thing is to find some kind of balance. Yes, balance is important. Do this and you get the best of both worlds. You can write your own life the way you want, and it will be beautiful. Sometimes, you just need to let go of everyone’s expectations and start living your own story.”
Rihanna, who shares sons, RZA, 23 months, and Riot, 8 months, with rapper A$AP Rocky, recently shared her vision for expanding her family in the future in Interview Magazine.
When stylist Mel Ottenberg asked about the number of additional children she hoped to have, Rihanna replied, "As many as God wants me to have.”
"I don't know what God wants, but I would go for more than two. I would try for my girl,” she adds. “But of course, if it's another boy, it's another boy."
Featured image by Neil MockfordWireImage