Here's What Issa Rae Did To Lose Her "New Money Weight"
Let's be clear. I accept and love Issa Rae for who she is and who she has been from the 99' to the 2000. But her recent feature in Women's Health has all of us like damnnn sis!
Our favorite awkward black girl may be behind the scenes more these days, but in her recent interview, she revealed that she's still working just as hard as she was in her YouTube era. As always, Issa is the best friend in our head who's always dropping gems, and this time she stopped by to remind us to hold ourselves accountable.
I think many of us have encountered the freshman 15 at some point or another, and as a newbie in the entertainment industry, Issa experienced this firsthand. When the 34-year-old Insecure creator first caught fire in the industry, her unlimited access to cash caused her to gain a few pounds. She explained to Women's Health:
"When the Web series started, I was very, very broke. Then more opportunities began to come. I was gaining New Money Weight. When you get a new job, you're like, 'I can afford to eat at restaurants all the time!' That adds up in weight."
Although impromptu dinner dates are never a bad idea, they can also come with a few impromptu pounds. It's true that we make time for what we want, but let's be real, who ever really wants to work out? Although being a breakout megastar came with a busy schedule, Issa said there came a time when she realized that she had to stop making excuses. Seeing herself on television took a blow to her self-esteem and she knew that it was time for a change, one that started with managing her physical fitness.
She said:
"I was a big excuse person when it came to exercising and eating right. I'd have spurts of trying to work out and being good. Then once I fell off, I'd be like, 'Well, there's always next year. Let me make it my New Year's resolution.' But even then, I would still be eating wrong while exercising vigorously."
Issa's chaotic work life didn't make the process any easier but developing a scheduled routine ultimately became the key to her success. Unlike many celebrities, Issa's routine isn't intense or complicated and is relatable AF. As a part of her daily fitness regimen, Issa wakes up at 4:55 a.m. to jog through her neighborhood for an hour.
"Let me not put extras on it. I exercise for, like, an hour each day. My neighborhood has a bunch of hills, so it's walking up hills. Then I alternate between walking and jogging. I hate jogging—you're going in circles, but I recognize that it helps."
Issa also had this unlikely recommendation for fellow joggers who want to boost creativity during workouts:
"You know those earbuds that you put in your ears? I was running, and one fell. It was dark outside and I couldn't find it. So I was forced to just be alone with my thoughts, and I was like, 'Oh, I need to do this more often.' Those moments are the most creative. I think finding those moments while also nurturing your body is important."
Speaking of nurturing your body, "the paleo-leaning" actress revealed that after being vegetarian for 15 years, she is now living a (basically) paleolithic lifestyle. Issa told Women's Health that after rediscovering bacon after more than a decade, she has now decided to explore her meal planning options and is experimenting with cooking Senegalese food. So when's the dinner party, sis?
Read the full article on Women's Healthhere.
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Taylor "Pretty" Honore is a spiritually centered and equally provocative rapper from Baton Rouge, Louisiana with a love for people and storytelling. You can probably find me planting herbs in your local community garden, blasting "Back That Thang Up" from my mini speaker. Let's get to know each other: @prettyhonore.
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 LISTÂ 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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How To Tell If You're Disciplining Your Child Or Seeking Revenge
When discussing the topic of raising children, discipline is often the first thing that comes to mind. Children need discipline. Full stop. But what is discipline? And how do we draw the line between discipline and revenge?
The origin of the word "discipline" can be traced back to the Latin word "disciplina," which means "instruction" or "teaching." Over time, however, discipline has come to be synonymous with punishment, with parents relying on shame, fear, and/or physical pain to curb undesirable behavior.
Teaching takes time, so nipping it in the bud in whatever fashion parents deem necessary (within reason) has become the norm. But is this what’s best for children? And when does it become less about curbing undesirable behavior and more about getting our licks back for offenses we feel our children should know better to do?
In my work as a parenting coach, I’ve often heard parents say, “I asked him nicely three times before spanking him. He didn’t stop doing it until I did, so clearly talking doesn’t work.”
And the parent isn’t wrong. Talking often doesn’t work the first, the third, or the even the 10th time. And the reason is directly tied to brain development.
Children cannot and do not process information the way an adult can. Auditory processing is not fully developed until a child is 14 or 15 years old. And even then, if a child has auditory processing delays or Auditory Processing Disorder (APD), they may always struggle with processing auditory commands. According to Susie S. Loraine, MA, CCC-SLP, the term auditory processing refers to how the brain perceives and interprets sound information. Several skills determine auditory processing ability—or listening success. They develop in a general four-step hierarchy, but all work together and are essential for daily listening.
Without this understanding, discipline can easily become revenge because parents will then view their child’s misdeeds as a personal slight. Instead of teaching them to do better, parents now want to show them the consequences of not doing better. This is why it's imperative for parents to discern between discipline and revenge to maintain healthy relationships with their children.
5 WAYS TO DISTINGUISH BETWEEN PARENTAL GUIDANCE AND RETALIATION:Â Â
​Understanding The Intent
Discipline is rooted in love and concern for the child's well-being. It focuses on teaching lessons and helping children understand the consequences of their actions. Conversely, revenge-driven actions stem from a desire to inflict pain or punishment as payback for perceived slights or disobedience. Parents should reflect on their motives before taking disciplinary actions. Ask yourself whether your intention is to help your child learn or to make them suffer for upsetting you.
Example: If a child accidentally breaks a valuable item, a disciplinary response would involve discussing the importance of being careful and working with the child to come up with a way to replace or fix what they’ve broken. On the other hand, a vengeful reaction might involve yelling, harsh punishment, or bringing up past mistakes to intensify guilt.
​Maintaining Emotional Regulation
Effective discipline requires parents to remain calm and composed, even in challenging situations. It's natural to feel upset or frustrated when children misbehave, but responding with anger or resentment can escalate the situation and blur the line between discipline and revenge. Before addressing the issue, take a moment to breathe and collect your thoughts.
Example: If a child cannot follow instructions, a disciplined response would involve calmly explaining why their cooperation is necessary in working with the child to accomplish the goal. Conversely, a retaliatory response might involve shouting, name-calling, or resorting to physical punishment out of anger.
​Promoting Growth and Learning
Discipline should always aim to promote growth and learning. It involves guiding children toward making better choices and understanding the impact of their actions on themselves and others. Effective discipline strategies include positive reinforcement, setting clear expectations, and providing opportunities for reflection and growth.
Example: If a child repeatedly forgets to complete their chores, a disciplinary approach would involve discussing the importance of responsibility and finding solutions together, such as creating a chore chart or setting reminders with Siri or Alexa. In contrast, a revenge-driven response might involve imposing overly harsh punishments or belittling the child, which can undermine their self-esteem and hinder their ability to learn from their mistakes.
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Building Trust and Communication
Trust and open communication are essential components of a healthy parent-child relationship. Discipline should strengthen this bond by fostering trust and encouraging children to confide in their parents without fear of judgment or retaliation. When children feel safe and supported, they're more likely to accept discipline as a form of guidance rather than punishment.
Example: If a child admits to breaking a rule or making a mistake, a disciplined response would involve listening to their perspective, discussing the consequences of their actions, and working together to find a solution. Conversely, a retaliatory response might involve accusations, blame, or shutting down communication, which can erode trust and damage the parent-child relationship.
Seeking Professional Guidance
Parenting is a learning journey, and, disciplining children is a delicate balance between guiding them toward responsible behavior and nurturing their growth. By understanding the intent behind our actions, maintaining emotional regulation, promoting growth and learning, building trust and communication, and seeking professional guidance when needed, as parents we can help our children built on love, respect, and understanding.
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