Adrienne Houghton Gets Real About Her Battle With Weight Fluctuation
Adrienne Houghton took a break from her regularly scheduled fashion content to answer some questions about her personal life. The latest episode on her YouTube channel, All Things Adrienne, was a 25-question survey during which she addressed the boogeyman in every woman's closet: weight fluctuation. Although Adrienne had never really considered herself overweight, her Instagram comments told a different story.
"If I'm honest, my weight gain in the last few years has been like a struggle for me where I'm like, I never looked at myself as being overweight. And it was weird to hear so many comments at one point that I was fat, and 'Oh my God, she let herself go!' I was like, 'Whoa.' So that was a little bit weird."
As women, our weight changes depending on our levels of stress, reproductive cycles, and a number of other life changes that we sometimes have no control over. I've personally made it a habit to keep a various sizes in my wardrobe, just in case.
No matter what end of the weight spectrum you happen to be tip-toeing on these days, it's most important that you work from the inside out. You'll never reach your "ideal" weight if you aren't confident in who you are.
Perfection is unattainable, but real beauty is far from perfect. The #BodyGoals that we so desperately chase aren't based on our specific lifestyles and body types, so they are seemingly unreachable. According to Adrienne, her desire to get serious about her physical health was based on her own her own standards of beauty, not what the trolls in her comment section wrote about her.
"I just did what I had to do to be comfortable in my own skin. And I think that's the most important thing. It wasn't necessarily to please other people."
This need to please everyone but ourselves often leaves women in the "wish" mindset, on an everlasting quest to reach unrealistic body goals. We "wish" we could lose 30 pounds, or "wish" we could have a body like beyonce.
But, one quote that I live by is: if you don't like where you are, change it. There's not a whole lot of "wishing" involved when you're serious about reaching the #BodyGoals you've set for yourself. Adrienne did just that when it came to her physical health.
"I actually, genuinely, didn't like the way I looked. And every day it's a work in progress. You know, girl get up and do some cardio. More than looking good, it's actually healthy for you to eat healthy and actually get a little workout in. So as I get older, I get that it's going to be harder and harder, but I'm up for the challenge."
I'm down to take that challenge with you, A. It doesn't take Beyonce's personal trainer or a multitude of time to make the lifestyle changes that it takes to be truly happy with your body.
Throughout our lives as women, we will be constantly burdened with weight fluctuation, it's a part of life. But no matter how high or low you go on the scale, Adrienne reminds us that we can't be defined by our comment section.
Featured image by Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com
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 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.
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for daily love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
8 'It Girl' Podcasts To Help You Level Up And Elevate Your Thinking
Black folk love a good podcast, and the numbers don't lie: A report found that a whopping 43% of the U.S. Black population are monthly podcast listeners. Among those listeners, 55 percent are women, and 75% overall, Black listeners are drawn to shows that focus on our unique stories and perspectives.
Listening to a good podcast can leave you feeling energized, seen, and understood, especially when Black women hosts are at the lead. And if you're a lover of multitasking motivation, they're perfect to enjoy while doing your household chores or driving to your next appointment.
Since xoNecole, in partnership with Hyundai, has launched its inaugural ItGirl 100 List—a celebration of fierce, ultra-creative, Black women, across industries—here are a few podcasts to add to your list for leveling up in all aspects of your life and career:
1.Therapy For Black Girls With Dr. Joy Harden Bradford
Addressing mental health issues and redefining wellness in that area is a great first start for leveling up, whether personally or professionally. Dr. Joy Harden Bradford is keeping the momentum going this year, offering insights on subjects including finding "purpose in profit," healing from grief, and more.
2.Healed Girl Era With Gia Peppers
Known for making her own amazing boss moves in media, Gia Peppers is expanding on the impact she had with her previous podcast, "More Than That," with "Healed Girl Era," a show that focuses on topics including self-love cultivation and candid conversations with other successful women we love like author and speaker Luvvie Ajayi, Oscar-nominated actress Danielle Brooks (The Color Purple), and entrepreneur Jovian Zayne.
3.The Mama's Den
For all the moms holding down the house while loving on their pride and joys, this is a great podcast that talks about issues ranging from pop culture snafus to friendship maintenance. The conversations also affirm Black women's identities that go beyond being "mommy," and how women can truly embrace self-care as parents.
4.The Light Podcast with Michelle Obama
The former U.S. First Lady taps into her network of friends and family to drop jewels on friendship, marriage, relationship building, and some of her own personal experiences of life post-White House. What's great about this is if you loved any of her books, you can get even more elevated inspiration.
5.The Scottie & Sylvia Show
Media personalities and best friends Scottie Beam and Sylvia Obell got rave reviews and built a robust community of supporters with Okay, Now Listen during the pandemic but ended recording episodes of the super-successful show in 2022. They came back strong, launching their latest podcast, The Scottie & Sylvia Show, via Issa Rae's Raedio, addressing topics on romance, colorism, and vulnerability in the engaging way that’s made them a crowd favorite.
6.Money Talk With Tiff
Can't level up with talking about personal finance, and Tiffany Grant, an accredited financial counselor, shares realistic tips on subjects like how to tackle debt and the best approach to having the money talk with your bae. The show also features interviews with entrepreneurs and experts on real estate investing and entrepreneurship.
7.The Thought Card
Danielle Desir Corbette meshes her passion for travel with personal finance advocacy with this podcast. She offers insights on "travel hacking" and content about unique travel experiences that put Black culture and enlightenment at the center of the adventure.
8.Just Us Podcast
This podcast is hosted by besties who are lawyers by training, and co-host Tashira Halyard (who left a career in law to go full-time as a content creator) boldly holds space, offering her very relatable take on social, economic, and personal topics that affect Black women in the workplace and society at large. This podcast particularly showcases the power of connection, understanding, and common ground that is magnified when two powerful millennials from diverse backgrounds actually talk, listen, and respectfully relate with one another in ways that are affirming and truth-seeking.
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for daily love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
Featured image Delmaine Donson/Getty Images