Ciara Gained 65 Pounds During Her Pregnancy. Here's How She's Leveling Up Her Post-Baby Body.
Fall has finally arrived, meaning it's almost time to retire your short shorts and pull out your favorite sweater and we genuinely hate to see it. Although warmer seasons have come and gone, the fact remains that Hot Girl Summer 2021 is only months away and now is no time to slack on your fit goals.
While you may be struggling to muster up the energy to hit the streets and get your muscles on the move, Ciara's latest Instagram posts will give you all the inspiration you need to work on your fitness year-round. In a recent interview with People, the 34-year-old entertainer opened up about how she's leveling up her post-baby body after giving birth in July, which according to her, can be much more difficult the third time around. She explained:
"Life couldn't be any more hectic than it's ever been. My son is in Zoom classes, and we're creating an easy plan for my daughter as well with her education. There's so much to juggle and plan."
Ciara, who revealed that she gained a total 65 pounds during her pregnancy, said that along with flag football, consistent cardio, and managing her eating habits, giving herself grace has been the key to keeping her sanity on her weight loss journey:
"The extreme way that I would approach my eating habits [before] is just unrealistic for me. I have too much to look after, and I'm also breastfeeding. I'm just getting started, but so far it's really fun."
The singer said that while in the past, she's taken a more intense approach to her fitness journey, she is now working to maintain a more realistic lifestyle that she can still be proud of:
"For me, it gives me something to look forward to and makes it fun. I tried all kinds of things, sun up to sun down, and yes some of those things have worked, but they haven't been realistic for the long term at all. What I really love about this is I'm having fun while also learning how to develop really good eating habits. One of the ultimate goals is to have a good wellness lifestyle that's going to carry me through life."
For more fit tips from Queen Ci, scroll below!
1.Consistency Is Key
"A few years ago I upped my commitment level to really living a healthy life. I would train for what I needed to do, like going on tour or a video, but I wouldn't really be consistent every day. Once I made that commitment to live healthier and make better fitness decisions, it was game-changing for me—and I realized that I didn't have to work as hard."
2.Balance, Baby. Balance.
"I don't train every day of my life. Ultimately, it's about balance, from what you eat to working out, and for me, what I've learned is that what you eat is the most important part. You can go to the gym and eat a burrito after and be like, 'I went to the gym, so it doesn't matter,' but you'll never get the body you want that way, so I eat in moderation. I eat five to eight small meals a day, and I'm really, really consistent with my regimen. And also, I drink tons of water."
3.Pace Yourself
I used to run track in high school, so I was always an athlete at my core, but it's sometimes fun when you get on a treadmill and you just sprint for one minute, then pop off. You push yourself in between breaks to the highest speed you can go to. Spring and hop off, and repeat. You can do it 10 times, and it really gets your cardiovascular going like crazy, and it's good for conditioning. But don't overextend yourself. Be realistic about what is good for your body and you'll find that rhythm.
"I think the thing about working out is the fact that you're already there is dope. You already look fly and look good by being in the gym. When you're in tune with your body, you'll be able to feel what truly is best for you."
4.Push Thru, Even When You Don't Feel Like It
"There are definitely times where I'm like, OK, here we go. Sometimes we don't want to do what we need to do, but what we need to do is often the best thing for us. Pushing through is what makes you feel the most proud after a good workout, and after I finish working out, it feels like I conquered the world. This feeling helps me get going for the day."
To read Ciara's full interview, click here!
Featured image by DFree / Shutterstock.com
Adrian Marcel On Purpose, Sacrifice, And The 'Signs Of Life'
In this week's episode of xoMAN, host Kiara Walker talked with R&B artist Adrian Marcel, who opened up, full of heart and authenticity, about his personal evolution. He discussed his days transitioning from a young Bay Area singer on the come-up to becoming a grounded husband and father of four.
With honesty and introspection, Marcel reflected on how life, love, and loss have shaped the man he is today.
On ‘Life’s Subtle Signals’
Much of the conversation centered around purpose, sacrifice, and listening to life’s subtle signals. “I think that you really have to pay attention to the signs of life,” Marcel said. “Because as much as we need to make money, we are not necessarily on this Earth for that sole purpose, you know what I mean?” While he acknowledged his ambitions, adding, “that is not me saying at all I’m not trying to ball out,” he emphasized that fulfillment goes deeper.
“We are here to be happy. We are here [to] fulfill a purpose that we are put on here for.”
On Passion vs. Survival
Adrian spoke candidly about the tension between passion and survival, describing how hardship can sometimes point us away from misaligned paths. “If you find it’s constantly hurting you… that’s telling you something. That’s telling you that you’re going outside of your purpose.”
Marcel’s path hasn’t been without detours. A promising athlete in his youth, he recalled, “Early on in my career, I was still doing sports… I was good… I had a scholarship.” An injury changed everything. “My femur broke. Hence why I always say, you know, I’m gonna keep you hip like a femur.” After the injury, he pivoted to explore other careers, including teaching and corporate jobs.
“It just did not get me—even with any success that happened in anything—those times, back then, I was so unhappy. And you know, to a different degree. Like not just like, ‘I really want to be a singer so that’s why I’m unhappy.’ Nah, it was like, it was not fulfilling me in any form or fashion.”
On Connection Between Pursuing Music & Fatherhood
He recalled performing old-school songs at age 12 to impress girls, then his father challenged him: “You can lie to these girls all you want, but you're really just lying to yourself. You ain't growing.” That push led him to the piano—and eventually, to his truth. “Music is my love,” Marcel affirmed. “I wouldn’t be a happy husband if I was here trying to do anything else just to appease her [his wife].”
Want more real talk from xoMAN? Catch the full audio episodes every Tuesday on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and don’t miss the full video drops every Wednesday on YouTube. Hit follow, subscribe, and stay tapped in.
Featured image by xoNecole/YouTube
Roscoe Dash joined xoMan host Kiara Walker to share the journey of his personal and spiritual evolution—from the party anthems that made him famous to a deeper life rooted in faith, family, and purpose. This episode offers an honest look at how the artist has grown beyond early fame, addressing fatherhood, masculinity, creativity, and healing.
Dash opened up about the internal transformation that has guided him away from chasing the spotlight and toward seeking peace. “Faith and fear can’t occupy the same space,” he said, underscoring his shift toward a more spiritually grounded life. Throughout the interview, he emphasized the importance of self-reflection:
“The most important conversations to me, honestly, outside of the ones you have with God, is the ones you have with yourself in the mirror.”
Dash is focused on the man he’s become. “I’m not the accolades I’ve achieved—I’m the person who achieved them,” he added, pointing to a broader understanding of identity and worth. A large part of that growth has come through fatherhood, especially raising daughters, which he said has deepened his understanding of love. “Love is unconditional and love loves to love no matter what,” he shared.
He also spoke candidly about the pressures of fame and its impact on creativity. “Chasing fame can kill your creativity as a musician,” he warns. Instead, his advice to other artists is simple but clear: “Keep your focus on your art form, whatever that may be, and stay passionate.”
The conversation also touches on gender dynamics and emotional safety in relationships. “Safe men make soft women. If she feels safe, she’ll melt like butter,” he said, challenging traditional notions of masculinity. Roscoe also offers wisdom on discernment and spiritual testing: “Sometimes the devil will give you what looks better than your blessing.”
Ultimately, Dash has learned to embrace peace over chaos. “All I can do is control what I can control. And that's how I respond to things and what I'm giving out,” he said. It’s a thoughtful, soulful side of Roscoe Dash that many may not expect—but one that leaves a lasting impression.
Want more real talk from xoMAN? Catch the full audio episodes every Tuesday on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and don’t miss the full video drops every Wednesday on YouTube. Hit follow, subscribe, and stay tapped in.
Featured image by xoNecole/YouTube