One of the many goals on our new year's bucket list is to become the healthiest versions of ourselves, not only mentally and spiritually, but physically. R&B super moms Kelly Rowland and Ciara intend on helping us reach our goals against all odds by offering true motivation in our pursuit of being snatched.
When it comes to prioritizing exercise, a form of self-care that can reduce stress and improve our overall well being, many of us come up with excuses on top of excuses about why we should start next week. However, Ciara wants us to put physical activity on the top of our priority list.
She sat down with Vogueto explain the importance of setting aside this often sweaty and challenging form of 'me time':
"I've become a big believer in scheduling time for yourself because I've realized that sometimes your daily schedule, especially mine as it pertains to my career and family, can [consume you]. So I try to maximize self-care time by unplugging. If you have your cell phone in your hand during moments that are supposed to be for yourself, there's going to be a text or email that comes that you have to respond to. It's never not something, right? So I really try to carve out time for those moments as best I can. And then going to the gym [gives me that] feeling of, I'm working on me, working towards being my best self."
"There's a lot of athleticism in our household and [Russell and I] do a lot of things together. We find even more ways to be motivated because we can work towards our individual goals together. When I was losing my baby weight, it was so amazing having my partner right there beside me, cheering me on... Our household is always on the same page health-wise — and we want to keep leveling up on our choices in the New Year."
One of the ways that we can make prioritizing daily exercise a part of the day to look forward to is to pack our gym bag the night before. Additionally, it helps when you have outfits designed with your curves in mind.
Kelly Rowland recently debuted a limited edition capsule collection partnership with the affordable exercise line Fabletics that doesn't sacrifice variety for comfortability as we venture off onto our own fitness journeys.
The songstress sat down with Essence Magazine to share how she is passionate about partnering with a brand that takes a practical approach to activewear:
"They've created this amazing community that is focused on empowering all women to look and feel their best, and I wanted to be a part of that movement. I love that their pieces give me so much freedom to move and go about my day, effortlessly, and I pulled inspiration for my collection from all the different aspects of my life – my career as a performer, my love for dance, and my life as a working mom."
As we try to squeeze a good workout into our jam-packed schedules, it is important to invest in pieces that are efficient for our exercise activities, all while giving us even more reason to feel sexy and confident in doing so. It's pretty hard to skip a workout when you have the perfect outfit that makes you feel fierce (despite the extra curves you may have acquired during the holiday season). Kelly explains:
"The items in my capsule collection range from size XXS to size 3X. I love that Fabletics is so body-positive and inclusive, and I wanted to make sure that my collection was the same way. My collection is cute and functional, but also strong, bold and unapologetic. I want women to feel powerful – like they can take on anything."
As we are smack dead in the season of self-reflection and self-improvement, it is important to view physical activity less as a quick fix, and more of an important part of our lifestyles.
Investing in activewear that makes us feel good while we try to do what's best for our health makes the habit more enjoyable. Putting aside time to exercise in one way or another, as a non-negotiable part of our routine, will lead to accomplishing not only your body goals but our goals to make ourselves a priority.
Click through the gallery below to check out some of the pieces in the new Kelly Rowland x Fabletics collection!
Feature image by Getty Images
New Jersey native creating a life that she loves while living in gratitude. She loves using beauty, and fashion to create a balanced lifestyle while prioritizing wellness. A devoted fur mom, and a full-time lover of laughter. She is out for revenge against the darkness by being light, taking her own advice, traveling the world, and letting you know that you are so lit! Connect with her via IG @iamzaniah and please visit Zaniahsworld.com
Exclusive: Melanie Fiona On Making High-Vibrational Music & Saying Yes To Partnership
Melanie Fiona is back! After taking a little more than a decade-long hiatus, she has officially made her return to music and blessed us with two singles, “Say Yes” and “I Choose You.” While both singles are very different from each other, they both reflect who she is today and the type of music she wants to make. In our conversation, the mom of two expressed what she learned during her time away.
“It's interesting, even when I said it is like coming back, I don't ever feel like I really left because I was always still performing. I've still been public. It's not like I went into being this recluse person or version of myself, but the thing that I really learned in this process is that I think things take time,” Melanie says in a xoNecole exclusive.
“I think often we're so caught up in it, being on the timing of demand or popularity, or, like, striking while the iron is hot and the thing that I've learned is that everything is on God's time. That's it. Every time I thought I would have been ready, or, like, things were taking too long, I had to reship some things, personally, professionally, in my life. I also gave myself permission to make a living, not just make a living, but make a life for myself.”
Making a life for herself included getting married to Grammy-nominated songwriter Jared Cotter, starting a family, and embracing new landscapes, such as podcasting as a co-host of The Mama’s Den podcast. She also began doing more spiritual work and self-care practices like meditation, sound healing, Reiki, acupuncture, and boundary setting, which allowed her to get in touch with her inner voice.
“I wasn't putting out music, and I wasn't experiencing a number one record, but I was being a number one mom,” she says.
“I was experiencing things that were allowing me to heal and get in touch with myself so that I could make new music from a space of joy and freedom, and excitement again because I definitely feel like I did lose some excitement because of just politics and industry and what it can do to your mental health and even your physical health. So giving myself the space to really just say, ‘Hey, it's okay. Everything's right on time.’”
The joy and excitement are felt in one of two new singles, “I Choose You,” which is more of a lovers rock vibe, a tribute to Melanie’s Caribbean roots. While the Grammy award-winner is known for ballads like “It Kills Me” and “Fool For You,” she is becoming more intentional about the music she makes, calling it high-vibrational music. She says her music is a “reflection of my life,” as it captures every facet, from hanging out with friends to riding around in her car.
“Say Yes” has the classic R&B vibe Melanie is known for. However, both songs are inspired by her relationship. Melanie and Jared got married in December 2020, and the Toronto-bred artist dished on their relationship. Fun fact: he is featured in the “Say Yes” music video.
“When we first started dating, I had come into that relationship post a lot of self-work. I had gotten out of a long-term relationship, I had a year and a half to date and be by myself and do a lot of work on myself alone. And when we met, I remember feeling like this has to be my person because I feel it,” she says.
“And so when we went into that relationship, and we started dating, I was very clear. I was like, I know what I want. I'm very clear on what I need, and I'm not going to withhold my truth about myself in this process because of pride or fear of rejection. I know you love me, but I'm coming with my heart in my hand to let you know that if we're gonna get there, we have to put fear aside and say yes. So that was kind of like my open letter to him, which is why the video is us having a conversation.”
Melanie also shares that saying yes to her partner has empowered her in many ways, including motherhood and showing up for herself. Her new EP, also titled Say Yes, will be available at the top of 2025.
Check out the full interview below.
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Feature image by Franco Zulueta
Essence Atkins Shares Why Abstinence Is Her Path To Purpose And A 'Great Harvest'
Essence Atkins is having a very important conversation.
Known for her role on the hit show Half & Half, the actress appeared on Sherri to discuss her latest projects, her friendship with Tia Mowry, and spilling the tea on her personal life. Surprisingly, Essence revealed that she has been abstaining from sex for the past four years and plans to continue until she remarries.
The star met her first husband, Jaime Mendez, on Valentine's Day in 2008 through the online dating platform Match.com. Mendez was a former All-American collegiate football free safety. The couple wed in September 2009, with Atkins' co-star Valarie Pettiford performing at the reception. However, the marriage ended in divorce in 2016.
When talking about why she chose abstinence, Essence said, "It was something that I heard very clearly. I believe there's honor in what I'm doing, and my obedience is going to yield a great harvest."
And the benefits are real. "I have tremendous clarity. When I meet someone, I can really assess and listen with much better ears because I’m not distracted by the possibility [of physical intimacy]," the actress shared.
Most of all she believes her journey should serve as encouragement to young women. "It's important that we value ourselves and make sure that others are valuing us. Can you spend time with someone without physical companionship? Do they make you laugh? Are they joyful? Are they purposeful and intentional?"
Abstinence vs Celibacy
Abstinence is a temporary decision to avoid sexual activity, while celibacy is a lifestyle choice to abstain from sexual activity for an extended period of time, or even a lifetime.
The Girls Are Celibate
A recent survey conducted by BLK, a dating app designed for the Black community, has uncovered a growing trend of celibacy among Black Gen Z women. The survey's findings indicate that 64% of Black Gen Z women are currently practicing celibacy, with a significant majority (63%) having made this decision within the past six months.
61% of respondents chose celibacy as a means of self-improvement. Furthermore, 66% reported experiencing improved emotional well-being, and 87% found that celibacy either positively impacted or had no negative effect on their dating lives.
As a millennial woman who practiced celibacy for three years, it is a truly awakening experience because you get to wholly honor yourself. And with the dating pool having some pee and other unknown substances in it, it just feels good to make the decision for myself.
Dating apps that focus on specific communities, like BLK, have a unique opportunity. They can see and respond to changes in dating behavior, such as the growing trend of celibacy among Black Gen Z women. For these women, celibacy is a way to take control of their own stories, resist societal pressures, and build healthier relationships. By adapting to these needs, these apps can better serve these users and strengthen their connection with these important sub-communities.
4B Movement
CNN reports that following the news of Donald Trump's re-election as President of the United States, there has been a significant increase in interest in the US for the concept of "4B". The article says, “Young liberal women across TikTok and Instagram are discussing and sharing information about the South Korean feminist movement, in which straight women refuse to marry, have children, date or have sex with men.”
These women are furious after the majority of their male counterparts voted for a candidate who was found liable for sexual abuse. They are also frustrated that his appointment of three conservative Supreme Court justices overturned national abortion rights protections.
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Featured image by Robin L Marshall/Getty Images for ESSENCE