Monday Mood

Getting Fit 2K17 is more than just a theme for me. It's about a lifestyle change. I will be sharing with you my athletic record and how that has shaped me today.

To begin, as a child I've always admired cheerleaders. My sister and her friend, Charlene started a mini cheer group in our apartment complex one summer. We didn't compete or cheer at games. Yet they got us all together to practice and learn cheer stunts. We were all "chubby" girls learning cheer moves. It was so much fun, we had props and the whole gear to match as well. In elementary school I would watch cheer shows of college cheerleaders and how intense it was. It wasn't until I was about twelve years old that I would join a gymnastics gym to learn some acrobatics. I was always the largest girl in every group, the tallest in my class, and obviously the only black girl. The gym was known as Head Over Heels. I went with my younger sister who was always skinnier than me. She was the athletic one. All of my sisters played some sport. Even though we may be curvaceous we all were pretty active as children. However I wasn't the athletic type. More of a dreamer than doer back then. I was ashamed of my size and how I was always the biggest. I stopped going to that gym when a group of white little girls was like, "Oh My God, It's So Big." I got made fun of my large thighs and butt. Low Self Esteem went even lower at this point.

In seventh grade I joined the field hockey team. In hopes of making new friends and losing weight. Of Course they put me as a defense player and a goalie. The town I grew up in didn't have the friendliest students. They would make fun of how ugly and fat I was. When I would go to practice I had to walk by a group of African American children that would parle after school and hangout rather than go home. Of Course me being the only "fat" black girl on the team, I stood out. I was quiet but always smiling. Until they said hurtful words. It's so interesting writing this and thinking about my "worst years." The final team photo was the cherry on the cake. I knelt in this photo that I didn't own and my fat thighs exposed in shorts in which I detested. I share these moments not for you to pity. But for you all to see the works of the Lord and how I didn't allow my insecurities get the best of me. My sport life was short lived but there is still that fire burning inside of me to get fit and to achieve my dream body. I've had a curvy frame since I was I child. People would think I was older than my age just because I carried hip and weight around my thighs and derriere. I admire those with thin legs and flat tummies hoping one day that will be me. I blossomed through my flaws as I learn every day to be unapologetic and love myself whole heartedly.

I continued track in eighth grade. I worked hard this year to achieve the physique I desired. Everyday after school running laps around the school, cherry pickers, "suicides," and more intensity that I needed. I wasn't a child that over ate. But it was the movement that was lacking. Therefore joining track even as a Shot Put player I was able to work on my flaws. I made genuine friends in this sport and I was glowing. My style was evolving and I was ready to take on the High School. Yet when High School commenced I stopped the sports and activities. Dance was my outlet for peace and enjoyment.

It was not until my senior year of high school I started to become more in tune with my body. Even at that I was always the largest girl in the room. All of my weight lingers in my thighs and it's embarrassing when people stare. Hence why during the summer I don't wear shorts or anything that comes above the knee.I am a huge advocate for fit and flare, midi and maxi. As I get older I start to embrace my curves more as others want to surgically enhance. I've always want to surgically reduce. Yet that's not healthy or safe.

Therefore a good ol' traditional workout has become my style. In 2017 I am working towards my goal weight. I am a proud size fourteen but I want to tone up and maintain a healthy diet and weight. Determination and work will help me get there.

Before I went on my baecation, on the Royal Caribbean cruise I felt the need to tone my physique. Therefore my partner and I made a deal to eat clean and work out together for a few months before our trip. I have fallen off track since then. I am trying to find my way back. In doing so here's a look that we've seen Rihanna and Kim Kardashian dual out. Yet I do everything with a twist in order to make it my own. The Athletica Stylista appeared this day. Channeling her inner athlete through comfortable "workout" gear.