Hey guys! It's been a minute since we've done a natural hair update so I wanted to share these pictures I took yesterday.
Since it's been getting a little chilly outside I decided to blow dry my hair. I didn't have a particular style in mind as I was going so I bantu knotted each section once I finished drying it. When I finished drying it I took the knots down (two pictures on top). Then after a little playing around I messed it up lol (bottom left). With no clue what to do next I attempted put my hair in a ponytail, but once I tied my hair back it was really big! So to help keep it stretched and under control I decided to band the rest of the hair (Bottom right). You can image how surprised I was when the end of my banded ponytail reached the middle of my back?!
This Friday (Dec. 7) will complete my third year for being completely natural! Stay tuned for my celebration video!
I'm starting a new series! I feel the need not only to expose myself, but others out their to other Black fitness models. We're often times the underdogs because often times majority of the contestants in shows are other races. So...in case you didn't know!
Hola! These past few weeks have been GRUELING between the five day yoga promotion I had to do for VS PINK, semester midterms, and competing in my second show. I've been SWAMPED! Thank God [that at least for now] the hard part is done.
I won second place in the NPC All Collegiate Championship, Bikini Division and second place in the Tallahassee Championship, Bikini Division!
I'm excited to be bringing some hardware home! It's no secret, I'm a hard worker. I'm not going to lie, it's a little bittersweet being so close to getting first place. But a very close friend of mines broke something down to me. She told me how I was always hard on myself. The fact that I've managed to achieve something like this and that fact that my body has been making so much progress WITHOUT ANY PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANCE is amazing!
When I looked at it like that, I was kind of shocked myself lol. I do have a very small circle of competitor friends that lend me very helpful advice, but a lot of my knowledge comes from my own research and experimentation with my own body. While training for this competition especially, I've learned so much and grown so much physically AND mentally.
The most rewarding part of this experience (even after my first competition) has been all of the people I have inspired to get in shape and start leading a healthier lifestyle. Since my first competition my dad has lost more than 20lbs and one of my friends from high school has lost more than 30lbs! It's just crazy! Lol! They are saving their lives! Not because they are trying to be skinny, but because they want to be the healthiest "thems" they can be. UGH! :) It just makes me so happy!!!!
Here are a few more pix from the competition this past weekend. Thank you, yet again, for supporting me through yet another accomplishment!...hm..when's the next?
(L) Goofing off backstage with my sister-in-fitness, Khadijah Johnson. (R) Khadijah Doing her thing in the Figure Division. She took home first place in the Collegiate Figure Division and second place in the Tallahassee local Division.
Rattler Nation! Me, Adam Badger, and Khadijah Johnson
I'm about 5 weeks out from my next competition and one of the most things I'm grateful that I have now (compared to my first competition) is a strong support circle. Granted I did have quite the circle before, now my support system has grown bigger, and a little bit closer to home. This is especially because I've found more people that share goals similar to mines right on campus!
My closest companion has been Khadijah Johnson (above). She witness me prepping for my first competition and although she was hesitant at first, I talked her on to the bandwagon! She'll be participating in the same competition that I'll be doing 5 weeks from now as well.
Working with Khadijah is great! It's amazing how we balance each other off SOOOO well. Prime example, Khadijah is really eager to compete in the Bikini division, but she has the muscle mass for Figure. I'm DESPERATELY trying to get to Figure, but my body type is more for Bikini. While Khadijah's strength is more so into creating a strong workout regimen, I tend to focus more on diet and nutrition. Khadijah loves weight training, I'm obsessed with cardio. Together, we are the dynamic duo.
Yesterday we were at a fitness event sponsored by Fit By You and another competitor and I were discussing how lonely and isolated competing can make you feel. It took me back to my first competition when I went through a slight phase of depression because I was a little lonely.
At the time, I didn't know anyone else in my area who was competing. I'd spend so much time in the gym that I really lost out on time to hang out with friends. My social life crumbled because I was on a strict diet that didn't have room for cocktail hours, pizza pie eating contest and taco Tuesdays. I went from dancing in the club until 2 in the morning to being in bed by 10p.m. at the latest.
Competition life completely flipped my world upside down! So when I did start finding people who shared the same interest I was overjoyed! Although Khadijah and I have only known each other since about April/May we've become so close to each other, people assume we've known each other for YEARS! She completely understands that three hours gym days do exist, and late night cocktails can be the enemy! We completely bounce off each other's energy and motivate each other on a DAILY BASES! And then, there's always the healthy competition aspect of having each other. We're always trying to one up each other lol! Who's has the best traps or abs, who's going to lift the most today doing squats...
I say all this to say, there is power in surrounding yourself with not only positive people, but people who share your same interests and values. This can include prepping for fitness model competitions, if your just trying to lose some extra pounds, or even start a new hobby! Sometimes the road does get lonely, but once you step out and actually pursue whatever it is you want to do, it won't be long until you find your other half ( or quaters!) that will be right there with you along the way!
Here are a few (of many!) in my fitness circle! Start building yours!
In the past I know I have been very apprehensive as far as sharing what school I attend, but that is going to be a little more difficult with my new internship! Therefore, without further ado, say hello to your 2012-2013 FAMU Victoria Secret PINK Rep! Yes, I am a PROUD Rattler!
This is my second internship and I'm so excited about it! I've wanted to have this position for a looong time! I applied my at the end of my sophomore year and my ego was severely crushed when I found out that I didn't get it--but when you want something, especially something you're passionate about, you stay determined.
How did I get it?
Becoming a Victoria Secret Pink Campus Rep is VERY competitive! The brand speaks for itself! I didn't give up. I asked for immediate feedback from the internship coordinator to figure out what I needed to do to get the spot the following year. She mentioned that the young lady who got open position was involved in organizations that hadn't been reached out to yet. What better way to reach a new audience then start a new organization on campus? (Well..I kinda refurbished it...).
Caroline (internship coordinator) liked me enough in the interview process that she recommended me to the reps about joining their street team. I stayed on top of the reps last year like white on rice lol! I was a sponge! I got involved in as much as I could, helped them as much as I could. When Caroline came on campus for one of our events I made it my objective to ensure that she'd be able to connect my name with my face. The rest, as they say, is history.
What do I do?
First and foremost, I have to say that I am so pleased to represent my university among 55 other schools that have collegiate lines through PINK. As a #VSPINKRep it is our job to promote not only merchandise from Victoria Secret Pink, but specifically our individual school's collegiate line.
In doing so we are responsible for utilizing social media including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pintrest, Foursquare, etc.
I'm especially excited about the different events we'll get to host on campus! Tailgate parties, Bra bashes, Yoga, Zumba, OH MY!
Already I've been asked if the experience is overwhelming.When you look at the lengthy instructional book we were given at brand training YES! But now that I'm here, actually organizing and planning events, talking to people, really really getting into my work, I feel fine. Everything flows into place because a lot of the tasks that I have to perform I'm pretty use to or interested in learning more about!
Here is the latest video I've up loaded! Hope you enjoy!
A LOT has been going on for the past couple of months! I had the audacity to take 9 credit hours this summer, at one point I had two internships at the same time, I had my fitness model competition going on AND was working a part time job. (Wow..it seems like so much more when I type it all out!) I can't complain too much though because I do thoroughly enjoy being busy! Many changes have taken place in my life which I look forward to sharing with you over the next few of posts.
However, I'd like to thank those of you who have stayed down for the cause AND those of you who are just joining the journey! Thinks are about to get #REAL! (As if they weren't before ha!)
Also, I'd like to thank everyone for your support through my first fitness model competition! I'm so grateful for the responses I've been getting. I'm even more moved by the people I've inspired to get in shape and grab a hold of their health and ultimately their lives! You all inspire ME more than I think you realize!
Forgive me! I think I am finally coming off of my competition high...but not really..lol
Here is a short video I created from the show and some pix as well...
Even though I didn't when the experience was a-maz-ing! Even if you don't have the guts to get up on stage, I highly encourage you to go see a show if you haven't already! The atmosphere is so empowering! Seeing so many fierce women who where muscular and shapely, yet sexy at the same time smh!! It was crazy! I'm so proud to be a woman! We are so strong and beautiful! It's just bananas!
I'm glad to say that this is also only the beginning of my journey! Thank you all not only for being so patient with me, but also joining me on this journey! You all give me so much support! Please believe, I'll continue to share the love!
That being said, we are officially 103 days away from my next competition! I hope you all will stay with me and are just as excited as I am!
I'm just gonna put it like this...things are gonna be moving extremely slow for the next few days.or rather..until I get through competition. I have to focus all of my energy towards Universe Weekend..but more importantly, school (which is going very well btw ^_^ ! )
Rather then skimming you all on quality posts I've been anticipating a day where I can actually dedicate myself to produce something worth reading..
First off...I'm alive! LoL yesterday my coach encouraged told me to burn 1000 calories doing cardio 0_o. I had never even heard of any such behavior! The craziest part? That was only half the workout! I had to do arms yesterday too! I Thought I'd be dead and gone by now lol but I actually feel pretty accomplished!
It was a little timely though..It took me about an hour and a 40 minutes. I got on the treadmill for 500 calories, got on the bike for 100 and ended up having to get back on the tread because my knee wasn't working out with the bike.
I have to was encouraged (lol) to burn another 1000 again today.
I've befriended Recipes for Gals in Figure and Bodybuilding on Facebook and biweekly they post these nifty little workout charts that I find interesting and thought you'd all enjoy as well!
Forgive the fact that it's unside down :/ just turn your head lol! Because of the competition my restrictions have gotten a bit tighter. I've had to give up cream cheese *long sigh* but it's forced my to explore other options. My coach says I am allowed to have fat-free cottage cheese (which I realized I actually liked last Thursday). I topped it off which a little apricot jam and ooooh man! It was soooo good with my peaches and plums (And yes I got them from the farmer's market)!
One of the classes I am taking this summer is African-American Music. During the next 6 weeks (Well...four now...) we will be cruising through the different eras of music pertaining to the history of African-Americans.
We started with slave songs, spirituals, and code songs and are now moving into ragtime, blues and jazz. In class, we watched this short documentary and I had to share. I feel like knowing OUR history is so important, especially because in most cases it gets swept under the rug. I am so grateful for my experience at an HBCU (historically black college/ university) because unfortunately at PWC (predominately white colleges) I feel like the history of blacks aren't catered to enough...
Even since elementary school I don't feel like we weren't taught the depths of slavery and thus couldn't understand the HUGE impact it has had on us. Before I got to college, my lessons on black history was very general. White people took Africans people who they basically thought we're heathens, stuffed them on a boat, and brought them to America. Slavery was bad. People got hung. KKK. Harriet Tubman.
I was until I finally got to college that I learned in Africa we weren't wild, caveman like "heathens". We were kings and queens. We were the originators of so many things that accredited to other nationalities. It wasn't until I got to college that I saw EXTREMELY graphic pictures and documentaries of the brutalities that enslaved Africans faced. smh...
I say all this to say..do YOUR research. Know YOUR history. Appreciate where we have come. Grow. But most importantly, share...
Please...
***If you are looking for scholarships/ internships I am waiting on you! When I get your request then I will post! Otherwise, I have no clue which to post :( Don't sleep on this free money! Remember all you have to do is reply to this post (or any post for that matter) saying what your major is! THAT'S IT!!!
Sooo I've been trying to come up with a clever name for my new bestie (aka my bike) but I've been terribly unsuccessful =/... Naturally I've been referring to it as Baby (ie Me and Baby went to the farmer's market this morning) lol. It's kinda sticking to me!
An updo I attempted but wasn't sure was a success. This is the result of a painfully lazy twist out gone wrong.
My fancy new lip color I picked up from Walgreens :). It's buy one of my fav cheapy brands, Wet and Wild.
The color is 514A. It's deliciously a rich, vibrant red but must be worn with chap under or gloss on top...
I believe I saw this on heyfranhey's blog not too long ago, but I thought it was pure awesomeness and had to share! Who was it that said fros weren't sexy? 'Cause this girl is killin it!
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