When a friend is in need...

    Are people telling you that you'll "look funny" if you lose "too much weight"? Here's the conversation I had with a close friend of mind who became apprehensive after someone told her that...

If you step into my kitchen, I'm not gonna serve you bull! Keep pushing! #TeamFit

Natural Hair Update

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!

In case you didn't know: Denita Clara Clark

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!

Click here to view Denita's Facebook page

Second Competition, Second Place!

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

The Importance of Surrounding Yourself with Positive People

It's time for a little #Motivational Mondays!

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! 

 

My New Internship: Victoria Secret Pink

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!

Back in Action

Ok guys. I'm ready to come off of my hiatus.

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!

~Peace~