5 Ways To Trick Yourself Into Hitting The Gym
The gym is not bae.
I love the after effects of working out; it gives me energy, starts my day on a high, and honestly sets me up to tackle the day with a boost of strength my grande vanilla latte simply doesn't provide.
But the actual act of getting up and going to the gym fits within the same category of making a dentist appointment--I just don't want to.
Recently, I've attempted to get my behind back in gear to be more active. While I was in college, I had access to a gym right on campus and was on the step team. There was no way I could experience sloth because I was running, jumping, and stepping my way to health.
Post-grad life has allowed me to slip into inactivity and my bank account simply cannot afford lofty classes like boxing. A proud member of my local gym, I'm ashamed to say the only way I walk right around the corner to get in a sweat session is through some Jedi mind tricks.
It takes 30 days to build a habit. So, until I have developed the habitual gym ritual, here are five tricks I've employed to encourage me to get some exercise:
Get a buddy
My nieces are eight and two and as their overprotective aunty, I am a lover of all things buddy system and accountability. If the two-year-old falls, the eight-year-old is accountable for a detailed report as to how this occurred.
The same strategy can work with working out. A buddy can work in two ways, they can be your fellow gym rat sweating with you – which for many make for a more pleasurable gym experience. Or, if you work a crazy schedule like myself, this buddy can act as your gym mom, holding you accountable for the days you slacked off and reminding you of your goals. Just be sure to choose the right person, it's best to work with someone who is equally as invested and needs the same push.
Rack up on workout gear
It's not like I need another excuse to shop, but purchasing some get-fit gear is a fashionable excuse to hit the elliptical. Whether it's purchasing a couple sports bras in your favorite colors, yoga pants that make you feel like squats are life, or dope running sneakers, you have very limited occasions to rock these items and it certainly isn't at your desk.
Try a new class
Like I said, the gym can sometimes give me anxiety. I get bored with the routine and once I'm bored, I completely check out until I feel sloth-like again. To add some spice in my gym routine, I try to incorporate a variety of ways to stay in my tip-top shape.
Whether you incorporate bike riding in the park (snatch up this last wave of good weather), pole dancing with girlfriends, Zumba, or some other inventive workout, a little variety will go a long way.
Create a workout payroll
Recently, my best friend started paying herself after she completed a workout. Dedicating three solid days to #gymlife, she in turn drops a dollar in a jar. The jar is kept in a visible spot in her room so that she can see her progress and act as a reminder that it only gets fed if she puts in some sweat equity.
The best part about this workout payroll is that not only are you sculpting your body, you're giving your savings account some added muscle definition.
Take a selfie
Sweat is sexy. Showing off that hard earned glistening glow is a great way of tracking your progress and getting some positive reinforcement from your followers for logging in those hours.
Fold in another round of selfies to your timeline, you know you want to.
What are some things that you do to motivate you to work out?
Featured image by Giphy
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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Rihanna Talks Shedding Expectations And Finding Balance As A Mother
Since becoming a mother in 2022, Rihanna has defined parenthood by her terms and hopes to pass that sense of autonomy on to her children.
For Vogue China’s April cover story, Rihanna shared her perspective on raising her two sons with A$AP Rocky, and how she hopes to preserve her children’s uniqueness, devoid of societal expectations.
"The most beautiful thing...is that [children] come into the world with their own individuality and sincerity, without any logic or conformity,” she told the publication. “Which usually makes you feel that you must fit into a certain group."
The “Work” artist, known for her trendsetting style and captivating persona, expressed her desire to support children in fully embracing their individuality and encouraging them to be whoever they want to be. "It's really beautiful to see and I want to continue to help them navigate that and make sure that they know they can be whoever they want to be,” she says.
She continues, “They should embrace it completely, because it's beautiful, and it's unique. I love them just that way."
From shattering music charts to shaking up the beauty industry, Rihanna has forged a path that has since created the “dream” life we see today. One that she says has made her parents proud of.
“I’m living my dream,” she continued. “My parents were very proud of that because they just wanted me to be happy and successful. So, I think the key thing is to find some kind of balance. Yes, balance is important. Do this and you get the best of both worlds. You can write your own life the way you want, and it will be beautiful. Sometimes, you just need to let go of everyone’s expectations and start living your own story.”
Rihanna, who shares sons, RZA, 23 months, and Riot, 8 months, with rapper A$AP Rocky, recently shared her vision for expanding her family in the future in Interview Magazine.
When stylist Mel Ottenberg asked about the number of additional children she hoped to have, Rihanna replied, "As many as God wants me to have.”
"I don't know what God wants, but I would go for more than two. I would try for my girl,” she adds. “But of course, if it's another boy, it's another boy."
Featured image by Neil MockfordWireImage