

We’ve hit the mid-point of the summer, where we shift our priorities from hitting our gym goals to making the most of what we have left of the summer. Hitting a slump in your summer workout routine is a common experience that many individuals face, especially with routines becoming disrupted by vacations, social events, or simply the allure of lazy beach days. It's easy to find yourself veering off track from your fitness goals, but that isn’t a sign of failure. The initial enthusiasm we began the season might start to wane, but there’s still time to hit the reset button.
Resetting your summer workout routine is all about introducing new workout routines into our schedule that challenge you, spark gym joy, and get you to shake off the midsummer slump. Embrace the summer spirit by incorporating outdoor activities like swimming, hiking, or beach volleyball, which are just as effective as they are fun. And if you’re considering trying new fitness classes or joining a group workout to add a fresh perspective and social aspect to your routine, you’ve got the perfect program for you to explore.
The 14-Day Summer Sculpt series from Alo Moves is a sizzling workout designed to reignite your summer fitness routine. Led by your new gym besties, Jeffrey Alan and Meghan Mcferran, this program promises to sculpt your muscles from head to toe with short and spicy workouts that pack a punch.
Courtesy of Alo Moves
With a mix of sculpt styles like dance, slow burn, and cardio, you’ll say “bye-bye” to boredom as you switch things up with a new workout every day. Whether you're a seasoned fitness enthusiast or just starting your journey, this series caters to all levels of experience. You have the flexibility to choose between individual workouts for a quick sweat or stack them together to intensify the burn, allowing you to adapt the program to your personal fitness goals.
I’ve been implementing workouts from the series into my gym time to change up the monotony of my cardio and HIIT routine. As someone who has always wanted to incorporate more dance and high-energy moves into my workouts, I’ve found myself gravitating toward the “Dance Strength Sculpt” And “Dance HIIT & Sculpt” programs with jumping, high-energy, muscle-building movements that put a focus on my abs and glutes.
The 14-Day Summer Sculpt series aims to invigorate both your body and mind, creating a sense of motivation and energy that will carry you through the last stretch of summer. By targeting and toning your muscles effectively in each class, you'll experience tangible progress over the two weeks, leaving you feeling strong and confident in your ability to bounce back after a gym hiatus.
Courtesy of Alo Moves
While the moves can be challenging at times, it’s been fun to see what I can accomplish when I embrace each challenge and let the good vibes flow.
It's okay to have occasional setbacks or days when you don't feel like hitting the gym. Working out is a journey with many ebbs and flows that remind you to be patient with yourself and to practice self-compassion. By hitting the reset button and embracing a new approach to your summer workout routine, you'll find renewed enthusiasm, stay committed to your fitness goals, and make the most of this vibrant and active season.
Whether you're prepping for a special end-of-summer vacation, aiming to improve your overall fitness, or simply seeking to have fun while staying active, this series will be a perfect addition to your summer reset routine.
Try out the 14-day free Alo Moves trial by visiting https://www.alomoves.com/.
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Aley Arion is a writer and digital storyteller from the South, currently living in sunny Los Angeles. Her site, yagirlaley.com, serves as a digital diary to document personal essays, cultural commentary, and her insights into the Black Millennial experience. Follow her at @yagirlaley on all platforms!
'He Said, She Said': Love Stories Put To The Test At A Weekend For Love
At the A Weekend For Love retreat, we sat down with four couples to explore their love stories in a playful but revealing way with #HeSaidSheSaid. From first encounters to life-changing moments, we tested their memories to see if their versions of events aligned—because, as they say, every story has three sides: his, hers, and the truth.
Do these couples remember their love stories the same way? Press play to find out.
Episode 1: Indira & Desmond – Love Across the Miles
They say distance makes the heart grow fonder, but for Indira & Desmond, love made it stronger. Every mile apart deepened their bond, reinforcing the unshakable foundation of their relationship. From their first "I love you" to the moment they knew they had found home in each other, their journey is a beautiful testament to the endurance of true love.
Episode 2: Jay & Tia – A Love Story Straight Out of a Rom-Com
If Hollywood is looking for its next Black love story, they need to take notes from Jay & Tia. Their journey—from an awkward first date to navigating careers, parenthood, and personal growth—proves that love is not just about romance but also resilience. Their story is full of laughter, challenges, and, most importantly, a love that stands the test of time.
Episode 3: Larencia & Mykel – Through the Highs and Lows
A date night with police helicopters overhead? Now that’s a story! Larencia & Mykel have faced unexpected surprises, major life changes, and 14 years of choosing each other every single day. But after all this time, do they actually remember things the same way? Their episode is sure to bring some eye-opening revelations and a lot of laughs.
Episode 4: Soy & Osei – A Love Aligned in Purpose
From a chance meeting at the front door to 15 years of unwavering love, faith, and growth, Soy & Osei prove that when two souls are aligned in love and purpose, nothing can shake their foundation. Their journey is a powerful reminder that true love is built on mutual support, shared values, and a deep connection that only strengthens with time.
Each of these couples has a unique and inspiring story to tell, but do their memories match up? Watch #HeSaidSheSaid to find out!
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Swipe Right For Sisterhood: Reginae Carter Talks Teaming Up With BLK To Make Friendships Front & Center
You know the vibes: dating apps aren’t just for finding romance anymore—at least not for Gen Z! As young people continue to redefine connection, BLK, the leading dating app for Black singles, is shaking things up with the launch of Social Mode. The new feature allows users to toggle between dating and platonic connections. Yep, you read that right—friendship is now just as easy to find as love.
To kick off this game-changing launch, BLK teamed up with TV personality and socialite Reginae Carter for the ultimate Girls’ Night In, proving that sisterhood is just as important as romance. The exclusive event was a celebration of the new feature and the power of Black women coming together to uplift one another.
“Your circle is everything,” Reginae shares with a smile, and she’s not wrong. She’s all about creating spaces where we can come together, let our hair down, and vibe with like-minded women. “We deserve spaces to meet, uplift, and vibe with each other. BLK is making that happen,” she adds.
A New Era for Friendships—Social Mode Is Here!
Gen Z is all about building meaningful connections, whether it’s with a date or a new brunch buddy. That’s why Social Mode is such a big deal. Research shows that 65% of Gen Z values friendships just as much as romantic relationships. With BLK’s new feature, users can easily toggle between “Dating” and “Social,” opening up a world of platonic connections—no swiping right required.
Bahja Rodriguez, Reginae Carter, Breaunna Womack, Lourdes Rodriguez and Zonnique Pullins attend OMG Girlz "Make A Scene" Single Release & Video Viewing Party at Trap City Cafe on March 27, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia
Photo by Prince Williams/WireImage
Reginae Carter Hosts the Ultimate Girls’ Night In—Powered by BLK Social Mode
What better way to show Social Mode in action than with an exclusive Girls’ Night In, hosted by Reginae? The event brought together top influencers, tastemakers, and press for a night of luxury, self-care, and real talk about love, sex, and relationships. From tarot readings to perfume-making and signature cocktails, the evening embodied the “soft life” vibe that many Black women are embracing in 2025—peaceful, intentional, and full of joy.
Guests mingled, laughed, and bonded over the importance of finding a tribe that supports you. It wasn’t just about fun (although there was plenty of that!)—it was about creating a circle of inspiring, strong women. “We need to stick together. We need to be each other’s village,” Reginae says, emphasizing the power of community over competition.
Sisterhood: The Real MVP
For Reginae, it’s all about friendship—and not just the surface-level kind. “We need friends who keep it real with us. The ones who can tell us when we’re right, when we’re wrong, and when we need to calm down,” she says. As someone who navigates the spotlight, she’s got the best of both worlds: friends who understand the grind and those who can give her an honest, grounded perspective.
Her advice for building strong, intentional friendships? “Be confident in yourself and know your worth,” she explains. “Also, hurt people hurt people, so make sure you’re coming from a good place when you’re building relationships. It’s not always about being nice—sometimes it’s about being real.”
Reginae couldn’t have summed it up better: “When you have the right circle, the right tribe, everything just feels easier. And that’s exactly what BLK is giving us—space to connect, laugh, and grow with each other.”
To learn more about BLK’s Social Mode, download or update the BLK app in the App Store or Google Play Store today. Who knows? You might just find your new bestie or your next brunch crew.
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Feature image by Prince Williams/WireImage