2011 BLACKGIRLFIT(NESS) CHALLENGE!!
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*sings all hard & loud like J Hud in the Weight Watchers commercial*
I’M FEELING GOOOOD!!
Ladies, our resolutions are fresh, and bad habits are soooo 2010! Put that Coco Loso down right nah!!
Just look at how amazing celebrities such as Jennifer Hudson and Raven-Symoné are looking these days. That could be you!
Sure celebrities have all the resources in the world, but fitness is challenging for everyone. Ciara, Beyonce, Janet Jackson, and Serena Williams don’t just roll out of bed looking that fabulous. They work hard at it. It may take more in the way of willpower for the rest of us, but fundamentally there’s absolutely nothing any of them are doing that’s outside of our reach.
Whether you are working with a personal trainer, are addicted to Wii Fit, or are taking classes at your local Y, the BlackGirlFit(ness) Challenge is all about reaching personal goals and milestones, and being the healthiest and fittest that you can be.
If you would like to participate, please friend the Facebook Page. There you will be able to post the stories about your journey, and help others who need the motivation.
I encourage everyone to share pictures. Before, after, now, ten years ago, whatever you have!
I’ll be uploading my pictures, stats, and goals soon. Won’t you join me?
ARTICLE SUGGESTIONS AND SUBMISSIONS
The contact page had a few bugs, and if you have submitted anything through it, please know that it was never received, and you were not ignored! Please just resend through email.
For the time being, I’ve removed the contact page completely. 
The best way to send article requests is through Facebook. If you would like to see a product or project profiled here, then email is better for the exchange.
If you would like to contribute to the site in any way, or would like your project profiled, please send your information on! It don’t matter if you’re black or white!
I’ve had a few people nudge me about the Fitness Challenge, but I wanted to wait until everyone had the holiday debauchery out of their systems before we got down to business!
It will be announced within a few days, I promise. I’ve definitely been working on it. Thanks, ladies!
HEALTHIER HOLIDAY MEAL OPTIONS
Just when you thought you HAD to eat that whole pan of double chocolate chip cookies, FOOD Network comes to the rescue!! They put together a nice list of alternative recipes that include Lighter Chocolate Chip Cookies, Baked Crab Cakes, & Low-Fat Egg Nog among other remixes to popular dishes.
Click here for the full slideshow.
Photo Credit: FOOD Network
MERRY CHRISTMAS LADIES! WHAT’S ON THE MENU?
I’m a strong proponent of not depriving yourself of the things that you enjoy. I’m not going to tell anyone to abstain from the mac n’ cheese & cornbread tonight. (Hell, I’m not.) But don’t show up to Christmas dinner behaving like you’re eating for an army!
Holiday dinners are generally pretty guiltless for me, b/c I always keep it at one plate. Yes, one plate! I don’t pile it a foot high, and I never take home leftovers. Of course this is almost always interpreted as an insult to the chef, but I’m not gonna pack on the extra pounds over your grandma’s secret recipe.
Don’t let these cooks sabotage your waistline!!
Happy Holidays & Merry Christmas!
HOW YOU CAN GET A FLAT STOMACH
Yes, YOU. First off, let’s establish that everything is easier said than done. Weight loss, weight gain, better legs, better butt, better arms—whatever it is you’re trying to achieve, unless you’re an anomaly (which at least 80% of us haven’t proven to be) you will have to invest time and effort to achieve desired results.
You’ve heard it all before, and it’s absolutely true: Abs are made in the kitchen. You’re never going to have a flat stomach, let alone a six-pack if you don’t decrease your overall fat percentage. This requires meticulous attention to your diet and working to eliminate—or drastically reduce the consumption of foods which offer little to no nutritional value. I highly suggest keeping an online food journal through SparkPeople to help you through this.
Now that you’ve addressed your diet, remember there’s no such thing as spot reduction. You can’t only do exercises specifically targeting your stomach and expect results. You must incorporate cardio and an effective strength training routine to start shedding those pounds and showing off those abs! Don’t be discouraged if you lose weight elsewhere first; genetics and commitment will determine when your flat stomach will make its debut.
Below are some of the exercises I incorporate into my overall regimen to make sure my stomach never hangs over my belt:
1. Jumprope.
This is one of the simplest, most effective ways to shed pounds when I’m aggressively trying to lean out. Buy one, or borrow your kids’.
2. Planks + Side Planks
Not only do they strengthen your core, but they also strengthen your arms and legs.
3. Pushups
I LOVE pushups. Even modified pushups are effective. Like planks, they also strengthen your arms. Look out, Shelly O!
4. Yoga
Believe it or not, my first real introduction to Yoga was through the Wii Fit. I’ve since begun incorporating some of the poses independently, and count these among my favorite:
Spinal Twist
Downward Facing Dog
Cobra
Bridge
Half Moon
5. Hula Hoop
I used to be terrible, but finally got the hang of it! Hula Hooping is so fun, and it can help eliminate those love handles as well as strengthen your core and arms.
Stay tuned for the 2011 BlackGirlFit(ness) Challenge, ladies (& gents). I’ll be announcing the details soon through Facebook. Remember to Like the page. 
GETTING OVER YOUR FEAR OF THE GYM
Ladies there’s nothing more disheartening than a woman who won’t go to the gym for fear of being judged or stared at. Sure that’s easier said the closer you get to your goals, but don’t let what some stranger may think deter you from reaching your milestones. Read more
FAST FOOD GOT ME FEELING FIT
When it comes to food, weight loss, & maintenance, it’s all about calories consumed vs. calories expended. It’s very simple math, & as long as you keep a log of what you’ve been eating, you’ll find that a burger or fries every once in a while won’t necessarily be the death of you.
I eat McDonald’s & Burger King on a fairly frequent basis, however I never eat Big Macs, Triple Whoppers (I just noticed this atrocity on the menu the other day) or any other “super” sandwich. Instead, I’m the lone grown woman who orders a happy meal with no children in tow.
I get the satisfaction of a hamburger (no cheese), apple fries/dippers, & even a small fry on occasion. Nobody ever said Diet Coke was good for you, but remember we’re dealing w/numerics here, and diet registers as a caloric zero.
There’s no earthly reason to Super Size anything, and you should really be thankful when the employee stiffs you on the fries &/or salt!
BLACK GIRLS CAN BE FIT
Welcome to BlackGirlFit.com! The purpose of this website is to motivate Black women all over the world to adopt a healthier diet, as well as a responsible fitness regimen.
In the United States nearly 80% of African-American women are overweight, while approximately 50% are obese. You read that right. 1 in 2 African-American women are obese!!
There are a multitude of factors that contribute to this number—including little to no access to fresh fruits and quality ingredients, or simply a preference for junk food and overconsumption.
I am not a size zero; never have been, never will be. I’ve been as big as a size 16, and dieted myself into bobblehead status. I’ve been skinny-fat and fat-solid!
One thing I have learned through my personal journey is that the weight ain’t gonna keep itself off whether I’m 145lbs or 190lbs. You have got to get up, get out, and get moving! You have to follow a balanced diet, and say no sometimes. No that doesn’t mean eat rice cakes and drink Crystal Light for the rest of your days, but it does mean if you’re going to have a value meal, substitute the fries for a salad, the soda for diet, or learn to indulge every once in a while instead of everyday.
None of us are perfect, hence the reason why I created this site. What we are is responsible for our personal health, and I want each and every one of you to reach your goals with support from your sisters across the world!
