“Tales of a “Not So” Hot Girl Summer
Living Our Best Lives in a Chaotic World
In the summer of 2019, rap artist Meg Thee Stallion made the declaration that it was a “Hot Girl Summer”. That summer, legions of women swore their allegiance and vowed to be a “Hot Girls”. Many women embraced the song, and it became their anthem; embracing their confidence and fierceness.
Then the unthinkable happened… our world was gripped in the throes of an invisible foe- COVID19. For over a year, we were forced into the confines of our homes. The thoughts of renewing our allegiance to the Hot Girl Nation would become a faint memory. Instead of “Wine Down Wednesday” and “Girls Night Out”, our days became consumed with virtual meetings. Many of us are now triggered at the thought of enduring another Zoom call! Instead of shopping for summer clothes, we were shopping for masks, hand sanitizer, and toilet paper. With all the uncertainty, this led to increased levels of stress, heightened anxieties, and frustration. To cope with the chaos, many of us turned to food. Food- the one thing that could provide comfort. Never judgmental and always there to support us. Food eased our feelings that we could not express.
Fast forward to 2021 and the world has slowly opened back up. As we work to return to the world, we face a new adversary- the pandemic pounds. The thought of wearing ‘real clothes’ again feels exciting and daunting. A survey conducted by the American Psychological Association (APA) revealed that 61% of its participants reported undesired weight changes. This trend reflected the trauma associated with a disruption of our patterns. The survey revealed that weight change is a common symptom with mental health challenges.
The question many people are struggling with now is how to return to some semblance of a stability. “What do I with the extra pounds?”
“How can I become comfortable in the skin that I’m skin?”
“Where do begin with a wellness journey?”
The short answer is- it takes time. You can achieve your goals “SAFE”-ly!
- Start with a goal. It’s one thing to say, “I want to lose weight.” It’s not specific and no action is required. When you change the narrative to, “I want to lose 10 pounds in 90 days.” From setting your goal. You can create the steps to achieve. The key is to create small, manageable steps. A good method for planning your goals is to use the SMART technique. To be SMART means that your goals will be:
- Specific (simple, sensible, significant).
- Measurable (meaningful, motivating).
- Achievable (agreed, attainable).
- Relevant (reasonable, realistic and resourced, results-based).
- Time bound (time-based, time limited, time/cost limited, timely, time-sensitive).
2. Action. Now that you’ve established the goals, it’s time to get to work! Become intentional about scheduling in your fitness activity into your week. “If you’re a beginner, just 30 minutes of moderate activity five days a week could be all it takes for you to reap the many benefits of exercise, according to the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (ODPHP, part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services).”
Examples of exercise include swimming, walking, water aerobics. Find an activity that you enjoy.
3. Forgive yourself. Last year was emotionally draining for all of us. We were thrown into a situation that no one was prepared to handle. We went into survival mode. While you’re working to rediscover yourself, show yourself kindness and compassion. “If your first response to a negative situation is to criticize yourself, it’s time to show yourself some kindness and compassion. The only way to begin the journey to forgiveness is to be kind and compassionate with yourself. This takes time, patience, and a reminder to yourself that you’re worthy of forgiveness.”
4. Eating. It’s true, you can’t out train a bad diet. While developing a successful weight loss strategy, don’t forget to plan out a healthy meal plan.” A healthy diet and lifestyle are the best weapons to protect against heart disease. In fact, incorporating heart-healthy foods, exercising more, maintaining a healthy weight and not smoking can help reduce cardiovascular disease-related deaths by 50 percent.” You can achieve your goals without sacrificing delicious, flavorful meals.
Alright Hot Girls repeat after me, “ I… state your name… vow to live my best life. To go after my dreams and enjoy myself. I am more than a number on a scale and will work to live a healthy, balance life!”
Beverly K. Johnson is a health and wellness advocate and motivational life coach who partners with her clients to develop strategies to demolish old habits and embrace a healthy, whole lifestyle. Ms. Johnson is an elite trainer and nutrition coach with over a decade of experience in the fitness industry.
GenFit is a community of women who recognize the need to reclaim their lives and are emotionally ready to do the work. She named her new motivational fitness business Genesys Fitness because it signified a rebirth for the often “forgotten” woman: the divorce’, caretaker and empty-nester. GenFit believes self-care takes priority over caring for others because it is in caring for ourselves that we make the best caregivers. We believe that by helping women rediscover who they are after suffering a loss, she will be empowered to become her ideal self — physically, mentally, and emotionally.
Cited sources:
[1] “Is 30 Minutes of Exercise a Day Really Enough” — www.verywellfit.com
[2] “How to Forgive Yourself”- www.healthline.com
[3] “7 Day Heart Healthy Meal Plan”- www.eatingwell.com
