Let’s be clear: I’m very comfortable in my skin. I also believe that beauty is just as much about your inward appearance as it is about the external. With that said, Weight is a very personal thing. It really makes me cringe hearing people ask about or comment on other people’s weight in a not so nice way. Growing up in my Nigerian culture, hearing “oh my dear, you’ve added” or straight up “you’re getting fat” were normal greetings to expect from an auntie. I recently posted a childhood photo of myself that doesn’t really look much like me now. Why? Because at my heaviest, I was 220 lbs. Fortunately, I was never bullied or anything, but I was really self-conscious. I still remember the exact moment I decided to do something about it. I was babysitting my little cousins and watching BET. It was the year that Monique hosted. One of my cousins pointed at the tv and said “Beverly look, it’s you.” And when I tell you, that right there did it. I decided to change my eating habits and started walking at the park across the street from the house. I incorporated more physical activity and better eating habits and between middle school and high school, I lost about 50 lbs then an additional 20 lbs in undergrad.

Now in adulthood, my body and metabolism continue to change and I’m okay with that. I did adopt some lifestyle changes to make sure I never get too far from my ideal weight and build,

Diet & Portion Control- Growing up, I can honestly say that the portion sizes in our house were pretty big. I had to make a conscious effort to tell myself no once I was full and pay more attention to what I put on my plate. Now, I cook the majority of my meals *putting a plant based/vegetarian spin on some of my favorites*, try to avoid regular mindless eating sessions like brunch or happy hour, and try to be strategic about my caloric intake.
Exercise - When I lost the most significant amount of weight, I eliminated processed foods from my diet and worked out 5 days a week. Today, I typically work out at least 3 times a week. Ideally I want to increase that frequency back up to 4-5 times a week.
Positive Motivation – It always helps to have an accountability partner to workout with or who can call you out when you’re not doing what you promised yourself you’d do. I get my best results when I have someone going to the gym with me. It also helps to have someone humor my ever-fluctuating “no meat, no cheese, no eggs, no rice or pasta” dietary preferences.
Consistency – Consistency is key and that’s in anything. I didn’t know how to exercise or “eat right” when I first started. And giving up meat at first seemed impossible, later giving up dairy seemed impossible. I’m currently struggling to keep rice, bread, and pasta at a minimum *rice & stew was the staple meal of life* but based on what I’ve achieved so far with my diet, I know that I’ll get used to it and soon won’t miss it at all. Likewise with exercise, if I keep at it, I know I’ll be able to make my way back to 4 or 5 workouts a week.

Again, I’m confident in my skin. I do these things because I feel my best when I keep doing them. If for nothing else it helps me maintain and not gain when I’m being lax with it. Just because I’m cool with sharing my weight ups and downs doesn’t mean that everyone is. Weight is personal and can vary between and among the sexes. A guy can take creamer out of his coffee for a week and drop 5lbs, meanwhile a woman may have to workout 5 days a week and eat rabbit food morning noon and night just to maintain. Plus you never know what health issues are causing a person’s weight loss or gain all the more reason why we gotta respect folks’ choice to share or not share.

If you want to share your weight or fitness story and possibly motivate someone else, feel free to share in the comments or email it to me at theuptownbody@gmail.com, I won’t share it if you don’t want me to. Either way, you’re gorgeous

XOXO

Beverly