If you follow our Instagram page, we celebrate #FreeFridays. Free Fridays are aimed at getting free, mentally, spiritually, physically and emotionally. It's a celebration of self and of life, a period of gratitude and grace. Feel free to join us and use the hashtags #FreeFridays and #letsgetfree.
Let's get to it, so today's post is a little different. There will be more and more features, highlighting and creating space for other Black Girls Who Have A Lot to Say. Ava Duvernay says it best, "If your dream only includes you, its too small."
As a Southern Black girl, my family's diet consists of traditional Southern meals. Before a few years ago, I did not know what a vegan diet consisted of or even how someone could truly be vegetarian. I was used to the women in my family dealing with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and even diabetes and saw that as the norm. I have seen the long-term effects within my own immediate family and have been fighting hard as hell to beat the health odds. About four years ago, I became fully pescatarian. I stopped eating chicken, pork, and beef, and have experimented with vegan and plant-based eating since then. While I have successfully been able to start buying local fruits and veggies and increase my water intake, I still struggle with finding the momentum and balance of eating properly and keeping my body active.
For me, Taylor has shown what it looks like to truly care for your body. She has exemplified a priority of health and wellness, from her many scheduled workouts throughout the week to accommodate my other line sisters and me to making meal prepping look cool as hell. Taylor reminded me of why we must be active and put things that are good for us in our bodies.
Taylor Williams is a 22-year-old recent graduate of The University of Alabama with a Bachelor's in Exercise and Sport science! She found her niche in Exercise and Sport science because she loves everything health and fitness! It has always been a genuine passion of hers. Taylor's training sessions, which I've had a few of, are upbeat and she makes you feel as if you can really do this shit.
"My goal is to reach as many people as I can and help change their lives through health and fitness like it has changed mine."
As Taylor grows and develops in the fitness industry as a certified personal trainer, group fitness instructor, and fitness competitor, she's also building my personal brand! Check out her Instagram here!
Just recently, Taylor competed in a bodybuilding competition and won first place overall! #fittotheT
This an only a small portion of what Taylor does, but here are a few staple exercises that helped her reach some of her competition goals!
Exercise: Seated Hip Abduction with resistance band
Benefits: hip, glutes
How to:
Place resistance band right above the knees
In a seated position, sit upright with core tight, shoulders back, and chest up
Raise one toe off the ground and hip abduct hip
Repeat for 3 sets of 8-10 reps
Exercise: 1 and a Quarter Goblet Squat
Benefits: glutes, quads
How to:
Stabilize kettlebell with two hands at chest level (underhand grip)
Stand with feet facing forward and shoulder-distance apart
Squat down, return a quarter of the way up, complete one full squat
Squeeze glutes at the top
Repeat for 3 sets of 8-10 reps
Exercise: Barbell Sumo Deadlift
Benefits: Glutes, quads, lower back
How to:
Get into a squat position with toes pointed outward
Tuck your hips forward and squeeze your core
Lift the weight by engaging your glutes and quads, pushing through your heels
Explode through the motion, and squeeze glutes at the top
Repeat for 3 sets of 8-10 reps
"Being a healthy woman isn't about getting on a scale or measuring your waistline. We need to start focusing on what matters---on how we feel, and how we feel about ourselves."
- Forever First Lady Michelle Obama
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