The first week of January is over and done, and many of us, including myself, are having trouble staying on track. Luckily, our favorite rappers have provided songs and attitudes to keep us in shape. Here are seven tips I'm personally using to reach my fitness goals. Hopefully they'll help you, too!
1. Treat Potlucks and Free Food Like a West Coast vs. East Coast Beef
Working with people who aren't on a lifestyle change is hard. So when they come around offering cakes and all that sweet sh*t you gotta be like Tupac in "Hit 'Em Up." This is the only way. Trust me. Your coworkers don't care about you trying to lose that 15 pounds for your trip to Miami. They will sabotage you because to them your goals are not as important as having a food buddy at work. You gotta have a gangsta attitude when they come through with the free lunch, otherwise you'll end up making bad choices at home, too.
Speaking of home, watch your back and your front. Remember what the late great Biggie said in the "Ten Crack Commandments":
Your moms'll set that ass up / properly gassed up / Hoodied and masked up / sh*t, for that fast buck / She be laying in the bushes to light that ass up.
Friends and family will be the first ones to discourage you from eating right just because they want you to go half on a pizza.
2. Be Jeezy
In the song "Put On," Jeezy said:
They know I got that broccoli / So I keep that glock on me / Don't get caught without one
In short, you need to keep that thang on ya. What is that thang? Snacks.
Personally, I have sabotaged my health goals because I was hungry and grabbed the closest thing to me — which was my phone to order Chinese, or the vending machine at work. Neither options helped with my goals to be fit. So, wherever you are you gotta stay strapped. Yogurt, a piece of fruit — find healthy snacks that you like and make sure you drink plenty of water.
3. Look the Part
Said little b*tch / You can't f*ck with me / If you wanted to / These expensive / These is red bottoms / These is bloody shoes
— Cardi B, "Bodak Yellow"
When you look good, you feel good. There is no better way to stay motivated toward your fitness goal than having what you need. The shoes, the sweats, the bag, home weights. Not only does it make it easier to workout, but it shows people that you did not come to play. You gotta dress for the job (in this case, body) you want. Buy you some new Nikes or Ivy Park. You deserve it.
4. Find You a Plug
Everyone needs a connect. I go to YouTube for fitness videos that I can do at home or at the gym. A lot of reputable personal trainers have YouTube channels and often share fitness tips.
If you have the money, hire a personal trainer. You can also follow people like Massy Arias (@Massy.Arias) or former Baltimore Ravens player Curtis Williams (@curtiswilliams17) to make it easier to keep up with your goals. They become your online buddies and inspiration.
Also, be your own plug. It's OK to flex on social media. Post those progress pics and videos in the gym. Let 'em know you're working. Get a food journal or fitness app.
Bonus Tip: Don't be like Plies and run off on the plug. You're only hurting yourself.
5. Food Prep
Kid that used to pitch bricks can't be pigeonholed / I cooked up more chicken when the kitchen closed
— Jay-Z, "Family Feud"
Meal prepping is important. A lot of us are busy with a 9 to 5, kids, school and trying to make time for the gym. So close the kitchen. If you cook your meals for the week in a day, you'll be less likely to get caught up ordering takeout. As soon as you wake up you can pack your lunch for work, and when you come home you don't have to worry about dinner. Abs are made in the kitchen, but no one wants to spend all their time in there.
6. Always Listen to Kayne
You gotta crawl before you ball
— Kanye West, "Niggas in Paris"
It's important to know your limitations. Don't start off trying to do a 10k when you should being a 5k. Personally, I haven't made it to the gym, yet. Instead, I'm working out from home watching BoDiBiDAY videos. The plan is to build endurance. You got to have patience with yourself. The choice for a better, healthier lifestyle is going to have obstacles. You have to be prepared to take baby steps. Each milestone is going to get you to your goal. I'll make it to the gym eventually, but for now, my yoga mat and weights from Walmart are just fine.
7. Secure the Bag
It is important for you to secure your bag.The only way you're gonna lose or gain that 15 pounds is with action. This means you have to make time to workout before going to bed or leaving for work. You can't expect results without hard work. So make sure you're doing whatever you have to in order to secure your fitness bag. Schedule time for the gym or home workouts. No excuses. No days off. If you want to wear that new fit or flex, then you gotta stay down to you come up.
