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Forget the Beyoncé butt. Why? Three reasons: one, you are not Beyoncé; two, you are not Beyoncé and, lastly, YOU ARE NOT BEYONCÉ.
It’s not easy to be up at six in the morning just to work up a sweat or even hit the gym after work. But it is doable and can become an addiction.
Read more: How to do the perfect plank
Nike hosted a workout session called Believe in More a few weeks ago where more than 1 100 women gathered at the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit for a good 90-minute workout. At this event I saw all kinds of butts and none looked anything like that Beyoncé booty, but luscious they were. I mean, talk about all shapes and sizes!
There were live acts, like Busiwa, who entertained us with her famous Gobisiqolo and it was a spectacle seeing all those bountiful booties shaking to that sound. For over an hour, all in attendance were really dedicated. And that is what taking control of your body is all about: dedication.
My fitness journey started when I wanted to own something in my life. I was going out with two guys at the time (only one knew about the other). I felt torn, though. One was much older than me and the other just a year or two older. But with everything that was going in my life at that time, I really felt out of control.
Read more: 15 minute workout you can do in your lounge
And it doesn’t help that I am an Aries – control freak. Then, one day, it hit me that I couldn’t carry on living like that. So, I decided that, to clear my head from all my self-inflicted drama, I would escape that life and clear my head by running in the mornings. This led to immense self-esteem and, slowly but surely, both guys fizzled out of my life. That was five years ago and I haven’t looked back since.
There’s an adage that goes: Once you see results, it becomes an addiction. And these results do not include having a Beyoncé booty, but rather having your own. The results start small and these small victories build up. In my case, my first small victory was an easier time at the toilet (exercise helps with your bowel movements), and then came forgetting about my back problems.
I started working out on my own and never really looked to other people to help me. But I know some people do need motivation and if you have the support structure, go for it.
That said, there’s nothing like depending on yourself.
Start small and build on that. Below is an example of how small you can start. Try seeing how long you can hold a plank. Start with timing it for 30 seconds and add 10 seconds every day thereafter. Jot down the time and see your progress. Write it down in your diary so you see it every day and with the more progress you make the more you’ll be convinced that exercise is your thang.
There are many variations to the plank, but as a starting point, try one of two basic planks: basic high plank or the basic elbow plank.
