The top of the year is a time when many of us rededicate ourselves to our health and fitness goals. It’s like around this time of the year, we are programmed to think new year-new body, and there’s statistics to prove it. Forty-eight percent of adults set their New Year’s intentions for 2024 on improved health, according to the Forbes Health/OnePoll survey. Another 32% set goals on improving their diet while 34% of New Year’s resolutions focused on losing weight, Forbes Health reported.
No matter the impetus or time of year, centering your health and fitness is always on time, particularly as we grow older and face a range of physical challenges. There’s literally no bad time to get started. Are you ready to embark on your fitness journey and don’t know where to get started? Are you struggling with staying motivated and need an extra push?
Don’t worry, AUNTIE got you. We’ve curated a list of six Black women fitness influencers to help inspire you and to keep you encouraged to stay the course.
1) Nicci Robinson
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Nicci Robinson is a certified personal trainer and registered nurse who offers fitness and nutrition tips to over one million followers. On her Instagram reels, the powerhouse serves body-ody-ody while demonstrating movements that target different parts of the body at the same time. Her weight- training workouts are not only effective, they are perfect for people who have limited time to exercise.By joining her “tribe,” one can receive personalized support, workout and nutrition guides.
2) Anowa Adjah
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Weighing in at over 200lbs, this brick house is living proof that a scale isn’t the only way to measure fitness. The Nigerian beauty is the creator of the “Lose The Gut, Keep The Butt Challenge.” The monthly challenges provide a supportive online community and workouts that can be done at home or in the gym. The mom of twins has been featured on Good Morning America and in countless online publications. She shares her battle with diastasis recti (separation of the abdominal wall), a condition that affects more than 60% of pregnant women. She uses her experience to teach clients ways to achieve that post-baby snap-back. She offers a realistic approach to living a healthy lifestyle. Sis is an advocate of cheat meals and simple, yet effective workouts. Visit her website for meal plans, one- on-one coaching and more.
3) Bo-Talley Williams
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This grandmother is a fitness coach, model and event planner. She will bless your timeline with fitness and style inspo that is sure to keep you inspired. On her Instagram feed, she shares beginner-friendly workouts that can be done at home. The beautiful silver fox offers virtual personal training sessions and fitness assessments on her website. Her personal and group sessions are budget-friendly($35) and AUNTIE-approved.
4) Kenya Simmons
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Kenya “Kenni” Simmons is a personal trainer and an unapologetic advocate for women. The self proclaimed “Well-being Coach” takes a holistic approach to helping people achieve their fitness goals. In her Instagram series “clients in the wild” people get an inside look at her no-nonsense, yet hysterical approach to personal training. In true Auntie fashion, Kenni lovingly reads the girlies for filth while pushing them to challenge themselves. She recently gathered a group of clients for a photoshoot where the ladies glammed up and celebrated their wins. We love to see it.
If you are in the Atlanta area, pop in for a personal training session.
5) Edwina Wehjla
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Edwina “The Alchemist” Wehjla is a fitness, style and beauty icon. When she pops up on your newsfeed with her six-pack abs on full display, one can’t help but to be motivated. The Liberian beauty is the creator of the “6AM Gym Girl Challenge” which aims to help clients transform their bodies while developing healthy habits. At $20, the program is not only affordable, but participants have a chance to win a $500 prize.
6) Sheryl Grant
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This 62-year-old stunner is a fitness advocate, career coach and public speaker who doesn’t look a day over 40. Her IG page is filled with motivational workout videos, style tips and some good ol’ words of encouragement. Her infectious personality and youthful energy remind us there’s no age limit on fitness—or being fine as hell. The self-proclaimed “transformational leader” is the founder of “FIT for Life” where she offers business, career and life coaching. At 55, the beauty was crowned Ms. Olympia. She will be returning to the competition to reclaim her crown this October. We are rooting for you, sis.
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