K.J. Smith, known for her roles in shows like Sistas, has openly shared her experiences with weight fluctuations and her journey towards a healthier lifestyle. Her approach emphasizes a holistic view of health, encompassing not only diet and exercise but also mental and emotional well-being. Smith's story resonates with many who seek sustainable and balanced ways to manage their weight and overall health.
Acknowledging the Struggle: Weight Fluctuations and the "Quarantine 15"
While K.J. Smith didn’t gain the dreaded “quarantine 15” during the pandemic, she understands the challenges of maintaining a consistent weight. She recognizes the emotional connection many people have with food, especially when faced with boredom or stress. “I think our minds get bored, so we’re like ‘eat food.’ Food is an activity now, it’s not just for survival anymore." This acknowledgment of the psychological aspects of eating is a crucial first step in her weight loss journey.
The "Why": Motivation Rooted in Family and Future
For K.J. Smith, her motivation to stay healthy goes beyond personal appearance. She has a strong "why" rooted in her family history and future aspirations. “I have a family who unfortunately suffers from diabetes, high blood pressure, hypertension,” she revealed. “My ‘why’ is for my legacy, it’s for my future kids. I want to have a family, so I have to stay healthy for them." This deep-seated desire to break the cycle of health issues and be a healthy parent fuels her commitment to a sustainable lifestyle.
Holistic Practices: Meditation, Yoga, and Mindfulness
K.J. Smith emphasizes the importance of mental and emotional well-being in her health journey. “I’m doing my best with the rest of the world by trying to meditate and spend time with my family as often as I can,” she admitted. She has also incorporated yoga into her routine, noting its benefits for mindfulness and presence. “I’ve recently picked up a practice of yoga, because it just requires you to be more zinc and be more present in your breath." These practices help her manage stress and stay grounded, contributing to a healthier relationship with food and her body.
Efficient Workouts: 30-Minute Routines and Kukura Fitness
Understanding the demands of a busy life, K.J. Smith favors efficient workout routines. Adopting 30-minute routines also helped K.J. keep the weight off. “I like to burn fast and finish soon." She has recently started taking classes in Kukura fitness. This approach makes exercise more manageable and sustainable in the long run.
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Gradual Changes: A Sustainable Approach to Diet
Smith advises against drastic dietary changes, emphasizing the importance of gradual adjustments. Younger girls come to me and want to change their entire diet and exercise two hours a day, which shakes up your body. Your body wants to store the fat because it feels like there’s an emergency. I’m not kidding you when I say, add more hours to your sleep, cut out just one thing (i.e. stop eating steak three times a week, stop eating bread with every meal, etc.) and that can equal results. Once you see the change from that one thing, you won’t have to be motivated anymore because you’ll see it and want to cut out more. It’ll naturally happen, but when you force it, you don’t get anything.This approach focuses on making small, sustainable changes that lead to long-term results.
Self-Care as a Priority: Sleep, Water, and Stress Reduction
Smith believes the key to staying healthy and having vibrant skin (simply put) includes a lot of sleep and water. “People always think I work out a lot because I used to be a heavier woman, but I contribute it to wanting to reduce my stress. That’s how I stay healthy." Prioritizing sleep, hydration, and stress reduction are essential components of her self-care routine, contributing to her overall well-being.
The Power of Community: Finding Your Tribe
Noting that tribes are in fact very important, KJ wants us to adapt our ancestorial roots by building up our own villages and taking care of one another again. “I think it’s essential to find your tribe. I found my tribe in LA and that’s when I started seeing success. I have people I can call on, people I could get advice from, people whose couch I could sleep on - and now there’s like a reciprocity in this exchange. We move to these big cities alone and become Miss Independent, we all are singing Lil Boosie - It wasn’t until I realized, I couldn’t do any of this by myself. Building a supportive network of friends, mentors, and advisors is crucial for personal and professional growth.
Embracing Individuality: Marching to the Beat of Your Own Drum
KJ Smith is definitely marching to the beat of her own drum and we love to see it! KJ Smith's journey is a testament to the power of self-acceptance, resilience, and a holistic approach to health. By prioritizing mental and emotional well-being, making gradual lifestyle changes, and building a strong support system, she has created a sustainable path towards a healthier and happier life.
Using Her Platform: Educating and Entertaining
KJ stresses the importance of using her platform to educate and entertain. For this reason, she makes sure to use her influence for good and to give back. Whether that be directing her non-counterparts so they may receive more information to sign up, donate, and protest, or creating content. Black Excellence, a film starring KJ, brings the Black family back together. Now that her platform has gotten larger, KJ is proud to know her message is being received by the masses. She continues on by saying, “I am a Black woman in America who is fighting for her people and I have a voice in my personal life that people can listen to.
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Balancing Career and Personal Life: The Character of Andi
KJ plays the role of Andrea Barnes, a hardworking lawyer with a certain seriousness about her, which isn’t something KJ feels she resembles in her own life. “In the episode, That Look when Andrea kind of lets her hair down, I felt like that was closer to my actual personality (laughs). I’m a more laidback version of Andi - I say what I feel, I do what I want, and I worry about the rest later. I feel that was the most fun episode [so far] because I’m not the comedic relief on the show. My character is very serious. She takes her job, her man, and her friendships very serious. She was able to have some fun. Yes, it was toxic and self-sabotaging, but fun, and I actually had fun shooting it too! She prides herself by using her raw and real emotions to play the character. When asked how love and a career may go hand-in-hand she simply said, “I would like to see that [for Andi], and I honestly don’t think it’s too late to see it.
Thanksgiving and Christmas Holiday Plans
As for the holidays, K.J. “Thanksgiving I will spend with my ‘LA family,” she revealed. “Christmas I will spend with my relatives. My mom is obsessed with the holidays! I’m not crazy about New Year’s, but I love all the other holidays and of course my favorite holiday is my birthday.
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