Yebba, the Grammy-winning artist, also known as Abbey Smith, has captivated audiences not only with her soulful voice and genre-blending music but also with her inspiring journey of self-discovery, weight loss, and mental wellness. Her story is a testament to the power of perseverance, self-acceptance, and the importance of setting goals beyond just a number on the scale.
Finding a Goal Beyond Weight Loss
Yebba's journey wasn't solely focused on shedding pounds. Instead, she prioritized how she felt, how she looked, and her overall confidence. She sought to change habits and redefine her definition of success. This shift in perspective allowed her to approach her goals with a healthier mindset.
When embarking on a journey of change, it's crucial to identify goals beyond just weight loss. While a lower number on the scale or gaining muscle mass can be motivating, consider focusing on how you want to feel. Do you desire more confidence? Are you aiming to change a specific habit? Identifying what "success" truly means to you is paramount.
Bite-Size Changes: A Sustainable Approach
Yebba understood the importance of making gradual changes. Instead of diving headfirst into an overwhelming overhaul, she embraced small, manageable steps. This approach proved key to making lasting improvements.
Avoid the temptation to make drastic changes all at once. This can lead to feeling overwhelmed and ultimately giving up. Instead, focus on changing one habit at a time, breaking it down into bite-size pieces. Consistency is key to holding onto these improvements.
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Examples of small changes include:
- Preparing 2-3 meals in advance and having them ready in the fridge.
- Waking up earlier, even if you don't immediately hit the gym.
- Incorporating meditation into your workday or taking a walk instead of indulging in a midday snack.
Choose one habit, implement a small change, and commit to it consistently for at least two weeks. Yebba recommends sticking with it for a month to solidify the change.
Failure as a Friend: Perseverance as a Tool
Yebba openly acknowledges that failure is an inevitable part of the process. There will be times when you cheat, exceed your calorie budget, miss a workout, or experience weight gain. These setbacks are normal and shouldn't derail your progress.
Understand that failure is not a sign of defeat but rather an opportunity for learning and growth. Sticking with your goals the rest of the day, the next day, and so on is crucial. Don't give up on yourself.
Remember that perfection is not a prerequisite for success. Focus on doing your best each day, celebrating your wins, and avoiding negative thought patterns that diminish your accomplishments. Even small steps forward contribute to your overall progress.
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The Power of Recording: Tracking Progress and Staying Motivated
Yebba emphasizes the importance of recording everything - photos of yourself, recipes, food logs, weight, workout reps, and exercises. This record serves as tangible evidence of your progress and helps you stay motivated.
Maintain a detailed record of your journey to visually track your accomplishments and remind yourself of how far you've come. Don't let fleeting feelings undermine your hard work. Refer back to your records to reinforce your progress and stay focused on your goals.
Just Start: Overcoming Procrastination and Taking Action
Yebba's advice is simple yet powerful: "Just start." There will never be a perfect time, ideal weather, or opportune moment. Don't let external factors dictate when you begin.
Start small, aim high, and build from there. You don't have to do everything at once. The key is to take that first step and maintain momentum.
Yebba's 100-Pound Milestone: A Testament to Long-Term Commitment
In April 2019, Yebba reached a significant milestone, losing 100 pounds from her heaviest weight. She shared pictures that she would normally never feel comfortable sharing. This achievement marked a profound sense of comfort in her own skin, influencing her clothing choices and food decisions.
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Yebba's journey involved incorporating regular physical activity into her life, including running, weight lifting, and HIIT workouts. She also prioritized yoga as part of her morning routine to boost energy and prepare for the day ahead.
Reconciling with Food: From War to Harmony
One of the most significant transformations for Yebba was her relationship with food. She moved away from labeling food as "good" or "bad" and eliminated the internal shaming associated with her eating habits. This allowed her to approach food with a healthier perspective, even during times of stress.
Yebba overcame impulsive urges for unhealthy foods, such as late-night ramen, family-size bags of chips, and emotionally driven meals. This shift in mindset played a crucial role in her weight loss and overall well-being.
Milestones and Mental Muscles: Building Resilience
With each milestone reached, Yebba developed new tools and mental fortitude to combat bad days and urges. She gained a deeper understanding of herself and her habits, allowing her to navigate challenges with greater resilience.
The ability to recognize and grow from unhealthy habits is essential for long-term success. By developing mental muscles, you can better manage setbacks and maintain a positive outlook.
Remembering Where You Came From: Appreciating Progress
Reflecting on the past can be challenging, but remembering milestones and tracking progress can be incredibly motivating. Yebba kept a log book, weighed herself consistently, took measurements, and documented her progress with photos.
While revisiting past struggles may not always be enjoyable, viewing them through the lens of "how far I have come" can help dispel doubts and reinforce your achievements.
Accepting Fluctuations: Acknowledging the Inevitable
Yebba emphasizes the importance of accepting that weight fluctuations are normal. It's unrealistic to expect to maintain the same weight day in and day out. These fluctuations don't diminish overall achievements.
Remember that you've worked hard, sacrificed time and energy, and built healthy routines. Focus on maintaining positive habits and a positive attitude, rather than fixating solely on the number on the scale.
Taking a Break: Recognizing the Need for Rest and Recovery
Yebba stresses the importance of taking breaks. Constantly focusing on numbers, intake, schedules, and benchmarks can lead to exhaustion. Breaks are necessary for recovery and long-term success.
Don't be afraid to take it easy after reaching a milestone. Maintain healthy eating habits but reduce the intensity of your workouts. This allows your body to recover and can even lead to unexpected results.
Yebba took a three-month break after a yearlong lifestyle shift, focusing on yoga and walking. When she returned to HIIT and weight training, she found that her body recovered faster, and she didn't regain significant weight.
Finding an Interim Goal: Shifting Focus Beyond Numbers
To avoid fixating on imperfections, Yebba suggests finding an interim goal that is not tied to numbers. This could be something you found enjoyable as a side effect of your efforts, such as increased muscle mass or flexibility.
Focus on how you feel and what you can't wait to work on even more. This shift in focus helps maintain motivation and promotes a positive mindset.
Comfort with Your New Image: Accepting and Affirming Changes
Yebba encourages self-acceptance and celebrating your achievements. It's up to you to understand and confirm your comfort level with your new image.
Comfort level involves accepting, accentuating, and affirming your changes. Share your story with yourself and others to reinforce your progress.
- Accept: Acknowledge your overall goals and milestones. Track your progress and share your story.
- Accentuate: Celebrate your changes by buying new clothes, taking a trip, or engaging in activities you enjoy.
- Affirm: Congratulate yourself for your hard work and dedication. Understand that progress takes time and that it's okay to not be exactly where you want to be right now.
Yebba's Musical Journey: Dawn and Beyond
Yebba's debut album, "Dawn," released by RCA Records, is a testament to her resilience and artistry. The album title holds a dual meaning, representing both her mother's name and the first light after darkness.
The album features collaborations with notable artists like Questlove, A$AP Rocky, and Mark Ronson. Ronson praised Yebba's vocals, calling her one of the best he's ever worked with.
"Dawn" explores themes of grief, healing, and self-discovery. Yebba's vivid storytelling and wide vocal range allow her to express her emotions beautifully.
Influences and Inspirations: A Spiritual Foundation
Yebba grew up in a spiritual household and draws inspiration from her faith, love, loss, and redemption experiences. Her music blends gospel, soul, and pop elements.
She credits Mark Ronson as a significant influence in her career, praising his patience and support in helping her actualize her songs into recordings.
Mental Health Advocacy: Sharing Her Journey
Yebba is an outspoken advocate for mental health. She emphasizes the importance of patience, mercy, and grace in navigating challenges.
She maintains good mental health through balanced eating habits and self-reflection. She acknowledges that her weight loss journey was intertwined with her mental health journey, and that both are ongoing processes.
The Future: Continued Growth and Creativity
Yebba is currently working on her second album, with no expectations for its release date. She feels healthier and more inspired, and her lyrics are clearer and more vivid.
She continues to write and create, driven by her passion for music and her desire to share her experiences with the world.