Dear Reader,
Its black girl magic all day and women empowerment all through. I love featuring stories of women who invest in taking care of their well-being and making sure that they are fit and healthy. Welcome to episode seven of Tizi Talks with the lovely Chery Nyawade! Cheryl is a full-time MBA candidate at the Wits Business School in Johannesburg and the owner of Ressiers, an online intimate apparel store based in Nairobi, Kenya.
The focus of Ressiers is to offer the right bra, for the right outfit, while keeping you lifted and in place. Their range includes sports bras, racer-backs, the wonder bra, pasties among others. Check out their instagram page here and look out for their new product line which they'll be launching in 2018. She explains that the new line will offer comfortable and quality intimate apparel that is tailor made to the African woman’s body shape and skin tone.
I love the colors!
After following her instastory where she has been trotting the globe for her school project, I was inspired by how great she looks. Seeing how hard she has been working on her business while pursuing her Masters and still making time to workout, I had to find out how she balances it all! Here is what she had to say, and I hope it will encourage you to start being active because the benefits are endless.
TIZI: How old are you?
CN: 26
TIZI: How long have you been working out?
CN: Since my senior year in high school. So around 10 years now.
TIZI: What made you start?
CN: I was walking past a weights class that was in session and noticed it was full of men, rather boys … Then one day I walked up to the coach and asked if it was an “all boys” class, because I was interested in working out at that level of “intensity”. He quickly explained that the class was open to everyone, and he actually wished more girls would join. I immediately registered for the next semester’s class. Ever since then, I have been working out in one form or another.
TIZI: Do you feel it has made a difference in your life?
CN: Yes, it really boosts my self-esteem. It’s fascinating to watch your body respond to the hard work you put in. It also just feels good to be fit and healthy; and to know that you are in control of how you look.
TIZI: Can you please take me through your daily fitness routine on a weekday? And the weekend?
CN: I try, and I insist, try, to work out at least 3- 4 times a week. I aim to make the 3rd or 4th workout more fun and interactive so I don’t really think of it as “exercising”. This ranges from hiking on Sunday morning (my favorite!) or attending a random zumba or kickboxing class which is usually offered at the gym.
TIZI: Do you find it difficult to include your workout in your daily routine?
CN: I decided to make exercise part of my weekly routine. So if I don’t make my 3 or 4 days a week, then yes, I start feeling like I have “failed” or “sold myself short”. Like, I was doing so well, why have I dropped the ball? My life and routine are ruineeeed (no seriously, it’s more of a mental game). Then I remind myself it’s never too late to start, or pick up from where I left off, and I either do some squats or wear my gym clothes and just go work out.
TIZI: What keeps you motivated?
CN: My business Ressiers. I have to walk the talk, and appropriately represent my brand. The human body is fascinating as it truly does respond to whatever efforts you put in, good or bad. So every time I walk past the gym mirrors and see a new line definition, I smile and think to myself, yes, I have worked hard for that. Every time I get a compliment, I say thank you, and I also mention that I worked for it. I say this, so I can hopefully motivate that individual to also invest in their health and fitness.
TIZI: What can you advise people who want to start their fitness journey?
CN: Just start. Stop waiting for a Monday, a new month, 5am, after work, after this meal...basically, put your mind to it, and start. Results are not immediate, so after starting, the major key is to keep going. Think of it as a long-term investment in yourself. Sow the seed today, buy the stock today, secure that piece of land today...and forget about it, because the real benefits are yet to come. And they will truly come, and you will have yourself to thank at the end of the day.
Only at 26 years old, Cheryl is fully dedicated to making sure she is in good shape which boosts her self esteem and enables her to appropriately represent her brand Ressiers. As she correctly highlighted, the human body is fascinating as it truly does respond to whatever efforts you put in, good or bad. Despite the fact that we are in the last month of 2017, don't let that make you procrastinate your workouts. If anything, let it motivate you to start now. Whether its hiking, jogging or swimming, get active because all the non- physical benefits of physical fitness spill over into all the other aspects of your life.
Yours in Wellness,
