“I have a goal in mind, so that’s what keeps me sustained.” -Raven-Symoné
Raven-Symoné recently lost weight and went on Instagram Live, May 29, giving insight into her “Pounds Down” challenge, briefly mentioning how she lost 30 pounds in 3 months. The buzz from the Live led to a detailed interview with Good Morning America regarding her most recent weight loss journey.
In the Live, she and her wife, Miranda Pearman-Maday, are on the way back from an early morning walk, and Raven draws attention to how her face is noticeably different from how she looks on the That’s So Raven spin-off, Raven’s Home—which recently had its Season 4 season (and possibly) series finale.
“I got a whole different face going on…it’s a whole #PoundsDown journey.” She then lets us know that she’s 28 pounds down since starting her health-focused lifestyle, and at the time of the Live, indicating she’s doing a 48-hour fast.
Miranda hints at their exercise journey challenge that they’re in the process of documenting together for their YouTube channel, 8PM. Raven chimes in, “We’re still filming it, we’re going to share it with you guys as soon as it’s all done…” and proceeds to acknowledge with pride and joy (as she should), admiring her jawline and neck transformation.
WATCH: Challenge Yourself Challenge
I don’t do entertainment news reporting anymore. This blog post was inspired by a site-update email from xoNecole that I received and stumbled across as I was cleaning house. The numbers of unopened emails racking up in my inbox irritate the OCD in me. Anyone relate? Anyways…
Keep reading, we’re discussing Raven’s previous public weight loss experience 10 years ago and how it was emotionally damaging, the key to her recently shedding 30lbs in 3 months, why some people are more vulnerable to gaining weight over others, and my background on weight fluctuations.
Get notified when I publish new blog posts by subscribing below:
I was encouraged to write a blog post on this topic for these main reasons:
- Growing up, Raven’s a Black woman I always related to and enjoyed by way of her work, and I vividly remember her weight, specifically, always being on folks’ tongue—whether on the news or amongst who I know, everybody’s a critic.
- As mentioned in the GMA exclusive, she’s been in the entertainment business since the very young age of 3. She’s 35 years old at the time of writing this post. Between the stress and demands of her job in show-business, and the display of all kinds of food behind-the-scenes on set for crew members…emotional eating is sometimes the only way a person either knows how to cope or is able to deal with difficult things effectively.
- It irks my nerves that people feel the need to comment on someone’s weight, whether they’ve shed pounds or gained them. Sure, intention matters and is a case-by-case basis depending on the source it comes from and the tone in which it’s communicated; however, if the person themselves isn’t directly speaking on it, it can come off rude by bringing it up.
- The only time I see it as appropriate is if there’s a genuine concern for their overall health, not just weight, and you have insight into their daily well-being, life happenings and habits that may be contributing to poor health. Putting that bug in their ear may incite action toward something they’re already aware of. Even then, proceed with caution & empathy if they allow you in, and come with respect.
- And yes, being a woman has a lot to do with it considering the fact that our bodies go through changes for the duration of our entire Life from factors both in and out of our control—making it emotionally challenging/a sacred experience when faced. For every cause is an effect.
- Raven’s health regimen and purpose behind it is similar on some levels to what I follow. I also haven’t eaten meat since my sophomore year of college, at the age of 19. I’m 26 at the time of writing this.
- Water is my main intake of fluids, and I fast regularly on tea/certain juice/water. I eat what I need for nourishment. I indulge when I please (or emotionally feen), reminding myself: discipline and give where deserving. Exercise is a must to maintain a steady weight and positive mood. I aim to listen to my body along with recognizing and adjusting to any changes she needs me to do or is responding to based on what’s going on in my life at the time. The goal is to feel good, look good and Be good. It’s a lifestyle.
Some background on my weight fluctuations…
Since my youth, once I was about 6 or 7 years old or so, I was a lil’ chubby thing—not skinny like most kids and also not obese. Food was uncontrolled comfort, and anything chocolate and potato derived emotionally fulfilled. Still does 🙂 Once the rest of the babyphat—yes, I said babyphat—shed around the age of 13, with help of whatever kind of “dieting” and body movement I set the intention of doing to lose some weight (DANCING HELPS), I came into balance with my ‘thickums’ physique.
When I was 16, I started playing softball and noticeably lost weight.
During my college days, my ‘thickums’ weight was somewhat maintained with the exception of the infamous “Freshman 15” and other life factors contributing to my physical health & wealth… like birth control and the direct/indirect effects of that, being in a relationship with a country boy who constantly fed me, keeping junk food in the dorm room, etc. My weight did rise a bit in my college years following softball in high school.
WATCH: Being On Birth Control Made Me EXTREMELY Depressed
My first university didn’t have a gym, I found myself on the track or in one of the nicer dorm’s fitness area that I could sneak in… barely. The school I transferred to did have a gym, and it motivated me to work out regularly. I kept balanced to my comfortability upon graduation, and always managed to be in the gym a couple times out the week. When I went too long in-between exercising… I felt it, didn’t like it, and got back in the gym.
The last time I walked inside of a gym was the beginning of 2020 before the worldwide, you know. Once I got back into exercising, I stuck to at-home workouts and do so to this day.
I have mild fluctuations, as my body is prone to do if I don’t aim to stay on top of it. Luckily, nothing too drastic. I also have not carried a child at the time of writing this blog post. I have, however, recently had another noticeable weight loss shift since 2020.
I’ve always had a subconscious fear of being uncomfortable with my weight, therefore making a conscious effort toward my overall health and well-being. Also, knowing that I want to do what I can to prevent problems versus taking pharmaceutical meds to maintain them is another reason I do what I do in the best way I can. I know why I do what I do, and I know what works for me, as should you.
Back to my favorite childhood actress.
The key to what’s gotten Raven to lose 30 pounds in 3 months? She says, “I am low-carb as much as I can be. I do very minimal exercise, and I am an avid faster. I make sure that I have a minimum of 14-hour fast between dinner and break-fast.”
She makes it very clear that being a skinny minny is not the goal—this is about being at her best in overall health. In 2011 when she lost 70lbs, she reveals that the way people treated her when she was bigger was ‘emotionally damaging’ to the point the weight loss wasn’t a celebratory moment for her.
“Wow, now you wanna look at me because I’m skinny? Thanks.”
The GMA reporter conducting the interview, Kaylee Hartung, asks for clarity regarding if this whole thing is for the long-term, and Raven confirms with certainty that it is. “Every time I lost weight in the past, it was about size.” She says her goal is making sure her body is healthy and prepared to deal with old age, and is actively aiming to prove to herself that she can uphold this new lifestyle.
Maintenance is the true Divine Challenge in every thing we do!
Being that she’s in the public eye, it doesn’t take much to recognize that Raven’s weight noticeably fluctuates. All body types are genetically wired differently, and yes lifestyle choices and habits have a direct influence that one must learn how to maintain based on what will work for them.
Why are some people more susceptible to weight gain while others can appear to eat whatever they want and maintain the same weight?
This all is determined by the speed of your metabolism, which is a chemical process within the body to keep things at a balance. The faster your metabolism, the more food intake your body requires for fat to be stored to absorb essential vitamins. The slower your metabolism, the less food intake your body needs to build up fat for this process.
One’s weight doesn’t determine the overall health & well-being of a person’s physical body; what they’re putting into their body and the frequency in movement of the body, or lack thereof, is what determines this.
Genetics play a role due to habits received in the womb thus engrained in the DNA (in my honest outlook), with the addition to behaviors witnessed and adopted. Those who have a change in their exercise regimen will notice a change in their metabolic rate (I have noticed this first hand). This brings me to my next point before closing this blog post…
In Life, in no way shape or form will one remain the same through-and-through. Especially not the physical. From weight, scars, skin changes—if one thing is for certain about Life, change is a constant given. We can only do what is in our control to maintain operating at our best selves, and I mean this physically and mentally (emotionally, spiritually, etc). Who we are, the way we go about things, along with how we look and feel is what tells our story. This is why certain things are sacred and sensitive to speak on.
What do you need to currently challenge yourself on? WATCH THIS!
