The women of Pretty Girls Sweat are definitely not your newest girls on the block; however, this organization is one of the most innovative when it comes down to getting fit and having fun doing it.Â
On Saturday, September 15, 700 women from around the Metro Atlanta area came together to not only sweat it out, but to bring attention to childhood obesity and maintaining a healthy lifestyle in college. According to the CDC, on average 1 in 5 school age children in the United States are considered to be obese. Even with those alarming statistics, this number continues to fluctuate when you think about and breakdown socioeconomic and genetic factors.Â
Source:Â Cydney Rhines
However, for Pretty Girls Sweat founder Aeshia DeVore Branch if there was a will, there was a way. Branch founded Pretty Girls Sweat on September 24, 2011, in New York and has not looked back on her vision since. This calling on her life was something done not only to fulfill a need, but to change the way women from all over see their health externally and internally.
Attending Sweat Fest is more than a chance to get your to ignite your fitness goals, but it is a significant moment to build an experience that you can look back on for years to come. Yes, it is just that amazing, and yes, you will seriously sweat!Â
There are no broken promises or underwhelming activities throughout the day because as soon as you enter the facility, you immediately feel the love and understand the vibe of, “you belong here.” Setting off the event was veteran radio and television personality Rashan Ali, who is one of four co-hosts for “Sister Circle Live.”Â
Source: Cydney Rhines
Ali, making sure that she brought all of her energy to get the crowd pumped and excited for the day, also had the pleasure of introducing the 2018 SWEATLEBRITIES, including fitness expert Jeanette Jenkins, Elise Neal, Lana, and Ellen Ector, Lita Lewis and 16-year-old Riley Burruss. Each SWEATLEBRITY came with something significant to share that contributed to their recognition, and we have to say, it is an achievement to earn.
Throughout the day, each set of workouts ranged from an intense 20-minute hip hop yoga session taught by Jaimee Ratliff, a lively strength training workout on behalf of Lauren Powers and Tosha Mcdade of Total Fitness Revolution and a workout dance session (turned party) that had everyone hype, taught by the one and only Keaira LaShae! To round out the day, women were met with a soothing mindfulness and meditation breakout by Dr. Crystal Jones who is a clear expert in her field. In short, to end an event with reflection on how to fully accept yourself encompasses the entire mission behind Pretty Girls Sweat.
Source: Cydney Rhines
If you missed out of this year’s Sweat Fest, don’t worry! The PGS team will be back in Atlanta next year with more fun, memories, and workouts to get your body and mind fit. For more information on Pretty Girls Sweat and how to join at Georgia State University, make sure you search for the GSU team in our Panther Involvement Network!