image via Clutch magazine

Early yesterday afternoon I suddenly began to get notification after notification of new followers on Twitter and my blog's Facebook fan page. And I didn't recognize any of the names. I wasn't quite sure what was going on until I saw this tweet:

Child of Zora ‏@EvetteDionne20h

5 Underrated Blogs You Should Read http://bit.ly/144YssG  cc: @tyunscripted, @kenrya, @missmariamw, @writeousbabe, @AshJournaliste 

I clicked the link and saw that I had been featured in a Clutch magazine article on blogs by black women that don't get the attention they deserve. And the result was, well, a lot of attention -- a spike in readership and new Twitter followers and Facebook fans. 

So if you're new here, welcome!

Today is Tuesday which means it's time for me to tell you about some of the folks I follow on Twitter. 

@evettedionne Child of Zora

This is the Twitter account of Evette Dionne, who wrote the Clutch article. I'm sure glad I follow her because otherwise I may have missed her post. But I'm glad I follow her also because she frequently tweets out great articles on journalism and feminism, my two favorite -isms of all.

@missmariamw Mariam Williams

Mariam is a friend of mine from Louisville, but I'd follow her on Twitter even if we'd never met. She's a thoughtful and talented writer and feminist and she blogs at RedBoneAfroPuff.com. Mariam was also featured in the Clutch article and as Evette Dionne writes, "Redbone Afropuff and Black GRITS is a celebration of black women. The blog explores faith, feminism and all-things Southern..."

@rukristin Kristin Tweedale

I started following Kristin during the last Blog Brunch Twitter chat when I noticed that all the tweets I was retweeting and copying down were from her. Kristin's blog is all about "storytelling with pictures, paper and prose." She's currently offering a Find Your Voice online workshop to help other people tell their stories too. 

Tell me about the people you follow on Twitter and why they're your tweeps.

Photo by Rachel Kramer Bussel
Image via Creative Commons

In my latest article for Clutch magazine I discuss ways adults, particularly women, can help empower teen girls to have a more positive and healthy self image. While I think we should offer words of encouragement, we also need to walk the talk and be good examples of self-confident women. This means, as I state in my article, not complaining about our weight or waistlines (something I'm very guilty of) in front of young girls and having an active lifestyle. I have learned that one of the best ways to feel good about my body is to focus on what it can do instead of how it looks (which is why I ran 13.1 miles in below freezing temperatures last month).


Last year, after being weight obsessed for months, I got rid of my scale. I decided to replace my goal of "lose 25 pounds" with "complete a half marathon." And I did it!


After my race I knew I would need a new fitness goal or I'd get fixated on my weight once again. But I couldn't think of one. I thought of nine! And I'm posting them here so you all can help keep me accountable. Here goes...


1. Make weight training a habit.
I hate lifting weights. It's boring, it hurts, and too many of the machines require that you stick your butt up in the air for all the gym rats to see. But alas, I know strength training is good for me. Studies show it takes 21 days to form a habit. So I'll consider this goal accomplished once I do weight training three times a week for three consecutive weeks. (Keep in mind this will probably take me until the end of the year.)


2. Conquer my fear of Body Pump.
From step to spinning to dance aerobics, I love group fitness classes, except for one class -- Body Pump. I hate this class. Why? Because it's a weight lifting class.  Well, it's a torture chamber disguised as a weight lifting class. But I'm determined to one day become a Body Pump regular. One day.


3. Run a 10-minute mile.
I'm a tortoise on the trail.


4. Complete a 5K in 30 minutes.


5. Complete a 10K in an hour.


6. Complete a half marathon in 2.5 hours.
Yes, I actually plan to put my body through that again.


7. Do 50 push ups without taking a break.
21-year-old Javacia could do this. 31-year-old Javacia is lucky to do 5 push-ups without stopping.


8. Obtain my group fitness instructor certification, again.
I miss being a certified fitness fanatic!


9. Obtain my personal trainer certification.
This has been a dream of mine for over a decade.


What are your fitness goals?

image via Clutch

While many people dread turning 30, early this year I was counting down the days to this monumental birthday. I was busy planning a weekend long celebration and even created a vision board representing all the things I wanted to accomplish during this glorious decade.


My birthday came, I had a great time celebrating, and I got to work on all those dreams. 


Then something happened.


A few months ago I got hit with the "Oh no, I'm 30!" blues. Read my latest article for Clutch magazine to find out what sent me into this funk and how I pulled myself out.