I'm Back!

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Well I'm back , even though I really haven't been any where.

Typically I update my blog while at work and I really have not had good cell phone reception to be able to upload my photos.   I have still been Stalking Jazzwife and Sabrina P. on their blogs and have been continuing with my Natural Hair Journey as well as my Weight Loss Journey.   Lets get to Weight loss first.

Well I am down only about 15 pounds total since April 4, 2011, but I am down at least one dress size.   I have been continuing my Brisk Walking in the morning at 5am and have added weights to my hands, pushups and other Strengthening and Toning exercises.   Even the Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred (Not consistently doing at this time). I havent used my new GF Evolve Grill yet but have been sticking to a consistent Caloric Intake.   Still Logging my diaries on Myfitnesspal.com.... a wonderful tool for people who not just want a diet but motivation to make lifestyle changes.   I'm looking pretty good if I do say so myself.

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As for my Hair:

It is thriving!

My summer routine of Wash N Go's is keeping my hair moisturized, nourished and Looking Sweet!   Notice the pics above.   This is my new style that got rave reviews from people around me at work and play (love the curls/shrinkage).  It was a style I tried one day after having an old wash and go and decided after working out that I did not feel like doing my hair all over again so decided to pin to one side and adorn.  ( You know I feel really sexy with my hair pulled to one side) .   This has become a style that I have worn to Work, Funerals and/or a Night on the town.   It is very sophisticated and super curly and cute.   

My hair in the Summer really thrives with WNG's better than the twist styles.   I have little to no shedding, ssk's and tangles.   Gotta love that for length retention.

Here are the products that I am using.

Shea Moisture Organic Raw Shea Butter Moisture Retention Shampoo

Aussie 3 minute Miracle

Curl Junkie Assurance Smoothing Lotion (Leave-In)

Curl Junkie Curls in a Bottle(finisher)

Ecco Styler Olive Oil Gel ( keep frizz down, rake through sections)

One N Only Argan Oil Treatment (Sealant- Yes it has cones)

I know some of these may have cones but I find that in the super humid summer/fall of Maryland these cones help to keep the moisture in and frizz at bay!  My hair has been super moisturized, frizz free and has great sheen.  My ends are looking great and I have had a demi color put over my highlights with no drying effects.

Gotta keep up with what works and don't get caught up in the hype... do whats best for your hair.

I find that my hair and Glycerin products are not good during this time and reframe from products with Glycerin within the first 4-5 Ingredients.  Maybe I will see how the Winter regimen evolves by the end of this summer.

I am not spending a lot of time on wash day at all and really just Shampoo to rid myself of the cones after 3-4 days.  I did decide today to maybe add a bit of protein treatment once a month to see the effects as well.  I am a little afraid and this is maybe just an egg/mayo protein treatment.

I am enjoying my summer, getting fit, bowling (OK) and feeling great.   My company moved to new offices where we get all the natural daylight and the entire front wall and door is all glass.  These offices are Laid Out... Upscale.

I hope everyone's summer is going well and I will continue to update my blog more often even if its without photos.   Remember check out myfitnesspal.com as a good health and fitness tool.   There are many naturals on their as well.   I think Natural hair automatically gives a consciousness for so much more regarding Lifestyle choices.   

I know.. Bathroom Shot (Don't Judge me!)

Talk to you again Real soon!

Back In Twists.... The Switch Up!

Well I switched my hair up a bit and decided to go with some mini twists.  I have just been a little tired with the WNG and wanted something that I could just keep moisturized and wrap up at night.

I have been putting about 6 twist in my hair to get a great wave and curl pattern to my twists.   I have been using my Hair Dew and Grapeseed Oil to keep moisturized and they have been looking pretty nice.  My hair color is very light at the root and I am not liking the brightness as much as it shows immensely with my hair in twists.   I may go and get a darker rinse added to the roots only to make me feel alot better before I go to Detroit at the end of the month.

I have been finishing up my bowling leagues and right now I have come in 3rd place in at least two of my leagues and I am $2000 dollars to richer for it.... I finish my Saturday league this week and I am hoping for another "Comma" in my prize money as I prepare for my trip to Detroit.    Of course everything is already paid for and all that is left is for shopping or entertainment while there.   A good outing there could yield a couple thousand as well so I must be fit and trim and ready to make that money.

I will give an update on my weight by the end of the week.   I have been doing very well with my diet and exercise this week. 

BTW - My Daughters Athletic Banquet was last night and she was named most outstanding performer on the Bowling Team this year.   Also her coach is picking up whatever Financial aid does not for next year (College Sophmore) and that includes on campus Meals & Housing..... Way To Go Bria!   I am proud of my daughter and I am praying for continued success. 

Well Down Only 1 pound this week but it my TOM!

 

Hair set with Curl Junkie products and a bit of Eco Styling Gel

The Weight - Well I am one more pound down after a week.   I was still not as discipline as I would have liked to have been with my Dinner meals but my walking routine and my breakfast and lunch have been great.   I have until 5/25/2011 before I leave for my next bowling trip and believe me, I am going to be a size smaller before I go.

I do see myself toning quite a bit and I see the difference a bit in my face.  I will take it one week at a time and my weigh ins for the challenge of 15 by June 4th is on Fridays.   Seeing as though it was my TOM, I was surprised to see any loss at all.  So I am expecting more discipline and a bigger loss next Friday.

Sorry about the close up (LOL)- Nose looks Huge!

The Hair - well it is hanging in there.  I like the Eco Styler ( heavier) and the curls in the bottle as a finisher and of course the Assurance smoothing lotion by Curl Junkie as a leave-in/detangler.  I have been wearing my WNG as I walk and workout at home.   The luxury of doing a WNG successfully without Frizz has been wonderful. 

I will be playing with styles this weekend!

Here is 2nd day hair.  Wasn't trying too hard because its Friday and my Office is moving!

Have a Blessed Weekend and Be a Blessing to someone else!

1st Impression : Curl Junkie Curls in a Bottle & Assurance Smoothing Lotion (Leave-in)

Let me just say that I went to my old stylist and had highlights put in....well of course I had to get  a rinse over it because the highlights were screaming back at me from the Mirror!   Went with a Cinnamon Brown and Warm Brown mixture and somehow my highlights came back with a Wine color... Ok.. we will see how they come out when the sun is out!  You cannot see in the photos any color at all.

Well on to my 1st Impression of the Curl Junkie products mentioned in the Title. 

Assurance Smoothing Lotion (Leave-In/Rinse Out/Detangler) - Well I left it in and did not have to detangle but I took my wide tooth comb through to make sure that I covered my hair from root to tip.  It does not take alot of this to get the job done (for me) and says so on the bottle itself.  I liked the way it made my hair feel and the smell is very nice and not overpowering.  I used this product after rinsing my hair.  (Remember this is a 1st impression , I will come back by the end of week for a full review)

Curls in a Bottle (Lightweight hair styling product) - It is a light liquid gel and it immediately tamed and controlled any frizz and added shine, just like the bottle stated.  I was very impressed with the overall look of my curls/coils and that even with manipulation the curls were not frizzing.  This worked better than the anti-frizz serum I used by Garnier Frutise.  I definitely saw a big difference between using this product and the Eco styling gel.  For my hair texture and density, I was able to continue to rake and scrunch my fingers through without sectioning and have my curls/coils stay in tact. It had a pretty good Hold without feeling Crunchy and  No Frizzing. This product can also reactivate with Water... So Yay to possible multi-day WNG's.  My initial impression....Awesome!

These two products I will have to continue to try and maybe even mix and match with a few other products in my cabinet to give a full review of the interaction with other products.  For now, these curl junkie products together are fantastic.  These pictures do not give the full effect.   It is a very rainy day and I donot own an umbrella and my curls stayed fabulous! 

Both of these products are not super thick and what I am finding is that my hair texture (fine/normal to low density) does not like heavier products on my wng's but more on twists and updo styling.  I think that is why I love the Oyin Handmade Honey Dew for refreshing some of my styles.

I may have to try quite a few other items of the Curl Junkie line but for a good smoothing lotion/leave-in and a Nice Styler... I like these two products.   I will have to try the Curls in a Bottle with my OH Hair Dew to see if I get the same effects.  The Hair Dew comes in a larger bottle for less money and its Local... but I cannot wait for the next Curl Junkie Sale!   I bought this product through Amazon (Aveyou)... Next time probably straight from Aveyou or Curl Junkie.

I will post again on Friday along with my Weigh-in from my Weight loss journey.  Until then, Stay Blessed!

11 pounds loss and 13 more pounds to go

Well I weighed in today and my scales (old and new) says that I am at least 2 pounds lighter.  My new scale which is digital actually says about 4 pounds but it also says about 6 pounds heavier than my old scale. (of course I will go with the older...LOL).   Both scales I hate because it does not say more.   Although I have been walking at least 4 miles at least 5 times a week and most times 6 days a week, my Dinner meals have not been what they should be.   I have been trying to stay with a lower caloric intake watching my sodium, sugar and fat in my foods as well.  I can definitely see my body reshaping as I begin to tone, which may be the reason why the scale is not moving at the same percentage.

I will take Inches over the Scale Weight Anyday.   Its all about how I feel in and out of my clothes.   I know that eventually both will come together as the inches and the weight will even out.(at least in my mind).

This week I am going to go hard, and see if by Friday or Monday there is a significant improvement.   I have yet to take my measurements and keep a log of my inches loss.  I would also like to take before and after photos for Private eyes Only!

I have got to watch my Dinner meals and put most of my calories in my Breakfast and lunch meals and not to get bored and lazy in the evenings when I have nothing to do.   I have got to find something to do.  Maybe line dancing, zumba or get more miles in on the track.   I really donot like walking in the evenings because there are so many more bugs and heat/sun and more people.   I love the early mornings and I have made my way back to 530am -7am walks and getting those 6 miles in.   That is a great time and a great amount of distance/steps as I do a very brisk pace.   At least 700-800 calories burned!   That is also more calories I get to eat as well.   I have to keep my body out of " Starvation Mode".   I have no problem with the calories but I have to watch what I eat and not over do the sugar and sodium contents.

                                                           That is not a bald spot....LOL

MY HAIR?

My hair is still in a wash n go and I have been using the "Mixed Chicks" that I purchased last Tuesday.  It gives a bit of a different look to my WNG but hey until its all gone... I will be using it.   I cowash with the HE None of your Frizziness then I use the Mixed Chicks - Raking it with my fingers in at least 6 sections.   I then scrunch with both hands while leaning over and then scrunch with my microfiber towel to get the excess water and conditioner for faster drying.   The technique is working but gives a different look than the prayer hand technique.   I have noticed alot more curls in certain areas and the same coils everywhere else.



It seems like no matter how long my hair grows it still looks the same length when it dries.   I guess if I wanted to blow the roots,  I could get more hang time but really with the weather heating up, I don't want all that hair on my neck and stuff.

I did make a purchase of some Curl Junkie Curls in a Bottle ( a liquid gel) and some Curl Assurance Smoothing Lotion as seen on Denimpixie, Lolakinks and Coilyheadchick on YT.  I am still trying to find that right mix of stylers to where my kinky/coily/curls.  I Love Conditioners and that is Leave-Ins and Rinse -Outs.  My hair feels very soft and moisturized although I feel that I am not getting the extended wear out of my WNG's I tend to get with the Eco Styler and Hair Dew Combo.  We will have to see... it may just be because I have been letting the front hang like bangs.

I will keep everyone posted on the Weight loss journey and the Journey for the Perfect Regimen/Products .  I will definitely Post on Friday when I weigh in.   I am a part of a Lose 15 by June 4th challenge that was started last week on www.myfitnesspal.com and that is to lose about 2 pounds a week.   I know I can do it and welcome the challenge.   Til Friday....See Ya!

8 Pounds Down and Thank you warm Weather for the Wash N Go

Well I have loss 8 pounds so far and seeing my body reshape.  I have been still doing my walking but I did purchase some Sketcher's Shape Ups and I am just loving those sneakers.   They are very confortable for my arches and just great on the butt, calves, thighs and back.  Love Them!  I have been at this since April 2nd and I think I am doing a great job of dedicating myself to this regimen.   I am walking briskly at least 4mph at least 6 days a week and trying to stick to a low calorie diet, with foods I love with healthy portions. I have been doing my abdominal workout as well and I see the difference in my clothes as well as on the scale.

Now to my hair.  I have been doing a wash n go this week and this picture is day 2 of my wng.  I used HE None of your Frizziness ( I have rediscovered in my cabinet - Love it!) and a bit of Clear Eco Styler gel and Seal with grapeseed and/or castor oil.  My curls have great definition and lots of movement.  Shrinkage Is what it Is!  Loving the Elf Eyeshadow that I picked up from Ross this weekend for $2.99 with 8 shades and a shadow brush.  I also picked up 4 dresses and 4 blouses for a whopping $165.00 with tax included.

Yesterday I ordered my George Foreman Evolve Grill with 2 grill , deep dish pan and mini burger plates.  I will not have to turn my stove on with my New Aroma Wok and this grill.   Now I am looking for a good salad dressing (low fat) recipe and of course plenty of Stir Fry recipes.   This healthy eating and lower caloric diet is working on overtime and the Water Intake & Green Tea or Nothing for Drinks is Awesome.  I am sure I will reach or surpass my goal weight loss of 20 pounds by the end of May.   Lets See.

I will continue to give weekly updates at least on my hair and weight loss journeys.   Be Blessed and Have a great Day!

Working out and Wearing a Twist Out!

Good Afternoon,

Well I have been continuing with my Walking up to 4 miles per day and eating healthy low calorie meals and snacks.  I am feeling very motivated and I would like to reach goal by Memorial Day.

I have been wearing my hair in a twist out since Sunday with re-twisting in about 15 twists each night.  I am walking and sweating bullets in the morning and sometimes I will take a cool dryer before untwisting to ensure my hair dries.   Sometimes it is still damp but lately with the percipitation (rain/drizzle) then I am going to let it do what it do, which is swell and get bigger by the end of the day.

Today I have one side pinned over and I see that my edges are still a issue that needs continued nurturing.   I can see the short curlies coming  along but the volume and density is not quite there.   I will continue to do my castor oil and vitamin E along my edges to achieve the thickness and make sure that I do not pull that hair to tightly.



My scalp has been a little itchy and I bought some TJ Tea Tree Shampoo and Conditioner and I am hoping that it will sooth the scalp.  My shea moisture hall came in and I have to give it a bit more time to see if I like what I have bought. (at least it didn't cost too much)

Well Ladies and Gents I will get back to work and give an Update on Monday to let you know how many pounds lost and hopefully I can get a measuring tape and do my measurements as well.   I may not put them on here but I will put my weight gain/loss.


Have a great Week.