New Hair Regimen

So my hair has been so soft and moisturized lately and I just wanted to share with you all what I was doing to get it that way.

The process begins on Friday night
1. Wash hair with Avalon organics lemon clarifying shampoo
2. Deep condition O/N with Aubrey organics honeysuckle rose conditioner and olive oil/coconut oil mixture (this is just pure coconut oil and olive oil that I mixed together myself)At this point I detangle completely with a shower comb sometimes I put my hair in big two-strand twist but most of the time I don't
3. Rinse out conditioner and oil
4. Herbal Essences Hello Hydration as a leave-in conditioner along with my OC oil mixture, since it is being used as a leave-in it doesn't take much
5. For styling I saturate my hair with water section by section and use ecostyling gel to finger style

30lbs and Plateau

So since January I have lost 30lbs and two sizes. I am glad about the 30lbs but I've been at the same weight for the last month so I am at a plateau. Basically, I need to kick it up a few notches. I hope to reach my Summer goal by the end of August which is to lose 20lbs. I plan to do that by exercising at least an hour every day except Sunday and to stop eating out because I've been ODing on the restaurants in the last month or so and I plan to start TODAY!!!

**If any of y'all are making your goals let me know by commenting to help motivate me.

Cayenne Pepper Hair Growth

So I was on youtube the other day watching make-up tutorials and natural hair stories and I came across this one girl with the longest most gorgeous head of natural hair I've ever seen. Her secret, Cayenne pepper. She mixes olive oil with cayenne pepper and massages it into her scalp once a week. So I'm like okay whatever and googled it (because google knows all) and there was tons of info on how Cayenne pepper stimulates blood flow to your hair follicles which helps your hair grow faster, shinier, and thicker (or something like that). So I was like okay I'll try it, anything that will make my hair grow faster.

So I found out that hair grows at about an average of 0.5 inches a month and mine grows at about that rate. I have been natural since July 09 and my hair is probably about 5 inches at the longest section, maybe shorter. I am happy that my hair is growing at a regular pace but then I watch youtube and its girls on there like "yeah I've been natural for 6 months and my hair touches my shoulders when stretched". All I'm saying is that my hair is not as long as I would like for it to be at this point.

So I am gonna try this thing for at least a month and hopefully my hair will have grown at least an inch longer. If it does I will keep at it.

Anyway all you do is infuse Cayenne pepper with your hair oil, water, or vodka. I am going to use olive oil for right now and then if it works I may start using castor oil which is also said to promote hair growth. Anyway you soak the pepper in whatever for at least 10 days in a dark bottle and then you just apply it to your scalp and massage it in and wash it out. I've seen some people say they slept in it with a platic cap over their head but IDK maybe on the weekends I'll do this. Last but not least you can do this as often as you like. I'm gonna attempt to do it every other day. Ok well anyway I will let y'all know the honest results in about a month and a half cause I have to soak it first.

links to see what I'm talkin bout
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HdFcpZxJp-g&feature=channel
http://www.ehow.com/way_5296973_cayenne-olive-oil-hair-growth.html
http://naturalmedicine.suite101.com/article.cfm/using_cayenne_pepper_to_prevent_hair_loss

The Skinny- a book review

Last night I finished reading this book which is basically a diet plan for women trying to lose weight but don't want to have to give up their favorite foods. The authors are two very accomplished women, one who is single and a food critic, the other is a married mother of two and an author.

The diet basically is to eat whatever it is you crave in small portions but counteract it with large portions of fresh fruits and veggies. My problem with this is what I call the lays-potato-chip syndrome, once you have one bite you just can't stop eating it. In the book they kept reiterating eat a few bites then throw the rest away. So if you are having a doughnut from Krispy Kreme then also have fruit and yogurt, take a couple bites of the doughnut, throw it away, then get full off of the fruit and yogurt. Some people may be able to do that but my thing is that if I paid for the doughnut I'm gonna eat the whole thing and not only the fact that I paid for it but the fact that it is so good I am not gonna want to throw it away, in fact I may want another one when I am done with it.

However, I do agree with feeding your craving because if you are like me then you will not be satisfied until you have tamed your beastly craving. If I don't give into my craving I will crave it for weeks until I do, as a matter of fact I have been craving cuban food for the past few weeks now. You just have to be smart about your craving and ask yourself what is it that I really want then search for the best alternative. For example, the other day I craved fried chicken, but what I really wanted was something crispy and juicy, well I know that fried chicken is not the best choice for me to achieve my weight loss goal so I had the alternative which was baked chicken coated with crispy french fried onions. Sometimes I crave cake and cookies and in cases like that I really just need something really sweet so I usually just drink a glass of juice or snack on cereal and that usually does the trick.

The book does give great tips on how not to over eat or how not to just eat because. Basically you just have to eat slow and really take the time out to enjoy your meal, avoid eating on the go, and if at a restaurant have the waiter put half of your meal in a to-go box before he serves it to you. To avoid eating just because we should keep ourselves busy so that we won't be eating just to have something to do, I use to be so guilty of that, or if we are at a social event where there is food involved and you aren't really hungry but everyone else is eating then you just have to practice saying no and always remember your goals.

Overall, I wouldn't recommend this book unless you have a well organized weight loss goal that is really working for you and you just want a few ideas to make it even better. If you don't have an organized plan this book could be misleading and have you thinking you can really eat whatever you want and still lose weight. This book is more of a fad diet than a lifestyle change.

20lbs so far

Well to date I've lost 20lbs I am keeping up with the plan I wrote about in my last weight loss update but now I do a lot more weight training. I learned that the more muscle you gain the more calories your body burns when you work out. So I do weight training at least twice a week. Upper body one day then lower body the next day. I admit that I hate weight training because it hurts and my body is constantly sore but I just have to push through the pain because weight training is really what takes your body to the next level.

Oh and along with my weight loss I have noticed that jeans that were once to small fit me perfectly or even a little too big, imagine my surprise.

Motivation 102

This is for you Brittany





This girl lost 90lbs and kept it off.

My favorite Breakfast

Eggs and spinach scramble

Now this was suppose to be an omelet so the first time I made it I used two eggs. I can never make an omelet right so it always turns into scrambled eggs which is fine with me because it taste just as good. Now I only use one egg because with two eggs it made so much that I wasted most of it and I hate wasting food.

Ingredients:
1 whole large egg
1/2 cup spinach (frozen)
tablespoon of minced garlic
5 large sliced mushrooms
1/4 cup of diced onions
1/2 tbs of country crock spread
Nature's Seasoning
Mrs. Dash Table blend


1. Melt butter with garlic in a pan.
2. Saute the spinach in the butter add the seasoning and table blend to the spinach
3. While spinach is sauteing scramble the egg in a bowl and add a little of table blend
4. dice the mushrooms unless you want them whole and add them to the spinach along with the onions
5. when the spinach is completely thawed pour the eggs over the spinach and scrape the pan as the eggs cook.
6. The eggs are done when they aren't runny anymore. I like my eggs nice, yellow, and fluffy but if you like a little brown then cook them longer.

The seasonings you should add to your taste. Salt is not necessary because the nature's seasoning has salt.

I usually pair this with roasted chicken that I get from the grocery store deli.

Slip ups are not OKAY! Okay

I forgot to take my lunch to work today and by the time I got home I was so hungry I could have eaten just about anything. I really wanted something that I know I shouldn't have like hot wings, pizza, or a cheeseburger. I just kept thinking its not fair, I want to eat my fave foods and lose weight too. Then I thought, I can't be the only one eating like this then I wondered what do my girls eat. So I googled "Rihanna's diet and Kim's diet" and that reassured me that no matter who you are or how much weight you want to lose you have to change what types of food you eat. Whether your goal is to lose 50lbs or 5lbs, your diet has to change otherwise you are not going to reach your goal.

Kim K- works out 3-5 times a week "I start off with running on the treadmill for about 30 minutes! I definately run 2 miles per workout, then I lift weights for about 30 minutes. I alternate between arms and legs switching off every other workout. I then do a bunch of stomach exercises and then stretch! When I get home I always do leg lifts, lunges and squats!"

"It's not all about working out though, I definately have changed my diet too! I eat less junk food, hardly any soda, and just try to eat more protein. I definately cant give up sweets all together, so I just toned them down!"

*this was taken from----> http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-14380-NY-Celebrity-Fitness-and-Health-Examiner~y2009m6d23-Kim-Kardashians-Diet--Weight-Loss-Secrets


Rihanna- Does a low carb diet here is a sample of her daily meals and workouts

Breakfast

1. Breakfast egg sandwich with egg and meat or egg and cheese, one fresh orange.
2. Protein drink (look for ones made with soy protein to promote a healthy heart).
3. Low-carb breakfast bar (look for ones with no more than 15 grams of carbohydrate and 250 to 300 calories

Lunch

1. Grilled chicken sandwich, garden salad with 2 tablespoons low-fat salad dressing.
2. Frozen low-calorie lasagna entrée, apple.
3. Deli sandwich: Ask for 4 ounces turkey, ham or roast beef on 2 slices whole-grain bread topped with oil and vinegar or mayonnaise, lettuce and tomato; 1/2 cup three-bean salad


Dinner
1. Grocery-store take out: 3 ounces roasted chicken, 1/2 cup pasta salad, 1 cup sliced tomatoes drizzled with balsamic vinegar, 1 cup skim milk.
2. Chinese take-out: Egg roll, 1 cup shrimp chow mein, 1/2 cup rice, tea.
3. Quick and easy stir-fry: 3 ounces chicken breast mixed with 1 cup stir-fry vegetables (use the frozen packets for the easiest prep) and 1/2 cup rice; 1 cup skim milk


Snacks

- Half cup trail mix (1/4 cup peanuts mixed with 2 tablespoons dried fruit)
- Eight saltine crackers with 2 ounces low-fat cheddar cheese
- Low-carb snack bar (choose one between 150 and 250 calories)
- Two ounces string cheese and 1/2 cup grapes


Workout Ideas

You can't lose weight by diet alone, so...
- Boost your metabolism by weight training. The more muscle mass you have, the more calories your body will burn -- even when you're just sitting around. Learn how to create an easy and effective weight training routine.
- A diet won't replace your pot belly with a six-pack -- but this killer ab routine will!
- Find out how to fit more fitness into your busy routine.
- Still not sure where to start? Get an expert's take on walking, running, Pilates and other popular workouts that will help you shed pounds.

Motivation 101

Whenever I work out it is one of these girls I think of. Whenever I don't feel like working out I quickly google one of these names and I am reminded of my goal. Okay, so I'm not delusional I know that these women workout very hard for their bodies and probably eat strict diets. I don't know if I will ever have a body like Kim K or Rihanna but I do know that I could have a bomb shape if I continue to work out and do what I am suppose to do. Another thing besides their bodies that I like is I really just love all of their styles. They always look so sexy, like they know they're hot ish, and I want to feel like that when ever I step out the house.


S/B- I did not mean to cut Khloe out. She is actually my fave, I guess the picture is just to big.

The Scale Is Finally On My Side

I have lost *drum roll* 12 whole lbs since I started working out and eating healthier. OMG I am too happy right now. So a couple years ago I would have treated myself to a nice fried chicken dinner after a weigh-in like that but not today. I guess that is a good thing because I am changing for the better. I eat good food that is good for me. So in the past I lost weight by exercising and counting calories. I would eat only 1500 calories a day which means that if I wanted to eat fried chicken for dinner I wouldn't eat lunch or I would eat a very light lunch. Well the problem with that diet was that I would go to bed starving because I didn't eat enough during the day. Yeah I lost weight but when I got half way to my goal I didn't feel like counting anymore and gained it all back plus more. This time instead of counting calories I just eat healther foods. You know grilled or baked chicken, frozen veggies, brown rice... you get the picture. If I have a sweet tooth I eat those 100 calorie snacks which are a life saver because I can have oreos and snack cakes without going over board. Another thing I do is I really pay attention to the serving sizes and eat only the recommended serving size. With veggies the serving size is usually 1 cup and that one cup may have about 30 calories so if I am really hungry then I double the serving of veggies but nothing else. I don't use butter in my veggies either. For flavor I use a lot of mrs. dash, garlic, onions, and peppers, it is just as good I promise. If you really like meat, like I do, cook mushrooms with your meat. I love mushrooms and they have a meaty texture so they always satisfy me when I cook them with my chicken or whatever. Ummmm, that is pretty much it. Oh wait all I drink is water lots and lots of water, apple juice sometimes and sweet tea maybe once a week.

As far as my workout goes...I workout twice a day monday-friday and on the weekends I try to rest my body but I usually end up going for a walk around my neighborhood. My workouts are a mix between cardio and strength training. I do a group workout on campus at noon and then in the evenings I work out with my friend Mechelle in her apartment gym. Most of the time I walk/jog on the treadmill for about 45 minutes at a moderated pace 3.0-4.5 mph.

Welp so far its working and I plan to keep it up and we'll see where this goes. If y'all have any questions or any suggestions about what I am doing please let me know.

Loves it- J.A.S.O.N

I tried this product on Friday and I am so excited. I love it...love it...love it. Like seriously my hair feels so soft and my curls are so defined. I could literally cut my hair and stuff a pillow with it, that is how soft it feels. First thing I noticed about the product is how good it smells. The second thing I noticed was how think it was coming out the bottle. It is super duper thick and creamy like lubriderm lotion. I am happy with this purchase and I cannot wait to use it again.

Hair stuff

I haven't used it yet but I'll let you know how I like it when I do. I bought this for $8 from Kroger. The tag line "Leaves Hair Sillky with Less Frizz" is what got me. Anyway here is the website description:

Fortified with Herbal Extracts and Vitamins A, C and E. Leaves Hair Silky, with Less Frizz

JASON Aloe Vera 84% Conditioner nourishes hair with Panthenol-3™, vitamins and minerals, while it strengthens with Spirulina (micro-algae), 3 Proteins and 22 Keratin Amino Acids. This conditioner leaves your hair soft, silky and manageable—even if you use a blow dryer, curling iron or hot rollers. It's gentle enough for daily use.

Also, I am looking for a natural leave-in conditionar so if y'all know of any please let me know.

5 pounds later

I lost 5 whole pounds. Yaaaayyyy!!!! Some of you don't know but I have been working out for about a month now. I just recently started actually eating healthier too. I am finally seeing the fruits of my labor on the scale. I'm gonna be honest I haven't noticed any differences in my body but I have notcied that I can work out longer and harder and I actually want to work out. It used to be that I had to drag myself to the gym but now I feel horrible when I don't go. I'm so happy!!! I'm giving myself 1 year to reach my target weight, which I will reveal later. I also want to take the time out to give shouts out to my gym partner @Chellyissuprbad.

Operation Get Fine= #EpicFail

Months and months back I posted a story about how I wanted to get in shape. I was ready to get my Toccora on. Well that was a failure. I guess its one of those things where you have to actually do it rather than say it. I was so ready though, when I posted that story I was determined. I may have even exercised that day. I have gone on diets before and they have all worked. I mean I lost the weight, looked, and felt great. But the fried chicken always calls me back (I love that stuff, its all crispy and juicy at the same time) and I always answer. Maybe just maybe I will get my life under control and start exercising and eating healthier and saying no to fried chicken (sure I will). but first let me finish eating this carrot cake and wash it down with a nice tall glass of whole milk!!

Hair pictures