So, I have less than 30 days until my cruise. I recently decided to get very serious about my weightloss. Not only because of the cruise, but because I have a closet full of clothing that I can not fit.
How do I plan to lose this weight? Two ways, weight watchers and working out. I recently joined a local gym. The facitlity is REALLY nice and has an awesome childcare center as well as several activities for my son. One of my biggest challenges in working out is childcare. My son is 8 and can not accompany me on the treadmill. I love that my new guy has a childcare center than is open until 9 on most nights. They also have swimming lesions for the little one and se veral other activities he can enjoy while mom is working it out.
Weight Watchers
The beast. While many make it look terribly aeasy, the truth is, it isn’t. Why isn’t it easy? Because weight watchers is not a crash diet or a quick little diet that helps you lose so many pounds. Weight watchers is a lifestyle change and it takes some time to get acclimated to things.
I am starting my third week on weight watchers and my fourth week of working on (second week in the gym…first two I was doing it the old fashioned way outside). So far my progress is as follows:
Weight Loss: 2.8 pounds
Inches lost: 2 inches from waist
I have not been consistent with measuring anything but my waist. Maybe when things get good and my clothes start fitting better I will be more detailed with my stats. For now, this is it Jack!
Biggest Challenges for this week:
Limiting my WINE and MARGARITA intake (a girl is stressed)
Finding a better way to deal with Stress
Keeping SUGAR out of my mouth (evil cupcakes and gummy bears)
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Conditioner Only Please
So....I am taking a break from the weaves. While sew in weaves are a great protective style, they are also very hard on the pockets. :-) I am also back in the gym working out. So it's kind of hard to keep a straight/perfect weave doing allot of cardio and sitting in a sauna and steam room.
I have been wearing my hair in a phony pony that I ball up into a bun. I make sure to coat the ends of my ponytail with S curl and Shea butter.
Well today I decided to wear a puff. I don't like wearing my puff as much anymore because it has gotten so thin. Well the ends are thin, my new growth is mega thick. I have found that hair doesn't need the gel or curling creams. I can put plain on conditioner in my hair (after my conditioner wash) and get just as many defined curls if not more. I am eager to see how my hair is at the length that it is now...with lots more thickness. If my hair had not thinned and were are the length that it is now...I would be having a style field day. But such is life...it is only hair...and it will get there.
I have been wearing my hair in a phony pony that I ball up into a bun. I make sure to coat the ends of my ponytail with S curl and Shea butter.
Well today I decided to wear a puff. I don't like wearing my puff as much anymore because it has gotten so thin. Well the ends are thin, my new growth is mega thick. I have found that hair doesn't need the gel or curling creams. I can put plain on conditioner in my hair (after my conditioner wash) and get just as many defined curls if not more. I am eager to see how my hair is at the length that it is now...with lots more thickness. If my hair had not thinned and were are the length that it is now...I would be having a style field day. But such is life...it is only hair...and it will get there.
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Update: 3 More months of Sew Ins
hheeeeyyyy peeps!
So....I have been in sew in's since my last post. I have not been consistent with my supplements or topical agents. I have just been lettin things do what they do. Well I took my weave out a little early this time and I was pleased to find that my hair is starting to thicken back up. The down side to that is the ends and MOST of my legnth is terribly thin. Birth control was not my friend. :-(
I am sitting here with Henna and Amla on my head. I will start back with these powders in hopes of getting my hair back into shape. Once I gain 4 to 5 more inches I will cut the legnth off...which sucks because I am a little beyond APL.
I will do a better job of updating....just a little down about my hair these days.
I WILL make a come back from this thin ugly hair. LOL
So....I have been in sew in's since my last post. I have not been consistent with my supplements or topical agents. I have just been lettin things do what they do. Well I took my weave out a little early this time and I was pleased to find that my hair is starting to thicken back up. The down side to that is the ends and MOST of my legnth is terribly thin. Birth control was not my friend. :-(
I am sitting here with Henna and Amla on my head. I will start back with these powders in hopes of getting my hair back into shape. Once I gain 4 to 5 more inches I will cut the legnth off...which sucks because I am a little beyond APL.
I will do a better job of updating....just a little down about my hair these days.
I WILL make a come back from this thin ugly hair. LOL
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Update on my Hair: 3 Months of Consistent Sew In's
Hello friends!
Well it has been 3 months of nothing but sew in's for me. I recently discovered that my hair was shedding due to birth control. My hair has thinned out tremendously and has me very sad and depressed.
Well I had my last weave for about 5 weeks and decided it was time to take it down. I asm scared to keep the weave for too long because I am deathly afraid of my hair dreading up. Well I took my hair down and got good news and bad news.
The bad news....
It is as bad as I thought. My hair is VERY thin. I have been taking supplements and using MT topically in an effort to nurse my original thickness back. I also have to apologize to my beloved henna. When I started losing hair, I blamed it on henna. I was so sure that henna made my hair fall out...well henna may have stolen my curls but it did not make my hair fall out...birth control did!
The good news...
I am pretty much APL (arm pit length). My goal was to make APL by April. Well now I would like to see FULL APL and a decent amount of thickness. My hair success is bittersweet because although my hair is much longer....it is too thin for me to enjoy it. :-(
So....what does this mean? Well I am actually still dieting and working out (trying to shed the extra pounds also a result of the BC) so right now, it is best I keep my hair curly. Although my hair is thin....the curls are beautiful! I have no clue what my hair type anymore...but I love my curls. I am slowly nursing my hair back to health and I am confident that by summer....I will be able to wear my hair out again.
The verdicts on weaves? A keeper. I will definitely be weaving back really soon. I am going to take a few weeks to give my hair a little TLC. And then...back in sew in's I go. At the rate my hair is growing...with the help of weaves.....I just MIGHT see BSL (bra strap length) for Christmas!
Have you nursed your natural hair back from "thinning"? If so, please share your experience. I need all the tips I can get. Although I don't wanna...I promise to take pics of a piece of my hair stretched to show the length and the curls just for fun before the next 48 hours is up (curly deep conditioning with Aussie 3 minute miracle) :-)
Well it has been 3 months of nothing but sew in's for me. I recently discovered that my hair was shedding due to birth control. My hair has thinned out tremendously and has me very sad and depressed.
Well I had my last weave for about 5 weeks and decided it was time to take it down. I asm scared to keep the weave for too long because I am deathly afraid of my hair dreading up. Well I took my hair down and got good news and bad news.
The bad news....
It is as bad as I thought. My hair is VERY thin. I have been taking supplements and using MT topically in an effort to nurse my original thickness back. I also have to apologize to my beloved henna. When I started losing hair, I blamed it on henna. I was so sure that henna made my hair fall out...well henna may have stolen my curls but it did not make my hair fall out...birth control did!
The good news...
I am pretty much APL (arm pit length). My goal was to make APL by April. Well now I would like to see FULL APL and a decent amount of thickness. My hair success is bittersweet because although my hair is much longer....it is too thin for me to enjoy it. :-(
So....what does this mean? Well I am actually still dieting and working out (trying to shed the extra pounds also a result of the BC) so right now, it is best I keep my hair curly. Although my hair is thin....the curls are beautiful! I have no clue what my hair type anymore...but I love my curls. I am slowly nursing my hair back to health and I am confident that by summer....I will be able to wear my hair out again.
The verdicts on weaves? A keeper. I will definitely be weaving back really soon. I am going to take a few weeks to give my hair a little TLC. And then...back in sew in's I go. At the rate my hair is growing...with the help of weaves.....I just MIGHT see BSL (bra strap length) for Christmas!
Have you nursed your natural hair back from "thinning"? If so, please share your experience. I need all the tips I can get. Although I don't wanna...I promise to take pics of a piece of my hair stretched to show the length and the curls just for fun before the next 48 hours is up (curly deep conditioning with Aussie 3 minute miracle) :-)
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Fish Oil and Weight Loss: What is the connection?
Benefits of Fish Oil for Fitness and Health
When the words oils and fats are mentioned, health-conscious individuals tend to run for cover. What they fail to realize is that there are good fats and bad fats. Complete avoidance of intake of oils and fats would actually be detrimental – rather than beneficial – to their health.
The Truth about Fish Oil
Essential fatty acids must always be part of our daily diet – without them, we take one step closer to our deaths. Essential fatty acids are divided into two families: omega-6 EFAs and omega-3 EFAS.
Although there are only very slight differences to distinguish the two groups of essential fatty acids from each other, studies have revealed that too much intake of omega-6 EFAs can lead to inflammation, blood clotting and tumor growth. The good news, however, is that the opposite is true for omega-3 EFAs. Omega-6 EFAs can be found in vegetable oils while omega-3 EFAs can be found in fish oils among other foods.
Omega-6 vs. Omega-3
Physicians and scientists are of the same opinion that the cause behind increasing cases of heart disease, hypertension or high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, premature aging and certain kinds of cancer is none other than an imbalanced intake of omega-3 and omega-6 EFAs.
As mentioned earlier on, omega-6 EFAs can be found in vegetable oils. This includes but is not limited to corn oil and soy oil, both of which contains high amounts of linoleic acid. Omega-3 EFAs on the other hand can be found also in marine plankton and walnut and flaxseed oils. It should be significant to take note that fatty fish and fish oils contain eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), fatty acids that have been observed to provide many benefits to the human body. In the early 1970’s, a study on Greenland Eskimos have revealed that one of the major reasons why they rarely suffer from heart diseases is because of their high-fat diet (mainly composed of fish).
The two essential fatty acids, EPA and DHA, are also helpful in preventing atherosclerosis, heart attacks, depression and various forms of cancer. Fish oil supplemented food have also proven to be useful in treating illnesses like rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, Raynaud’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
Other Benefits of Fish Oil
There are a lot more illnesses and situations in which intake of fish oil has proven to be significantly beneficial.
Making the Heart Healthier
The heart is inarguably one of the most important parts of our body and having an unhealthy heart means having to suffer a rather limited lifespan. Naturally, it’s in our best interests to keep our hearts happy and healthy and one way of doing that is eating food that contains fish oil.
In Athens, Greece, for instance, a study was made to show if there was a direct relationship between high fish diet and inflammation of blood vessels. The results revealed that those who ate more fish than the others had a lower level of C-reactive protein and interleukin-6, factors that are commonly used to measure likelihood of blood vessel inflammation. These benefits remained even when the various risks associated with high fish diet were taken into account.
Fish to Become Thin
In Perth, Australia, a study had revealed that fish consumption can be used against hypertension and obesity. Researchers of the UWA (University of Western Australia) have discovered that a weight-loss diet which includes a regular amount of fish consumption can be quite effective in reducing blood pressure and improving glucose tolerance.
Fish Oil to Combat Asthma
People suffering from respiratory problems like asthma tend to be perceived as unfit and unhealthy. They should now be pleased to learn that certain studies have revealed the benefits of fish oil for asthma-burdened-individuals. Statistics show that approximately 20 to 25% of children today suffer one form of asthma or another at a certain point in their lives. And certain evidence reveals a regular diet of food with high linoleic acid content as the reason behind it.
Researchers of UW (University of Wyoming) conducted a study by subjecting a number of children to a high-fish diet while others continued with their regular diet. Results revealed that the participants who ate more fish were less prone to asthma attacks and were able to breathe more easily as well.
Consult Your Nutritionist Now
Nothing is good when consumed or used excessively but complete avoidance of a particular food type is equally harmful as well. Ask your nutritionist for the right amount of fish intake for your age and health status.
When the words oils and fats are mentioned, health-conscious individuals tend to run for cover. What they fail to realize is that there are good fats and bad fats. Complete avoidance of intake of oils and fats would actually be detrimental – rather than beneficial – to their health.
The Truth about Fish Oil
Essential fatty acids must always be part of our daily diet – without them, we take one step closer to our deaths. Essential fatty acids are divided into two families: omega-6 EFAs and omega-3 EFAS.
Although there are only very slight differences to distinguish the two groups of essential fatty acids from each other, studies have revealed that too much intake of omega-6 EFAs can lead to inflammation, blood clotting and tumor growth. The good news, however, is that the opposite is true for omega-3 EFAs. Omega-6 EFAs can be found in vegetable oils while omega-3 EFAs can be found in fish oils among other foods.
Omega-6 vs. Omega-3
Physicians and scientists are of the same opinion that the cause behind increasing cases of heart disease, hypertension or high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, premature aging and certain kinds of cancer is none other than an imbalanced intake of omega-3 and omega-6 EFAs.
As mentioned earlier on, omega-6 EFAs can be found in vegetable oils. This includes but is not limited to corn oil and soy oil, both of which contains high amounts of linoleic acid. Omega-3 EFAs on the other hand can be found also in marine plankton and walnut and flaxseed oils. It should be significant to take note that fatty fish and fish oils contain eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), fatty acids that have been observed to provide many benefits to the human body. In the early 1970’s, a study on Greenland Eskimos have revealed that one of the major reasons why they rarely suffer from heart diseases is because of their high-fat diet (mainly composed of fish).
The two essential fatty acids, EPA and DHA, are also helpful in preventing atherosclerosis, heart attacks, depression and various forms of cancer. Fish oil supplemented food have also proven to be useful in treating illnesses like rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, Raynaud’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
Other Benefits of Fish Oil
There are a lot more illnesses and situations in which intake of fish oil has proven to be significantly beneficial.
Making the Heart Healthier
The heart is inarguably one of the most important parts of our body and having an unhealthy heart means having to suffer a rather limited lifespan. Naturally, it’s in our best interests to keep our hearts happy and healthy and one way of doing that is eating food that contains fish oil.
In Athens, Greece, for instance, a study was made to show if there was a direct relationship between high fish diet and inflammation of blood vessels. The results revealed that those who ate more fish than the others had a lower level of C-reactive protein and interleukin-6, factors that are commonly used to measure likelihood of blood vessel inflammation. These benefits remained even when the various risks associated with high fish diet were taken into account.
Fish to Become Thin
In Perth, Australia, a study had revealed that fish consumption can be used against hypertension and obesity. Researchers of the UWA (University of Western Australia) have discovered that a weight-loss diet which includes a regular amount of fish consumption can be quite effective in reducing blood pressure and improving glucose tolerance.
Fish Oil to Combat Asthma
People suffering from respiratory problems like asthma tend to be perceived as unfit and unhealthy. They should now be pleased to learn that certain studies have revealed the benefits of fish oil for asthma-burdened-individuals. Statistics show that approximately 20 to 25% of children today suffer one form of asthma or another at a certain point in their lives. And certain evidence reveals a regular diet of food with high linoleic acid content as the reason behind it.
Researchers of UW (University of Wyoming) conducted a study by subjecting a number of children to a high-fish diet while others continued with their regular diet. Results revealed that the participants who ate more fish were less prone to asthma attacks and were able to breathe more easily as well.
Consult Your Nutritionist Now
Nothing is good when consumed or used excessively but complete avoidance of a particular food type is equally harmful as well. Ask your nutritionist for the right amount of fish intake for your age and health status.
Birth Control and Hair Loss
If the title of this post made your heart skip a beat...then we are on the same page. :-)
I have been on this natural journey for quite some time now. Maybe about 6-8 months ago I swtiched from Ortho Evra (the hormonal patch) to Loestrin (birth control pill). Well immediately I experienced side effects. As with most other methods of birth control that I have used, I experienced break through bleeding. In addition, I also became very moody and at times even depressed. I noticed over time that I went up a cup size and I also started to spread in my hip area. The man was LOVING this...but I was giving it the side eye. Well the bleeding stopped only to be replaced with terrible cramps. The increased "boobage" and "hippage" turned into all over weight...and although my stomach remained pretty much flat, I went from a 6-8 to a 10-12. Well I still tried to hang in there with it because an unplanned pregnancy would be worse.
Well I have experienced increased shedding for atleast the past 6 months. I initially went to weaves in an effort to discourage any further shedding and just leave my hair alone altogether. Well it was not until recently when I took my6 last weave down and I noticed how thin my hair had become. I then took to the internet to research the effects of weave on the hair. I could not understand how after years of wearing weaves, I was experiencing such thinning. My research did not yield many results.
Well I was also researching weightloss while on birth control. While researching this subject, I learned that many low estrogen birth control pills often cause the hair to thin. I was both elated and livid! Atleast I now know WHY my hair is coming out. I was upset because it took me this long to find out. So am I correct in assuming that birth control prevents pregnancy because it makes you FAT, BALD and CRAZY?!? Seems that way! LOL
At any rate, I am in another weave install (my third) and I am continuing to care for my hair under the weave. I have also stopped the use of hormonal birth control. In an effort to bounce back for the hair thinning as a result of birth control, I plan to implement new supplements into my diet. My new vitamin regime will be:
Fish Oil
MSM
Biotin
B Complex
When I take this install down I will take a picture and then I will compare it six months from now. Will these supplements help me restore my original thickness? Only time will tell!
I have been on this natural journey for quite some time now. Maybe about 6-8 months ago I swtiched from Ortho Evra (the hormonal patch) to Loestrin (birth control pill). Well immediately I experienced side effects. As with most other methods of birth control that I have used, I experienced break through bleeding. In addition, I also became very moody and at times even depressed. I noticed over time that I went up a cup size and I also started to spread in my hip area. The man was LOVING this...but I was giving it the side eye. Well the bleeding stopped only to be replaced with terrible cramps. The increased "boobage" and "hippage" turned into all over weight...and although my stomach remained pretty much flat, I went from a 6-8 to a 10-12. Well I still tried to hang in there with it because an unplanned pregnancy would be worse.
Well I have experienced increased shedding for atleast the past 6 months. I initially went to weaves in an effort to discourage any further shedding and just leave my hair alone altogether. Well it was not until recently when I took my6 last weave down and I noticed how thin my hair had become. I then took to the internet to research the effects of weave on the hair. I could not understand how after years of wearing weaves, I was experiencing such thinning. My research did not yield many results.
Well I was also researching weightloss while on birth control. While researching this subject, I learned that many low estrogen birth control pills often cause the hair to thin. I was both elated and livid! Atleast I now know WHY my hair is coming out. I was upset because it took me this long to find out. So am I correct in assuming that birth control prevents pregnancy because it makes you FAT, BALD and CRAZY?!? Seems that way! LOL
At any rate, I am in another weave install (my third) and I am continuing to care for my hair under the weave. I have also stopped the use of hormonal birth control. In an effort to bounce back for the hair thinning as a result of birth control, I plan to implement new supplements into my diet. My new vitamin regime will be:
Fish Oil
MSM
Biotin
B Complex
When I take this install down I will take a picture and then I will compare it six months from now. Will these supplements help me restore my original thickness? Only time will tell!
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Missing my Hair: Still In Sew in!
So I have been weaved up since September and I have MISSED my hair.
When I took my weave down last time, I only wore my hair for about 2 days before I got it reweaved. Although I had two days with my hair, I did not do a length check at all. After wearing that THICK weave...my hair felt SO thin.
I recently discovered that I was losing hair. I could not for the life of me figure out why my hair was shedding so badly. Well I finally figured it out...MEDICATION. I recently switched to a new birth control pill and my body does not seem to agree at all. I will soon post more about the overall affects of different methods of birth control on your body.
At any rate....I liked my weave....not as much as I liked the first one...but I liked it. I used a better brand of hair this time...and I will be saving this hair ro use on a future install.
I have also decided to spend the first 6 months of 2010 in weaves. I am determined to retain some length and reach my hair first and second hair goal in 2010.
At any rate...I am taking my weave down and deep conditioning tonight. I hope that I have something good waiting for me under this weave. In the meantime, here are a few pics of my current do...
When I took my weave down last time, I only wore my hair for about 2 days before I got it reweaved. Although I had two days with my hair, I did not do a length check at all. After wearing that THICK weave...my hair felt SO thin.
I recently discovered that I was losing hair. I could not for the life of me figure out why my hair was shedding so badly. Well I finally figured it out...MEDICATION. I recently switched to a new birth control pill and my body does not seem to agree at all. I will soon post more about the overall affects of different methods of birth control on your body.
At any rate....I liked my weave....not as much as I liked the first one...but I liked it. I used a better brand of hair this time...and I will be saving this hair ro use on a future install.
I have also decided to spend the first 6 months of 2010 in weaves. I am determined to retain some length and reach my hair first and second hair goal in 2010.
At any rate...I am taking my weave down and deep conditioning tonight. I hope that I have something good waiting for me under this weave. In the meantime, here are a few pics of my current do...
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