Natural Hair: Heat Training

As some of you may know, I've been on my natural hair journey for a year & two months now. I started out not knowing what to really expect during my transition, and eager to see how my natural texture was. Welp, after transition for a few months, I did a BC (big chop) on my hair in May 2011, and my hair has grown out a lot since then. I didn't think it would happen. Dealing with short hair is NOT my thing. I am a natural chick aiming for LONG healthy hair.

You maybe thinking..."healthy hair & heat training? That doesn't go together" Well it does, just like colored treated hair. I know of quit a few natural hair ladies that have big, beautiful healthy natural COLORED treated hair. I don't see anything different with them & ladies that heat train their hair. Just like ladies who relax their hair. Some of them have LONG healthy hair. Whatever works for you boo!

Won't that mess with your natural curl.kinky pattern? Yes. I have really, CURLY, coarse, & kinky hair (click link for photo). I love the results I am getting from being natural (thickness, growth), plus it allows me to be more hands on with my hair & take care of it how the way that I should have been when I was in school (college), and when I was younger (high school) & didn't know any better. That's beside the point.

The way that I will be heat training my hair is by using a blow dryer & flat iron or blow dryer & pressing comb. How often, new regimen is MUCH needed for this new change. I'll more than likely go into MORE details in another post.

Why are you heat training your hair? Because it's really difficult to detangle my hair now that my curl pattern has made it's way into my life a year & some months now. I don't ever plan on wearing my natural curl pattern & if I do, I rather let them be loose then tight. My hair has really bad skrinkage that I hate. People say embrace every part of being natural but I don't like it & I will NOT embrace that part about it. That's just how I feel. There's no right or wrong way. It's my hair right?

-Next few posts I plan on speaking on the Bigen permanent hair color I applied in my hair Nov 2011 *Once my healthy hair challenge was over*
-Products I've been using lately
-Length check *photos :)

Work Out Update: Operation Get BACK In Shape!

Yesssss, I'm back. I thought I update my blog discussing my journey. I've been keeping track in my journal for when I work out & what I eat the days I work out, & also for how long etc. 

So far I've lost 6lbs, but I'm sure I've gained that back because I stopped working out for 2wks. Week 1 I was lazy, the 2nd week the cycle came, so0o0o0 yea ladies you know during that time you don't feel like doing much. Especially if you get major cramps like myself.


Anyways,
I started this journey Jan. 2nd, and I've been weighing in once a month. The first month I weighed myself twice. So now, I plan on weighing in on the 25th of each month. It gives me time to lose some of the uncontrollable water body weight & go HARD!


Like I said, I've loss 6lbs, and plan on losing more. 
Changes: I've cut back on some of the fatty foods...keyword cut back. You don't necessarily have to take away your favorite foods, portions and moderation is key.
-I've been eating Subway a lot more. That means less of other foods I was eating. Eating more veggies, a tad bit more water. I've always drank water. & also taking my vitamins (B12 & MultiVites gummies)! Those have been helpful.


Work out plan: I've been running for 20+ minutes nonstop on the days I don't work out with Jillian. I rather do something then nothing at all. I do feel/see the results when using Jillians DVD. I'm also trying to up my time when running. Monday (yesterday) I ran for 20mins, today as you can see the time/picture above, I ran for 25mins.


It's better to start off slow, and not psych yourself out or set yourself up for failure.


That's about it!
Although I've had setbacks, I don't allow that to stop me. This is not some popular resolution for me, it's a goal leading into a healthier lifestyle.

What My Week Consisted of...

I just finished my taxes on my OWN via this software 

I bought last year from Dollar Tree :)

WIN!

Jessica Simpsons Heels that I seen in Ross

I love the color, but I'm not a fan of the heel :-/

Kiss Lashes at Dollar Tree

I wanted to purchase them BUT

I have lashes I have now that I have yet to use

Subway

I am in LOVE with their cookies

& their Cheddar Broccoli soup

Lastly...

The February Photo A Day Challenge

Many people has jumped on this challenge via Instagram (App)

I've also started my job search again...ready to move on up to more advanced things

& closer to my career.

I'll be using Craiglist.com for my job hunt

Any other useful sites you think I should check out?

Time To Reflect....2011/2012 Goals

This post was intended on being posted before 2012 came around...It was left in my draft's....No bueno.

So I was reading my blogger friends Rose from Rosedale's post regarding a bucket list. She basically refocused on a few things she wants to get done before we approach the new year & what she's already done. I thought it be great to reflect back on some of my goals.


-Starting my career: Although I was pushing & still am, for a full time job, I'm thankful for the position I have now. Especially the organization I work for. They are awesome & it'll look great on my resume :)
I'm would love to start doing something that I have passion for & can't live a day without.


-Get my mentoring program going: Mentoring Young Girls is somewhat official. More official than what it was in January 2011 when I started it all by myself. We're currently working on workshops, a giveaway for young girls on our Facebook (if any small businesses would like to help/donate please email us at mentoringyg@gmail.com) We're also looking forward to having a mother daughter event as well.


-God: I've had more time to think & made more time to connect with Him. Although I'm not as close I want to be, I'm working at it :)


-Moving: I've been talking about moving out of state ever since I was in college & more so lately. I'm ready for a different atmosphere. I love Cali but I wouldn't mind being in another state. I always thought I would be living in ATL...but the wind has blown me in a new direction. I'll share that once it's official. 


-Scholarship: In June I raised money for a scholarship I started under my programs name (MY Girls aka Mentoring Young Girls) for the AVID students at my alma mater (HS).


-Business: I've been looking into branching off & starting my own business in something fashion related. I've always wanted to own my own business since Middle School, so I may just pursue that very soon.

Where I'm At Now...

I started working out Sunday afternoon. I said I was going to get back to shredding "Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred", but I've had a change of heart with that work out DVD right now. I'm still working out with Jillian, but I'm now working out to her Banish Fat Boost Metabolism work out DVD. It says you could "Lose up to 5 pounds a week", of course if you're working out to it often!

Although where I work I do a lot of walking, I find cardio helps me lose weight  & it's more fun for me, so this DVD will come in handy. I like doing aerobics, so on my LAZY days I plan on doing my own personal dance aerobics for 10+ minutes. I tend to be too tired to want to work out on the days I work Mon-Fri. So on the weekends I plan on working out with Jillian twice a day IF possible.

The DVD is 57mins long & has 8-7 circuits. As you can tell above, I purchased it for $5 at Big Lots...Each circuit is 5-6mins long. So it really gives you the option to stop & pick back up from the circuit you left on. Love it! As I stated before I plan on doing this DVD only on the weekends/or certain weekdays that I feel I can do this, otherwise I'll be working out/stretching 10+ minutes a day. I need to get something in each day.

Spiritually, Emotionally, & Physically Unbalanced...Time To Cleanse!

Good afternoon everyone!


I didn't plan on blogging over this way today, but I needed to vent/blog about this. I've decided to go on Spiritual Cleanse which will rebuild me emotionally & physically. What this cleanse consist of is...

1. Stepping away from Twitter. More so my personal twitter page
2. Jump starting my work out again (That I started & fell off many times)
3. Meditating- Reading the word, and writing more (I always seem to find my way back in situations where I'm just feeling "blah")


I'm starting the Spiritual Cleanse today and the weekend "detox" this weekend (1/21). I believe in myself, but I'm not brave enough to do both at the same time. Also, I need to stock up on fresh fruits & veggies for the detox. I need to invest in a great juicer as well....ANYONE know of a decent priced juicers you've used or heard about? 


For more information *& where I'm getting my info from* on the
Spiritual Cleanse, check that out HERE
Homemade Detox (Body cleansing) HERE

Hopefully this week will get me back on track with the many tasks I need to complete, and feeling healthier all around. At the end of the day, it's HIM...God that will get me through it all :)

Product Review: Bigen Hair Color

Product: Bigen Permanent Hair Color

Purchased from: Sally Beauty Supply
Price: $6.49 plus tax
Size: 0.21 Oz.

Color: #59 in Oriental Black

About the  product: It's Ammonia free, no Hydrogen Peroxide required! Awesome right? It's a permanent powder hair color. 

What it comes with: 

This small bottle is what the hair color powder comes in.

I have thick hair, 2 bottles would have worked for my hair.

But since, I don't wear ALL of my hair out (Just the front) it was fine.

I did apply it all over my head as much as I could, but focused on the front part.

The clear plastic container is used as a measuring system

Mixing process: You need to use a non-metallic bowl to mix the Bigen Powder & "room temperature TAP WATER" together in. 1)Pour the powder in bowl first, then the tap water, & mix.

RATING: 5/5

Views/opinions: I don't think I'll use any other brand for awhile when it comes to permanent hair color. When it's time for a touch up, I'll be using a rinse out just because it wont be as harsh & no need to apply permanent hair color to my hair AGAIN (More info & reason why in another post). I did notice Walmart has this hair color as well for $4 something. But they didn't have the popular color "Oriental black" nor a big variety when I saw it. I never knew they carried it.

Overall I love this hair color, it got the job done. My hair was super black (how I wanted it). I would recommend this to anyone looking for a product that's going to do what it's suppose to do!

Favorite Posts of The Week Are...

Peach Cobbler

LongLazySunday: The Linky Party 1

Failed (Makeup Look)

How To: Lip Tattoo

This was so random, & these are the few bloggers I thought I should share this weekend... The title/link of their post will take you directly to the post that is 1 of my faves from them

Check them out :)

HI....BYE!

Yup, this will be quick. I'm doing more than one thing at once right now, plus I need to prepare for a conference call. But any who

 HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!!

We made it another year. If anything, I'm thankful for that.

I'll be starting a clear skin challenge on my beauty blog

Working out again... 30 day Shred

And I was thinking about doing another hair challenge as well. I think that'll be too much right now though.

I may just wait till summer time when I'll need the most TLC for my natural hair.

I do plan on going on a fast. I did this the beginning mid-2011

I feel so cluttered & a bit overwhelmed about up coming projects & decisions.

All in all, I'll be praying about it.

Speaking of prayer, I need to buy a new journal.

I usually use it to write down my thoughts of course, prayers, and things of that nature.

I'm going to try my best to get back to blogging over here. 

With work & trying to maintain a somewhat healthy life, it gets hard.