Okay, ladies. I lied. (**Update, PHOTO HEAVY**)

[spinspinshuga]

I told myself I would post no more photos until I was full waistlength...but I lied. Here are some "progress" photos

I say "progress" because I feel like I'm essentially in the same place as I was in January. I have almost four inches of new growth (I'm 22.5 weeks post and measuring growth from the scalp,) but I feel like I'm not gaining length. I thought maybe I could have breakage, but I'm not really seeing any splits. I'm hoping what seems to me to be lack of growth can just be attributed to the fact that my new growth is making my hair seem shorter. I'm also shedding like crazy, so I'm hoping that isn't it

I didn't flat iron my hair terribly straight, so excuse all the unintentional waves and what not. Also excuse my baggy shirt and general appearance. It's finals week!

Length shot first. Black line is waist length, about a half inch above belly button. Green line is the longest point of my hair. Yes, I only have a few pathetic strands there...but they count, right?

More shots:

Here's some photos of the flat-ironed new growth. Excuse the crazy hair, nails, and unmade bed!

I'm a little discouraged, but I'm trying not to lose hope. My hair seems to have stopped growing, but I'm hoping I can attribute that to stress and bad diet...and lack of exercise recently. I'm used to regular exercise but have been sick for months now and haven't worked out, other than poling, in two or three weeks.

Anyway, thanks for looking!

 

[Allandra]

Looks nice. Are you still transitioning?

 

[danigurl18]

Your hair is lovely!! Have you changed your diet recently? That could be the problem

 

[spinspinshuga]

Looks nice. Are you still transitioning?

Yup! At times I get frustrated and feel like BC'ing (or even shaving!) but I think I'll just stick with transitioning since I wouldn't look so hot with short hair

Your hair is lovely!! Have you changed your diet recently? That could be the problem

Thanks! I have. These last couple of months have been really stressful at school. I've gone as long as a week without eating a vegetable at times and gone to bed without dinner. After the seventh I will be completely finished with my undergraduate education, so I'm hoping the summer will give my body (and hair) time to recuperate before law school.

 

[mzcris]

beautiful hair

 

[Minty]

You said its finals week! once the stress of the semester is over, I'm sure you will bounce back. If you have some garlic pills, take those and it should help stop the shedding.

 

[spinspinshuga]

You said its finals week! once the stress of the semester is over, I'm sure you will bounce back. If you have some garlic pills, take those and it should help stop the shedding.

I've been thinking about garlic pills. Have you tried the garlic shampoos and conditioners? I was thinking about investing in those as well...

 

[Whimsy]

how long have you been transitioning?
your hair is nice and long, don't be discouraged!!!
get back to cardio, eat right, sleep well, drink water and baby your hair.

Maybe try a low manipulating style for a few months. bunning maybe?

 

[Kayanna1212]

omg be lucky you have all that pretty hair i wish i had all that hair

 

[mariofmagdal]

Garlic pills work. Your hair is still pretty and at a great length.

 

[spinspinshuga]

how long have you been transitioning?
your hair is nice and long, don't be discouraged!!!
get back to cardio, eat right, sleep well, drink water and baby your hair.

Maybe try a low manipulating style for a few months. bunning maybe?

Not long at all! Just 22.5 weeks as of right today. I'm accustomed to long stretches--I usually relax between five and twelve months--so I'm confused about all this hair loss. In any case, you're a major inspiration to me! I love your hair and your long-term transition is very encouraging.
I definitely have to get back into a healthier routine. I think bunning has been destroying my nape a little, and buns tend to give me headaches, but I could definitely lay off of the combing a little bit and try a different PS

 

[Toy]

Your hair is beautiful .

 

[Supergirl]

I love it! I'm glad you didn't wait to post your update pics.

 

[PGirl]

If only my hair were that long....

 

[nikki2229]

Don't be discouraged. Your seem to have quite a bit of new growth, so I am sure you have more progress than what you think. You're hair is gorgeous. Good luck with your transition and law school.

 

[Likeyouneverseenme]

Beautiful hair!!

 

[Morenita]

Aw, don't be discouraged . It seems to me that you have already identified the key culprits here. After this week is over, take the time out to relax and de-stress and take care of yourself! You will see better progress perhaps when not looking for it so hard. Your hair is gorgeous, and the length will follow healthy hair care and healthy body care practices! Hang in there with the transition and with school, I know how it can be sometimes.

 

[lonelysky]

Just kidding.

Great pics.

 

[wheezy807]

Gorgeously, thick hair!

 

[LaLaa]

Your hair is pretty!

 

[FlowerHair]

Very nice!!

 

[MA2010]

Just had to say your hair is lovely!

 

[PearlyCurly]

Well i wasnt here back in Jan` but i think your hair is just beautiful. I dont think you hair stoped growing, you obviously have beautiful NG soo something is still kicking up there:wink2:.

 

[pinkchocolatedaisy]

Let me have your length and my hair stop growing..LOL I would be soo happy! Girl your hair is beautiful! ITA with other posters, t/c of yourself and watch your growth take off!

I'm so hating on you with that beautiful hair! j/k

 

[countrychickd]

Such gorgeous hair lady! These ladies gave some great advice. Once finals are over, I'm sure you'll feel better, and see your hair bounce back to normal.

 

[cutenss]

Beautiful hair. And CONGRADULATIONS with school. You DID IT! Waist length and LAW school, here you come

 

[prettyFine]

do you really want to transition? your hair is so super long. and so super gorgeous. what's your reason for transitioning? to help with shedding get some garlic oil pills from walmart and take 2-3 a day. or try a protein at the demarcation line to prevent breakage there.

 

[spinspinshuga]

do you really want to transition? your hair is so super long. and so super gorgeous. what's your reason for transitioning? to help with shedding get some garlic oil pills from walmart and take 2-3 a day. or try a protein at the demarcation line to prevent breakage there.

Thanks so much.
I'm pretty sure I want to transition. Up until early high school I was natural and my hair was super long--it was waist length when in chunky roller set curls, so I'm guessing it was about hip length straightened. My hair was definitely thicker--and I think perhaps healthier--when I was natural, so I'm hoping a transition will make it easier to reach my goals. I'm also worried about long-term effects of relaxers on my scalp and hair (I don't know if there are any, so it's mostly just paranoia,) and I'm also lazy about salons. The thought of me going to get a touch-up as an elderly lady made me think I should probably stop

Sometimes I think I'll BC, other days I think I'll just transition indefinitely. Now that I'm almost back at WL after so many setbacks--caused both by others and myself--I feel like I'm not willing to get rid of the length. However, I'm fairly certain I want to transition. I think I'll just keep going and, rather than trim relaxed ends, trim off splits until my hair is the length I want it, then maintain

Thank you all for your responses! You all are very encouraging.

 

[naturalmanenyc]

Gorgeous hair!!!! I think keep photos will help you see your progress.

I understand that you are not ready to lose your length. I felt the same way when I started my transition. After major breakage at the line of demarcation, I did start to do mini chops. I went from BSL to above APL and now just past shoulder length. I am getting more and more comfortable with shorter hair....and thicker hair too.

I just increased my exercise routine and also my water intake (which was well below the 8 glasses per day). I am sure that once you get back to your normal routine that your hair will show progress.

 

[vainღ♥♡jane]

your hair is pretty.