2017 Hair Growth And Weight Loss Challenge (jan-dec)

[faithVA]

I took my braids out yesterday. Did 3 weeks with them. Took them out as my ends were starting to stick out. Washed with Motions CPR Shampoo, used Aphogee 2 min reconstructor and conditioned with Suave Ocean Breeze Conditioner.
I stopped eating flour for the month to see what will happen to my body.

Did you give up all bread products and sauces, etc or just certain forms? Did you notice any difference? I didnt notice a difference until i started eating it again.

 

[BellaRose]

Did you give up all bread products and sauces, etc or just certain forms? Did you notice any difference? I didn't notice a difference until i started eating it again.

Not really seeing a difference. All flour based products- no bread, cookies, pies etc. I eat arepas sometimes in place of bread. Only difference i saw is when i eat the arepa i use the washroom more. What difference did you notice when you started back eating it?

 

[faithVA]

Not really seeing a difference. All flour based products- no bread, cookies, pies etc. I eat arepas sometimes in place of bread. Only difference i saw is when i eat the arepa i use the washroom more. What difference did you notice when you started back eating it?

Trying to eat wheat products now make me extremely tired. I also end up with a rash on the back of my arms and legs. When I stopped eating it my joint pain went away.​

 

[BellaRose]

Hmm...
That's interesting @faithVA.

 

[BellaRose]

Three more days before first check in. How are you feeling about it? I think I made a bit of progress.

 

[faithVA]

Check in? Huh? What?

 

[BellaRose]

Check in? Huh? What?

lol. A comparison of where you were to now. Just remind us what you started with and where you are at the end of this month.

 

[BellaRose]

Hair Goals
Current Length: Front:12" slightly past APL , Left:11" APL, right: 10.5" slightly short of APL , Back: 11" slightly short of BSL
2017 Goal Length: Full BSL
Relaxed, natural, texlaxed: natural
How you will achieve goal:
Low manipulation and protective styles, moisture/protein balance. My hair is braided at the root and twisted the length and styled in a canerow/cornrow down the back of my head. Will try to keep this in for the month. Moisturise and seal every other day and wash once a week.

Weight/Fitness Goals
Current Weight: 70.6kg/ 155lbs
Goal Weight and/or Goal Inches to lose: 65kg/145 lbs
How you will achieve goal:
To start off the year, I am taking some free self defense classes for January up to Carnival (Trinidad) in February. I am also combining that with walking the 14 flights of stairs to get to my office. Major leg and lung burn. lol. Will be doing that for the time being. Drinking more water, eating less snacks.

For today: no clothes or water
Weight: 155.8 lbs
BMI: 25.9
Fat: 29.5 %
Water: 49.8 %
Bone: 4.3
Muscle: 31 %

So a slight change in all but bone. Great!

Didn't make my 2.5 litres of water yesterday though- drank 1 litre and half of my 1.5 bottle. Will try to get it today. After my leg session at the gym on Tuesday and walking around like a ballerina in work yesterday because of the recovery pain- my Sensei decided to give us leg work yesterday in defense class. That's just evil. lol

Hair wise- just braid spray and seal with my castor-olive oil mix.

Ok. So today i weighed 150.6 lbs. BMI 25.1, Body Fat 28.5, Water 50.6, Bone 4.4 , Muscle 31.5

 

[BellaRose]

Hair wise, it's the same.

 

[faithVA]

I'm up 2 lbs because candy and I are having an affair. I'm it even pretending right now that I'm going to do anything about it.

I do a hair check in near the 21st.

 

[BellaRose]

OK cool. It happens to the best of us. My hair is suffering. Can't find any Herbal Essence Hello Hydration conditioner in the stores. Haven't found one to replace it yet.

 

[BellaRose]

How are things on your side ladies?

@Aggie @HappyAtLast @YvetteWithJoy @NCHairDiva @sharifeh @KinksAndInk @W04andia @prettywhitty
@WeirdoBeauty

 

[Prettymetty]

Can I join? I need halp!!!

My current weight is around 167...
Height 5'
Goal weight 140 or less

I will start back taking Alli tomorrow. I plan to do 2-3 intense workouts each week and drink 2 liters of water daily.

Starting hair/body pic

 

[BellaRose]

Of course you can! @Prettymetty

 

[BellaRose]

Welcome @Prettymetty

 

[Prettymetty]

Thank you. I will start weighing in on Wednesdays

 

[YvetteWithJoy]

How are things on your side ladies?

@Aggie @HappyAtLast @YvetteWithJoy @NCHairDiva @sharifeh @KinksAndInk @W04andia @prettywhitty
@WeirdoBeauty

Hi!

I apologize for being MIA. I've been MIA for each of the challenges I joined. I had to do a final push to finish my master's thesis. I submitted it and am done, woo hoooo!

Health/Weight
I've been doing really well: Eating healthy, drinking water, etc. I haven't been exercising (just writing and walking and running around). I'll step on a scale later today and report back! My stomach was small yesterday, before I went on my eating binge yesterday evening. I had a craving for Mexican, and then my brother did a healthy grilling session and I was the taste tester and somehow ended up eating and eating! I know that once I catch back up on my sleep, I'll return to my exercising routine, which I love.

ON A GOOD NOTE: I've been drinking my acv-lemon juice detox drink 4-5 days/week and adding collagen with hyaluronic (sp?) acid to it, and I've been feeling GREAT and my skin is doing well. I don't know if it's growing my hair yet, but my latest Komaza treatment has my hair HAPPY.

Hair
I have identified a winning lineup, hair products -wise, and I'm so elated. It's the photo in my siggy (if you click it, it enlarges). Nevertheless, I have NOT been motivated to do anything with this puff I'm wearing. DS2 started a new autism therapy program this week, and I've been running all over the place trying to adjust to the new schedule and stay organized. When I get home, all I want to do is sleep, lol.

Hubby just said a few days ago: "Aren't you supposed to be doing something with that?", looking at my old puff. Lol.

 

[faithVA]

Thanks to prettymetty I'm going to start weighing in on Mondays.

 

[BellaRose]

Congrats @YvetteWithJoy. You seem to be on track despite everything else you're doing.

 

[HappyAtLast]

Hi, BellaRose Thanks for the tag. Fitness is going very well. I can now do an hour straight of walking (interval & hills, not just strolling!) My hair and I are at a crossroads - not sure if I'm going to continue texlaxing or will do a long-term transition. It's healthy, cooperative and past APL even with a trim I had two weeks ago. I'm sitting under the dryer now with a new combo I tried - Cantu Shea Butter Coconut Curling Cream with their Twist & Lock Gel (that's the combo that Cantu recommends.) So I'm sitting under the dryer now in plaits hoping for a successful braidout. I am 9 weeks post.

My membership ends beginning of May and I'm not going to renew for a while because I have a ton of work to do for school coming up. So this will be my last active month posting. I'm sure I'll be back though. Thanks, Ladies!

How are things on your side ladies?

@Aggie @HappyAtLast @YvetteWithJoy @NCHairDiva @sharifeh @KinksAndInk @W04andia @prettywhitty
@WeirdoBeauty

 

[YvetteWithJoy]

I finally tackled my hair today. I asked mom to come over this morning and watch the boys while I did my hair. She's so sweet. She said, "I don't miiiiiiind" and brought over donuts and other food.

I washed with 22nd Century Natural Woman Shampoo bar -- which I think I'm always going to be in love with! I was able to detangle with it. I had a LOT of shed hair. LOTS. I started out real cool about it. Then I admit I was a little concerned. There was no breakage, though. (Yay!) I guess after 14 days there will just be a lot of shedding. I didn't collect it, so I'm not sure just how much it was. Felt like a lot.

I tried finger detangling only this time, and it took FOREVER! So I had to rush style a wash-and-go this morning. It shrunk to a really tight 'fro. Interestingly, I got lots of compliments on it.

Later this afternoon, after the party, I fiiiiiiiiially attempted the full crimper curler set. I used a spray bottle of water and the new Eden Bodyworks Mousse I purchased (I'm worried it's not going to be effective due to 1 bad review I found after purchasing) and used bands to keep them on. They are in my head now and too uncomfortable to sleep in. I'll sit for another few hours and hope it dries. If not, I'll have to see if I can get my dryer bonnet over it.

 

[BellaRose]

Good luck with your studies @HappyAtLast . Nice to hear of your progress.

 

[faithVA]

I weighed in at 148 this morning. I'm ready to get back on plan this week. I'm sleepy today so no working out today but I Wilber it in this week.

 

[YvetteWithJoy]

Health:
I ate very well today. Sweet potato hash and lentil soup. Water consumption was just so-so. Needs to be upped. I'm still drinking my daily morning detox drink and adding collagen with hyaluronic (sp?) acid. It has my skin LOVELY. I still haven't stepped on a scale! If I had to guess, I feel and look like I'm around 136 lbs. We'll see in the morning if I can remember. (I try not to weigh myself at night after I've eaten all day! LOL!)

Hair:
My attempt at the crimper curler set came out so-so. Pics and details are here: https://longhaircareforum.com/threads/april-styles-challenge-2017.814617/page-3#post-23801821.

The foam/mousse I used to set it gave my hair a dry, tacky feeling. Had to remove it! So today at 3:00 PM I applied SM's hipo masque to my dry hair and twisted it up. Had my hair feeling amazing! Only took 32 minutes to detangle and twist up my hair. I looooooooove that stuff. It's magic for my hair. I left it in under a thermal cap for about 15 minutes.

After that I washed my scalp with SM Clear Start Shampoo (discontinued; from the professional line). Then twist-by-twist in the shower I rinsed out the DC, applied Curl Junkie Smoothing Lotion, and retwisted.

Once out of the shower, I let my hair dry some, then twist by twist I untwistd it, applied Camille Rose Naturals Coconut Water Style Setter to the section, and installed two flexirods per twist.

I'm still working on my technique. Some flexirods contain very smooth hair, some contain hair that is clearly 4a (still looks coily on the rod).

I think my hair is basically neck length in the front and a little past collar bone length in the back.

(Photo enlarges upon click)


View attachment 394281 View attachment 394285

 

[KinksAndInk]

How are things on your side ladies?

@Aggie @HappyAtLast @YvetteWithJoy @NCHairDiva @sharifeh @KinksAndInk @W04andia @prettywhitty
@WeirdoBeauty

I'm gonna need a reset button. I'm a hot mess over here smh. But I'm working on getting it together. I haven't stepped on a scale in over a month. Didn't like the number I saw the last time I did. None of my clothes fit properly and I'm honestly miserable.

I ordered a diet book by Biggest Loser coach/celebrity trainer Dolvett Quince, yoga grip socks, yoga blocks/strap, a food scale and some meal prep containers. I'm gathering my exercise equipment and cleaning out a workout space. I'm determined to drop some weight before the summer starts.

My hair is doing great. Easy peasy as usual...

 

[Prettymetty]

Dh got us a new gym membership in our neighborhood. It has free childcare and a separate facility for women only. I'm in love

I did a 40 minute interval workout on the treadmill. Now we are headed to lunch. I am going to avoid gluten for a week to see if it helps my fatigue and digestive issues.

 

[faithVA]

Dh got us a new gym membership in our neighborhood. It has free childcare and a separate facility for women only. I'm in love

I did a 40 minute interval workout on the treadmill. Now we are headed to lunch. I am going to avoid gluten for a week to see if it helps my fatigue and digestive issues.

Let me know if you notice a difference giving up gluten. What digestive issues are you having?

 

[YvetteWithJoy]

Finally stepped on a scale this morning!

141 lbs (64 kgs).

Sigh. I so feel like 136.

I need to be smaller for graduation pictures and a ball I'm attending before it. All I want to do right now, though, is nap. I'll try to get a plan together by tonight.

At least my hair is faring well. (Thank you, God!) I couldn't get this attachment to work right before, but if you click the photo it enlarges. That is my latest style attempt, my first true DIY flexirod set. I like it, and it easily ponytails.

 

[Prettymetty]

Let me know if you notice a difference giving up gluten. What digestive issues are you having?

I'm always bloated. I can't even drink and eat at the same time. I have to eat first, then have a few sips.

I am also very tired, irritable, gassy, my brain is foggy and this morning I had severe muscle weakness. I could barely hold a pen to fill out paperwork.

I will definitely keep you posted. I plan on getting groceries later tonight.

 

[faithVA]

I'm always bloated. I can't even drink and eat at the same time. I have to eat first, then have a few sips.

I am also very tired, irritable, gassy, my brain is foggy and this morning I had severe muscle weakness. I could barely hold a pen to fill out paperwork.

I will definitely keep you posted. I plan on getting groceries later tonight.

I gave up gluten which helped with fatigue, brain fog and other things. I started a digestive diet last February which helped with my digestion. I'm starting a cholesterol diet this week.