Hello, ladies.
How did April 2017 fare for you, hair-wise and health-wise? What are your plans for May 2017?
April 2017 Health/Weight Summary
The can-be-improved: I did not exercise consistently (to be fair, I was finishing up my master's thesis and traveling a bit). I was very inconsistent with taking my iron pills. My weight fluctuated. My water intake was inconsistent. I lost a little tone from lack of consistent exercise.
The good-great: I ate pretty healthily. I drank my morning ACV-ginger-etc. detox drink 3-5 mornings a week. I did the 7-Day Cabbage Soup Diet twice with good results.
The plan going forward for May 2017: EVER NIGHT: Take my iron pill with apple cider (for the Vitamin C, which aids in iron uptake). Gradually reintroduce exercising: Start with crunches and weights twice a week. EVERY DAY: Drink at least one full water bottle of water (32 ounces) by noon.
April 2017 Hair Summary
Technique:
Continue (1) flicking method to reduce stress on ends during detangling, (2) starting wash day by sectioning hair into 8 sections using the Kimmaytube-recommended updo barrettes/clips; (3) using elastic ribbon strips (not ties) when banding
Styling:
The not-so-good: I tried the crimper curlers (results weren't good enough for the effort). I installed two deep wave curlformers, and it looked nice but pulling the hair through the curlformers was very damaging, and the curl had no hold at all (I documented via photos in my media album).
The good-great: I did my first flexirod set. Results were very good and hair received lots of compliments. I greatly improved my twist out results (detailed method documented in the April Styles 2017 thread) and received lots of compliments. I finally found a great banding/stretching method: Use of elastic ribbon STRIPS (not TIES), that are then knotted at the bottom of the hair. Awesome!
The plan going forward for May 2017: Something like the following . . . Set Thursday evening as the week's full wash day. On wash day, do not do involved styling: Detangle, treat scalp, mud poo, and either (1) do a wash-and-go and dry it under the HairFlair attachment and then band it overnight or (2) install 8 red flexirods. Wear the banded wash-and-go on Friday. Install a braid-out or twist-out Friday night. Wear the braid/twist out Saturday and pineapple it Saturday night. Wear the braid/twist out Sunday and pineapple it Sunday night. Wear the braid/twist out Monday, and ponytail it or high puff it on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.
Products:
The not-so-good: Camille Rose Naturals (CRN) Ginger Rinse (poo) works well and smells good and I can detangle with it (though I prefer to detangle with conditioner). However, it undefines my curls. Uncle Funky's Daughter's gel gives me hold but dries out my hair a bit. The Eden Body Works natural mousse does not work at all for my hair: Leaves it dry and tacky.
The good-great: The Sheaterra Mud-Poo is the business. Leaves my hair clean yet moisturized lightly with oil, and very defined! Re-discovery: Annabelle PerfectBlends Ultra Conditioning Souffle and Bekura Y.A.M. are two of the very few protein-free DCs I own. CRN Coconut Water DC is the moist moisturizing DC I have used to date. CRN Coconut Water "Style Setter" is WONDERFUL on my hair. Curl Prep gel does my hair great, as does CRN Curl Maker.
The plan going forward for May 2017:
Use Colorful Neutral Protein Filler as a protein treatment around May 24th to see if it suffices instead of the non-OTG Komaza one;
get at trim; do a modified max hydration method using:
SM hipo masque or Soultanicals Hair Glide as prepoo; Cantua ACV Root Rinse for scalp care; Sheaterra Mud-Poo as strands cleanser; Mielle DC or CRN Coconut Water DC or APB Ultra Conditioning Souffle as DC; CurlyProverbz DIY hair growth oil as scalp, ends, edges, and strands oil; AVJ as liquid; CRN Coconut Water "Style Setter" as butter/sealant; CRN Curl Maker or Curl Prep Around the Way gel as styler.
I've been feeling more at ease about my hair since making that shift in perspective. 
