NEWBIE CHALLENGE ends today! Post updates here!!

[preciousjewel76]

All right ladies, your Newbie Challenge is over! For me, that's one challenge down, and about a billion more to go...

So, how did you do? The original challenge rules are attached. Please post an update pic if you wish! I personally can't do that, because I'm on the "Hide You Hair Until April 1" challenge . But I'm sure you all did great!

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The Newbie Challenge rules were:

1. No direct heat! Put those flatirons away! Use of a bonnet or hood dryer is allowed.
EDIT: You are *only* allowed to use direct heat (blowdryer, flat iron) immediately following a touch-up, so you can check your length.

2. Moisture, moisture, and MORE moisture! Be sure to moisturize your ends and the rest of your hair AT LEAST once a day. Remember, a good moisturizer will list water as the first ingredient (basically, grease is NOT a moisturizer, LOL). And don't forget to seal in your moisturizer with an oil.

3. Protective styling - maintain your ends. If possible, wear protective styles as much as you can. Buns, twists, ponies (real or phony), braids, braidouts, twistouts, etc. are your FRIEND!

4. If you relax your hair, try to stretch for one week past your usual touch up time. Try to stretch even longer if you think you can, but keep in mind that you will have to really take care of your hair once you have a mix of new growth and relaxed ends.

5. Drink AT LEAST six cups (48 ounces) of water each day. If you don't like water, try flavoring it with some Crystal Light drink mix. Hydration is important for your entire body, not just your hair.

6. Step up your physical activity. If you're not already exercising, an easy way to get started is to take a 30 minute walk every day. You can break it up into segments (walk in the AM, walk at lunch, walk after dinner). Just get moving! And find an activity that you like....if you hate running, PLEASE don't go out and try to train for a marathon! Find a "workout buddy" if you think that will help. We need to aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity on 5 or more days of the week. Moderate activity = activity that makes your heart rate go up and causes light-moderate sweating.

7. Grow AT LEAST ONE INCH of hair by 2/14/07! I know we can do this!

8. Most Important: Be positive! We're new to this board, so we're still learning how to take care of our hair. Don't set your goals too high. Give it time. Don't obsess over the length of your hair. Just try to get it HEALTHY!!
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Don't forget to let me know how you did!

 

[God's Anointed]

The Newbie Challenge rules were:

1. No direct heat! Put those flatirons away! Use of a bonnet or hood dryer is allowed.
EDIT: You are *only* allowed to use direct heat (blowdryer, flat iron) immediately following a touch-up, so you can check your length.

Failed: I think i used a blowdryer like 2 times but only for like 5 mins each time. Other than that, i always airdried and my flat iron is collecting dust under my cabinet

2. Moisture, moisture, and MORE moisture! Be sure to moisturize your ends and the rest of your hair AT LEAST once a day. Remember, a good moisturizer will list water as the first ingredient (basically, grease is NOT a moisturizer, LOL). And don't forget to seal in your moisturizer with an oil.

Yea, i've been moisturizing everyday (if i skipped a night i do it the following morning)

3. Protective styling - maintain your ends. If possible, wear protective styles as much as you can. Buns, twists, ponies (real or phony), braids, braidouts, twistouts, etc. are your FRIEND!

I've definitely been doing those protective styles. It wasn't too bad. I think i wore my hair down for important events though or when i wanted to enjoy the length for an hour or so

4. If you relax your hair, try to stretch for one week past your usual touch up time. Try to stretch even longer if you think you can, but keep in mind that you will have to really take care of your hair once you have a mix of new growth and relaxed ends.

This was probably one of the hardest things for me to do. I found out that i can't go beyond 8 weeks just yet. My hair starts to shed and break like crazy.

5. Drink AT LEAST six cups (48 ounces) of water each day. If you don't like water, try flavoring it with some Crystal Light drink mix. Hydration is important for your entire body, not just your hair.

I need water. I stay in the sunshine state...need i say more?

6. Step up your physical activity. If you're not already exercising, an easy way to get started is to take a 30 minute walk every day. You can break it up into segments (walk in the AM, walk at lunch, walk after dinner). Just get moving! And find an activity that you like....if you hate running, PLEASE don't go out and try to train for a marathon! Find a "workout buddy" if you think that will help. We need to aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity on 5 or more days of the week. Moderate activity = activity that makes your heart rate go up and causes light-moderate sweating.

I don't think i did 5 or more days a week but i did start exercising more. I try to do it at least 3 times a week.

7. Grow AT LEAST ONE INCH of hair by 2/14/07! I know we can do this!

That's one i know i got. When i measured my new growth about a week ago, i saw at least 1.5 inches in some areas. When i get my touchup later this week, i'll try to take some pics and post them up

8. Most Important: Be positive! We're new to this board, so we're still learning how to take care of our hair. Don't set your goals too high. Give it time. Don't obsess over the length of your hair. Just try to get it HEALTHY!!

I tried so hard...i love gaining length an seeing a difference

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Don't forget to let me know how you did!

I forgot this was the last day of the challenge. Honestly, for my first challenge, it wasn't bad at all. I'm gonna try to post a pic of where i'm now before i get my touchup (remember, this pic is with about 1.5-2 inches of new growth. I tried to stretch as far as i can). Also you can check under the january and february albums i got.

Oh yea, i have major shrinkage in one of the pics...don't be fooled by the length you see.

 

[God's Anointed]

Sorry, i just realized i didn't upload the comparison pics. The one with the black shirt is from december. The other one is from about a week ago...if this didn't work, then i quess you guys will just have to view my album . Am I at APL yet? Can you guys tell or do i have to wait until i get a touchup?