RE: Challenge #1: Weight Loss & Hair Growth Challenge 2012 Q1
Sorry it took me so long to upload this info.
What's your main motivation: (What's your backstory/ why did you join this challenge/why do you want to lose weight/grow hair?)
I am joining this challenge because the challenge goals are in line with my personal goals for 2012. I hope that joining the challenge will help to keep me motivated. I am also hoping that being a part of the challenge group will help to provide information and ideas to get through times when I am not progressing or have hit a plateau (hair or weight), every bit of help, helps. 
My motivation for the hair growing portion of the challenge is my friend wannabelong, she is my main hairspiration. I have struggled to manage, style, and live with weak, damaged breaking hair since I began taking care of my own hair when I was about twelve. I have never achieved longer than neck length hair. My hair has severely over processed and damaged since late elementary school/ junior high school, and that was nearly 100 years ago. Thats a long time to not know how to achieve a healthy head of hair that is all your own (no receipts necessary). My hair was short (ear length), broken, brittle and showing up in bits and pieces all over my clothing and pillow cases. More hair was in my comb and brushes than remained on my head. I'm ready to move beyond the vicious miserable cycle.
I finally decided to try something different, something new to me. I decided to go natural. My last relaxer was 11/06/2010, my hair was slow to grow. I had my BC (big chop) this past fall, 10/28/2011 after transitioning in protective styles for just short of 1 year. I had my first trim since my big chop, to even things out on 12/2/11. Below is a picture of my natural hair blow dried straight, for measurement, it is now neck length, probably mid neck. It appears to be healthy, thick and evening out. If I can achieve shoulder length this year it will be the first time since childhood. If I can prove to myself that it is possible for me to grow my hair beyond my neck (something I had come to believe was simply not possible for me), then maybe with effort, patience and time I can achieve my other goals.
My motivation for the weight loss portion is a family member she has recently taken off a bit of weight and working dilligently to keep it off, she has illustrated that the loss is not a 3 or 6 or 9 month goal, but a lifestyle change. I've been struggling with my weight over the past 8 years. I had always been skinny, However, in 2003 I started to get a bit, chubby as my co-workers described (yep they actually said it out loud, "Wow you are getting chubby!). Needless to say I immediately reduced my daily calorie intake and got on the treadmill 2 to 3 times a week in about 3 months i lost about 25 pounds I was once again within my healthy BMI range (but only just barely). I took on a new job shortly after this accomplishment, the job was extremely stressful. I had little recourse, no support, no time, and none of the resources that had previously been available to me. I had no idea what I could do, I no longer had time to focus on me. In the last 8 years, I put all the weight I'd lost back on and gained an additional 56 pounds for measure. I am now obese, but I don't want to be. On 1/1/12 I attended a weight watchers meeting, I weighted in at 254 pounds (yep, for real), and I don't even have any new or fairly new babies I can contribute the weight gain to, its all me.
How often will you update your progress in this thread? (Daily, weekly) -
Weekly for weight, Every 1.5-2 months for hair.
Current weight (or BMI if you don't want to include numbers): (Enter your current weight and/or BMI) -
My weigh-in at weight watchers on 1/1/2012 was 254 pounds, my BMI was 36.4.
Weigh-In 1/8/12 - 248.6 - BMI - 35.9
Weigh-In 1/15/12 - 246.2 - BMI - 35.6
Current hair length: (Enter your current hair length)
My current hair length is neck length.
Q1 (01 Jan - 31 Mar 2012) weight loss/BMI goal: (Enter number of lbs or decrease in BMI you expect to achieve Q1 - make this challenging, but most importantly realistic) -
My goal is to lose 8-10 pounds per month. I would like to have lose 24 to 30 pounds by March 31st. If I lose more I won't complain.
Q1 (01 Jan - 31 Mar 2012) hair goal: (Enter hair length you expect to achieve in Q1 - again keep it challenging yet realistic)
My hair will grow at the rate it grows. Not much I can do about that, however, I do think that is realistic for me to set a goal within what my body can produce. My hair grows about a 1/2 in per month. I will set my goal for 1 to 1.5 inch of total growth with a goal of 1 in minimum retention per quarter. If I retain more I won't complain.
Full Year 2012 weight loss/BMI goal: (Where do you see your body in Dec 2012) -
In December of 2012, I would like to have lost between 75 and 89 pounds. I would like to be slender.
Full year 2012 hair goal: (Where do you see your hair in Dec 2012?) -
In December of 2012, I would like to have gained/retained 4.5 - 6 inches of growth. At my current length, that would put me at shoulder/collar bone length in the back and sides of my hair, while the front of my hair should just be reaching chin length.
Any other specific goals you'd like to reach: (E.g. drop 2x dress sizes, be fitter and more able to play with your children, reduced waist/thigh/arm measurement, thicker hair, better condition hair etc.) -
For my weight: I currently wear an 18/20 or 2X sized clothing. I would like to drop back down to a sized 10/12. I would like to purchase my clothes from a regular department store without issue.
For my hair: I would like my hair to be thick and healthy.
What will you change/continue in order to reach your weight loss goal? (E.g. drop 2x dress sizes, cut no. of grams of fat eaten each day be fitter and more able to play with your children, reduced waist/thigh/arm measurement, fit back into your favorite jeans or dress be very specific)
Weight watchers Plus Points. I have reduced my carbohydrate intake, increased my healthy proteins. I drink more water, tea. Less soda, and juice. Increased my veggie and fruit intake, as well as almond nuts for the protein. I use the MyfitnessPal app on my smart phone. I would like to fit back into an old dress I have that is a sized 10, the dress is probably out of style today, however, fitting into it, would be a significant achievement for me.
What will you change/continue to reach your hair goal? (E.g. Moisturize and seal religiously, weekly DCs cutting out or reducing heat, protective styling, low manipulation - be very specific...)
I will continue to wear protective styles. Low manipulation. Increase the number of times I moisturize per week. I will start to do a steam treatment every other week.
What resources will you use to help measure of achieve your weight loss goals? (E.g. Android apps or websites for tracking exercise or calories consumed, distance walked, will you keep a food and exercise diary, or follow a particular eating plan or perhaps you will partner with someone with similar goals or exercise with a partner. Please share resources - your ideas may help others on the thread)
For weight loss, I've re-started weight watchers, I've downloaded weighty lite on my android to track my weight during the week outside of my WW weekly weigh-in. I will also include more movement in my day to day like take the stairs instead of the elevator, park further from the office so that it is necessary to walk more. Also including yoga and Pilates to my weekly routine. Take my vitamins so that I am less anemic=less tired. I'd really like to find a partner to help me stay motivated, I'm working on family and friends now to find a partner who will help to keep me on track and I can do the same for her.
Ok, I think thats it. Whole life story an whatnot.
Looking forward to all of our success in 2012.
Gonnabme1st
. Current weight 117.5lbs. The good news is that I've lost half and inch on the waist and definitely look slimmer - two people have said I'm looking slimmer in the body and face - yay, I'm getting my cheekbones back! 
Chile I almost died last time I went...laid down for shavasana and could NOT get back up. I just laid there in that hot a$$ room w/ sweat drippin down my body and fell asleep until class was over 
Last week I rocked the fro, and this week I will bun.
