Category Archives: Health & Fitness

Apr9

28 Day Fitness Challenge Round Two: Days 43-49

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sweaty

Still going strong!! Can’t believe I’ve worked out for 50 consecutive days now!! One more week and it’ll be 2 months!! When I started this 7 weeks ago, I wasn’t sure if I’d make it through the first 28 days. Now, on day 51, I feel like I can keep on going. Some days, all I get in is 10 minutes of Abs of Steel, but I feel like every minute counts. And, I could have easily been sleeping or sitting on the couch those 10 minutes, so it’s better than that.

In regard to weight loss, the scale actually went back up to 138 this week. I’m not overly concerned as it’s that time of the month … y’all know how it is. Also, although I ate very well during the day, I had a really irregular week as it related to dinner. Nothing I ate was bad in and of itself. But, I was eating randomly and too much … green smoothie, kale chips, pistachios and smoked oysters one night … green smoothie, kale chips, a sweet potato and pistachios the next … green smoothie, taylor ham and pistachios the following night … I told you … random. And, over the weekend wasn’t the best either … I didn’t eat too much in regard to quantity, but didn’t have the best options when I went out to lunch on Saturday (ended up w/a breaded chicken cutlet on a white roll … was hoping it was grilled … only ate half the bread, but still all that friend breading) and a birthday party on Sunday (2 slices of plain cheese pizza … it was after hot yoga and I was starving!). But, again, it wasn’t a lot in terms of quantity … just more calories than I would like and not much in the way of nutritional content.

Kale, banana, dates and vanilla extract green smoothie; first ever homemade kale chips (too salty, but did a second batch w/o salt and they were good)!

Kale, banana, dates and vanilla extract green smoothie; first ever homemade kale chips (too salty, but did a second batch w/o salt and they were good)!

Oh, and Sunday night, Wei and I went to our new favorite spot, The Loving Hut in Ledgewood, NJ. It’s an international chain (never would have guessed) specializing in vegan cuisine. Let me tell you, the food. is. DELICIOUS.

Clockwise: California Roll, Queen “Burger”; sweet potato fries and Pho. This pic was actually from our first visit, but we ordered the same things this past Sunday!

So yeah, I’ll probably wait until next Sunday or Monday to weigh in again and keeping my fingers crossed that I’ll be down a real pound or two to 135-136. Of course, I need to get my dinners back on track this week …  ’cuz Monday night was a repeat of the randomness.

Alright, here’s Days 43-49 in pictures!!

In regard to Day 46, you may have noticed that I posted my Day 1 and Day 2 results. Now, the thing is, treadmills that don’t allow you to enter you weight, height, sex and body fat percentage don’t accurately calculate calories burned for everyone. This is because treadmills that don’t allow personalization generally use the universal calibration for a 150 pound male (check out this article on LiveStrong.com: Do Treadmills Accurately Burn Calories? for more info). However, though I know the results for calories and carbs burned on my calculator are not accurate for me, the information is helpful as it provides a point of comparison from work-out to work-out.

C25K Week 7/Day 1 was yesterday morning!! This week is 25 minute runs for each workout! I’m so excited to be here as, when I started, didn’t know how’d I do it! But, every day, slow progression is the key to seeing results!!

Oh, and before I go!! I wanted to share a video on pre- and post work-out stretches to do to improve running speed and endurance!! It’s from Marshall’s!! You see, when I bought work-out clothes from them a couple of weeks ago, there were these “Get Fit” tags with QR codes to “unlock” YouTube videos! Well, I got the perfect video for me!!

I have found that doing the demonstrated stretches pre- and post work-out does make me feel more limber and the pre-run stretches definitely help warm me up. I can’t say that the stretches have improved my endurance or speed just yet. But, I’ve only been doing them for about a week now. So, I’ll give them more time for that. And, now that I think about it, I did do long run intervals at 5.5 when I was struggling at 5.2 a couple of weeks ago. So, maybe they are helping! If it can improve my speed to 5.3 for my 25 minute run at the end of this week, I’ll give these stretches some kudos ;) !

Lata Gatas!!

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Any runners out there? Do you have tips on stretches or techniques for a novice runner to use in order to improve running efficiency, form, gait, speed? Thanks in advance!!

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Apr1

28 Day Fitness Challenge Round Two: Days 36-43

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Easter4

So, I’m a little late with this and I’m keeping it short. I’m down 11.5 pounds as of this past Saturday and started week 6 of C25K this morning. Still working out daily and eating well mostly … though, I did indulge a little on Easter Day. However, though I enjoyed some mac and cheese, a little ham, and candied yams, I also filled half my plate with salad, had white meat turkey, passed on the bread and stuffing and practiced portion control. I didn’t stuff myself at all and I didn’t have seconds. Ummm … and I did have a little bit of dessert too *sheepish grin*. BUT, it was the lightest thing there and it was only about 3-4 spoonfuls. I resisted the sweet potato pie (oh how I love thee), coconut cake, pound cake and ice cream! Oh, and I started out the day with a green smoothie … learning of the day: NutriBullet does NOT do well with frozen greens :( . So, I bought a big bag of fresh kale after work today. Should have taken a pic … it’s GINORMOUS!!

Okay, yeah … short. Here’s day 36-43 in pics!! Oh, and captions ;) .

Day 43: C25K Week 6/Day 1 (5.5 mph run intervals). Abs are coming in ... still got a ways to go, but seeing real progress.

Day 43: C25K Week 6/Day 1 (5.5 mph run intervals). Abs are coming in … still got a ways to go, but seeing real progress.

I’ll be back in the next day or two with details of the hair above and to share a recap of the Wonder Curl launch party that I attended this weekend!! She debuted her two new products, a Cleansing Clay Mask and a Deep Conditioner that round-out her line of products!! Okay … if you just can’t wait, check out these recaps by A Hair Story and Radiant Brown Beauty, who both attended the event with me and are on top of it ;) !!

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Spring is in the air and summer can’t be too far away … right?  So, how you guys doing with your health and fitness goals? 
Mar25

28 Day Fitness Challenge Round Two: Days 29-35

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ExtremeMakeover_WeightLossEdition

Motivation. Thy name is Jarvez. LOL! Okay, just had to share a few photos from an episode of Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition that Wei and I were watching yesterday. We literally looked like this … TWICE … after his weight showed up on that freight scale. Then, we started cheering and sat up taller when, immediately after seeing his weight, he got down and knocked out 50 push-ups. On. His. TOES. So, I’m sure you won’t be surprised that this is what he looked like 365 days later.

ExtremeMakeover_WeightLossEdition_2Okay, maybe you’re a little surprised ;) !

He lost more than HALF his body weight and now lost more than he weighs!!!!! GANGSTA!! So, although my allergies are really messing with me the last few days., time to get C25K week 5, Day 1 done. This is how days 29-35 went down.

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Only lost another 1/2 pound this week, it seems. So, down 9.5 total. But, not discouraged. Andm after seeing Jarvez, no excuses … not even giving in to this one nostril that I can’t breathe out of right now!! Running might help it out!!

HAPPY MONDAY!!

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What helps keep you motivated to exercise?

Mar11

28 Day Fitness Challenge: Days 15-21

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c25K_workMy hair fell out of the bun. I can’t stand my hair
down when I’m exercising.

Still going strong!! I’m very happy to have week three of my 28 Day Fitness Challenge under my belt. I’m down 6 pounds now, which is an average of 2 pounds a week. This is great for me as I usually don’t see the scale move much my first month of exercising and getting my diet back on track. I’m not feeling tired like I was the last time I did this challenge and I think that has a lot to do with morning work-outs … and getting in bed by 11 pm (sleep is sooo important). So I don’t foresee any problems taking it all the way to the end this time! Yea!!

And, here are Days 15-21 in pictures!!

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On a diet note … despite encountering these for $0.99 at the register of Panera on Friday night …

Panera_RedVelvetCookies

Red Velvet COOKIES?!?! Are you kidding me?!?!

I walked out with this, as planned …

DELISH!!

Fuji Apple Chicken Salad. DELISH!!

A little trick I use to take the calorie count down on this salad is request the half-size salad portions of the nuts, cheese and dressing. By doing this, I shave 165 calories off of the salad, taking it from 550 to 385. All the flavor for 2/3 the calories!! WIN!! Oh, but I earned a free bakery treat the next time I go to Panera … so, I can’t make any promises that I won’t walk out with one of those cookies the next time …

And to wrap this up, on a hair note, I washed the mop and FINALLY did a two step henna/indigo this weekend!! I actually did a full head, full strength henna treatment, which I haven’t done in over a year. So happy to be done with that as my roots were looking CUH-RAZY!!

hennatime3

Sorry, no after pics yet. I set my hair in braids on Saturday night and released them late on Sunday to bun it. My wash day went down almost exactly the same as the last one, which I ran down here, except I did the henna/indigo treatment after shampooing/detangling and set my hair in braids instead of twists. Other than that, the steps and products were the same with one other exception that I think made a HUGE difference in my detangling session this weekend. It was a BREEZE and I was so ecstatic! I’ll be sharing what I did differently with you guys very soon in a post about detangling techniques. So, stay tuned for that ;) !!

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I’m starting C25K Week 3 this morning!! How did my 28 Day Fitness Challenge ladies doing or any of you who are working towards health & fitness goals?

Feb28

Nike Studio Wrap Pack: Yea or Nay?

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nike_studiowrap

So, I’m a big fan of hot yoga. Started doing it in 2011, fell in love, bought a whole bunch of classes on sale, fell off, and just started going again this past Sunday after a long “hiatus.” Anywho, my sister (Shana again ;) ) posted the pic on the above left on IG today. At first, I was like, “Nah. That looks like too much work.”

However, being the curious person I am, I had to investigate further. I found the following review post on RenewedFitness.org: The New Nike Studio Wrap and in it was this video:

via Wendy Lam


Hmmm … the wraps are not necessary? Maybe I spoke too soon …

nike_studio_wrap_demo

And they come with a wash bag too …

nike_studiowrap_laydown_14881FRICK!! Now I want a pair!!!

But, these jokers are $110 on Nike Store! So … playing the waiting game for the sissy to tell me when they are at the Nike Factory store at the outlets ;) . The cover flat is more of a summer shoe anyway ;) .

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Any other “Hot Yogis” out there? If so, whaddaya think? Would you give the Nike Studio Wrap a whirl?

Feb24

28 Day Fitness Challenge: Days 1-7

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day2Day 1 and Day 2

Not much in ways of mileage, but I am trying to build my endurance back up and work out the kinks muscle tightness. Did 25 min of walking and 5 minutes of jogging on Monday. On Tuesday, I did 7.5 minutes of jogging (five 1.5 min. jog/1.5 min. walk intervals).

day3Day 3

12 minute Kettlebell Full Body Blast with Lauren Brooks. I went to south Jersey on Tuesday night for the funeral for a member of my church family (RIP NaNa). But, I took my kettlebell and DVD with me. Couldn’t be missing days already. But yeah, 12 minutes. That’s all. Kicked my butt. My legs were sore immediately and the rest of the week. 

day4Day 4

Did five 1.5 min jog/run intervals again. I  increased my speed in last jog interval. But, I didn’t pick up any distance or burn any more calories than Tuesday. I think this was because my warm up started off slower. My thighs were tight and SORE!!

day5Day 5

Did 20 minutes on the treadmill and 10 minute Abs of Steel. I passed out after work on Thursday night!!! Between a sore body from resuming working out and the long day Wednesday (funeral in south Jersey and the CurlyNikki meet-up in NYC), I was DONE!!

day6Day 6

Did my old 20 minute 300 Calorie Treadmill Routine. It wasn’t pretty. I had to reduce speed for last half as my heart was coming out of my chest. How far they have fallen!! Anywho, it’s still a great short workout!! Check it out via the prior link, if you’re interested in a quick workout for those days you don’t have a lot of time! Also, a lot of people complained in the comments of the Fitness mag post that their treadmill only said they burned 160 or so cals. The treadmill can’t calculate calorie burn from interval training. It also is not accurate as there are various factors (sex, weight, height, muscle mass, metabolic rate, etc.) that are needed to accurately determine the number of cals an individual will burn with any given exercise. So, the 300 isn’t necessarily accurate either. These things rely upon averages and are not exact. If you’re not “average,” then they are just estimates.

day7Day 7

75 minutes of hot yoga (Vinyasa Flow) with my fave instructor, Colleen, at Younique Yoga. I didn’t do too badly even though I’m out of shape and haven’t been in forever!! I was even able to do a headstand and did it again when I got home!! It’s not perfect, but it’s a start!!

It’s been a pretty good week for my diet as well. I ate a little WAY too much granola yesterday, but everything I’ve eaten has been healthy. I’ve planned my meals for the most part, have been eating fruit, veggies, low fat/zero fat Greek yogurt, walnuts and have been drinking lots of water. I reduced my coffee from three cups a day to one cup in the morning to jump start me for working out (well, except Friday, when I needed a second cup!). Oh, and I’ve been getting in bed by 11 pm and waking up at 5:30 am to exercise in the morning prior to work!

And now, it’s time to hit the shower and clean this body and wash this hair (pre-poo has been “marinating” since yesterday!).

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Okay, how did you ladies who “signed up” for the 28 Day Fitness Challenge do week one? 

As for week 2, LET’S GET IT!!

Feb18

A 28 Day Health & Fitness Challenge

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28dayfitnesschallenge_before Top left: August 2011; Bottom left: June 2012; Right: January 2013

Okay, it’s beyond out of control now. I’m really depressed about my weight. I have no energy, am achy, struggle to get dressed every morning because nothing fits me, and am stressed about life in general. I have picked up so much weight over the last year and weigh the most I probably ever have in my life. I really don’t know why I do this to myself *sigh*. I’m always back at the drawing board and I’m seriously trying to get married this year. And, I’m not shopping for dresses like this :( !

At the end of December/beginning of January, Christina of The Mane Objective wanted to collaborate on a MyFitness Pal Challenge. But, I just couldn’t get it together.  Now, the situation is even worse than it was then. That being said, I started a personal 28 day challenge this morning. I did this last year and called it Project Scale Down. I did pretty well, though I think I missed 2 days in the 28? Anywho, the challenge is to do at least 10 minutes of exercise every day. This morning, I got up and did 30 minutes on the treadmill before the work. Wei got up too and jumped rope while I walked/jogged (only 5 minutes of barely jogging though). I’m trying to start exercising in the morning as I’m always so exhausted and drained (mentally and physically) after work. So, Wei has said that he is going to help me by needling me in the morning. I really hate that … I kind of get ticked. But, I need it as I am not a person who likes to work out in the morning. That being said, this means I also need to get in bed at a reasonable time if I’m going to be waking up at 5:30 am to start working out by 6. Therefore, 11 pm is my cut-off at night.

So, I will be training with kettlebell, C25K treadmill, the Biggest Loser Cardio Max, maybe the Brazil Butt Lift (BBL) DVD series, and Tamilee Webb’s Abs of Steel. Oh! And hot yoga!! I am pseudo watching The Biggest Loser again … but I am not feeling this season, which bums me out as I was excited for Jillian’s return. OH!! But, I might be able to watch it for Francelina alone!! OMGosh, have you seen her HAIR?!?!?!

francelina-morilloLOOK at it!! *drool*

Y’all, I couldn’t stop bugging over her hair last week!!! Seriously, if she makes it to the makeover show and they straighten it ?!?! …. Oh, who am I kidding?!? If I had that much hair and someone was offering to straighten it for FREE?!?! Yeah, I’d be all over that. But, I’m sayin’ son!! She better make certain they use a heat protectant and low heat!!!! *lol*

Alright, back to the point of this post. So yeah, 28 day challenge. 10 minutes of exercise a day. And, I hit the grocery store tonight to stock up on my necessities (fresh fruit, frozen veggies, Lean Cuisines, almond milk, organic baby food, Fage Geek yogurt and some pseudo health granola and light popcorn for the snack attacks that I know are coming!!). Oh, and my job is sponsoring this new Health and Wellness initiative hosted by this site called Keas! It’s like a health Facebook page! It’s kind of wild. You can set personal challenges there, which include exercise, nutrition and stress reduction. You can also post status updates, pics, take quizzes and complete challenges to earn points towards “rewards.” It’s been going on a couple of weeks now, but I really just got started in the last few days and am still figuring everything out.

Okay, let me wrap this up as I haven’t eaten dinner yet and it’s almost 10 pm!! So, the last time that I really did this, I posted a brief work-out update after I completed my scheduled exercise plan each day. However, I don’t think I’m going to do that this time around as blogging is part of my problem. So, I’ll just periodically update you as I have in the past, as part of other posts.

2/19/13 ETA: I changed my mind. I am going to post updates daily!! But, they will be quick ones on Instagram with the hashtag, #28DayFitnessChallenge … I’d add Hairscapades, but it’s already too long ;) . So, if you’re interested, play along and/or follow my progress on IG at @Hairscapades! 

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Any of you ladies want to join me in this challenge? You know studies show that those who get fit in groups stay motivated and lose more weight ;) !! 

Aug2

Women - Strength Training

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Reblogged from Socially Fit:

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We Are What We Lift

Progressive resistance is crucial to any women's strength-training program. Once your muscles adapt to a given exercise, you need to increase either the resistance or the number of repetitions to promote future gains. Begin with a weight that allows you to do a minimum of eight repetitions of a particular exercise. Once you are able to complete 12 repetitions with that weight, you should increase the weight by about five percent.

Read more… 408 more words

Ladies, take heed. REAL weight training is imperative if you want a toned, sleek body. Take it from me, women don't naturally have the testosterone necessary to build huge muscles ... steroids are what make the women you see in professional bodybuilding huge. When I competed, I could deadlift and squat over 200 pounds ... and I weighed 105 lbs. I was the skinniest I ever was in my life.

The reason I am toned when I lose weight is because I always incorporate resistance and increase the weight when it becomes too easy. You need to burn out the muscle ... if you can do 20 reps for 3 sets ... time to up the weight ... significantly. Shoot, I'm trying to write my own post on this! LOL!! Check this out ... it's great information!
Aug1

Rock Bottom

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I have a confession to make. Full disclosure. This past Saturday, I went to Shoprite … solely with the intention of buying a 6 pack of their DELISH buttercream icing cupcakes … and I ate them all … by myself. #dontjudgeme. Ummm … yeah … THIS was after realizing last week that my “fat” clothes are screaming mercy. My previously slim and toned arms are showing serious signs of dimpling (too kind a word). My knees have all but disappeared in the tree trunks that I call legs. And let’s not even talk about my thighs and gluteus maximus … MAXIMUS being the operative word. I’ve also been extremely tired, sluggish and unfocused.

Now, I know that this is not news to most of you, but I completely fell off the wagon and failed in regard to my GOC Health & Fitness goals. I haven’t done a Health & Fitness post in ages, because neither health nor fitness have been a part of my vocabulary for the last several months.

But now it’s time to try this again. No … wait. “Do. Or do not. There is no try.” So, I cleaned house on Sunday, hit the grocery store on Tuesday and began the 6 week Cardio Max “plan” … again … this past Monday.

This is a progressive routine where you start with Bob’s 20 minute “boot-cap” workout for the first 2 weeks (Level 1), then add on Jillian’s 10 minute “explosive super-cardio drills” for weeks 3-4 (Level 2) and finally finish weeks 5-6 by adding on Kim’s 10 minute kickboxing workout (Level 3). I purchased this DVD last winter. I never made it past Bob. *smh*. But this time … this time … pray for me y’all.

I’ll also be doing a 10 minute Abs of Steel workout 5-6 mornings a week. Oh, and one last thing. I busted out my three pairs of Delfin Spa Bio Ceramic Anti-Cellulite Shorts.

(Drugstore.com for $38.99 and Amazon.com for $39.99)

Yes, you read that right. Three pairs. I got my first pair years ago and, although I can’t say for sure if they reduce cellulite, they make my thighs, butt and stomach sweat like crazy. Amazingly though, I only feel the sweat when I take them off! Anyway, I feel like they really helped shrink this problem area of my body and less fat means less obvious cellulite. I think my legs looked the best they ever had outside of when I was competing. So, I bought two additional pair a while after I purchased the first as I wanted to wear them every workout and didn’t want to have to worry about washing the same pair every day (hand-washing required) or hoping they would air dry by the next (which they never did).

So, I have three pair of these anti-cellulite shorts. Why, then, did I buy a Groupon for two pairs of Zaggora HotPants?

Mind you, I’d never heard of Zaggora HotPants until I saw the Groupon. Well, I did it because now I will have FIVE pair of anti-cellulite pants to get through the week without having to wash them … and … there was a significant savings on the regular price ($26 for the shorts, regularly $71.72; $39 for the capris, regularly $95.63). So, I figured, why not! I hope that they are a little thinner than the Delfin, but I suspect they may not be based on the appearance. They seem to be made of the same “scuba” material as the Delfin (of course they are advertising new, thinner HotPants now:/). Anywho, I still haven’t used my Groupons, but I plan on ordering the pants/shorts this week and will report back on them at a later date.

Alright, so to wrap this up, I weigh 135 pounds now … that’s my story and I’m sticking with it. I need to lose 15 pounds to get back down to my ideal weight of 120. I won’t be posting daily on my progress, but I plan to resume posting at least once a week on my routine and/or on something Health & Fitness related.

I may fall off the horse, but I always get back on it.

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When did YOU know that you hit Rock Bottom in regard to your health and fitness? What helps motivate you to exercise and/or improve your eating habits?

Apr25

10 Foods that Promote Healthy Hair

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by Nicole W. of Loving Me Naturally  

Hey Ladies,

We all have taken the time to find the right natural products for our hair, but what about putting forth the same effort or initiative, when it comes to what we put in our bodies? Below are the 10 foods you should incorporate into your diets for healthy hair.

Salmon
I love love love salmon. We eat this in our household at least once a week. I bake salmon fillets or I make salmon patties. Salmon is filled with vitamin B-12 and Iron.

Dark Green Vegetables
Broccoli and Spinach for instance. I make great spinach dip and I also like spinach salads with, bell pepper, cucumber, carrots and tomatoes!

Beans
I really like green beans and, when I make chili, I add kidney beans to it.

Nuts
Cashews are my favorite nuts, but you can eat almonds and pecans as well.

Poultry
We eat chicken a lot. But also, I make turkey tacos, turkey burgers, turkey chili, turkey spaghetti and baked turkey wings. Mmmmmmmmm!! :o ) Poultry will give the protein that hair needs.

Eggs
Now, I don’t like eggs unless I eat them at Crackel Barrel! Lol. Eggs give us protein and Vitamin B-12.

Whole Grains
Whole wheat bread, which is the only kind I eat, is a great whole grain.

Oysters
Oysters provide us with zinc.

Low-Fat Dairy Products
Skim milk and gogurt provide great calcium. I do not drink skim milk, but I love yogurt, especially Yoplait.

Carrots
Carrots are awesome, especially when dipped in a little ranch dressing. Or, you can add them to your salad. Carrots provide Vitamin A, which promotes good vision and healthy hair.

So ladies, incorporating a good diet into your natural hair journey will only benefit you more!!