And it’s the next to last wave of GOC Contenders (added a ninth wave at the eleventh hour as we now have 45 participants).  Anywho, wrote a song about it.  Wanna hear it?  Here it go …

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C J

Current State: Hair – Lip length (front), chin length/CL (sides), collarbone length/CBL (back); Health/Weight – 190 lbs, size 14/16

Goals: Hair: Chin length/CL (front), collarbone length/CBL (sides), armpit length/APL (back); Health/Weight – Run a marathon in October, go down to a size 10

Hair Regimen:

Daily:

• Dampen hair and twist into large twists using Oyin Handmade Hair Dew every night
• Sleep on a silk scarf covered pillow
• In the morning, separate the twists, apply Giovanni Leave-in, coconut oil and go
• On important occasions, add Kinky Curly Curling Custard (KCCC) to define curls

Weekly:

• Co-wash or wash with diluted shampoo (depending on how scalp feels)
•  Deep condition every week

•  Cassia treatment

Starting in September (when my budget imposed purchasing ban is over), I’ll maintain my nightly routine. But I plan on switching to DevaCurl’s No-Poo cleanser, DevaCurl One Conditioner for DCs and the Kimmaytube recipe for a leave-in (substituting Argan oil for jojoba oil). When it gets cold, I plan on twisting my hair and leaving it for a week, moisturizing as necessary. 

Health & Fitness Regimen:

• Run 4 days a week
• 30 min of strength training or cardio on “off” days (ex. speed walking with the dog, exercise bands, etc.)

Reward: I turn 30 in December and plan on rewarding myself by being in a 2-piece on a beach somewhere.

Journal: I’ll maintain a weekly journal to document my progress.

L u v . L y f e

Current State: Hair – armpit length (APL); Weight – 144 lbs

Goals:  Hair – Bra-strap length (BSL), improved moisture, shine and better health overall; Weight – 130 lbs

Hair Regimen: I am new to all of this (blogging, forums, natural hair care) and am in need of much help in the area of natural hair care. I’ve never relaxed my hair, but I pressed my hair for years. I am leaving the world of straightening and trying to care for my hair naturally!

Bi-weekly:

• Finger detangle
• Co-wash
• Deep condition
• Detangle and stretch
• Protective Styling

Monthly:

• Shampoo
• Henna (Pending the results of the next two hennas. My color has changed quite a bit since my first one and I’m concerned the color may not look too hot on me)
• Trim as needed

(I’m hearing a great deal about Kimmaytube’s leave-in.  I’m strongly considering it and if it is worth a try.  This may be worked into my regimen on the next co-wash day.)

Weight Loss Regimen:

• Drink at least 32 oz of water daily (It doesn’t seem like much, but I’m not a big water drinker AT ALL!)
• Work up to 64 oz of water per day, within three months
• Stay away from fast food restaurants
• Eat more fruits and veggies
• Eat fewer sugary snacks and fried foods
• Exercise 3-5 days a week for at least 30 min. (cardio)
• Toning exercises 3-5 days a week
• Stress less
• Live, luv, laugh

This challenge has inspired me to change in many other areas of my life. I’m looking forward to this!!!

Reward: A very small shopping spree.

Follow me online:  www.mylyfemygrowth.wordpress.com (My brand new blog!)

V a l e n c i a

Current State: Hair – A little longer than armpit length (APL), but back is longer than the front

Goals:  Hair – Fuller and healthier bra-strap length hair; Weight – Lose 20 lbs

Hair Regimen: I want to have a trim by August 6th/7th. I have suffered a lot of breakage over the years so I want to focus more on the health of my hair and hopefully that will bring along the length that I desire. I love wearing my hair out but it just doesn’t protect my ends enough, so I will need to sacrifice style for growth and strength. I will allow myself to wear my hair out on Saturday and/or Thursday, if I have the itch. My plan is to moisturize like a maniac, do strengthening treatments on a regular basis and protect, protect, protect!

Weekly (Thursday-Friday):

• Pre-poo with coconut oil and a cheapie conditioner (afternoon)
• Finger detangle thoroughly while applying the mix
• Wash in sections with a diluted low-sulfate shampoo (night)
• Rinse the shampoo completely
• Apply deep conditioner mix
• Twist into four big twists, put on a shower cap, a scarf and a winter hat and go to sleep
• Rinse with cold water and apply diluted apple cider vinegar (ACV) rinse (next morning)
• Apply leave-in and set in approx. 6 large braids
• Leave it in braids unless planning to wear it out on Saturday
• Wear braids, updo styles and buns the rest of the week
• Moisturize and seal nightly  (I use the layering technique for moisturizing: water-based, oil-based, heavy cream or butter)

Monthly:

• Henna (Jamila or Dulhan)

Staple products:

• Tresemme Naturals shampoo and conditioner
• Herbal Hessence’s Hello Hydration shampoo and conditioner
• Aussie 3-minute Deeeeeep Conditioner
• Cholesterol
• Organic ACV
• Vatika coconut oil
• Organic coconut, olive, sesame and castor oil (I mix a little oil in everything)
• Glycerine
• S-Curl moisturizer
• Cantu Shea Butter Leave-In
• Elasta QP Mango Butter

• Limit eating out
• When eating out, no fries on the side, no bun, grilled and not fried
• Eliminate unnecessary sugars and fried foods
• Fruit and veggies need to be the bulk of meals
• 30 minutes of exercise, 5 days a week (dancing, brisk walking, Tae Bo, Zumba, elliptical, etc.)
• Try to incorporate at least 15 minutes of yoga and meditation every day

Reward: We are attempting to save as much money as possible over the next 6 months, so the satisfaction of my achievements will have to be the reward in itself *lol.* When I can splurge, I will definitely reward myself with new clothes. I am using this challenge to focus more of my time on planning out the rest of my life (which is exhausting). So, maybe I can treat myself to books when I reach mini-goals (I may be a closet nerd :)).

Journal: I will keep daily tabs on my progress and will take pictures (body and hair) weekly.

K i m   R e n e e'

Current State: Hair – Eyebrow length (front), Ear length (sides), Nape of neck length (back)

Goals: Hair – Nose length (front), jaw length (sides), shoulder length/SL (back); Weight – lose 15 to 25 pounds

Hair Regimen: I BC’d on April 2, 2011. After that I really didn’t take time with my hair. I immediately put braids to get more length (good results). I’m still trying to figure out what products my hair likes/dislikes.

Daily:

• Moisturize hair with water or a water-based moisturizer
• Seal hair with oil or butter
• Scalp massages

Weekly:

• Pre-poo treatment
• Shampoo
• Deep condition

Mid-week:

• Mini-wash or co-wash (depends on how my hair feels)

Bi- weekly:

• ACV rinse

Monthly:

• Protein treatment

Weight Loss Regimen:

• Continue using My Fitness Pal to track calories, weight and exercise
• Exercise 3-4 times a week
• Drink a minimum of 64 oz of water daily
• Take a multivitamin daily
• Possibly do 2 days a week eating no meat *fingers crossed*

Spiritual Regimen:

• Daily meditation on the word
• Daily prayer
• Attend mid-week service

Reward: For every 5 lbs lost, I will buy a new accessory (hair, jewelry, handbag, etc), outfit, or heels. At the end of the challenge, I will buy a Platinum Stages Dance Pole.

Journal: I will take monthly length check pics and will maintain a hair journal. I will also use My Fitness Pal to journal my health/fitness activities and weight loss progress.

N i c o l e

Current State: Hair – Between chin (CL) and shoulder length (SL); Weight – 125 lbs

Goals:  Hair – healthy and long, like I had when I was a kid! Between shoulder (SL) and armpit length (APL); Weight – 110 to 115 lbs (lose 10 to 15 lbs)

Hair Regimen:  My last perm was 2 years ago (2009). But, since then, I have received highlights and semi-permanent color, so I’m experiencing a lot of dryness and hair damage due to excessive heat (I loved Dominican blowouts, but since my hair is fine, excessive heat is not my friend). In January 2011, I set a 6 month no heat challenge for myself and so far I have remained faithful to my challenge.

Weekly:

• Pre-poo with Vatika or coconut oil (15-30 minutes)
• Shampoo (currently experimenting with different ones: Jane Carter, Shea Moisture Moisture Retention and Natures Gate Nourishing Shampoo)
• Detangle with Pantene Hello Hydration conditioner
• Deep condition with Curl Junkie HIbiscus & Banana Deep Fix or Aveda Damage Remedy Intensive Restructuring Treatment (minimum of 30 min. using my heat wrap)
• Rinse deep conditioner
• Apply leave-in (currently experimenting with different one: Giovanni Direct Leave-In and Paul Mitchell The Conditioner)
• Seal with extra virgin olive oil or shea butter
• Style: Mainly twist outs or wash and go’s (WnGs) with Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie.

Daily:

• Moisturize with water
•  Seal with jojoba oil

Weight Loss Regimen:

• Exercise at least 3 times a week
• Cardio: Biking, Tae Bo, walking, etc. (minimum of 30 min.)
• Drink at least 8 glasses of water a day (this is going to be hard for me)
• Take a multivitamin
• Eat 1200 calories a day
• Prepare and bring lunch to work
• No fast food, sodas
• Reduce sugar intake and white carbs (i.e. flour, bread, pasta, etc.)

Reward: SPA DAY!!

Journal:  I will make sure I write in my journal at least once a week.

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Okay, for real this time, one more wave to go!!  It’s 9 pm and I’m going to try to finish this up before midnight so that everyone is up for the first week of the challenge :)!!