2/5/12 (This is a hard shot to take/get!)
So, here it is! My final update of the first ever Hairscapades GOC :)!!
Hair:
As you’ve read about my regimen from week to week, I’m not going to reiterate any of that here. For the most part, I’ve been consistent and I’ve adjusted it, as necessary. As you can see, the longest hair on my head has reached waist length (WL) :). Yea!! That little circle on the pic above is around the WL line and there is hair in between those two fingers. My crown still has a little way to go to catch up to this hair. As a reminder, here are my other two length checks. I only do them every three months, so I did one at the beginning of our challenge on 7/29/11 and one at the midpoint on 11/3/11.
Therefore, my plan for the next GOC is to get a trim (an inch or two) and then use the Chicoro Goal Point Method to work towards a goal of full thickness waist length hair. The problem is, I don’t know how I’m going to get that trim. I want a professional to do it, but I have a problem. The stylist that I went to last was scissor happy and the one prior to that lives kind of far away. So, I’ve been contemplating twisting my hair and snipping it myself. But, I haven’t really decided yet.
Anywho, I did a quick video of my final length check as I couldn’t get a good pic. Sorry as you’ll be able to tell, I’m half awake! LOL!
Hopefully, I’ll be able to update this with some better pictures when I can get a second set of hands to take them ;).
Fitness:
I didn’t, however, achieve my fitness goal, which was to maintain my weight at 120 pounds. Rather, I yo-yoed over the course of the 6 months, working out off and on and practicing healthy eating with the same inconsistency. That resulted in an increase in poundage of 6 lbs as of this date. However, I am actually happy that I didn’t completely fall off the wagon the entire 6 months and pick up 10-12 pounds! That is a victory for me as it is usually my norm. So, now to drop these 6 lbs and get really conditioned for the Rugged Maniac in July and a couple of vacations!
Lessons Learned:
Ultimately, I think that challenges are here to help us learn something. They may teach us something about ourselves, about achieving goals, about being consistent and/or about our practices. And the important thing is not to learn and discard, but to learn and apply. So, what have I learned and what do I intend to apply?
- No matter how careful I think I’m being with my hair, I can still be more gentle. I noticed that although I generally handle my hair gently, I can still do a little better.
- Protein is just as important as moisture. I think omitting it entirely from my regimen resulted in set-backs and that my hair would be thicker if I’d been using it. So, I will definitely be listening to my hair and using protein treatments when necessary. I’m hopeful that this will result in an improvement in the overall density of my hair over the upcoming year.
- I need to continue to work at being more consistent with my exercise routine and healthy eating. However, over the course of my 28 Day Project Scale Down, I realized that I can work-out and feel decent, even when I’m not eating perfectly. I haven’t worked out since last Tuesday, but will start up again tonight.
- Project Scale Down taught me that even 10 minutes of exercise a day is worth doing and is better than nothing!
Rewards:
So, I said my rewards would be a blow-out on low heat for a length check for hair and blogging for fitness. Well, I already did a blow-out for my twist extensions and it’s obvious that I haven’t restricted my blogging if I didn’t exercise. So, nothing to see here! LOL!!
Welp, that’s that for me!! But, the updates are starting to roll in, so I’ll be posting them throughout the week and until you stop sending them to me! I hope that everyone will tell us a little about their experiences over the last six months (that’ll be a lot of updates!). Thank you to all who participated as it’s been an awesome ride and I can’t wait to start round two!!! Well, I can wait two months;)! LOL!!
hairscapades 
What product do u use for protein and what type of treatments?
LikeLike
Wonderful progress! I have to put mine together and email you this week. I look forward to the next six months and hitting all my goals for the wedding 🙂
LikeLike
congratulations Shelli 🙂 I knew you’d do it. Your hair grows really nicely. I sent you my GOC update. I wish it were more but I had a set back too so….
On another note, thank you for your inspiration. It’s led me to a healthier lifestyle. I’ve lost 10 pounds since the beginning and I now exercise 5/6 days a week. I had not initially planned to make this a part of the challenge but it just happened like that 🙂 Thank you again 🙂 I long to be fit and I’m working my way. I no longer get winded walking up a flight of stairs. That’s a milestone for me. Only 40 pounds to go!
LikeLike
Congrats!!! On the weight loss!!!
LikeLike
That’s awesome Michelle!!! You get it girl:)!! And thanks Miss Leah. Eboni, I’m assuming you’ve seen my other posts on this by now, but I’ve been using the ApHogee 2 Minute Keratin Reconstructor and just did my first 2 Step treatment this past weekend. So far, so good. My hair is sooo soft and silky (deep conditioning is sooo important man!).
LikeLike
You did great with your challenge!! Like Michelle, I knew you would be able to do it!! You have been an inspiration to me as well. I am trying to see about this Rugged Maniac, I want to challenge myself and I think this is the challenge I need. I didn’t do an update. Nothing has changed for me. I have maintained my weight with a little set backs, but all is good. I am still learning so much about my hair. I don’t feel that it has change (grown) for me at all. I don’t know. I am going to particpate in the next challenge more aggressivly and try Chicoro Goal Point Method as well.
LikeLike
Awww thanks Miche’al! OMGosh, that would be frickin’ SWEET if you did the Rugged Maniac too! And awww, I’m sorry you don’t feel like you made any progress. But, talking about what you think the setbacks are and what you want to do differently can help you document it and may help others. All that to say, I’m still encouraging you to send in a synopsis of what you’ve done and learned over the last 6 months:).
LikeLike
Hi Shelli,
Your growth is amazing! Your hair looks springy, shiny and healthy!
I, too, need a trim but can’t take the risk of going to a salon….too many bad experiences. If you decide to trim your own ends, would you mind making a video tutorial? I would love to follow your lead.
Camera shy me just might join your next GOC… I can always use some extra motivation.
Thanks!
~Rhonda C
LikeLike
Thanks Rhonda! My hair had been feeling good, but it feels GREAT after the protein treatment and DC (strength and moisture:)! I hope this sticks!! As to doing a video tutorial if I self-trim … girl, I might hack up my own hair! I don’t want anyone to think that I think that I know what I’m doing!! LOL!!
I hope you do join the next GOC too:). Strength in numbers;)!
LikeLike
Wow girl! Your hair is amazing #haircrush! You know I swear by Tameeka!, When are you thinking of trimming? I am due to see her again late March/April…maybe we can have a hair date. In my opinion Tameeka is #thecurlwhisperer…lol. I am looking forward to GOC Part 2! Count me in!
LikeLike
Awww, thanks Etoile:). Tameeka is the one “who lives kinda far away!” LOL!! I sent her a message on FB, but I don’t know if I feel like making the haul out there right now. And, I want to trim it soon.
LikeLike
Your hair growth is phenomenal Shelli. Congrats on the challenge. I will definitely join the next challenge. What’s great is how the hair awareness inspired participants to improve their overall wellness!
LikeLike