by Adrienne of Natural Embrace
Hair:
This second round is going very well. I feel like I’m learning so much about my hair this time around! At the end of March, I decided to set my Denman Brush and combs aside so that I can experiment with finger detangling. I have to admit, I was a little skeptical about being able to do this with my hair, but it’s going really well. I think I’ve seen more length retention since incorporating this into my routine, so I’ll definitely stick with it. I’ve also added Jamaican black castor oil (JBCO) into my regimen, and I’ve been applying it to my scalp and edges every other night or so. Since I worry about the oil staining my satin pillow case, I’ve been doing the baggy method on the nights I oil my scalp. On the ends of my hair, I’ve been using regular castor oil and while it is a bit heavier than I’m used to, it makes my hair really shiny and it helps with the finger detangling process,.
Lately, I haven’t been deep conditioning with my steamer as much as I would like to, so I’m hoping to make more time for that. I also want to try using it for prepoos as I’ve heard that for some it works better with prepoo treatments since it opens the hair cuticle, which helps products to penetrate better. I also haven’t been very strict with protective styling and it doesn’t seem like my hair is suffering in any way. When I work out, I like to cowash afterwards and will usually style my hair in a WnG or just pull it up. I gave in to my urge to buy some products, so I’ve been experimenting with different things, which has been really fun. Recently I did a WnG using the Boticelli Botanicals Flax Gelee and castor oil mixed together, and loved how soft and defined my hair was! Prior to that, I used my bootleg version of Curlformers on hair that had been in a bun for a day and really liked how my hair turned out (just wish I had more length to enjoy the look with).
I also recently discovered that I love a braid out more than I love a twist out, so that’s going to be my new go to style (well…when I feel like putting in any effort into styling).
Since I really want to see some nice growth this month and before my birthday in June, I’ve decided to be stricter with my protective styling and really baby my ends using my leave-in of choice and castor oil to seal. I think continuing to use the JBCO and baggying will really help me get the growth I want. One recent highlight that made me happy was to hear the SO say that my hair is looking really healthy and fuller! Woo hoo! I must be doing something right.
Health & Fitness:
Despite a steady workout regimen where I lift weights three times a week and run three times a week, in addition to eating well, my weight just doesn’t EVER seem to change … so I’ve resigned myself to the fact
that this may just be the weight I’m supposed to be. That being said, I do find that my clothes fit better and overall I feel really good, so it could be that I’m losing inches and gaining muscle, which
is a good thing … so what does it matter if the scale seems to be stuck at the same number?
I think I’m too fixated on getting back to my high school/early college days weight (115) and, while I’m not old, I am older and our bodies and hormones constantly change, which definitely contributes to weight gain in my opinion. Plus I do (did … it’s under control now) have a thyroid issue, so maybe I was able to stay so thin before because of that … who knows?! Since 115 might be a little hard to get to my from current weight of 135 … maybe I can aim for 125. I have a crazy work schedule, so I’ll have to figure out where I can squeeze in some extra cardio time on the days I lift weights. I usually run for my cardio but, after lifting, I may start using my jump rope (gotta go dig it out of the back of my closet).
♠
Missed Adrienne’s GOC – The Sequel entry? Check it out here.
hairscapades 
Hey! I noticed you were having weight loss problems. You also noted that you have thyroid issues (i’m guessing hypothyroid since you were skinny back then). You might want to go in for a check up because you may be hyperthyroid now which could attribute to the lack of weight loss. I have thyroid problems of my own and I have read thyroid forums where people oscillate between hypo and hyper. Just a thought!
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Hi Adrienne! Your hair is coming along beautifully! In addition to the advice Keshia posted above, incorporating high intensity intervals in your running routine may help you break out of this weight loss plateau. Everytime I seem to stall, I incorporate sprint intervals when running twice a week and that always helps me to bust the rut. Our bodies get used to the same routine after awhile so it helps to shake things up a bit. Good luck with it!
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Viv!!!! Where have you been lady?!?! Miss you:)!!
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Hey Shelli! Your comment made me smile, It’s nice to be missed! 🙂 I was slacking so much on my exercise during the GOC I finally decided to buckle down and get serious. Instead of lazily browsing the net in the mornings, I decided to use that time and now I’m up at 5 AM to work out. I’m down almost 20 pounds so it’s working! (It’s tough though- I’m finding it’s not as easy to lose it and maintain it when you’re in the early 40’s as opposed to 30’s.)
I still pop in faithfully to see what you are up to, and to cheer you and Wei on from afar.
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Where did you find bootleg curlformers? I want some but I don’t really want to drop the money for the real thing. Do yours work as well as the name brand?
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Erin, Chy’s Curlz did a post with a link to the ones that she found on eBay. Here is the link to her post:
http://chyscurlz.blogspot.com/2012/04/my-exciting-exciting-haul-fromchina.html
Adrienne, did you get them from the same eBay seller?
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Hey, I just checked for “Magic Leverage” on Amazon, and it looks like you can get the knock offs there as well. If you only need two packs, this may be a cheaper option.
http://www.amazon.com/WSWS-Rollers-high-speed-changing-curlers/dp/B003YTMG5Q/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1336530809&sr=8-1
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Thank you so much!! I’m definitely going to try these out!
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Keshia, surprisingly I actually had Hyperthyrodism, which probably contributed to my ability to stay then and than once my thyroid stabilized my weight seemed to increase. I try to get my thyroid tested ever three months or so to make sure it’s staying normal. Viv, thank you for the compliment. My hair is feeling strong and seems to be thriving lately. I’ll definitely have to try out the interval thing! Maybe my body just needs some kind of shock since I do tend to do the same thing all the time. As for the bootleg curlformers I found mine on Amazon (the ones Shelli posted) and I think they work great! I can’t compare them to the real thing because I never tried them, but these work great!And are sooo much cheaper. They curl the hair and really smooth out the texture, which is nice when one is trying to avoid flat ironing.
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You’ve made great progress! I seldom come across anybody that has/mention a thyroid issue. It sounds like you’re hypothyroidism which makes it hard to lose weight. I’m hypo and had surgery last year and have changed meds like four times and it hasn’t been a year yet. It’s really a struggle but your 135 is where I would love to get to and currently at 153 and being 5’3 makes it seem like so much heavier imo. Good luck on your weight loss and hair goals!
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I know what you mean by the scale not moving. I am a gym rat, I run, bike, elliptical racibg, lift weights, walk etc. my weights have fluctuated between 130 and 135.in tge past 3 years. I dropped from 175 post pregnancy. I kbow I am more toned and looking great, but I want to get.down to 125. By the way.I am in my late 30s.
Discoveringnatural.blogspot.com
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