Hair
Nothing much to report on the hair front! I pretty much wore a high or mid-height bun all last week. I did try a new shampoo and deep conditioner on wash day. I’d bought the Shea Moisture Yucca & Baobab Thickening Shampoo and Anti-Breakage Mask at a CVS BOGO sale a couple of months ago, if you recall. Well, after a less than illustrious start with the Y&B Thickening Hair Growth Milk, purchased during the same sale (see this post if you missed my review of that), I decided to return the whole line without even trying the shampoo or maks. They were sitting in a bag in my car for the last month waiting for me to make time to make that stop (well, also waiting for me to find the MIA receipt too!). Then, “What happened,” you ask? Well, first, CurlyNikki talked about how awesome the Y & C shampoo is in this post and then, TheManeObjective talked about how amazing the Mask is in this one. *Sigh* What’s a PJ to do? Bring the products back in the house *hangs head in shame.*
So yeah, I used those on wash day. And, they were fine. And, I can use them. But, nothing spectacular happened, so my PJ curiosity is quelled. And, other than applying the “mystery” product to my scalp and learning something about shedding (which will be shared shortly, like in a day or two … just need to write the post), nothing new in the hair category.
But, I’ll share a few more pics of hair goings on throughout last week (besides the ones that you already saw. ;)):
This was a pre-poo bun that I wore to work Monday.
This was my Wednesday and/or Thursday bun, I think! It’s all a blur now!
Friday night I put my hair into two braids as I debated whether I was pre-pooing. I opted out.
On Saturday morning, I experimented with making my two ponytails into a crown braid. But, they started
too far apart to make it around my head. I’ll have to try it again with them set close together at my nape.
Saturday night, I applied a pre-poo of Vatika Oil mixed with Aubrey GPB. Used my thermal heat wrap for about an hour, then hit the sack. Sunday morning, gave the pre-poo some more heat while I got my kettlebell with Angie Miller on.
Operation “Get Right”
Yup, that is correct. I’m at it again! And Lord knows that I need to be. On Monday, I started the day horribly depressed. I had to return to the house to change out of my “fat-fat” jeans because they were suffocating my thighs and butt. These are the same jeans that were a little snug, but not choking the life out of my pear-shape two to three weeks ago. Forget the fact that I’ve worn the inner thighs of some of my favorite jeans so thin that they’re almost see through and I’m afraid to wear them before I can apply patches for fear that I’ll have a “wardrobe malfunction!!” Can you say, “Disgust?”
http://instagram.com/p/SiT9W1s1a3/
Needless to say, I ate properly that day and the rest of the week, with very few exceptions. I even tried to eat halfway decent when I went out for a birthday dinner with my college friends on Saturday night. We went to a soul food restaurant in New Brunswick called Delta’s. Y’all know that there ain’t much healthy about soul food. But, I did the best I could absent eating a plain garden salad and drinking water. I had grilled salmon, sweet potatoes and collard greens (I ordered macaroni and cheese first … and boy did it look good … but I stopped myself and switched to the greens). Ummm … *whispering* I did have a piece of cornbread … it was small though! LOL!
Anywho, so yeah, I’m back to alternating C25K with kettlebell workouts (3 days of each a week). Just gotta keep motivated, because not fitting into my vast wardrobe is NOT cute.
And here are my “health and fitness” pics of the week ;)! LOL!
Like my ladybug earbuds??
I’ve been killing this right now!! This is my first download to in over 2 years! Long story.
Want to know why? Frickin’ LOVE this song!! And Kiss Me. And U.N.I. and A-Team and …
“And if your DVD breaks today, should have got a VCR, because I never owned a Blu-ray. True say.”
Getting my meals and snacks together.
My tips for eating healthy frozen meals? Place the contents on a plate and fill half the plate with frozen veggies
(I always keep broccoli florets, sugar snap snow peas and spinach in the freezer)!!!
1. It looks more appetizing on a real plate (plus I try to avoid cooking in plastic in the microwave).
2. There is so much sauce in these meals, the veggies allow break it up.
3. Get 1-2 servings of vitamin-packed and fibrous veggies!
4. Adding veggies make the meal more filling.
Started to take my vitamins and supplements again too.
I have to say that I’ve been feeling better, happier and more energetic every day that I’ve eaten right and the exercise helps even more!! I also know that my skin and hair, in addition to my physical and mental health, were suffering because of lack of proper nutrition and exercise. Seeing as how we’re on this bunning challenge to gain some new lengths, I know that it is just as important for me to protect my health and well-being as it is to protect my ends if I want to see progress! Also, buns are the perfect, easy peasy lemon squeezey style for exercising!! SCORE! SCORE!
Finally, I’ll leave you with an inspirational and motivational video that I came across this weekend.
via DivaSlimsDown
This video is from 2011. Currently, she’s lost over 180 pounds and weighs 157.2. Let’s just say, I subscribed.
Happy Monday!!
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Okay, my bunning ladies, there were, like, SIXTY of you!! Where you at?!?! How is everything going? Any questions you want to ask? Topics that you’d like addressed? Challenges with bunning? Everything going great and you wish you’d done it sooner ;)?
hairscapades 
That was encouraging (workout/healthy eating), guess its time to get it iin gear! I was doing well and then fell off Again (3rd time this year) – I want to be boech body ready by my personal hoiiday (bday is in May)
I liked your braids pulled back like that even if it wasn’t the style you were trying to achieve. My hair is shorter but I think I’ll cornrow like that. I have Buckwheat-Sister braids currently since I’m wearing wigs as my protective styling right now. Finally decided I’m going for length besides health. I’m enjoying the journey and look forward to having some serious hang-time.
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The bun challenge is going great. My aim was to bun 5 days a week but I’ve been bunning way more than that. Only wore my hair down 2 times. So that’s a plus. And I recently gained 2 kilo’s. Doesn’t seem like much but I notice the difference. So I started eating right again ( I’m lactose intolerant and been eating like I am not -_-) and working out.
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Shelli,
I’m glad you were able to view Ruth’s channel. She’s very inspirational and dedicated. I’m currently participating in her Holiday Weight Loss challenge on Facebook. I know trying to lose weight during the holidays is hard, but I was going through the same thing. Me, the thigh sections of my pants for the past 6-8 months have not been friends. I’ve lost some weight so I’m more pear-shape now instead of just round, hahaha! But I wanted your viewers to learn more about Ruth. Hopefully you can reach out to Ruth to do a interview post. Maybe around New Year’s when alot of people do resolution and she is newly natural ( i think about 6 mos, she said online) No pressure,just a hint 🙂
Cassandra
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Your buns make mine look anorexic! #whompwhomp
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WOW I am impressed with the slim down. I’m about to sub to her channel too! Amazing.
and yes I love those ladybug ear buds. so cute!
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wait i just realized you have her weight wrong. She’s not 157.2….yet. She’s still in the 2s but her journey is still very inspiring
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retraction! lol i saw that she has more current videos!
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You have a beautiful hair texture and the hairstyles you put them in are too cute,keep keepin it up.
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I loved the very last part about exercise!! I’m currently in the “fat-fat” jeans and I desperately need to slim down. The video post was gr8 as well. very inspirational=)
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Wow! Ruth is amazingly discipined and focus. She is also very fashionable. She is truly inspirational in so many ways. I wonder if she has ever thought about being a personal trainer/motivational speaker or something else where her positivity can help other people who struggle with weight on a more global level.
Thanks for sharing this video SHelli and Ruth!!!
Shelli, I would love to hear more details about your workouts/ eating plan during your body building days. I love the fact that you have been so forthcoming with many parts of your life. I also very much appreciate the fact that your site combines hair care with discussions about fitness and healthy eating. I remember seeing a post when you shared a few pics from body buiding and I was intrigued about the detrails of what got you into it and what your daily eating and workout schedules were. Thanks!! Love your site!
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You’re welcome!! I think she is doing some motivational speaking or coaching now. I feel like I heard her say that in one of her recent videos?
As to my personal workouts/eating plan during my bodybuilding days, do you mean you’d like me to do a post about it? I used to get asked about it all of the time and I would always say it’s so simple. But the problem is, I don’t think any one person of the at least 50 I have told ever really stick with it. Because it takes discipline. The short of it is that I ate 5-6 meals a day, 1 of which was Met-Rx protein shake that I made into a pudding post-workout. Every other meal had protein, a complex starchy carb and a fibrous carb (except breakfast didn’t have a fibrous carb). Typical day was:
Breakfast: 6 egg whites, 1/2 c. oatmeal
Mid-morning: 1 6 oz. can tuna, 1 c. broccoli or 8-9 baby carrots, small baked potato
Lunch and Dinner: 6 oz of lean protein (tuna, turkey or chicken), 1-2 c. of a fibrous veggie (broccoli, spinach, salad, etc.), 1 complex starchy carb (1 c. brown rice, 1 small white potato, red potato or sweet potato [last was my FAVE]).
I drank at least a gallon of water a day, but usually more.
I took a multi-vitamin, vitamin C, and calcium daily. I think I took something else, but I can’t remember what. Maybe vitamin E. It was something to support muscle repair.
I worked out 6 days a week for 2-2 1/2 hours broken down by day as follows:
Chest, Biceps, 30 min cardio (walking on treadmill, progressive incline, step aerobics or rower)
Back, triceps, 30 min cardio
Legs, calves, 30 min. cardio
Abs, 30 min – 1 hr cardio
Cardio on remaining 2 days (I think. It’s just been so long!! LOL!)
Hope that helps!! And thanks for all the words of encouragement!!
I did my Abs of Steel 5-6 days a week.
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