Ahhh....the diet! I have to admit, yesterday, I did go out for cocktails and a chili dog...(it was quite necessary), but all and all I have completed my first week of the diet. So far this week I have lost almost 10 lbs! Almost I say, because yesterday's little diversion threw my count off a little, but today I have had a mostly apple day (will write about that later) so I hope tomorrow the weight starts coming off again.
I started Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred again yesterday. Lady K and I did it together, well she did about 3 minutes and then laid across me and pulled on me as I did the rest. I believe since I had the extra weight of a 26 lb child on me during my work out, I deserved a day off, so today I took it. Instead of the workout, I jogged for about 20 minutes and that was enough.
I have some pictures of what I've been eating, but I just came upstairs to write and had my thumb drive and of course, its lost. I'm not well. I loose everything at the drop of a hat. I have my phone one minute, next, its lost, I have my purse, yep, lost. This is like the longest running case of baby brain in history I'm sure.
Anyhoo, diet going good. I will say, I have surpassed the hump where I'm starving and have to have everything in sight to stuff in my mouth. I don't crave sweets as much or bread. I do think this week will be awesome. I plan to loose lots! More to come... later alligators.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
My Natural Soros
I feel like, being natural now has been the first thing to connect me immediately to another woman. Our guards are down. We have a freedom and openness with each other, that typically doesn't exist.
I have a few friends who belong to Sororities. They meet new and old girls that belong to their sorority, they whisper their credentials in the others ear, they hug and they bond. I didn't pledge a Greek sorority, but I feel being natural has made every other natural girl my Soro.
The features on natural girls will be just that. Introducing, my soros, my sisters; another woman who has taken a pledge to rock it 100.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Day 4 of HCG
So, below are a couple of pictures of what I've been eating for the past couple of days...
Spinach Salad with Grilled Chicken and Veggies
Jerk Chicken Sandwich with Hummus Spread and Spinach Side Salad
So far I have lost 5 lbs. I am doing a somewhat modified HCG because I have been soooo hungry this time around. I am allowing myself a few more carbs and mixing my veggies because I need the variety. Also, instead of the apple cider vinegar/lemon juice dressing for salads, I'm using my ultimate favorite Ken's Steak House light Cesar dressing.
This morning, I weighed and hadn't lose as much as I wanted to, which blew me because I'm really trying. But I did eat a huge handful of honey roasted peanuts around midnight, which may of had something to do with it! I'm back. Those peanuts are gone out of the bedroom (how they got these will come in my post about my night eating addiction).
Anyhoo, today, I'm back. After reading an article in Women's World, I'm trying to take more vitamins also. I'm horrible with remembering any pills (maybe how I got the baby and this big anyway), but I'm doing a multi-vitamin, calcium supplement, and vitamin d. A lot of natural girls are taking biotin supplements also, and I hope to try those oneday. One mountain to climb at a time.
My goal is to lose 30 lbs. And after today, my goal is those boy shorts in my previous post. But I'm now 25 lbs away!
Big Girl Panties
I present Exhibit A!
These are cute little boy shorts I used to sport all the time pre-baby. Today, I find these under a box, under a pile in DH's closet. I found these shorts along with a bunch of pre-baby undies that I obviously packed away and planned on wearing (or even freaking know existed) shortly after having her.
Now 2 f'in years later, I'm finding them and for a minute had to wonder were they mine or my 9 year old niece's. It's hard to even consider I was that small! I have a photo with me, talking on the phone to DH wearing these shorts.
So tiny...so, so tiny! And this was pre-breast reduction! Look at that flat belly! Ahhhhh...those shorts have drove me into a full depression. I'm collapsing on the floor...
I know to have a baby, I had to put on my big girl panties, but damn, I didn't know I had to keep them on!
Its looking grim for me. I talk to my girlfriends and they say stuff like, oh, it has taken me 4 years to get my body back, or oh my baby is 15 and I still don't have it back.
Well, this is my pledge...by 6/08/11 (that will be exactly 3 years since this photo), I will be rocking these shorts, I will be rocking the hell out of these shorts! You just wait and see!
Now 2 f'in years later, I'm finding them and for a minute had to wonder were they mine or my 9 year old niece's. It's hard to even consider I was that small! I have a photo with me, talking on the phone to DH wearing these shorts.
I know to have a baby, I had to put on my big girl panties, but damn, I didn't know I had to keep them on!
Its looking grim for me. I talk to my girlfriends and they say stuff like, oh, it has taken me 4 years to get my body back, or oh my baby is 15 and I still don't have it back.
Well, this is my pledge...by 6/08/11 (that will be exactly 3 years since this photo), I will be rocking these shorts, I will be rocking the hell out of these shorts! You just wait and see!
Monday, January 3, 2011
Coils and Castor Oil
Almost a week ago, I started the Castor Oil Challenge initiated by hairliciousinc. I have to say, using the Castor Oil has made my hair less fuzzy and defined my curls like nothing else. Previously, I was using Coconut Oil as my main source of oil, sealant, etc, and this was great, but a little too light for me. Coconut Oil works awesome on Lady K's hair, but on this cotton ball, I needed something with weight.
The Castor Oil helped to do the awesome coils below. Since the weather is colder, I've been trying to find styles that last longer than a day and the Coils/Coil Out has become my favorite. There are thousands of youtubes on how to do it, so I won't bore you with the instructions, but I will say, oiling my scalp and putting Castor Oil (only 100%Castor Oil, not my nightly mix of 50/50 with Grapeseed Oil) has given me awesome shine and definition.
Typically my coils are mad fuzzy and I end up undoing in a day and wearing a messy coil out, but I am on my second day of this hair and it is still super fresh! To coil, I used Castor Oil (first after washing) and Ecostyler Olive Oil gel. Super awesome.
Oh, and for the new year I decided to bring back all those extra holes in my ear, lol. How many of us have 2-3 holes we haven't used since 9th grade. I should clarify holes in our ears:-) Well I'm attempting to wear earrings in those holes. Lets see how that works! I plan to incorporate different earrings in those holes to add to my repertoire! Don't hold me to this moment in life...I'm quite unreliable!
The Castor Oil helped to do the awesome coils below. Since the weather is colder, I've been trying to find styles that last longer than a day and the Coils/Coil Out has become my favorite. There are thousands of youtubes on how to do it, so I won't bore you with the instructions, but I will say, oiling my scalp and putting Castor Oil (only 100%Castor Oil, not my nightly mix of 50/50 with Grapeseed Oil) has given me awesome shine and definition.
Oh, and for the new year I decided to bring back all those extra holes in my ear, lol. How many of us have 2-3 holes we haven't used since 9th grade. I should clarify holes in our ears:-) Well I'm attempting to wear earrings in those holes. Lets see how that works! I plan to incorporate different earrings in those holes to add to my repertoire! Don't hold me to this moment in life...I'm quite unreliable!
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Fun Holiday Hair
For Christmas, Baby and I rocked our naturals out to dinner.
Her style is penned by Curly Nikki in the following post Twist and Curl Tutorial. Baby wore 2 strand twist for about a week. I put rods on the ends of each twist after spraying with a little coconut oil/water mix. I left the rods on for a couple of hours. After the twists were completely dry, I removed the rod and untwisted each section with coconut oil. I did not separate much further because her hair now is really too soft for a lot of manipulation. It will start to loose its curl. I added a headband and whahlah!
I am rocking the wash and go. I co-washed with Suave Natural green apple conditioner and put EcoSyler Gel in. I combed through with a goody (denman like) brush.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
My face so far...
I have struggled with face issues for like...ever! I have... I don't know what kind of skin, I'd just say irrational! I get lots of breakouts and have a super dry nose and chin and oily checks and forehead. Crazy!
I have used EVERYTHING under the sun for this. Neutrogena, Biore, Oil of Olay, Dove, and prescriptions from my doctor (at like $100 a pop!).
One of my favorite bloggers discusses and alternative to commercial cleansers and I decided to give it a try. The MoptopMaven showed me the light with the Oil Cleansing Method (OCM). If you click on her name, it will take you to the post where this method is discussed. Her skin is beautiful!!!
The OCM basically teaches the user to use oil only to clean your face. It may sound crazy but after almost 2 weeks, I can say, it has totally changed my skin more than any of the other crap I've used before. I want this moment for life!
I love finding out new things, stuff we have been sleeping on and this is really it for me! Using this method has reduced my winter dryness and started to heal blemishes that have been on my face for years. Lady K told me "Mommy, your face is pretty" and I didn't even have on makeup! This was also followed by "Mommy can I have a donut?" but I am taking all the compliments I can get!
So, what is my regimen for my face utilizing the moptops' suggestions:
1. Clean - I mix a small container with about 5 tablespoons of castor oil (pure or organic is best) and 5 tablespoons of grapeseed oil. I put about a dime to quarter size of the mixture in my hands, and distribute on my face. I apply it like I am exfoliating, in a circular motion. I rub the mixture into my face and neck for about 2 minutes. Once complete I heat a washcloth (use 1 washcloth each day or more if you are removing makeup). I get the water as hot as I can stand it, wring out, and apply the hot steamy cloth to my face. I leave the washcloth on until it cools off. This is the part I totally love. It is like a mini facial. I repeat this for about 2-3 times (or more if I have time because it feels awesome). I then use the washcloth to wipe away the oil. Be sure to totally wipe the oil away (don't forget the chin and neck). Last step, rinse face with a splash of cool water to close those pores you opened up with the steam.
*I recommend you research which oils work best for you and the effects. There are lots of articles if you google oil cleansing method. Olive oil is mentioned most, however, this oil drys my skin and hair, so I use grapeseed. But you will find through trial and error what works best for you.
2. Tone - So I am not a fan of extra steps, but toner is really important to keeping your face tight. I can say since using this for the past 2 weeks, my face is doing great. I use a natural remedy again for this. A lot of bloggers use green tea, but I didn't have this so I just used regular Lipton's tea. This is black tea, which can be good too and has the same antioxidants that green tea is known for. I steeped 3 tea bags, cooled the tea, and then added to a small container with about 5 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar. And that's the toner! My DH hates the smell of the vinegar and for the past 2 weeks talks about it EVERY TIME I put it on. But he compliments my awesome face, so its a trade off!
3. Moisturize - I am recovering from lots of acne scars. A lot of people who use the OCM pick one of the oils and use it as a moisturizer. I would use whichever is the secondary oil you use with the castor oil in the OCM. I use grapeseed as my moisturizer. This can be used alone, however, I use it with about 60% pure aloe vera gel and 40% grapeseed oil. The aloe vera gel has a lot of awesome benefits which I will discuss one day, but it feels great and really cooling to your face. This has been THE ONLY thing that keeps my nose from peeling during the day.
4. Spot treatments - Most of use always have those blemishes that come up during that time of the month. I used to used a super expensive gel from the dermatologist, but now...of course...natural. The one concoction I love right now is 2 tablespoons of honey to one teaspoon of cinnamon. Yes, its super sweet, gooey and I have licked it off my fingers after mixing and applying lol. You apply this mixture to each blemish, rub in and keep on for about 15 minutes. The above recipe is enough for about 2 weeks (depending on your blemishes). I'm telling you, the next day the blemish is gone or severely reduced. Some people keep it on all night, but I haven't figured out how to make it stick so it won't rub off all night.
I've only started these treatments in the last couple of weeks so I will post some pix of my face sans makeup now and more in a couple of months. My last videos posted were make up free (unfortunately lol), but I will get some closeups to document my changes. I will also take some pix of the containers, oils and mixtures, etc because these have been beneficial to me in trying to figure out what the ___ people are talking about.
Wish me luck!
I have used EVERYTHING under the sun for this. Neutrogena, Biore, Oil of Olay, Dove, and prescriptions from my doctor (at like $100 a pop!).
One of my favorite bloggers discusses and alternative to commercial cleansers and I decided to give it a try. The MoptopMaven showed me the light with the Oil Cleansing Method (OCM). If you click on her name, it will take you to the post where this method is discussed. Her skin is beautiful!!!
The OCM basically teaches the user to use oil only to clean your face. It may sound crazy but after almost 2 weeks, I can say, it has totally changed my skin more than any of the other crap I've used before. I want this moment for life!
I love finding out new things, stuff we have been sleeping on and this is really it for me! Using this method has reduced my winter dryness and started to heal blemishes that have been on my face for years. Lady K told me "Mommy, your face is pretty" and I didn't even have on makeup! This was also followed by "Mommy can I have a donut?" but I am taking all the compliments I can get!
So, what is my regimen for my face utilizing the moptops' suggestions:
1. Clean - I mix a small container with about 5 tablespoons of castor oil (pure or organic is best) and 5 tablespoons of grapeseed oil. I put about a dime to quarter size of the mixture in my hands, and distribute on my face. I apply it like I am exfoliating, in a circular motion. I rub the mixture into my face and neck for about 2 minutes. Once complete I heat a washcloth (use 1 washcloth each day or more if you are removing makeup). I get the water as hot as I can stand it, wring out, and apply the hot steamy cloth to my face. I leave the washcloth on until it cools off. This is the part I totally love. It is like a mini facial. I repeat this for about 2-3 times (or more if I have time because it feels awesome). I then use the washcloth to wipe away the oil. Be sure to totally wipe the oil away (don't forget the chin and neck). Last step, rinse face with a splash of cool water to close those pores you opened up with the steam.
*I recommend you research which oils work best for you and the effects. There are lots of articles if you google oil cleansing method. Olive oil is mentioned most, however, this oil drys my skin and hair, so I use grapeseed. But you will find through trial and error what works best for you.
2. Tone - So I am not a fan of extra steps, but toner is really important to keeping your face tight. I can say since using this for the past 2 weeks, my face is doing great. I use a natural remedy again for this. A lot of bloggers use green tea, but I didn't have this so I just used regular Lipton's tea. This is black tea, which can be good too and has the same antioxidants that green tea is known for. I steeped 3 tea bags, cooled the tea, and then added to a small container with about 5 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar. And that's the toner! My DH hates the smell of the vinegar and for the past 2 weeks talks about it EVERY TIME I put it on. But he compliments my awesome face, so its a trade off!
3. Moisturize - I am recovering from lots of acne scars. A lot of people who use the OCM pick one of the oils and use it as a moisturizer. I would use whichever is the secondary oil you use with the castor oil in the OCM. I use grapeseed as my moisturizer. This can be used alone, however, I use it with about 60% pure aloe vera gel and 40% grapeseed oil. The aloe vera gel has a lot of awesome benefits which I will discuss one day, but it feels great and really cooling to your face. This has been THE ONLY thing that keeps my nose from peeling during the day.
4. Spot treatments - Most of use always have those blemishes that come up during that time of the month. I used to used a super expensive gel from the dermatologist, but now...of course...natural. The one concoction I love right now is 2 tablespoons of honey to one teaspoon of cinnamon. Yes, its super sweet, gooey and I have licked it off my fingers after mixing and applying lol. You apply this mixture to each blemish, rub in and keep on for about 15 minutes. The above recipe is enough for about 2 weeks (depending on your blemishes). I'm telling you, the next day the blemish is gone or severely reduced. Some people keep it on all night, but I haven't figured out how to make it stick so it won't rub off all night.
I've only started these treatments in the last couple of weeks so I will post some pix of my face sans makeup now and more in a couple of months. My last videos posted were make up free (unfortunately lol), but I will get some closeups to document my changes. I will also take some pix of the containers, oils and mixtures, etc because these have been beneficial to me in trying to figure out what the ___ people are talking about.
Wish me luck!
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