Weekly Inspiration

Do not chastise those who try and fail; but chastise those who fail to try


--unknown

Just leave me alone…

Protective styles are the key to the success of my transition to natural hair. I prefer any style that is curly in order to mask the two textures. Additionally, curly styles are convenient since I work out 3-times a week which I plan to increase to 5 times. Curly styles also give versatility and freedom from flat ironing which can lead to heat damage.

While on my journey I learned to pay attention to my hair and learn what it does and does not like. So far the most important lesson I learned is just leave it alone. Unlike most, my hair thrives off just being left alone and low manipulation. So in order to give my hair what it wants I’m thinking about experimenting with kinky twists.

Now I’m hesitant on getting the kinky twists because of a bad experience with individual braids. When I had the individual braids I experienced baldness because of my lack of knowledge. Unbeknownst to me at the time, even though my hair was in braids I still needed to keep my scalp clean and hair moisturized. Since neither application was done or done properly I experienced baldness. Instead of individual braids, I wear corn rolls or French braids all the time. Yet, I want something different from the norm.

Since I know more now I plan to replace my bad experience with a positive experience wearing kinky twists. Before I just dive in and get them I plan to research you tube videos and ask questions on the hair boards. Once I researched all my information I MAY have the twists done by March.

Cardio Mix

Recently, I purchased an Apple IPod Nano 5th Generation because my trusty MP3 player of three years finally died. For my MP3 player I never bought a case, clip, or arm band to hold it while I worked out. Mainly, it stayed within my sports bra and eventually around the plug for the earphones corrosion kicked in. Gross! I know!! In order to prevent this issue a second time I bought an arm band for my IPod Nano. Now I'm ready to party!

To buy or not to buy…

…a new pair of sneakers for working out. Yes, the self proclaim Stilettoholic is wondering if she should buy a new pair of shoes. Well in my defense I’m not pondering over stilettos but gym sneakers. My sneakers seem to still have some life left in them since I only wear them to the gym, that’s it. Surprisingly, the sneakers are still very comfortable and provide support after 3 years. Maybe I’ll try washing them first then make my decision.

Weekly Inspiration

Excuses mount up to nothing...loose the excuses they're unneeded.
Beautifulbrwnbabydol (youtube)

When “life” happens…improvise!

Last weekend my bf and I had the perfect Saturday planned. On the agenda were two friend’s birthday parties, skating, and just hanging out. The protective styles of choice was a twist and curl on rods after viewing several videos on you tube. I finally had enough courage to try the style on my ten month transitioning hair. Also, my plan was to wash my hair on Friday night but I was tired and settled for a co-wash the next day.


1. Co-washed with V-05

a. Added pure glycerin (first time using this way)

2. Leave in – Kera Kare Humuctant conditioner (KKHC)

3. added pure glycerin to my hair as well

4. sealed with coconut oil

5. Totally Twisted styling gel for twisting my hair (TTSG)

Now I started this process early Saturday morning. Once the prepping was complete I twisted my hair in sections and rolled with small/medium size magnetic rollers. I sat under the blow dryer for 30 minutes and planned to air dry until the fun festivities started that night. Well here is where “life” happens….

My new puppy, RJ, had a crazy hacking spell Saturday. Since I’m a new puppy owner and had no idea what to do I rushed him to the emergency vet. Leaving the house with the rollers in my hair was not an option. A quick fix was to take the rollers out, pin curl, and hope for the best. For the rest of the day I wore my scarf and with a cute carpenter hat. All I can do is wish the best for my hair since this is my first time trying the style. This hair day was full of experimentation. The first experiment was the protective styles. The second experimentation was adding pure glycerin to my co-wash and using KKHC and glycerin as a leave in. The third experimentation was the TTSG I used for the first time which I was quite pleased with: no crunchy hardness. I have to try the product a couple more times before making it a staple.

Now for the reveal! The twist and curl which for me turned into a twist and pin curl came out okay. My relaxed ends are very thin compared to my new growth so I had to battle knotting. Yes and tackling knots was a first for me; but I was successful just by taking my time and using coconut oil to unravel the twists. However, on the flip side my hair was very well moisturized from using the KKHC and pure glycerin as my leave in. My twist were soft and fluffy so I planned to experiment with conditioner and glycerin more often.

Needless to say I didn’t wear my twists down but it made for a very cute updo. Once I’m completely natural I will definitely try this style again. Who knows I may even try it again on my transitioning hair.

Here is a picture of me and my boyfriend having a great time. He loved my hair by the way! :*)

This is me after the club at 3am.

Switching up the Cardio

Cardio is not my favorite activity but I need cardio to shed the pounds. In order to keep my cardio routines interesting I switch it up from time to time. Last week I incorporated jump rope to my 60 minute cardio cycle. Jump rope consisted of 3 five minute intervals of 4 minutes jump rope none stop and one minute of an ab exercise. Between each interval I take a 30 second break if needed. The number of intervals is optional but for me 3-4 suffice. Within the 15-20 minutes I burn between 150-250 calories.