A Healthy You in 2012!

By Stephanie of Infinite Life Fitness


Was one of your New Year’s resolutions to eat healthier? Lose weight? Work out more? Or maybe you just want to adopt a healthier more active lifestyle? Well I have some great news for you…you can and you should start TODAY! Sound too easy? Well yes…it is THAT EASY!

You do not have to invest in a fitness center membership to start obtaining your personal health goals. Today, I will give you some suggested tips to help you kick start your new healthier lifestyle.

First, you have to sit down and make a plan. Create some goals that you would like to achieve and be realistic when you make those goals. You cannot say that you want to lose 20 pounds in one month. Realistically and in a non-life threatening way that can NOT be done. There is no healthy way to achieve that goal in that amount of time. Losing weight takes time, patience, and dedication. It is good to make an overall goal. For instance you want to lose 20 pounds. Well then you have to make smaller goals to go along with that major goal. For example I want to lose 2 pounds this week, and try one new healthier recipe this week. That is a great mini goal to help you reach your overall goal. You will have to adopt a healthier eating style, you will have to adopt a new fitness routine, and you will have to set weekly goals for yourself (like I will only have 2 cokes this week and drink more water).

When you have your goals set you can then decide how you want to achieve these goals. This will consist of a mixture of adopting a new workout routine as well as adjusting the food you consume. It is important to learn what the right portion sizes are and to try to have a variety of things to eat throughout the day. (I have written a post about portions sizes that can be found here.) You do not want to starve yourself! You can eat and snack during the day as long as those foods are nutritious and beneficial to your body. Your workout routine should start off being about 3 times a week. (More would be great if you can find a great workout and if you can fit the time in to do so.) You can do some of the following things at home or in your neighborhood to start your workout routine:

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Interview with Mala Rhodes of AFROVEDA

The following is an interview with Mala Rhodes, CEO of AfroVeda Hair Products at http://www.afroveda.com/.  AfroVeda strives to represent true, Ayurvedic hair care remedies for curly, kinky and coily hair types.

1. How long have you practiced healthy hair care? Tell us about your healthy hair journey.

Although my hair has been natural for more than 10 years, I have only practiced healthy hair care for the past 5 years. As I began to educate myself about the benefits of natural hair products, and utilize the principles of Ayurveda for my own hair health, I realized that having beautiful healthy hair was not just about what is applied externally. Being conscious of what I consume makes a huge difference in how healthy my hair really is.

My hair journey has been a very long one and began very early in life. I can remember the weekend hair sessions with my mother who would wash my hair (along with my four sisters) on Saturday night, and press it with a hot comb on Sunday. Although my hair didn’t “blow in the wind” from way too much grease, I loved the smoothness of it and the fact that it reached the middle of my back. That was “good” hair to me.

Once I turned around 12 or 13, I received my first relaxer. I’m sure with 8 kids putting a relaxer in the hair of her 5 daughters made my mother’s hair care sessions much easier. We could wear wet-sets on special occasions and even wear it “down” sometimes for school. It was easy enough for us to take care of, so we were left to do just that. Despite the continued use of heavy greases and pomades, my hair still seemed to thrive. It wasn’t until I began experimenting with various other chemicals in my hair (Jheri Curl, hair color, and more relaxers – compliments of my sister who was in Cosmetology school) did I begin to notice a change. I didn’t take care of it like my mother did, and boy did it show.

Fast forward about 20 years and countless relaxers later, I found myself with thin, damaged hair from all the years of abuse. Beauticians continued to apply my relaxers incorrectly – only adding to my hair-thinning issues – and my own methods for restoring my hair’s health wasn’t working either. I seriously needed help. The chemicals had destroyed my hair and it was time for a change.

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Not a Fan of Shea? Try Mango

Are you not a fan of shea butter?  Then try mango butter, which has a lighter feel.  Check out this video tutorial on how to make whipped mango butter.

Friday's Length Retention Tip!

Do you want to reach your goal?  Then ...

incorporate pre-shampoo treatments into your regimen, particularly if you're prone to dry ends.  Pre-shampoo treatments (or "pre-pooing", for short) usually consist of applying a conditioner and/or oil to your hair and letting it penetrate for an hour or so before your regular shampoo wash.  The benefit of prepooing is that it minimizes the stripping of moisture that can come with shampooing.  Note:  There is no need to apply your prepoo to your scalp; simply applying it to the hair, or even just the ends, is sufficient.

Loo's recommendation:

Coconut oil for a prepoo. (Do this overnight for penetration of the oil.)  Coconut oil is known to not only penetrate the strands, but it may minimize damage by hygral fatigue (i.e., stress on the hair due to water uptake and eventual evaporation).  

Source: COCONUT OIL & HYGRAL FATIGUE.

For Wednesday Hair Growth Tips, check out this post.

Healthy Hair Feature: Niqu92

Today's healthy hair feature is Niqu92.  Though she's had a recent setback, there is much to be learned from her story ...

1) Are you natural, relaxed, texlaxed, or transitioning? (And how long?)
I was natural up until my junior year in highschool (08-09) and now im currently relaxed. I don't regret my decision at all. Although i loved my natural hair i enjoy my relaxed hair much more.

2) What mistakes have you made in your hair care journey?
I have always had long & healthy hair so i never really started a hair care journey per se until this year after many setbacks from 2011. I was on birth control pills and it made my hair fall out in clumps. On top of that i decided to go to a new stylist twice for a relaxer touchup and she did not neutralize my hair properly both times so my hair fell out from that. I also "bothered" my hair too much. I decided to start co-washing it about 5x a week and my hair became extremely thin and dry from that. I went to Great Clips for a trim and they sabotaged my hair. Due to all those setbacks i cut my hair 2-3in above BSL.

3) What is your current HEALTHY HAIR routine?
i learned from my mistakes and realized that LESS is MORE. So here is my current regimen
Once a week:
Shampoo with Design essentials
DC with Matrix Biolage Conditioning Balm or Silicon Mix
after i rinse it out, i rollerset my hair.

I moisturize my hair nightly with Silicon Mix Leave-in Conditioner and seal with Jojoba or Coconut oil
I do protein as needed (about once every 6-8wks)
I get touchups and trim every 9-10weeks
maintaining this simple regimen and finally finding a good stylist has made my hair healthy again.


4) Do you have a HEALTHY BODY routine? If so, what is it?
I work out 5-6x per week with Turbo Fire
I try my best to stay in shape because im a diabetic so being healthy is extremely important for me.
I eat healthy on the weekdays and on the weekends i allow myself to slack off and eat all the unhealthy things my heart desires.

5) Do you have any advice for those seeking healthy tresses?
Everybody is different so you have to find out what works for you. Growing long and healthy hair is possible whether youre relaxed or natural once you find the right products/techniques that work best for your hair. Also, if you have suffered from a setback it is not the end of the world. I thought i was going to die when i had to cut my hair due to my setbacks but at the end i realized it's just hair.  Hair always grows back so dont think its the end of the world. It can actually be a good learning experience.

3in6: Starting Month #2

For the challenge guidelines, see this post.

Tomorrow, we'll enter month #2 of the 3in6 Challenge.  This February, I'll wear medium/large box braids every two weeks.  My regimen will consist of biweekly washes and conditioning.

Ladies, how did month #1 go for you? What will do in month #2?

Skin Care || Coping With Vitiligo

WHAT IS IT?: Vitiligo is a skin disorder in which the destruction of pigment-producing cells (melanocytes) creates white patches on various parts of the body. It can be as mild as one small patch or as severe as large depigmented regions across the body. Vitiligo usually spreads quickly when it first occurs. It may continue doing so for years, halt, or go through a resting phase before spreading again. The cause of vitiligo is unknown, but current studies note an association between the skin disorder and oxidative stress. Vitiligo can affect any race, but it is more visible in those with darker complexion. Though the condition may affect one's self esteem, it is not a life- or health-threatening condition.

PSYCHOLOGICAL IMPACT: Depending on the severity of the skin condition, one's self esteem can become severely impacted. Having obvious white patches on the skin can make one self conscious and affect one's self image, especially in a society where physical appearance is valued. According to one study, "majority of vitiligo patients experienced anxiety and embarrassment when meeting strangers or beginning a new sexual relationship and many felt that they had been the victims of rude remarks."

MEDICAL TREATMENTS: First thing is first; see a dermatologist if you suspect you may have vitiligo. The sooner you see one, the earlier it may be treated. Medical treatments range from cortisones to skin grafting to PUVA and more. For detailed descriptions of these treatments, click here.

NATURAL TREATMENTS: Assuming medical treatments have failed you, there are natural alternatives you may want to explore, such as L-phenylalanine, Ginkgo biloba, vitamin E, etc. Some of these options are debatable, but studies on Ginkgo biloba prove promising for ceasing the progression of vitiligo.



COVER UP WITH MAKEUP: Over the years, concealers and cover cremes have improved in durability and skin tone varieties. You may choose to conceal your vitiligo so that it is less visible or unnoticeable. Look into brands like Dermablend, M.A.C., Mary Kay, and Cover Girl for ethnic skin tones. To get your exact complexion, you can mix concealers within or across brands. Concealing the affected areas can help to boost your confidence.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS: Stay away from even complexion and skin lightening products, both of which may aggravate your vitiligo. Examples of such products include those with soy, licorice, and hydroquinone, to name a few. Include foods with antioxidants (which work against oxidative stress) as a regular part of diet. Examples include: green tea, tomatoes, black tea, carrots, cranberry juice, etc. Minimize stress in your life.

WHEN ALL ELSE FAILS:
This is easier said then done, but when you have exhausted all treatments, do not let the skin disorder destroy your self esteem. Stay confident in your self image. Surround yourself with positive family and friends. Be grateful that the condition is not life threatening. Be thankful for what you do have in life.

SOURCES & MORE READS:
PSYCHOLOGICAL IMPACT
MEDICAL TREATMENTS #1
MEDICAL TREATMENTS #2
NATURAL TREATMENTS (summary)
NATURAL TREATMENTS (full text)
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