1in3: Let the Challenge Begin!

Starting length: Approximately 1 inch
until waistlength (WSL).

Today, October 1, is the official start date of the 1in3 challenge!  (For challenge guidelines, read this post.)

So, what's in store for this month?  Well, our goal is to retain 1/3 to 1/2 an inch (depending on your monthly growth rate) in 31 days.  If you really think about, that leaves little to no room for trimming, breakage, slacking on your regimen, and slacking on your health.

I've been scissor happy, loose hair happy, and heat happy since the end of our first challenge.  Cuts (I wanted to diminish my naturally forming mullet) and out styles (I did more twistouts this summer than I've ever done) and heat galore (I think I've flat-ironed my hair 4+ times this summer).  Fortunately, my hair did not take a turn for the worse, BUT I did not retain as much length as I could have since almost touching waistlength last winter.  Thus, getting back to this challenge will be a real 
motivation for not just you all, but for me as well. :o)  

So what is our focus for this month?  It is the word focus.

• F is for "Firm".  Remain firm with your plan.  Do not get lazy or sidetracked.
• O is for "Onward".  Progress onward to meet your goal.  Do not dwell on previous setbacks.  Do not compare yourself to others.  The path to achieving your goal is in front of you, not behind you or to your right or left.
• C is for "Care".  Retaining length requires proper care of your hair.  Look to the challenge rules for strict guidance.
• U is for "Undaunted".  If you do face obstacles this month, remain undaunted.  Do not become discouraged along the way.  Keep on pushing ... onward.  Remain ... firm.  
• S is for "Success".  The first step to achieving your goal is to believe that success can become a reality.  In spite of the fact that my hair never grew past my collar bone for most of my life, I believed it was possible to break that barrier ... and I did.

So stay FOCUSed this month!  This month is smoothies galore and box braid extensions for me. :o)

So, ladies.  What is your hair care plan for this month? What style(s) will you wear?

Photos of my box braid extensions coming next week!

Setting Your Fitness New Year's Resolution

By Stephanie of Infinite Life Fitness

Yes, you read the title correct. It does say New Year’s resolution. I know that Halloween is almost here, but I have a great idea for those needing that last push of motivation to jump start your health and fitness goals. How about start working NOW to reach your goals for New Years!

Every year in January, I get an INFLUX of requests, questions, and clients who want to get in shape or get healthier to “start off the New Year”. But why not start now!?! You know that sexy black dress (or any other color dress) you have been secretly stalking to buy. Well, start working NOW so you can welcome the New Year with your new, healthier, sexier body!

Here is the plan:

1. Make a plan! How much weight do you want to lose? REMEMBER to be realistic! It is recommended to lose 1-4 pounds a week (anything more than that can be hazardous of cause health complications).
2. Set a plan of action! How are YOU going to start working towards reaching your goals? Cutting out that midafternoon carbonated drink or sugary snack? Making healthier meals for you and your family? Drinking more water? Scheduling and completing the workouts for the week? YOU can set your plans into action. Seek the help of a personal trainer, nutritionists, or even ASK ME for advice!! It starts with eating right! The things that you consume should be fuel for your body! Eating the right things will allow your body to start making the right changes once you incorporate a regular workout routine.
3. Make a reward! What would you like as a reward for your hard work? Yes I know that you are not a dog and should not be rewarded with treats…but we are human…and having a reward gives you something to work towards. Even if it is shopping…a trip…or that black sexy dress you have wanted to buy. The reward has to be something worth working towards. Overall your main reward is looking…feeling…and living a healthier lifestyle which in the end will benefit your overall life! Now that….is the ULTIMATE reward!

So why not start NOW!? There is no more time to waste. Only YOU can make the change. There is no magic diet…or magic cream…or magic pill that can get you the results that you are wanting. You have to work hard for what YOU want and no one else can do it for you. It starts with exercise, healthy controlled eating, hard work, and patience. Remember results will not show up overnight. It will take about A MONTH for you to start seeing the results of your hard work…and trust me….when you start to see the results that is enough motivation to make you want to work harder to reach your overall goal!

So start today!

My name is Stephanie from Infinite Life Fitness. Please feel free to stop by my website for more health and fitness related tips!

Loc Maintenance || Tips for Loose Hair and Frizzy Locs

Youtubers Franchesca and DynamicRunner use the following technique to tame loose hair and frizzy locs:

 

Curls Confessions || Truth About Curls

If you have not heard about it yet, do check out Paul Mitchell's "Truth About Curls".  You can share "truths about life" with your curls, coils, or kinks at http://thetruthaboutcurls.com/.

What is your "truth"?

"Soul" Food Mondays || You Are Not Inferior

"No one can make you feel inferior without your consent." ~ Eleanor Roosevelt

It is in your power to determine whether you will be the ground that another person walks on, whether you will be the doormat, whether you will be the gum under another person's shoe.  No one can keep you underneath others but you yourself.

So, here is the moment of truth: Will you grant another human being the power to make you feel inferior?  or will you tear up the consent form?  It is up to you and only you.

Healthy Recipes || Simple Two-Ingredient Ice Cream

Two-Ingredient Ice Cream with a blueberry on top.

I first came across this recipe while on one of my favorite blogs: The Natural Selection.  I just had to try the ice cream since all that was required was a frozen banana, a little almond butter, and a few minutes of puree-ing in the blender.  And guess what?  It is so delicious!  It kind of tastes like a banana split - amazing!

This is my new "non-guilty" pleasure, and I say non-guilty because there is no sugar added.  There are also no ingredients-you-cannot-pronounce.  It's just a banana and almond butter (preferably natural).  How's that for healthy!?!

So, without further ado, here is the recipe (snatched from The Natural Selection) in a nutshell.  Feel free to modify it to your liking:

Ingredients:
1 banana
1 tbsp of almond butter
Note: I used natural peanut butter in place of almond butter, which worked just fine

Instructions:
1. Peel and chop the banana into quarters and freeze for at least 1 hour.
2. Blend on pulse with the almond butter.
3. Keep going until its whipped to a smooth consistency.
4. Pour into a bowl and enjoy or refreeze for later.

Optional: add berries, cocoa powder, honey, or anything else "delish and nutrish" (Cassidy's words)

Before puree-ing.

*smile*

Do you have any healthy dessert recipes you'd like to share?

2012 || Loo's Fall Regimen and Box Braid Love!

Not much is going to change in my actual regimen other than the ingredients for my Shea Butter Mixture.

SUMMER 2012: For the summer, it consisted of glycerin, aloe vera gel, honey, shea butter, olive oil, and coconut oil.  The glycerin and honey are both humectants and allowed for me to take advantage of the humid weather.  My twists would stay moist and supple for a week to week and a half.

FALL 2012: Since these next several months are going to be colder and drier, I am switching to a mixture of grapeseed oil, aloe vera gel, shea butter, olive oil, and coconut oil.  This combination will be thicker and act more like a sealant.  The plan is to apply this to freshly washed, damp hair or hair that has been spritzed with water.  This "sealant" will trap the water (moisture) into my hair.

Other than this change, I am toying with the idea of putting in box braid extensions for two months.  I want to retain as much length as possible for the remainder of 2012, and braid extensions have always been #1 (above my usual twists) for that.  However, I have not done them in few years because my hair has gotten so long.  I really want to try them, though, because the style is just so beautiful!!  We shall see.

So what are you changing in your regimen this Fall?

For my complete regimen, check the Regimen label above.  In the mean time, check out this tumblr site called "I Love Box Braids".  It's pretty sweet for some box braid porn.  Here's a snippet: