Words of Wisdom....

Testing 101 by Becky Capps

Before I attempt Weight Watchers...

Before I attempt Weight Watchers and get caught up in all of the Jennifer Hudson-size 2-hype, I am going to give it a go the old natural way. Back in 2009, I lost about 25lbs. just by eating right, drinking lots of water, and working out. I am not saying that I am not going to join Weight Watchers, but I am going to give Calorie Count a try. I used this before to track what I was eating and it made me more conscious about what I was putting into my body.

Calorie Count is basically a free online tool that tracks your food intake, activity, water, and weight in one spot. They have several tools that can help you get to your weight loss goals and also offers support groups that can help encourage you along the way. They also offer mobile apps to help you while on the go.

My plan of action while using the Calorie Count is to cut out all of the processed and fast foods, drink more water, increase my vitamins, and work out. We'll see how this goes for a month and if there isn't any results or I find myself falling off of the wagon, then I will give weight watchers a try. In my opinion, this is similar to Weight Watchers, only free and with less organized support. 

Other Random Information:

• Current weight: 196 (I'm not afraid to put it out there)
• Weight Loss Goal: 30lbs by 6/18/2012
• Food Strategy: Planning out meals in advance, no fast food, limit carbs after 7 pm, drink as much water as possible, limiting dairy
• Working Out: Try for at least 5 days a week
• Vitamins: For some of you that may not know this, I am a vitamin fanatic. If you got an ailment, I can find a vitamin, herb, supplement for you. I will be taking GNC's Women Ultra Mega Energy and Metabolism. Along with vitamin C for immunity. The only reason why I am not adding additional supplements while taking this vitamin is because its really complete and a better quality than what I was used to taking. The energy is ridiculous! Take them in the morning and you'll keep going, and going, and going. One of the best perks: no nausea.

WWYD...The Afterthought...

A couple of weeks ago I posted a WWYD question about HIV/AIDS and telling your partner about your status. Here is my response to it.

I wouldn't tell my partner about having HIV/AIDS...until the time was right. I think that waiting until you know a person and how they would possibly react to something that is such a serious matter. I wouldn't want just anyone knowing my status and not being able to trust them with something that is so personal. I wouldn't wait for a year, but I would most definitely feel the man out before I told them and see if its something that would go anywhere. Why tell something that you really don't have to?!?! I think that by the 4th date you would be able to feel a person out and know. BUT I wouldn't do anything of a sexual nature with them until I told him.

One of the best thing that anyone can do in a situation like this is be honest and truthful about their status. Also, educating their partner about the risks and the disease is important. So many times people think that they know everything about a disease, but actually just know what they've heard here or there. You may be surprised at how your partner may react to it--whether good or bad--but it will also let you know exactly what type of person they are and strengthen the relationship.

What's a Single Sistah to Do?

Recently, I have been very cynical in finding and falling in love. I realize that I cannot be this way. Lately, I have been throwing myself into my work as a way of avoiding not having a man to spend time with. I am a woman with standards and I am not just willing to settle for anyone. Normally, being single wouldn't bother me, but I feel like I am at a place in my life where things are good and I want someone to share that with. There is nothing wrong with that. I am not saying that I am planning my wedding or want to marry the next man that I meet, but do want some companionship. So from today on, I will only speak and think positive things about love. I am not going to go out looking for a man or have some convluted fantise of how great we will be together. I am going to start back praying for my husband and who knows I may even write a letter to my future husband and have it delivered one year from that date and see if it actually comes true.

Stay Tuned!

Protect Ya Ends Challenge: Week 2 & 3...oh wait, and 4!

Just an update on week 2 and 3 and what I plan for week 4. For week 2, I washed my hair with Aveda Nourishing Shampoo (the verdict is still out on that), conditioned with Yes to Carrots to help with detangling, and then made some deep conditioner. It consisted of: Some Redken hair mask that I was trying to get rid of, some Aussie Moist, Olive Oil, Coconut Oil, Glycerin, and Honey. I let that sit on my hair for about 4 hours. I fell asleep, so it got some extra conditioning. I washed it out and added Giovanni Direct Leave-In. Then, I added Shea Moisture Curling Smoothie, sealed with coconut oil, and braided my hair up to go under the wig. I must admit that I am getting a little tired of the wig and hope that trying a bun will change things up.

The one thing that I am noticing that since I am focusing on ends, my scalp is dry. Because of this, I am starting to massage my scalp with oils a couple of times a week. I want to get some jojoba oil from Trader Joe's in the near future, but for now I'll be using coconut oil.
For week 3 and 4, I will be wearing a bun.
Here is the bun that I created following some YouTube videos. For week 4, I will be using different hair, this really doesn't match the texture, and making it a little bigger and higher on my head. I am still trying to figure out the best way to slick edges and make them last for the whole day (FYI: I am using Eco styler gel).  I am still moisturising and sealing my ends. During weeks 3 and 4, I will be doing a co-wash with Aussie Moist once a week.




Up close of the edges.




For week 5, I really don't want to go back to the wig...thinking about some crochet braids. Actually, hoping that my income tax comes through and I can get some box braids put in.

Until next week...

Words of Wisdom...

Facets of Fuchsia: Fail

In my mind, there are very few nail polishes that don't look good on my nails or with my skin. I saw this polish on another blogger's website and decided to give it a try. Normally, when I search for polishes in stores they never have it and I end up getting it online. Well, not this time. I was actually able to find Facets of Fuchsia by Revlon at my local Target.  I couldn't wait to try it!





I just knew that it would look great on my nails. Boy, was I wrong. I tried the polish on and it went on really sheer for it to be a black base with fuchsia hexagon glitters. After the third coat, I finally got some color pay off.




It was something about the color that was just...off. Or if it was the length of my nails, but to me it just did nothing for me. This might just be a polish that I wear on my toes. The formula is too watery for me and the color isn't what I thought that it would be. And it has the nerve to chip easily. I don't know if you can see it, but its kind of blotchy looking with the black underneath.

For me, Facets of Fuchsia was a fail =( Maybe I will try the Deborah Lippman one and see if its any better.