Rollersetting Challenge

As I stated in the last blog post about my hair update my goal was to stay away from using direct heat like the flat iron and curlers as possible and after reading Ebony's from Longing 4 Length blog about her roller setting challenge and roller setting tips and also other alternatives to roller setting I am more inspired to adding weekly roller sets into my regimen. First things first I had to find a method that would work for me and the traditional Mohawk method isn't for me right now and I do know why.

Roller setting is all about rhythm and right now that's something I don't have because I don't do it consistently so that's one thing and also I am trying to concentrate on how my hair is less puffy and frizzy... so that's when I chose to do the ponytail method instead because it's a little quicker to set. The results were OK but But I do know that maybe I need to make smaller sections and also start this earlier in the week instead of Saturdays so I can give my hair time to flatten and also I need more drying time...cause my hair needs to be 100% dry for this to work and just a hour and a half won't cut it cause my hair is thick.... and also I need saran wrap to do the silk wrap and not a plastic cap and a hair net cause that doesn't work for me cause I heard that it needs to be tight around the hair. So I will practice on how to perfect the ponytail method and then maybe I can get a hang of the Mohawk method...I think my hair would respond to this better than air drying just because I heard with the ponytail method, it stretches out your new growth but I normally don't wear my hair down when I stretching between relaxers to avoid unnecessary manipulation at the line of demarcation (where my natural and relaxed hair meet) so I won't get any breakage. So that's my plan to avoid heat is too roller set....this month in March will be magnetic roller and satin pillows rollers. When I get paid at the end of the month I will get the caruso steam rollers and then try the curl formers and  some things called the Beach Wave rollers....so I will have fun with this challenge cause I will learn even more how to do my hair on my own and to be less dependable on others to style my hair.

On another note, I think it's time to change my relaxers because maybe the ORS isn't straightening my hair as it should and leaving it under processed which I don't want so I will be on the lookout for a new relaxer. Maybe not the next one that is scheduled in April but later on. so that's where my focus is as far as my hair so I will be doing this probably until the fall idk....

Update on my weight loss journey

Well so far it's going ok just have been dealing with a few set backs....I don't know if this is the first phase of weightloss when you've been eating unhealthy for so long that your body still craves these things and if you don't give it what it "wants"  then it would make you sick. I think that's been my story for the past two weeks because I've gotten constant headaches and crazy nausea and I even threw up one day after lunch when I was at work

I have been drinking water during the day and replacing junk food (mainly cookies) with fruits like apples, oranges, grapes and bananas..and if i do go to a fast food place like Wendys or McDonalds honestly Wendys has been my spot lately I would just get my favorite Asiago Ranch Chicken Sandwhich and instead of fries I would just get a salad lol and fruit punch which I am slowly but sure trying to give up but at least I am drink more water than juice.

Another thing two is that I have to tell my husband to get different thins because this called a force of habit is another factor as well.

Also I purchased this book that my husband told me about. The name of the book is called "Lose Weight Without Dieting or Working Out."

(image via amazon.com)

I'll be honest when I first heard of the title I wasn't interested at  first because I watched a lot videos on Youtube on weight loss and i read a lot of blogs and articles and all i heard was that they were successful by dieting and working out making lifestyle changes. But once i did a little research and read a few sample chapters from her website, I was hooked and wanted the book immediately and nagged my husband about it until i finally got it through Barnes and Noble. This book opened my eyes to a lot of things I didn't know when it came to weightloss because right now I'm still in the learning phase and taking things really slow and steady. This book explains why dieting (i.e. Atkins, Jenny Craig, Weight Watches, etc.) doesn't work permenately cause after while you're gonna start craving others foods and sooner or later you're gonna get off the diet and gain the weight back and she also explains why exercising alone won't work either because you'll just eat the calories you burn and it'll be a waste of time. What really had me thinking a lot about what i was eating is what was being left behind in my system after it's been digested leaving toxins in my body and she really breaks down how foods are digested and how things like sugar, white carbs, and trans fat affects the body. She basically explains that weight gain isn't based onjust being lazy and overeating alone...this is when she breaks down about how hormonal imbalances contribute to weight gain and also encourages you to detox in order to get rid of the toxins in your body. She also explains what she calls the "DEM System" which stands for Detox, Eat and Move. Detox your body to cleanse you inner body from waste and toxins, Eat healthy and eating clean unprocessed foods, and Move around learning how to be physically active just by doing different things to just get you moving.  So technically she doesn't talk against dieting and working out...she just explains that even diet processed foods ( frozen dinners and canned...man made from a factory)  isn't healthy. So I'm learing how to eat healthier by eating clean and slowly but surely staying away from fast food joints and start learing how to prepare my favorites at home when my husband or mother-in-law doesn't feel like cooking.

So far I like this book and I have learned so much...another place I've been reading is Erika Kendall's blog called "Black Girls Guide to Weightloss" she also encourages clean eating as well as working out at home. So am gaining a lot of info that I will be applying into my weightloss journey. I have been concentrating mainly on my eating habits because it's far more imperative towards a successful weightloss than just exercising alone. So far I'm doing ok I do have a long way to go. Am I going to do the DEM System...Yes I am. I want to start in two weeks just so I can have an ideal on how to stick with this without yielding to temptation cause the first three weeks is of course The Detox Phase which is avoiding the Big 6 foods. If I can remember without the book in my face its no Caffeine Drinks, Sugar, Starches, Meats, Dairy, and Alcohol (which won't be a problem cause I don't drink). But Mainly eating fresh fruits and veggies, Whole grain cereals, salads, beans and nuts... I will be trying to find some healthy recipes that are easy for me since I don't cook.

This won't be easy but I do wanna lose weight and get healthier....
 So Please continue to pray for me as I transition into a healthier life style and way of eating and living...
This was a little lenghty somewhat but as you call tell I have learned a lot.

Hair Update

Well here's another update on my hair...

I was 12 weeks post this time when I relaxed on Friday February 3rd....using the ORS Relaxer as always. The only problem I had was that I had a burn on the right side or my head in the front due to scratching but I knew that was gonna happen....next time I need all the products to do a relaxer and I didn't have everything I needed because I went to Wal-mart instead of the BSS because it closed. I try to hell my husband that I like going to the beauty supply better because what I need is in there...not wal-mart cause they sell all sulfate shampoos anywho...I got a relaxer and I have some lenght....ya'll I think I made it to APL I am so excited and I wanna go longer....a part of me wants to see how long it can really get.


I am planning on changing some things lie making my regimen less complicated. I realized that I am not a stylist and I putting unnecessary manipulation to my hair and I am really focusing on the overall health of my hair. I have decided that I am going to do a roller setting challenge…EbonyCPrincess from youtube did one from her blog which as called Longing 4 Length…I didn’t join it cause I don’t have all the proper tools to start but I plan on starting in March after I get a few things.

A new dryer from Beauty Max

I want Caruso Rollers as well

I saw the results that the other ladies have and I really wanna limit the amount of heat I’m using cause I want my hair evened out.
So that’s my goal and hopefully I’ll be full APL by my hair journey anniversary which is October 31^st which will be two years. I am also trying to overcome my fear of getting trims so I am setting one for April after my next relaxer because I need one it’s been a while and I want my ends to stay healthy but I don’t wanna lose any length but I have to in order to remain having healthy hair. This is my update so far so I will continue to keep going.

My Weight Loss Journey...lets get started

Well it has been a while since I blogged. Either because I've been busy or just didn't have anything to talk about. I've been trying to blog about this topic for the past two weeks but I was busy one week and last week my cousin had it cause he had a report to do.

Ok enough about that let's get started. Today is Monday February 6, 2012...today I made a sound decision to start my weight loss journey. To be honest, I was gonna push it back to next week because I was gonna go to Wal-mart yesterday to buy a few things to get started for at least two weeks but it was my mother's birthday and plus I was in church all day and it was the Super Bowl weekend of course. I went to Red Lobster with my mother, grandmother and aunt and it got too late so I ended up not going. I was like " Well I'm not prepared" so I'll just push it back till next week...the I was like "No...cause if I push it back this time then I just keep pushing it back and then I won't do it." So even though I didn't go to the store yet I am still starting.

This week will start off with me drinking more water....since I don't drink much of it like i should I will be taking it slow. This is what this journey is all about right??? Taking small gradual steps towards a lifestyle change so this week will be me drinking water. This week will be after every meal because right now I am still used to drinking juice....I am not really for sodas like that I would only drink it when there nothing else in the house to drink so right now I am just trying to take it one day at a time.

The next week will be me adding more water to my schedule and also cutting out sweets...which will certianly be a challege because I have a sweet tooth. I like cookies mainly above all things. So the only thing I know of is go for fruit. From memory I believe I haven't eaten my favorite grandma cookies for maybe two weeks I think. So when I do get a craving for a cookie I've been eating strawberry fig newtons to satisfy my want for a cookie.

As far like lunch and dinner I've been eating salads and also trying to cut out going fast food and eating more home cooked meals than processed. I don't cook often that's my husbands passion. So I am trying to take things little by little. So This is what I have so far. I will be doing updates as far as what I doing with my weight loss journey. I am focusing right now on eating healthier and "drinking" healthier. This will not be easy but I will not give up and I have so many things to consider now that I am getting older.

I also have three lovely ladies on youtube that I watch to keep me motivated...which is MakeupGeek, Beautifulbrnbabydol and DivaSlimsDown...who has been my biggest inspiration....all these women has lost over 100 pounds and looks great. My goal right now is to lose 60 pounds for now i have my husband, and my mother to hold me accountable and most of all I have the Lord on my side.

The next thing I need help on is eating healthy when I'm out of town lol....


Please pray for me...Be Blessed

What I've Learned

Over the last two to three months I have been doing some research about weightloss since I am really trying to get the mindset of doing this cause I really need to come down....

Cause just over the last few weeks I've been really tired. Some nights it was because I went to bed late and didn't get much sleep and also I am trying to get my prayer life back on track...and other nights I'll go to bed at a decent time but when I get to work I am still tired like I just have no engery at all. I don't drink coffee or take caffine pills because somehow caffine make me really sick in my stomach even when I do eat something so I stay away from it. It's bad enough it seems as if I'm nasueous every day I don't wanna make it worse. My body is just not where it needs to be. I've done good staying away from energy drinks cause I hear they give you a sugar crash....

I gotta get my health back in order cause this is effecting so much in my life....

Over the past few months I've been watching Youtube Videos, and reading blogs and articles on weightloss and eating right and this is what I learned from reading them all.

1. Portion control is very essential ( This is a major issue because I have been praticing by using smaller plates and trying to pay attention to when I get full and not overstuff myself)

2. Drinking water (this has been a lifelong struggle....I think that I that the most calories I have been consuming is in what I am drinking cause I like flavor in my drinks so this is like the main thing that I have to beat)
3. If you burn more calories than you consume then you will lose weight.....if you burn the same amount of calories you consuming then you will maintain...but if you are consuming more calories than your burning then you'll gain weight.

4. Good Carbs such as darker foods like green leafy veggies, whole grain bread and pasta, and brown rice

5. Stay away from cookies(ouch so hard I love cookies) Cakes (my pastors cakes are so yummy ughh) candies ( this won't be too hard being that I don't eat a whole lot of candy like that)
6. Starting slow and making it a habit is easier to stick with than just going cold turkey
7. I got this from MAKEUP GEEK on youtube...do what you like when it comes to weight loss cause if you don't like it you won't stick with it
8. Cardio and weight training I have heard to be a big thing with exercise and to also do for at least 45 mins to an hour
9. Switching up the workouts with keep your body steadily working so that it doesn't get used to the routine...and also avoiding a major plateau
10. The heavier you are the more you lose at first because you body requires more effort and calories to workout (I think I got that right....I think it was said over 250lbs....I'm 253 so maybe I'm in that category idk)
11. How could I forget this...this should have been at the top..eat 5-6 small meals day. Like breakfast, snack, lunch snack, dinner and maybe water. (I heard from Passion Jones on youtube the her father told her to drink water after dinner and she wouldn't be hungry)

As far as what I eat....I am gonna start with eating the right things and eliminating the foods that aren't good for me before I start counting calories because I am still a little confused about it. So right now I wanna learn how to eat right and have it work with my lifestyle.

I have been eating breakfast somewhat not everyday which is what I am trying to do....i may eat some cereal or yogurt or maybe something from burger king or Hardees ( i think I need to cut out the starches and the sugar though) The yogurt is good but I think I need to add more fruit and fiber to my breakfast.

For lunch if I don't bring something from home like leftovers....I may eat a sub on "white" bread and fries (trying to cut out on the salt i. e. my blood pressure) or maybe a salad....so I do need to eat more veggies and fruit. I will be checking blogs and a few youtube vids on how I can eat good lunches

For dinner if my mother in law or my husband doesn't cook we'll go out to eat my last stop has been either Chinese or Wendy's (I love their Asiago Ranch Homestyle Chicken Sandwiches) so I can't completely cut out fast yet cause I have to get in the habit of learning how to cook better....so I will try to pick better choices.....

my snack I love cookies that's my weakness especially warm, fresh, and soft sugar cookies OMG.....

I mainly eat grandma cookies that you get out of the store the peanut butter is my favorite and they have to be soft not stale.....yuck. So I was thinking about an alternative for these cause honestly...I can eat two of these a day.....a day not a week...a day. These come with two cookies and for course you aren't just gonna eat one lol at least i don't. These cookies are 200 calories per cookie, 10grams of fat and 24 grams of carbs. Yeah and I said I eat at least two of these a day. So I was thinking about swapping these and substituting for Fig Newtons its about 90-100 calories and has no fat and some fiber lol...

As far as drinks which is my other weakness I love sweet drinks like tropicana juices and the tropicana twisters....I know for one it's high in sugar and I know that twister alone is 300 calories. So I plan to start with ligher juices with lower calories and low sugar. I do plan to lol be on water drinking schedule and try to start drinking more water than juice....As far a sodas I really don't drink that much soda anymore like I used too only when there's nothing left so I goal is to keep away from sodas and slowly wean myself off juice to drink more and more water.

As far as snacks I am starting to like special K bars...the strawberry and the vanilla are good and I will start tasting the fiber one bars.

As far as exercising I used to love aerobics...Denise Austin was my favorite. I think when I was 16 or 17 I used to workout twice a day and I lost the weight quickly but I gained it back when I stopped because I still wasn't eating right. I was drinking the Slim Fast shakes as a replacement meal but I was still eating what ever i wanted and was eating late at night. I have gotten better at that but I can't say that I can just stop at 6 or 7 because I get off at work at 5 and the lastest I get home is at 6. So I was thinking that maybe I will do a cut off time when me eating very heavy and eating like lighter foods like salad and fruit or something. I also like walking...cause it's any easy thing to do. All you need is some music and you're good to go.
So My next post will be like a exerising plan and I shopping list for foods. My goal for next year is to strat going to the grocery store and stay away from fast foods unless I have nothing at home and with that I will order a salad or something....

This Christmas

Well this christmas I am in Waycross, Ga...with my husband, my best friend Tenisha, her sister Tamara and Alden. I got three things for christmas. A laptop which I am using right now and I love it, an outfit and a new wedding ring set from Kay Jewelers. Itell you I love this man. He's so good to me I have to give him something...having a man like I have honestly makes me  want to be a better wife. I apreciate everything he does for me and I am looking for better days ahead wuth him. I love you Alajuwon.

Other than that I didn't do too much i got some rest that I really needed last week at work was very hectic for me and it's only gonna get even more crazy but my supervisor will be on vacay all next week and I will be enjoying it to the fullest.

I basically spent my holidays with the Flynns. My uncles do a concert every year and this time I lead a sing which was a great honor to me and i believe they were pleased. I thank God for him blessing me for this i am very grateful. I always enjoyed seeing my grandparents and my aunt, uncles and many cousins but one person was missing......my Dad. As I stated in my last post, my father died three years ago but it feels like he just couldn't make it and is still in Atlanta working. It's still hard to believe that He's gone sometimes I do get emotional and I guess after three years I would be better than I was in 2008 and I am a lot stronger than I was but it still hurts sometimes I still wanna cry and hope I hear him tell me it's ok.

I try not to blame myself for the things that happened in the past between him and myself and also with my mother. Oh how I wish things were different but I cannot change everything. Oh how I wish I could take back the things I did or didn't do or even what I thought but I cannot. All I can is that I loved when I was 3, when I was 12 when I was 19 and now that I am 26. I love you Richard Venturi Flynn and I always will...

What's been going on

Well it has been a minute since I blogged because I haven't really had anything to blog about but I will do another post about my Hair update later.

A lot has been going since October until now. My uncle-in law passed away November 7th due to complications from diabetes that later led to cardiac arrest. He had been sick and had been suffering a very long time and God saw it fit that it was time to call him home. His death was a shocker to my in-laws.... the first to die out 12 kids. Yes 12 kids....my mother in law is the oldest. I saw a lot of people hurt and confused and just in shock. My husband was very hurt and I aslo saw things all but too familiar...I went through the same thing three years ago only it was my father, he died on November 29th 2008 from a heart attack and was the first to die out of 8 kids and the effect was the same. After My uncle Tony's death a lot wasn't the same and the family is slowly and surely getting their lives back on track. Also my husband grandmother was hopsitalized as well during my uncle's death and burial. So please continue to pray for the family of Anthony B. James as well as the family of Richard V. Flynn.

A lot of things were also going on between my husband and I as well not bad but well a bit stressful. Just things that young married couples go through but in the end the Lord blessed us with a new car and it was the car that I always wanted...a Honda Accord. It's a 2004 Honda Accord.  I thank God from His Blessings and Never ending favor on me and husband.

Ok now for the reasoning for this title of this post. It's true I really do need to tighten up on a lot of things with home, church, my job, my personal life etc. My husband has really been doing his thing I have to say that I am very proud of him and I love him dearly for it. Lol while I'm sitting at home or at work scratching my head about things he already took care of it. I think that have been lacking a lot of things lately. Well with cooking just to let it be known in my marriage my husband is the cook of the relationship....and this was established way before we got engaged. But I am starting to realized that things will change and expectations will change as we get older...

I want to do more as far as me being a better wife and woman of God. I mean my prayer life slacked off and I haven't been in my bible as well and I've been called out on my bluff many times so I am praying that God supplies my needs in these areas.