Mane Chic Amber

According to Merriam Webster’s definition, mane is long and heavy hair on a person’s head.  Me personally, I don’t think it has to be long and heavy.  If you have hair growing from your head, then I consider this to be your mane.  Chic (pronounced sheek) is defined as smart elegance and sophistication.  With that being said,

Meet Mane Chic Amber!

How long have you been natural?

I've been relaxer free almost all of my life except about 5 years.  I got my first relaxer at age 15 when I was in the middle of my 10th grade year.  My hair was almost bsl but I got tired of getting it pressed with a pressing comb every two weeks and worrying about what the weather would be like, if my hair would poof or shrink up due to rain or mist...crazy.  I wore my hair relaxed from 1989 to 1994.  Transitioned in 1994 and got my last relaxer December 24, 1995.  I'll never forget that last date because while rinsing the perm out of my hair, my hair rinsed down the drain of my shower right along with the perm, leaving me with a short thin pony tail with broken off edges all around my hair line. In the previous years I'd never had a relaxer cause my hair to fall out so badly.  Normally it was breakage that resulted from the relaxers I was using.  Luckily one month after that devastating loss, I became pregnant and within those 9 months my hairs density tripled and my hair length was at collar bone without any relaxed ends by the time I gave birth to my son.  After that I vowed never to put any chemicals on my hair and I have never looked back.  I'll be celebrating my 37th Birthday this coming November 29th!

What is your goal for your natural hair?

My journey is not transitioning from relaxed to natural it’s transitioning from heat damage and having healthy hair from root to tip.  It’s about getting my hair to reach its optimum health so I am able to reach my full growth potential.  May of this year I decided to give up my unhealthy hair care practices and since then have cut 1 1/2 inches off my ends since May 2010 (about 3 from the front bang area) to remove damage caused from blow drying and  flat iron use over the years.  I only use heat if I'm doing a deep conditioning treatment then I sit under the dryer for 30-45mins.  

How does your natural hair make you feel about yourself?

Liberating, proud, happy, beautiful, intelligent, confident, comfortable, and non- conforming.  I learned to embrace the shrinkage because it is what makes our hair so unique.  No other race of people have hair that shrinks when its wet and I am grateful to be one of those people.  I know wearing my hair natural enhances the natural beauty I hid for years.  although I was raised in a chemical free home my mother used to wash condition and press my hair every two weeks.  I would get my scalp greased with TCB Light Conditioning Hair dress and style it myself once it was straightened usually in a ponytail.  Not washing my hair often was one of the myths I fed into for years believing my hair would thrive and grow the dirtier it was.  Now, through trial and error I know my natural hair thrives with water and a clean scalp. I didn't understand what sebum was and how it can help increase my hair health however if not removed often it can also hinder my hair from reaching its full growth potential.  I feel beautiful with my natural hair!

  

If you could go back and change anything about your natural hair journey what would it be and why?

I would have stopped using heat on my hair or limited it to once or twice per year 15 years ago.  I feel like if I had not been a slave to the blow drying, flat ironing and known about the importance of protective styling, products that are harmful and proper pH balancing I'm sure my hair would be at waist length by now...at least I want to believe it would. I realize now my hair growth doesnt rely on a product I use, its the way I care for my tresses and proper handling of my hair that are the biggest part of growing my hair.  I have 3 different textures in my hair and going natural (without heat) has forced me to learn and adapt to caring for each texture and learning what products and care care technique work for each of those textures. I am very passionate about caring for my hair naturally as well as helping others care for theirs who may not have the style creativity or time to do it themselves. 

If you were to go on a hair product diet for 6 months by not using more than 5 products what would be in your stash?

For the record I am not a product junkie.  I realize it doesn't take having hundreds of products to know what works for my hair.  Water is the most important part of my hair care regimen.  Right now I am washing with Dr Bronners Castille soap and co-washing with Suave conditioner. Now that I am learning about the importance in pH balances I am looking for a replacement shampoo since Dr. B's pH is much higher than I thought and potentially damaging to my hair.   I haven't found a new shampoo however before I wash my hair again I will be making a trip to Whole Foods and will have a new sulfate free shampoo to use (thinking about trying Giovanni,  Aubrey Organics or Terressentials.  As far as conditioners go I love Organic Root Stimulator's Replenishing Conditioner so that would be two.  My third product would be my leave in and I would use Kinky Curly Knot Today, diluted with equal parts water in a spray bottle.  Fourth for styling I would use Cantu Shea Butter Leave In leaving the fifth product would be Kinky Curly Curling Custard.

What product have you found more than one use for?

Unrefined Shea Butter is not only a wonderful moisturizing sealant for my hair, it is also working wonders for the skin on my body, relieves dryness and softens the heels of my feet. Again I used to be the type who tried everything on the market, following advice of others on what’s a good product line or styling product in general and soon found it to be a waste of time and money. Now I focus on what works for me and when I am seeking any information from others its on health care practices like how to properly wash or detangle my hair and for styling ideas, not for product advice. I am still tweaking my regimen and hope within the next week to have found a shampoo that agrees with my hair to complete my regimen by November 1, 2010 to start my 1 year to 6 inches growth challenge!

What tips do you have for natural hair?

I try not to give advice and just share what I've learned works well for my hair.  At this point my focus is to learn my hair and which products will leave my hair healthy and with the styling results I desire.  One of the main lessons I've learned about maintaining hair health is that water is my hairs best friend regardless of what products I use!  I researched and learned about the importance of maintaining the proper pH balance for my hair which is 4.5 to 5.0.  Testing the pH in everything put into my hair is key to growing long healthy hair.

What is your staple style?

For me styling is the best part of being natural so much versatility.  This fall/winter season I will be doing a growth challenge (6 inches 11/10-11/11) so I'm wearing styles that will last at least a week if not longer.  Right now, my staple styles are twist outs and braid outs, but I am looking to try out styles that have more protection for my ends.  Cornrows will more than likely be my staple style of choice this winter, spring, and next summer.  I just love how they look; you can dress them up or down and still be chic!  I have been braiding with and without extension hair for over 10 years so I won’t be paying to sit in a salon and have someone else do them for me.  I love cornrows because they are 100% maintenance free.  Just throw on my satin scarf at night and wake up take it off and go!  I can add hair ornaments as well which really make my braids stand out and look beautiful.

If you had to choose one word to describe your hair what would it be and why?

Esoteric: Understood by or meant for only the select few who have special knowledge or interest.  No one knows my hair needs more than I do.  I am so passionate about how I to cultivate healthy natural hair, I never intend to stop learning ways to improve ways to care for my coils.  During my journey everything I learn and see works for me I will share with others.  My prayer is that every man woman and child that desires natural hair will have the tools to do so with confidence in knowing natural hair is just as easy to care for as chemically treated hair.  Peace N' Blessings to all and thanks for choosing me to be a Mane Chic!

Thanks Amber for sharing your Mane Chicness with us!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Indulgenceiskey

Work It Out Wednesday: How to Avoid and Relieve Stomach Cramps While Performing Your Cardio Activity

Have you ever been running, jogging, jumping rope, doing burpees, etc and felt your abdominals begin to cramp?  Another name for this cramp is the side stitch.  This can put a real damper on your workout.  Don't become discouraged.  There are things that you can do to help relieve and/or alleviate the cramps.

What causes cramps while running?
Cramps can be caused by lack of stretching, lack of hydration, eating too much or not enough before your workout, improper breathing and improper conditioning just to name a few.

Tips on how  to combat the cramps
Don’t Run on Full Stomach
Running on a full stomach often causes stomach cramps. Allow your body time to digest the food intake.  It is recommended that you do not eat or drink large amounts of liquids  for at least 2 hours before exercising as this can lead to electrolyte imbalance.  The most serious electrolyte imbalance involves abnormal levels of sodium (salt), potassium, and/or calcium in your body.  Bananas are a great source of potassium which can help keep cramps at bay.  If you feel thirsty or dehydrated while you are working out, drink a couple of small sips of water to hydrate yourself as dehydration can lead to cramping as well.

Pre-Stretch
It is very important to warm up or loosen your muscles prior to exercising.  Before you begin your full out cardio routine do a brisk walk, jog in place, etc then stretch your muscles.  You do not want to stretch cold muscles.

Breathing Techniques
When you encounter a cramp while you are running, decrease your pace and proceed with some deep breathing techniques. A common breathing technique to perform while running is to inhale for three steps and exhale for two steps. When you are running very fast, your breathing becomes more labored, so remember to slow down so that you can catch your breath. A small tip is to push out the stomach deep when you inhale and relax it when you exhale.

Strengthen the Lower Back and Core
Strengthen your lower back and your core.  This will help reduce the occurrence of stomach cramps or  the "side stitch" while running.  


Proper Conditioning
Don't start off too fast or at too high of an intensity level.  Start off at a steady and comfortable pace or intensity, then increase from there.  You don't have to be the star of the show  right off ;-).  This can lead to cramping and/or injury.

Don't let cramps put a damper on your workout.  Combat them and keep it moving!

Until Next Time,
Indulgenceiskey

Tia Dantzler Goody Bag Giveaway

Hello my darling readers!!  I pray that you all are having a marvelous Tuesday thus far.  Go and check out Tia Dantzler's blog and enter her Goody Bag Giveaway!  She is a natural newbie as well as a celebrity makeup artist.  She will be giving away the following items:

Goody Smooth Brush and Comb set
Goody Claw Clips (3-pack)
Goody Sure Fit Barrettes (2 styles)
Goody Sure Fit Headbands

Have a wonderful day!

Indulgenceiskey

Mane Chic Alicia

According to Merriam Webster’s definition, mane is long and heavy hair on a person’s head.  Me personally, I don’t think it has to be long and heavy.  If you have hair growing from your head, then I consider this to be your mane.  Chic (pronounced sheek) is defined as smart elegance and sophistication.  With that being said,

Meet Mane Chic Alicia!

How long have you been natural?

2 years since the end of September

What is your goal for your natural hair?

My goal is to keep my hair healthy and eventually waist length.

How does your natural hair make you feel about yourself?

Makes me feel free! I have never in my life felt this good about who I am and how I look. I feel like I found my true self!

If you could go back and change anything about your natural hair journey, what would it be and why?

I wish I would have known more about the natural hair community and blogs my entire first year. I would have been way more educated and would not have given up in the middle and start wearing extensions, because I did not know what to do with it.

If you were to go on a hair product diet for 6 months (summer through fall) by not using more than 5 products on your hair, what products would be in your stash?

Ha! Ha! Thank God, I don’t use more than 5 products! I would take buckets of water LOL! I Would also take my African oil, and Olive Oil conditioner.
  
What is your staple style?  Give a quick tutorial on your staple style.  If you have a picture your staple style, include it as well.

Most of the time when I am out, I wear my hair up in the Janelle Monae inspired updo.

Pull the hair all the way up, and then fold the hair back at the top to make a hump. BAM!

Video Tutorial here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTgEwq3z5Ks

What is one product that you have found to have more than one use and you used it on your hair?  For example, you look at the ingredients of your favorite body lotion and decide that it can be used as a great moisturizer for your hair.

LOL! Um…When I was using Shea Butter I thought about eating it! LOL! Just kidding okay maybe I did taste it! LOL!  I also use my African Oil to oil my skin, keeps it nice and soft!

What tips/advice do you have to share about natural hair?

I would say that having natural hair can be mentally and emotionally challenging. It’s not even about the physical change. It’s about how you can deal with embracing your new beauty, and also deal with the negativity from others that come along with it. Also, it’s hard and sometimes you will struggle with your hair and wonder if it’s worth it. Give it time and stay patient, eventually you and your hair will become one! 

If you had to choose one word to describe your mane, what would it be and why?

Simple, I would call my mane Fabulous, because it’s fabulous!!!! LOL!

Thanks Alicia for sharing your mane chicness with us!  You can see more of Alicia on her Blog and her Vlog.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Indulgenceiskey

Work It Out Wednesday: The Importance of Fitness From a Personal Trainer's Perspective

Hello my lovely readers!

Today I want to introduce to you Ramon (personal trainer) and his perspective on why fitness is important.  Enjoy!

Why is fitness important?
I think fitness is important because it's the core of healthy living that ranges from longevity all the way to an energy standpoint. Being fit, in my opinion, will pay dividends in other elements of your life that are indirectly related.

Why is it important to include weight training in your fitness regimen rather than just doing cardio all of the time?
Weight training is essential because it, simply put, builds up muscle. Weight training (and don't forget about stretching) is important, especially as you get older, to maintain healthy muscles around joints which can/will deteriorate over time.

What does your weekly workout routine consist of?
It consists of weight training 3-4 times a week (hour max) and cardio at least once a week but up to 3 times.

Do you have a special eating plan that you follow. If so, would you share it with us?

Well this one is interesting. I do not have a specific eating plan that I follow. I think it's important to know your body as far as eating goes. I've heard people say "this will go straight to my thighs"...and then eat it.  Once you know your body, I think you need to establish what your goals are for your body from that point and then let that dictate what your eating habits should be. I believe most of us over 21 know what we should/could eat and the effects it will have.  It's discipline, based on what you want to accomplish.

Will a female become bulky by lifting weights?

Here's a simple answer. Females won't become bulky as easily because of the genetic differences but you can/will put on mass by lifting heavy weights.  Once again you need to know your body and know what maximum weight you can lift on different exercises. This will determine how much you should be lifting depending on your abilities. Too often people try to start working out with a partner and do what they do (injury risk) or guess and only do a percentage (not efficient).

Will a female gain weight while lifting weights?

Well that's another interesting point...weight. Too often the men want the weight gain (I was one) and the women want the weight loss.  It should be more so lowering your BMI and most importantly the LOOK.  You may not lose weight if you incorporate the weights into your exercise but you will know if you're benefitting with the size change, appearance change, and the "feel" of muscle compared to fat.

What is BMI?   

Body Mass Index.  The ratio of fat vs. muscle based on your body composition or make up.

It looks as if you are very disciplined. What is the key to staying disciplined and maintaining what you have accomplished?
Mind over matter. Being healthy/fit/active is a lifestyle change. I think once you work in the fitness to your life as a regular part (like we do everything else) you will see the benefits before you know it.  I have my weak moments too, but I try to not "reward myself" too often and not let myself get too busy where I neglect my health for too long a period of time. It's easier to modify than it is to start from scratch.

Is there anything else that you would like to share with us?  

Yes. I have some key POINTERS.

• Trick your body by changing up workouts, even if it’s just a different position.
•   Know your limits
•  Know your body response time
• Make it a habit

Thanks Ramon for giving us this wonderful information!  Don't forget to check out his BLOG! 

Until Next Time,

Indulgenceiseky

Out and About

Happy Thursday Everyone!

I was out and about last week and I wanted to share some photos with you all.  I attended a grand opening for Bella Epique,  a Salon and Makeup Bar.  I also attended Tamara Floyd’s 4-year Nappiversary at Cafe 4212.  She is the creator of Natural Hair Rules.  I had a blast and it was fun meeting new faces and networking.  Take a look and enjoy!   

 Front of Bella Epique

Alicia James Check her out here

Tamara of Natural Hair Rules thanking us for helping her celebrate her 4 yr Nappiversary

Rasheeda of Golden Divine Touch  She had her wonderful handmade earrings on display

 Sotina (in black) from Simone And Blush


Below are pictures of  other Naturalistas in the mix

 

Have a wonderful day!
Indulgenceiskey

Work It Out Wednesday: Food Journaling

What did you eat this past weekend?  What did you eat yesterday?  What did you eat this morning?  If you answered each of those completely, then you are on it!  For those of you who didn’t, I have something for you.

Many times we find ourselves working out regularly and eating “kind of” right, but the scale still seems to tip in the wrong direction.  One solution that I have found to be eye opening and helpful is the process of food journaling.  This helps with being accountable.  This helps keep a tab on what you have eaten and how much of it you ate.  One key to food journaling is to do it each time you put something in your mouth, whether it is one almond, a bottle of water, a piece of gum, etc.  You will be surprised at the amount that you ate or didn’t eat during the course of a day.  I am not saying to carry your journal with you everywhere you go throughout the office but whenever you do get a few cookies from Mary in the next cube or you taste Ricky’s homemade banana nut bread, be sure to journal that as soon as you can. 

 

Did you know that the key to weight loss is to burn more calories than you consume?  I know it sounds simple but that is where most of us go wrong.  Sure, we only had one bagel with a little smear of cream cheese, but what we didn’t know was that accounted for almost 400 to 600 calories.   This doesn’t include the orange juice or beverage of choice.  Depending on how many calories you try to eat or not eat in a day, those calories are a significant portion of your intake.  Believe me, I am not a fan of counting calories but when I do I really begin to see how important watching your calories can be.  Every little calorie contributes to something.  If you journal what you eat then at the end of the day or week you can go to Calorie King to tally up your total caloric intake.  Calorie King allows you to search for a specific food and it gives you that item’s total calorie amount.   

Weight loss is the result of 80% of what you eat and 20% of exercise.  I have a suggestion.  For one week try to journal your food and at the end of the week take a look at what you have written down.  If you want to take it a step further, get a sewing measuring tape and measure your arms, thighs, midsection, etc at the beginning of the week and then retake your measurements at the end of the week to see if you have had any positive results.  If it turns out that you didn’t have positive results, revisit your food journal and see where you went wrong.  

Be accountable.  Let’s get and stay fit! 

Until Next Time

Indulgenceiskey

Mane Chic Donnette

According to Merriam Webster’s  definition, a mane is long and heavy hair on a person’s head. Personally, I don’t think it has to be long and heavy.  If you have hair growing from your head, then I consider this to be your mane.  Chic (pronounced sheek) is defined as smart elegance and sophistication.  With that being said, let's welcome my first locked Mane Chic personality!

Meet Mane Chic Donnette!

How long have you been natural?

I have been natural for over 20 years—really since I got rid of my terrible, 2-month-old  jheri curl when I went away to college in 1985!  I have done everything from the box fade with side parts, the “Grace Jones”; the ‘wave neouveau’ (?) and an ‘S’ Curl.  

What is your goal for your natural hair?

I had been wearing my hair in a low afro for years and I loved it and had no intentions of ever changing it! But about 4 years ago, a friend of mine made the decision to loc her hair and she challenged me to let mine grow instead of cutting it each month.  Well. I have never been one to back down from a challenge so….for the first time in 20+years,  I now have hair that is longer than 2-3 inches—my locs are shoulder length and I have been growing them for 3 years.  Now, I simply want it to get to the stage where I can have some real fun with it—like creating ‘up-do’ hair styles like French rolls, and twists, etc.   Who knows how long I will keep them (since I consider myself to have “hair ADD”) but this is the longest I have had any one style.  Whatever happens, though, I will never go back to a chemically processed hair style.

     

How does your natural hair make you feel about yourself?

I have always loved my natural hair.  It fits my fashion style and my life style.  I love the ease of it and the fact that I do not have to spend hours a day “doing” my hair. I love how my hair makes me feel about myself—fierce and confident.   I am very ‘low maintenance’—whatever that means— and I will always choose sleep over primping.  My natural hair allows me to look my best in very little time.  I am a tennis player and I sweat a lot so, not having to worry about a fresh perm being ‘sweated out’, is a plus…I just wash and go!  Hair to me is just like any other fashion accessory and therefore you should be able to change it at a moment’s notice.  My natural hairstyle allows me to do just that.

If you could go back and change anything about your natural hair journey, what would it be and why? 

Nothing…I would not change a thing.  I made the change out of necessity when I went away to college and it was a wonderful decision.  College was a time of self discovery but even prior to then, I was not a person who was overly concerned about hair.  I have always been fairly impatient though, and when the new sensation the ‘jheri curl’ came out in the mid 80s, I just had to have one!  At the time I still had a perm and I knew that you should not get a curl on top of a perm but…I wanted one.  So off to the local beauty school I went to get one.  Naturally, it did exactly as promised…my hair began to break off!  That was when the decision was made for me to cut it all off and go natural.   With the exception of my dad, everyone has enjoyed the different metamorphoses my hair has taken over the years.  My dad has always said, “When are you going to let your hair grow back?”  My response?  “When I don’t have to worry about keeping it curled all day or worry about sleeping in hair rollers, I will.”  Well, that time is now.  It has grown back but now I do not have to worry about any of those traditional hair grooming ideas!   Incidentally, my father is the only man that has ever said that to me—every other man in my life has LOVED my hair—no matter how I wore it!

If you were to go on a hair product diet for 6 months (summer through fall) by not using more than 5 products on your hair, what products would be in your stash?

 Everyone would be surprised because I do not think I have as much as five products that I use on my hair!  Let me see…I would have to have olive oil…just the regular old run of the mill supermarket brand of olive oil..  I use it as a moisturizer for my hair and scalp; I would also have witch hazel—I use it as an astringent to rinse my scalp, especially after a tennis match.  I mix the witch hazel with water—about 50/50 –place it in a spray bottle and use the solution to saturate my scalp and hair.  Then I rub it in vigorously to invigorate and cleanse my scalp; 3.  I would also have to have any Creme of Nature detangling conditioning shampoo.  I love the way it smells and the fact that I do not have to do a two-step process of washing and then conditioning—one shot does it all;  4.  Fragrance/essential oils—you know, the kind you buy from the ‘oil man’ at the mall—I have a fella who makes me a special oil blend which I put into my olive oil before using it in my hair.  I won’t tell all of my fragrances here because it is a special blend—but I will say that the base oil is patchouli!  5.  I would have to say my 5^th product is my bonnet dryer!  Does that qualify as a product?  I LOVE my new bonnet dryer because before I bought it, it took so long to dry my hair and I hate sitting under the dryer.   The bonnet dryer is perfect.  It gets very hot and it allows me to have some mobility while my hair is drying—besides, it is so secure on my head that the heat does not escape and burn my neck!

What is your staple style?  Give a quick tutorial on your staple style.  If you have a picture your staple style, include it as well.

 Mostly, I wear my locs down and framing my face but sometimes it gets in the way—especially now that it is getting longer.  Other times, to give my hair more body, I will twist it into Nubian knots while it is wet and then sit under the dryer until it is dry.  In the morning when I take the knots out, I have the most beautiful spiral curls which will last for about a week!  I even swoop it up into a loose chignon while it is spiraled and that is a lovely and sexy look also.  One word to the wise—invest in some extra long, heavy duty hair pins—you can get a pack of about 100 for about $3 at any beauty supply store (I thank my sister, Lyan, for that tip!).  And also buy lots of scrungees—I go through those like water—my hair demolishes cheap scrungees but still I get mine at the Dollar Store—I stock up on them whenever I am there.  I keep both scrungees and hair pins in my bathroom, my purse, my car and in my desk at work—you never know when you will need to do a ‘quick change’ in the middle or at the end of the day!

What is one product that you have found to have more than one use and you used it on your hair?  For example, you look at the ingredients of your favorite body lotion and decide that it can be used as a great moisturizer for your hair.

 That has to be my olive oil!  I use it on everything and everywhere—hair, face, body, hands, feet etc.   For about $5 you can get a 16 – 20 oz bottle which usually lasts me about 1 ½ months and that is pretty good since I use it several times a day and on my hair and body.  Plus, I do mix it with fragranced oils and use different combinations on my hair and body.  Tip:  purchase an applicator bottle—like the ones used to apply hair color.  Put the oil in the applicator bottle and the pointed tip will help you apply the oil directly to your scalp daily. The applicator bottle also controls the flow of the oil so you will not overdo it,  Olive oil is very light and does not build up like some other oils.   It will not clog your pores or cause you to sweat (I should know because not only do I play tennis several times a week but  I go out dancing A LOT!).  It dissolves into the skin very quickly and if you use it on your skin while your body is still wet from the shower, you will get a lovely sheen (not a shine) which will last the entire day.  

What tips/advice do you have to share about natural hair?

FIRST:  Don’t fool with your hair.  Just leave it alone!  My grandfather had some of the most beautiful, curly, jet black hair I had ever seen in my life, and for years I thought that it must have skipped a generation or two because I didn’t see evidence of it in any of my siblings or family members.  But to my surprise, now that I have not been using a comb or too many chemical-filled products in my hair, when I look in the mirror, I see my grandfather’s hair at the root of my own hair!  When I discovered that for the first time, I was almost moved to tears.  To think that all this time, I did have my grandfather’s hair but because I had been fooling with my hair, I could not see it!  For years I spent a fortune trying to get that jet black, curly look, when all the time, all I had to do was do nothing.

 

FINALLY:  This for the men, fathers, brothers, lovers:  Please stop demanding that the women, wives, daughters, sisters and  lovers in your lives wear their hair in chemical styles because that is what YOU like and what YOU consider to be beautiful!  Natural hair does not mean unkempt hair.  Natural hair does not mean ugly hair, nappy hair, or dirty hair.  Natural hair IS beautiful—Natural hair is HEALTHY hair---Truth be told, chemically treated hair is the real unhealthy hair. 

If the women in your lives choose to take the step to go natural, encourage them and do not let them feel ‘less than’ because of their decision.  We do such damage to each other’s self-worth and self-esteem by making each other have to stick to some misplaced sense of what is beautiful…it is sad, really. 

If you had to choose one word to describe your mane, what would it be and why? 

That word would be STRONGBEAUTIFULANDHEALTHY!  What do you mean that is not one word?  Well, how about SUPERCALIFRAGILISTICESPIALIDOCIOUS?  Either way, they both mean the same thing.  I choose either of these words because my hair really is all that and from the compliments I receive everyday from young and old (my students, colleagues, friends and strangers on the street!)—I am not the only person who thinks so!  My hair makes me feel good, and as all women know, when you feel good about your hair, all is right with the world—then you can’t help but exude confidence!

In closing, I want to thank my niece, Cierra, who was your ‘Mane Chic’ feature story on September 24^th, for getting me hip to this blog-site!  She text me before she sent in her post and when I read it, it was lovely—like she is—I am so happy she has decided to go all natural!.  I definitely was impressed and immediately wanted to send my own story in.  After I told her what I wanted to do, she told me how she went about doing it but made me promise to give her a “shout-out”!  So, here goes….Hey Cierra…What’s up!  I also want to send a shout-out to my niece Zhané, who at 16, is struggling to make her own transition to the natural side…hang in there Né— you can do it, just a little while longer!  

Thanks Donnette for showing us your Mane Chicness!


Have a wonderful weekend!
Indulgenceiskey

Work It Out Wednesday: Stretching

Hello my lovely readers!    

I want you all to do something for me.  Think back…..when was the last time that you gave your muscles a good stretch?  Well if you had to think back further than a week, then keep on reading.  For those of you that do stretch on a regular basis keep on doing it and you keep reading as well.  I am not leaving anyone out.

 

Did you know that:

•  We have over 600 muscles in our body
• Stretching helps improve your flexibility
• Stretching your muscles helps to prevent injuries
• It is normal for people to lose about 1 percent of their lean muscle mass per year after the age of 40. (Taken from here)

     

I could go on and on with the benefits of stretching, but just from the short list alone, you can see that stretching is very important.  With over 600 muscles in our body, something has to be done to keep them up to par.  We have muscles that we can control and ones that we cannot.   For the ones that we have control of, we should at least maintain them.  After any type of exercise, you should stretch.  Your muscles will become tight and therefore shorter.  You have to stretch in order for them to lengthen back out and grow. 

Have you ever began your day and realized that you were sore in a particular area?  Well that could have resulted from numerous things, but when it comes down to it stretching is a part of the solution to you relieving the soreness.  

When you are flexible, you become less prone to injuries than others who are not.  I am not talking about karate kid flexible, but flexible enough to move your muscles freely without much resistance or tension.  Think about this; if you sat down in your car and bent the wrong way or stepped up into your Truck/SUV and pulled up the wrong way, you could set yourself up for an injury.  I know that might sound simple but injuries do occur from simple movements which will usually tell you that you need to stretch more. 

Losing muscle may not produce a red flag for you, but if it does just remember that you can lose what you don’t use.  Get into your thinking pose again……. now think back  to when you use to run, walk more often, workout, or do some type of physical exercise.  Your muscles had a nice little shape to them.  Now take a look at them now.  You can see that the shape is not there like it used to be.  It’s because you have lost some of that muscle.  I am not saying that your muscles will just disappear completely but you can see a difference.  Even if you work out often, if you skip a week here or there, you still lose some muscle.  It might not be a lot, but there is a little reduction there.  

Be careful while stretching and hold each stretch at the point of mild tension or tightness, not to the point of pain.

DO NOT stretch cold muscles as they are more prone to injury in this state.  Warm them up first with some type of cardiovascular movement.

DO NOT stretch after muscle strains or ligament sprains.

DO NOT stretch when muscles or joints are inflamed, infected or hurt.

DO NOT stretch after a recent fracture.  

Here are few ways that you can incorporate stretching into your daily routine or life. 

• When you are applying your lotion to your legs stay bent over for about 10 seconds then come back up.  Do this for a total of 3 times for 10 to 20 seconds. 
• While you are sitting at your desk at work, monitoring the kids in the hallways, walking to your car, etc stretch your arms.
• Stretch while you are watching the news or your favorite TV program

Click on this link to see photos and directions for stretching exercises for you entire body.

I just want you all to become more aware of how important something as simple as stretching can be.  We only get one body so let’s treat it well and take care of it.