I'm Baaaccckkk! Did Ya Miss Me????

It's been some months since I've posted anything or even made a YouTube video.  I've been dealing with a physical issue that some days has been quite unbearable.  Once I'm back to normal I plan to make a video or two to share what's been going on with me and the thoughts in my head.  I tell ya, it's good stuff. :-) 

And to those of you who have reached out to check on me, thank you soooo much.  You're the best!

XOXO,
Mello

Hair Update

So far, my hair has been responding very well to the Jessicurl products. I haven't used the Kinky Curly Custard that often, but when I do, I'm pleased with the results. My normal regimen is to wash my hair weekly with Jessicurl Hair Cleansing Cream and then follow-up with Jessicurl Deep Treatment as my leave-in. I skip the conditioning step because it seemed like a waste to use the deep treatment, wash it out, and then put it back in.

There is one thing I'd like to try for my regimen and that is to use a plastic cap with a hooded dryer and heat to really get the ingredients from the deep treatment into my hair. And then follow up with some cool air to seal the cuticle. I think this will help to keep in moisture, though I'm not really seeing a problem in this area since I've been using the Jessicurl products. I think I just want to see if using this method will help me from having to put product in my hair every 2-3 days, but maybe once a week. We'll see how it works out.

On another note, my hair has been growing back nicely where I had the psoriasis issue. It's all just about the same length. Once again, I have to give thanks for the Jessicurl products because my hair has NEVER felt as moisturized and strong as it has now. When I started with the Jessicurl shampoo around September/October 2011, my hair was dusting my shoulders. Now it is about 2 inches from my bra clasp. My hair has never been that long especially in the days of relaxers.

Re-purposing Hair Tools

Recently, I came across a shampoo brush that I used years ago. I discontinued its use due to the negative effects it had on my hair and scalp. But I've found a new way of using the tool....to clean my hair brushes. What I do is rake the shampoo brush over my hair brushes to remove matted hair. Then I wash the brushes by using a little shampoo and water while continuing to rake the shampoo brush over them. This helps to remove dirt and oils. Great way of re-purposing a tool.

Weight Loss Chronicles - Weeks 9 & 10

Unfortunately, there's not much for me to report. :-( However, on a positive note, I haven't been eating everything under the sun and still maintaining the 10 pound loss. I'm hoping that this isn't a plateau. More to come....

Weight Loss Chronicles - Week 7 & 8 (What's My Motivation)

After reading a SparkPeople article on motivation and reflecting on where I am with this weight loss journey, I feel that it's time to take a deeper look at what has me leaning back towards the dark side of eating.  So I thought it might be a good idea to ask myself some questions for clarity.

1.  Why do I want to lose weight?

• Improve chances of getting pregnant and have a healthy pregnancy
• I want to look good for my class reunion
• Fit some of the clothes that are in my closet that I bought, but haven't been able to get in or haven't had on since my last weight loss
• Be able to look good in shirts and pants without my stomach hanging over
• Look good and get complements on how fit and young I look (I'm nearing the big 4-0)
• Be able to shop for clothes without feeling like I always have to go to the plus size section
• Look better with fad hairstyles because there is less weight in my face

2.  What is so great about sweets and fast foods?
There's something fun and exciting about sweets and fast food.  For sweets, I think it comes from the times in childhood when my dad would buy candy and give it to me when he came home from work.  I'd eat the candy and he'd twirl me around in the air.  I remember feeling good.  With fast food, again a childhood moment is that sometimes (when we had the money) my mom would buy McDonald's or Long John Silvers when we'd go to the city to see my grandmother.  We didn't have those types of places where we lived so it was a thrill.

Reflecting on these memories helps me to see that in my childhood I felt bored on most occasions, and when I did get excited food was often involved.  Even now when my husband and I go to certain restaurants, I get excited.  In addition, I do find that I have the same kind of excitement when planning and traveling for a trip.  It's the same concept as with food - in my childhood we didn't go anywhere that often, so when we did (whether to my grandmother's, to see my aunt, an amusement park, or historical site) I felt excited.  Even now that I'm grown, I'll get excited about traveling.  Another thing that excites me is going to the movies (moreso the drive in now than the theatre).  I really like movies and tv because its entertaining, shows other possibilities on how people live.  In essence, shows a lot of new things.

3.  What can help me stay motivated and on track?
Overall, I believe that the excitement from food, traveling, and movies/tv come from a break in what is boredom from routine.  I think what will help me stay on track is if I don't feel like I'm depriving myself from things I enjoy.  For food, I should follow the things I listed in the last update, but in addition plan to go to a place I really like once a week.  To keep from adding a lot of calories, I can add more exercise.  I seem to do well with watching Hulu on my phone while being on the treadmill. 

Now as far as for the Tuesday and Thursday days exercises, I need to think of something that can make it more exciting.  Bowling is an option and the cheapest days to go are Mondays or Fridays.  So for the weeks where the monotony needs to be broken we can exercise via bowling on Monday or Friday.  Another option is to change up the strength training routine and maybe do one of the SparkPeople Jump start cardio on Tuesday and the SparkPeople chair cardio on Thursdays.  Do one of the other fitness video exercises for cardio on Tuesday and choose a different one for Thursdays.  I think the key will be to change it up each month to keep boredom from setting in.

So overall, I've been maintaining the weight loss that I've already achieved, but I need to lose more.  Looking at some of the patterns learned from the past and my current motivations towards weight loss will be very helpful in my being more successful.  In addition, I have set a goal for myself to lose at least 10 pounds for the month of March.  Onward and upward!!! :-)

Importance of Water on Health and Well-being

I've never been a fan of water even as a child when we had what was called well water.  No matter how pure the water was, I could taste the minerals.  Now that bottled water is everywhere under the sun, I'm still not a fan.  It doesn't have the mineral taste, but it still makes me gag.  So I know to some degree it's a mental thing.  Do I have to put mind over matter when it comes to drinking water?  The answer is an unequivical yes. 

Before I went for my annual physical last year, I told a nurse about how every year I get jabbed numerous times in both arms when it comes time for labwork.  I wanted to know why this happens no matter who's taking my blood and what I can do to prevent it.  She emphasized drinking at least 8 glasses of water the day before my physical.  This would help my blood to be more hydrated, making it easier to find my veins.  So, I drank the water (gagging all the way through....j/k) and believe it or not, she was right.  The nurse only had to prick me once.  Thank God!!!!!!!

Another benefit of water pertains to mental health.  When the body becomes dehydrated, it affects the cells.  This could cause physical symptoms such as fatigue, headaches, joint stiffness, and other ailments.  As dehydration progresses it could lead to depressive symptoms such as sleep issues, low mood, further fatigue, and poor concentration.  Drinking more water could help to alleviate these symptoms.  But in either case, seeking the advice of a mental health or medical professional is best for diagnosis and treatment if dehydration is the cause.

And of course, here's the benefit from water that I'm looking for right now.....help with weight loss.  I've read a lot of health websites and one thing seems to be in common - drinking water aids in weight loss.  The concept is that if we drink a glass or two of water prior to each meal, it can assist with the "full feeling" so that we don't overeat.  In addition, the more calories that we burn via exercise, the more toxins that we shake lose in our body.  And since exercise causes a loss of water from the body, drinking water helps to replenish what was loss and wash away toxins through urination.  Water also aids in keeping our organs and muscles lubricated as well as aid oxygen in the blood. 

I have been biting the bullet and drinking more water.  On most days I drink at least 4-6 glasses via my 32 oz water bottle (the recommended amount is 8 glasses per day or 2 of my 32oz water bottle).  I have noticed that when I drink more water that I lose more weight and I don't feel as tired.  With this in mind, there is truth to the research I've read thus far.  The only part that is different for me is that it doesn't necessarily help me with feeling full.  Again, I believe this is a mind trick for me in that if I have my mind set to eat certain things in certain amounts, no amount of water will make me feel full to where I won't eat those portions.  All in all, I do find water important to overall health, and I will try my best to incorporate it more and more.  Onward and upward!!!!

The information above is opinion and experience of the blogger.   Please seek the advice of a medical and/or mental health professional for your specific needs.

Weight Loss Chronicles - Week 5 & 6 (The Devil Made Me Do It)

If you're over the age of 35, you've probably heard Flip Wilson's comedic act as Geraldine.  "Her" catchphrase was "the devil made me do it".  In essence, this was the excuse to get her out of a sticky situation.  Well, I guess you could say I've been in a sticky situation the last couple of weeks. :-) 

Cookies, candy, ice cream, and just about anything sugary sweet has been a struggle for me for as long as I can remember.  Earlier in my weight loss journey I was able to exercise or do something other than eat whenever the cravings begun.  But it didn't work this time.  So what in the world happened???  In retrospect, I believe that sweets serve as a comfort for me.  When I'm bored or feel overwhelmed, I gravitate towards what comforts me.  And over the past two weeks, I've had a lot on my plate as far as for work, church activities, and things around the house.  On top of that, being sick.  Trying to keep up and juggle it all was a bit much.  Cookies and candy became my refuge - which I knew better than to rely on.  But it was quick and satisfying.  I must admit that I've retained my 10 pound weight loss, which is good.  But the reality is that those pounds will easily creep back in if I don't shape up.  Now that I'm more aware, I have to proceed forward in a much better way.

My plan of action when the cravings hit will be to exercise if I can.  If not, I need to stop and think about why I'm having the cravings.  If it becomes so overwhelming that I feel like caving in, then choose healthier options.  Like for instance if I just need something sweet, eat yogurt.  Or if I want something with chocolate, drink my chocolate smoothie.  If I want ice cream, just make the smoothie thicker by adding more ice.  Overall, I realize the cravings are temptations.  And in a way the devil did make me do it when I fell to those temptations.  But rather than make excuses and dwell on what I did or didn't do, I'll learn from it, grow from it, and move forward for the better.  In addition, I'll continue to pray for God to help me and work with me on this because at the end of the day, this is an addiction. And I do not want the devil to have any foothold in my life.  Keep praying for me and the strength to stay on track.