Black women and working out?

  

So after my intense half hour workout yesterday consisting of elliptical action and the sound of Lady Gaga's Edge of Glory in my ears, I stepped off the machine feeling like I had just been kicked in the chest, but a good kicked in the chest feeling. Since I started working out I have come to appreciate a good after workout feeling. I love the feeling of accomplishment that I've just helped my body out. I don't understand how anyone can not like that feeling...

So that brings me to Black women and NOT working out. So lately I've been researching a lot about Black women and not wanting to workout because of their hair. So many Black women are choosing their hair over their bodies and that completely baffles me!. How on earth are you going to say, Screw my body as long as my hair is great!. You are basically deciding  to sacrifice your body and your life for some hair sitting on top of your head. That is ridiculous to me.

What I also can't grasp is women who are clearly overweight and have the nerve to call themselves curvy? when did curvy become fat? a roll of fat on your body is not a curve, it is in fact just a roll. this delusional mindset is not healthy. Now I 'm no health professional or some vegan eating, extremely active, yoga loving (besides the pic above ) health freak, but I do care about being healthy. As we all should. 

I feel like in the  Black community curves are appreciated and that is great but so many women mistake being curvy or thick when really they are just fat and none of that PH nonsense.

I'm not going to go on about what you can do for your hair so you can workout because there are countless articles on how to. As a natural I have no problem sweating away my hair because I can wash it later, even when I wear it straight I still workout. All I'm going to say is get your big arse up and workout!. Nothing is more important than your health!, you won't care about hair when you are on TLC doing a special on how you are 600 lbs and are stuck in your house.

Products I use on my straight hair.

   

So this is what my hair looks like now. Well last night lol.

I decided why not make a post about my hair products that I use when I wear my hair straight since they are different from the products I use when I'm rocking au natural.  

So the process of straightening my hair is tedious and annoying and more so the results are always lack luster. However I have learned more and more about my hair and how it works.

I don't flat iron on freshly washed hair because when I flat iron it comes out super soft, smells amazing but is like a big fluff. I have to wait a day or two to get those natural hair oils flowing and to let the hair products I used soak in. I don't apply to much products because of build up and dirty hair. I like to be able to wear my hair straight a week or two before I wash again instead of having it straight for two seconds and then running to grab the shampoo. Plus having too much product equals burnt flat iron smell. At least in my hair and I don't even have the Iron up that high.

After I flat iron a few days later on in the week I have to re flat iron my hair to get it to it's desired straightness. My roots are very stubborn so I try my best the first time around but they stay kinda puffy until I redo them. When I re flat iron the second time I curl my hair with he flat iron. I've noticed it makes my ends look better. After I finish the re straighten my hair is super Black, Shiny and looks like a 1940s curly do.

Anyway. I've been using Chi products for about three years but one small bottle of Chi is 24.00 and that is quite pricey but it does last a long time. I have been using Chi Keratin Spray, Chit Straightening cream and then Chi Silk in fusion. I recently ran out and decided to switch up my products and that is when Redken Comes along.

So these are three products by Redken. Two are from the Real Control line and the other from the smooth down line.

Redken Heat Down Smooth Glide, Real Control Slim Supreme and Real Control Mineral Exilir Smoothing Oil.

All three of these products range from 13.00-16.00 and the prices do vary on where you purchase them. So they are cheaper than Chi but overall they are of equal if not better quality. I used Smooth Glide back in 07 for prom. Had amazing results, hair was dark and shiny,not greasy just flawless but keep in mind I was relaxed so when purchasing this time around I was a little skeptical on how it would work with my newly formed curls. The Slim Supreme is suppose to work against humidity. Wish I had these products this summer! lol. As for the Smoothing oil it's suppose to smooth frizz and it also contains Shea Butter.

All in all The Slim Supreme and Smooth down have worked amazing. The Smoothing oil is alright, I wouldn't purchase again since I already use a spray product I'm good to go. I use the Slim supreme first concentrating on my roots mainly and then I use the Smooth down. I rub that in from root to tip and then proceed with the straightening  Chase Method of course. Neither products leave hair greasy or gross. Honestly it depends on your hair type and if you are heavy handed lol. The Slim Supreme has a slight fruity smell to it. Super super light and the smooth down most people think it smells like Vanilla? but to me there is a slight hint of vanilla but it's a very spicy, pepper smell. That sounds bad when I describe it but it isn't bad lol.

Last but not least

  

Organic Root Stimulator Olive Oil Sheen Spray.

I'ts basically a light oil sheen with olive oil. Great light smell, great shine great size and great price. I don't use this often on my hair when it's curly mostly when it's straight and it does wonders. Would def buy again.

So that is all for now. 

My trip to Texas, humidity and Football

So I posted before about my appending trip to Texas but it never saved...sadness.

So I was worried about what to do with my hair when I went to Texas. The last time I went I was 7 years old and I was relaxed and rocking some Snoop Dogg braids. How cute...

With that on my mind the day before I went I spent all day packing and making sure I didn't forget anything. This would be my first time on a place so I was as anal as ever. The night before I left I was sitting on my couch contemplating on taking out the trash or not. When I decided too I went out, 10pm and OH MY SWEET BISCUITS!, the humidity had to be 11112989389248 degrees maximum level of hotness. Absolutely no air whatsoever so I was freaked out, knowing Texas would probably be hotter. I figured okay the temp will probably cool down by the time I leave. What this has to do with Texas I don't know.

So that night was rough, I finished my laundry and finished watching my movie Against The Current,love Justin Kirk btw! anyway. I got to bed around 1:30 am, alone in my house since the relative I reside with left on her own trip out of town, my nerves were all over the place and I knew I wouldn't sleep. Thinking about the plane, my hair, my family etc. Oh and if that wasn't enough little PMS decided to drop me off a surprise for the weekend I would spend in Texas, as you can imagined annoyed to death. 

So 4am came around, feeling like I only slept for a half hour my dad calls saying he was on his way. So with that I jumped up washed, face attempted a hair style  and prepared to go. He showed up and I walked outside and OMG SWEET BISCUITS! the humidity was still high!. I freaked. How on earth was it that hot at 10pm and still hot at 4am WTF!!!. 

My ride to the airport was quite nerve racking. It was beautiful out. City lights lit up all around, sky still dark, air hot and the sounds of Katy Perry's Firework blasting in my ears. I was quite numb and nervous about the flight. We arrived in Minneapolis, airport right in front. I was looking around fast, senses on blast. Nerve been to an airport. I stared at all the people, probably looked like a jacked up sleepy deer with the caught in the headlight look.

 We boarded the plane and all in all the experience was...amazing. I was calm but slightly on edge. I had a delicious egg and cheese sandwich with the sweet voice of Julian Casablancas playing in my ears. Oh how I love the strokes. My dad chatted with a young Mexican girl I was too distracted by the sky and how the world looked like a board game.

We arrived in Texas, hit with cowboy hats and southern accents. Texas is a HUGE state obviously but being there you really are thrown off how big it is. My dad and I ended up getting lost for about 4 hours since my relative and street folks knew nothing about  where our destination was. We arrived in Texas around 9am and when we finally found our way it was 12pm so you can imagine not sleeping the night before and being up that long and getting lost oh goodness. I had never been so tired in my entire life. My dad tried to calm me by saying we would make it but I was about ready to pass out. All I wanted to do was check into the hotel and get some rest. Once we go to my relatives house it was 2pm, we ended up at a hot chicken shack with no air conditioning  With that note the air was soooooo hot...but...not humid WHAT!!!!???. Yes the Texas air was like fire on my skin but there was no humidity in the air whatsoever. Which was kinda cool.

We eventually made it to the hotel, and if I didn't think I could feel any worse, I got put into a room with my aunt instead of with my dad like I wanted. I was sooooooooooo mad. I had to suck it up, but my lady time got the best of me and there were some tears in the bathroom.

I got no sleep the rest of the evening. Only getting enough time to wash my face and change my pants. I met family during dinner, saw a guy who I thought was really hot. Really big guy absolutely gorgeous then found out he was my cousin who was soon to be playing in the NFL(Now signed with the New York Jets) so I was a tad grossed out. I finally got to bed that nigh around 11pm. The next two days would be filled with running around constantly. So I was super exhausted.

However.

My hair managed to last all weekend. Flat ironed and didn't go puffy once. I spent so much time on humidity and it actually wasn't that bad. Went on a hayride and that was...painful. So all in all I was good. I will be back in Texas in Two years so maybe I can rock the all natural hair. Until then that is about it. My ride back to Minnesota was quite bad. I started to feel sick at the airport, eating hot Popeye's chicken I felt like my face would fall off. I think all the ripping and running and in and out of hot and cold air made me sick.  Two really overweight girls stared at me trying to not be obvious about wondering why I had a green band on my wrists( From the reunion) I found that amusing they probably thought I was a weirdo. So anyway. I was sick the ride back and the girl I was next two was talking about how bad the turbulence would be, which annoyed me. Not great in flight info to tell to a first timer lol. The landing was also bad. felt like a car accident.

So back in MN I was amazed at how green my state was compared to Texas. Trees everywhere driving along the river and condos. I don't think I ever like looking at my state so much lol.

So any who I've been really into football lately. Not because of my cousin although I have been looking out for him on the team and have taken a liken to the gorgeous Mark Sanchez my goodness!. Oh and Aaron Rodgers, who is suuuuper cute. Besides hot players I do enjoy the game lol. I started getting into football last year and this season I've been all up in the football and might be going to a lingerie football this weekend lol. So until next time non existent folks. I'm off to bed.

Update hair from the last couple of months

I had no idea it's been that long since the last time I blogged. I actually wrote an entry a while back but didn't get a chance to post it because I had to leave. Oh well.

So where do I begin. Hair!. So I haven't really done much to my hair. Right now it's straight since the first time in like a month and I have noticed some length. I tried a twist out and it came out pretty good as you can see below.

I used Cantu Shea butter and Oyin burnt Sugar yes I know, I was over it but mixing it with the Cantu helped both products work well together.

My hair in July? August maybe, flat ironed looked really cute. Flower from H&M but this style would not have worked outside the humidity we had in MN this summer was bonkers.

So that's about it non existent folks, I have much more to post and products to review.