I'm back .... I will start trying to post every Sunday morning again. I have just been so busy that I have started to neglect some aspects of my life. On a more positive note my sister locks are doing great. I hope to post some updated pictures this week. If I can get some good front shots, I will post them.
Getting sister locks is turning into the best things I could have ever done for hair. I have problem areas but in general my hair is doing very well. It is growing to lengths I have not seen since my relaxer days. Sister Locks definitely fits my life style.
Exercise: I am still loving my rebounder. In fact I think it is the best exercise equipment I have ever purchased. For some reason I seem to want to learn Yoga; but it really doesn't fit my exercise style. I will try a couple more DVDs and call it a day. I am now starting to rent the DVDs from Netflix instead of wasting my money. I am an exercise DVD junky. I love Pilates and meditation, so I will shift my focus to these two areas. Also, there is some Yoga and Pilates mix DVD out there that I may give a try.
I am really thinking about doing laser hair removal this year. I just have to be very careful selecting a place. I hear horror stories about people scarring.
Later for now. My next post should include updated pictures.
My SLs are still looking lovely. I think this is the best thing I could have done for my hair. No comments from the black women at work. I work in the financial district in NY. Only one of the women with traditional locks noticed my hair and she thought it was cute. For the most part you cannot tell that I am locking my hair and most people think I have small braids. I don’t care. I like it and I love the freedom. I will try and take some pictures this weekend as I approach my 1 month anniversary.
Wow the first month went so fast. I had some slippage around the front hair line during the first two weeks. When I went in for my follow-up my consultant re-tightened the front and couple of rows in the back. I had enough growth for two turns (half rotation).
I am on weekly schedule for washing my hair. I am still using the Starter Shampoo and as soon as my consultant gives me the Ok I will definitely move back to baking soda and Dr. Bonner. I read some where that some people dilute the Starter Shampoo and apply it from a spray bottle. I am going to try this with my next wash. After using this shampoo I always feel like my scalp & hair is still dirty. Also, it leaves my scalp really dry. I have also notice that my hair is starting to loose its shine and look frizzier. I am wearing it in a free style for now because my curl pattern is still showing. My hair is light, fluffy and full of crinkles after washing.
My hair is holding up wonderfully during my work-out. As a matter of fact my hair is holding up better than I am. I am still loving my rebounder but I cannot seem to get a solid foot into the intermediate workout. I get half way through the workout and have to quit. When I become unstable and sloppy it is time to get off the trampoline. Next week I am going to start pushing myself harder.
Question for the readers: I workout mainly for health reasons (to remain youthful, reduce high blood pressure, reduce cholesterol levels, and reduce stress). I do not have a weight problem, but I do have a problem area. I cannot get rid of my spare tire. My waist and my stomach are magnets for fat. What type of exercises do you do to reduce your love handles?
I am still on my exercise kick and maintaining a schedule that allows me to exercise 6 to 7 times a week. I have put away the firm exercise video and picked up an old favorite. I grew exercising with Kathy Smith and Tamilee Webb and I find went I am in a exercise slump they are the only ones that can get me out of it. It also help that they are now older women still doing their exercise thing and looking great. Sometimes I get annoyed the young perky women bouncing around in my exercise videos. Also, the instruct has to have the right voice.
I made the following changes to my exercise routine (5 days a week):
Monday – Arms & Abs of Steel (Tamilee Webb) DVD (35 min)
I purchased a [Rebound Air Mini-Trampoline Quarter Fold]. I practiced for about month on my Mom’s mini-trampoline before decided that I really enjoyed this workout. You can purchase mini-trampolines online or from your local sporting goods store. I exercise for better health and need a work out that fits into my schedule and life style.
My incentive for working out has always been my health. I suffer from high blood pressure. It runs in the family. Last year my doctor put me on medication. I am trying to find a more natural way to maintain my blood pressure. I have had some success making small changes in my diet, increasing my aerobic exercise, and taking supplements. I am hoping that by my September visit I will be able to discontinue taking my medication.
Back to rebounding: I absolutely love rebounding. It’s fun, it is relaxing, and aerobic. I was surprised at how breathless I could feel after a 10 – 15 minutes working out. The key requirements for any workout geared for me is that it is fun and it works. I am hoping that rebounding fits both.
To resist the frigidity of old age one must combine the body, the mind and the heart - and to keep them in parallel vigor one must exercise, study and love. Karl von Bonstetten
I tried different types of exercises, but nothing really sticks. I don't have a lot of time to work our so what I need from an exercise routine is:
Short duration & Maximum impact (30min)
Low impact Exercise
Strengthen Muscles
Aerobic (cardiovascular exercise)
Allow me to focus on my problem areas (abs, core, love handles)
Reduce stress
Routine or Equipment changes to meet my expanding needs
Enjoyable - It almost feels like I am not working out
Produces results (either physical or emotional)
What I tried:
Running: I truly feel (at least for me) that this is an activity that works best if you have a partner. This became a chore, finding a sitter and compatible partner. Outdoor Cycling: I do not live in area with assessable bike paths. I would be fighting with the traffic. Indoor Cycling: I couldn’t motivate myself to keep this up especially since I know how much fun cycling outside is. Gym (Machines): I just don’t like the gym. Walking: I cannot maintain a routine during bad weather. Gym (Classes): I Yoga and Pilates, but I always seem to have scheduling conflicts and end up missing too many sessions. Dancing (Classes / DVDs): I love to dance but for some reason the classes and DVDs make look like I have two left feet. Weight Lifting: Get’s boring after a while and starts to feel like a chore. Equipment: I have had treadmill, stationary bikes, steppers, all sorts of ab machines, and a rowing machine.
What I like:
Combination Exercise: Since I am not looking for bulky muscles, the best exercises for me are combination exercises. Combination exercises are multiple exercises performed at the same time (ie Lunges w/ shoulder press). These are the best exercises for women because they will allow you to work multiple muscle groups, and get more overall work in during your workouts. More overall work means extra calories burned, which means a higher metabolism, which means you will be more likely to burn fat, tone up, lose weight, and be lean. This route may not be for everyone. So, as long as you have a healthy diet, perform cardiovascular exercise and try to live a healthy active lifestyle all exercises that you can stick with, are beneficial. Relaxing Exercise: The best exercises for stress relief are activities that are rhythmic, mindless, and steady, and last for at least 20 minutes. Although aerobic exercises such as walking, running, swimming, rowing, and cycling are ideal, any physical activity will help; choose the ones you most enjoy. A good exercise routine leaves me feeling refreshed, calm, and at peace after a workout.
What is in my Video Collection?
I have about forty exercise DVDs. I put them into about five different group and talk about a few in each group.
The Firm DVDs: Focuses on toning, aerobics, and weights. Get’s boring after a while and definitely feels like a workout. Favorites – Cardio weight system, fat burning sculpting ball, and Fannie lifter
Gaiam Yoga and Pilates DVDs: basically soothing low impact exercise that both relaxes and tones. (anything by Jillian Hessel, Ana Caban, and Rodney Yee)
Tamilee Webb – I like her workout. Nothing fancy, just hard work with catchy names. As an added bonus she is several years older than me and looks fabulous.
Kathy Smith – see Tamilee Webb
Next Steps
REBOUNDING is a unique form of exercise that reduces your body fat; firms your arms, legs, thighs, abdomen, and hips; strengthens all your muscles and your bones; provides excellent aerobic effect for your heart; instantly stimulates your lymphatic circulation, rejuvenates every system in your body, and allows you to easily achieve a higher level of health and fitness. Rebounding with small weightss is a excellent Full Body Toning and Strength Training activity! Rebounding is Total Cellular Exercise! This means that every one of your hundred trillion cells is positively affected from the moment you begin moving up and down through gravity. Jumping on a Rebounder is suppose to exercises every part of your body. Rebounding is fun, easy and efficient. It's said that:
Rebounding for 10 minutes is equivalent to 30 minutes of jogging! Rebounding for 20 minutes is equivalent to 1 hour of jogging!
I willing to give it a try and let you know what I think.
