New Challenges - Now - May 2014

Learn to play guitar/ukelele
I have researched some good YT videos and learnt a few chords but I need to pick up from where I left off.

Dressmaking
I have a sewing machine and a great book regarding sewing etc.  I will be dusting off the machine and start sewing in the evenings....helps to stop the snacking also.

French
I did a module as part of my Degree and I was really quite good...I have been learning on and off for years, it is time to get to grips and stop messing around...plus we go to France quite often when Sailing.

Knitting
I have knitted two great jumpers in my lifetime..one was emerald green with baubles all over them and the other was a navy blue chunky cable knit jumper.  I started knitting again when I was pregnant and have not continued.  It is very theraupetic too.

Crochet
I have always wanted to learn..at the moment I am teaching myself, watching YouTube videos and bought some books. I have done a few samples..

Dropping the FAT!!11

Upon my return from holiday, I decided that I needed to consume more fruits,vegetables and water and cut out the excess emply calories.  I still have fat to lose (30%) at present and I really need to get back on track.  I have started IF on Sunday and all is going well...apart from the ice-cream at the beach after an afternoon stroll.  All in all I feel fine and have continued to increase my weight training and minimise the amount of Cardio, which wasnt much anyway (2 sessions per week).  I will include a swimming session to my workout regime.

19May13
I wasnt to sure about IF, everytime I plan to do it, I read conflicting messages about eating breakfast first thing in the morning.  I have read great posts from people that have found IF really successful. Maybe I should just do it for a month and not be swayed.

Anyway, I have gone back to Compound Lifting and have been lifting 25kg which has been quite intense.  I intend to up the weight each week and still throw in the odd HIIT on the bike occasionally.

I took some pictures this morning after my lifting session..I jumped on the scale first: 11.11st - 30%bf - 32.6% mm

11.11st - 30%bf  MAY13

11.11 - 30.7bf & 32.7% mm JULY13

Need to work on thighs, hips, waistline and abs. My upper body has always looked well toned and

JULY13

build muscle very easily.

May 2013

I gained 7lbs whilst on holiday in April and my stomach needs some serious work.  Also if I slimmed down my thighs and worked more on my booty (as you can see, its not that defined) I'd have a better physique. We received our new mattress last week and it has really helped with my posture and aches and pains when sleeping - Silent Night mattress :)

Post-Pregnancy Nov2010

MAY 13

JULY 13

 This picture doesnt look too bad. I have the shape but needs more dedicated and consistent work! Not bad for a 40year old :)


The picture below was taken early last year 2012...my waist and lovehandles have reduced down nicely...It is so important to take pictures to encourage you to stay on track and stay as healthy as possible.

Start of Locs Journey May 2103

I have decided to loc my hair, I have given this some thought for a long time, off and on….I have thought about sisterlocks, freeform locs & original locs.  After visiting the Island of Grenada in April 2013, I decided the time was right to get the journey started.  I really couldn’t face the idea of braiding my hair again (which I have done for years).  My hair is now completely natural and free of chemicals, and has been for the past 5 years.

So, I decided to start the journey with the two strand twists using Aloe Vera gel.

A couple of my brothers used to have long locks and they looked really good, so given that we share the same DNA (i.e. hair pattern), my hair should lock up really nicely and quickly.  My hair pattern is 4c and is very dense and extremely coily.

I am also trying to improve and grow my hairline hence why I use Castor Oil daily and slip with a satin headscarf to protect my hair. My next update will be next month 9 June 2013 .

These are just a couple of links which I particulary like to read as well as other youtube videos. 

www.mydreadlocks.blogspot.com

www.monica-rose.co.uk
www.naturalocs.blogspot.co.uk
http://www.justlocs.com/blog/

Re-twist

Tonight, I re-twisted my hair for the first time.

Halfway stage, which took about 40mins

This is the completed re-twist, total time was about 80 minutes.
I used the Organic Twist & Lock Gel.

Styled the next morning with side bangs and alice band.

2/6/13
I decided to retwist my locs as they were not tight enough.  It really stretch my hair alot and looks more defined and curly at the ends, which I like.  I counted my locs and I have 180 so I'm going to round the number up to 200 or a little more. I have a fairly small head so I think that amount should be adequate for me.  I had to pull some of the locs apart to retwist, therefore the locing process was happening, more so at the back than the front.  I happy with the process so far and like the fact that i dont have to do too much with my hair.

I do spritz my hair wth water/glycerin and Jamaican Black Castor Oil combo.  I also use JBCO on my edges, I have been doing this for about 4mths now and I have seen good results.

14 June 13 - update:

My hair is looking fine, I had a bit of shrinkage after washing but nothing to bother me that much.  I use Black Soap to wash my hair and then added in a Bantu Shea Butter leave-in treatment, my hair felt lovely, I sat out in the sunshine to let it dry naturally.  I have been thinking about Sisterlocks, I braided a few strands then changed my mind.  The process of interlocking seems very labourious and after braiding for years previously, it just felt like I would be reverting back when having to maintain the stlye.  I am well and truly hooked on my locs!! I have a few that have budded in the back but overall the process is quite slow...however, its only be just over a month, patience is key in this process :)

18 June '13 - update:
After doing some research, I decided that my locs were too thin in....I read that in some cases this can cause the loc to thin and break.  I re-twisted my hair again and made the sections slightly larger.  I am now fully satisfied with the outcome and happy in the knowledge that my locs will look better overall.
 

29 June 13 - Update

I re-twisted my new growth and plus the additional fizz. It was looking fluffy, which didn't really bother me, I wanted to see if there was more growth. Because I work out 5 times a week, my hair gets wet and so I wash it once a week. I normally wear an Alice-band but I will start putting my hair in a ponytail instead as I don't think my hair is locking due to the amount of sweating I do...so maybe tying my hair up in-one when exercising might help. My re-twist took me 1hr to do whilst watching TV.

Update:4 July 13

I have noticed that my hair is growing slightly in length.  I am still enjoying the process and waiting for more budding.  I need to be more adventurous with my hairstyles as I wear the same "do" everyday (in an alice band) however, I do think that my hair is thanking me for the rest from the normal routine of braiding and combing etc.

Update: 11/7/13

Retwisted my hair using homemade flaxseed gel. I was impressed by the hold and how quickly it dried, with no flaking. My clips came a day after I ordered them off EBay :-)  

13/07/13
Loving my locs :-) 
 









 


Update: 21/7/13

Retwisted my hair again, it gets so frizzy as I work out 5 days per week. However, it is gradually locking in places and Im still enjoy the transistion phase and what it will become.

Update: 15/10/13

My hair has finally loc'd :-). I can put in a small ponytail but I only every keep it in one style (Alice Band). I never play in my hair, I just let it be. I'm washing roughly about 3 times per month.  I do a hot-oil condition and wash out then re-twist with grape seed oil or 100% aloe very gel.

These are just a couple of links which I particulary like to read as well as other youtube videos. 

www.mydreadlocks.blogspot.com

www.monica-rose.co.uk
www.naturalocs.blogspot.co.uk
http://www.justlocs.com/blog/