Friday, 12 December 2014

Fitness Friday | My current fitness programme

#FitnessFriday on @SavingOurStrand

I have recently joined a gym near my home, so I have absolutely no reason not to get my exercise done.

When I joined I was given a personal trainer session, and during my time with the trainer, I really wanted to find out how to have an efficient gym sessions, i.e. 30-45 minutes max, that produced great results

So this is what I currently do.

Spin Bike

I start with a 5 min warm up on the spin bike.

First 1min (60 seconds) – I make sure my RPM is above 60, and not much higher than 60

Second 1 min (60 seconds) – I pick up the pace and make sure my RPM is above 120

Third 1min (60 seconds) – I make sure my RPM is above 60, and not much higher than 60

Fourth 1 min (60 seconds) – I pick up the pace and make sure my RPM is above 120

Final 1min (60 seconds) – I make sure my RPM is above 60 and not much higher than 60 – cool down.

------------------------------------Warm up done 5 mins later---------------------------------------------------

Sit ups

The one thing I wanted to tone up was my belly, I know it takes more to get a 6 pack than sit up, but it sure is a good start

  1. 3 reps of 15 on the inflatable ball

----------------------------------------------Sit ups done---------------------------------------------------------------

Weights

My personal trainer recommended to me that everyone should really be done weights, to get your bones strong. He said to make my work out super-efficient I should use 3 weight machines that exercise

  1. Chest – I push the bar away from myself
  2. Back – I pull the weights towards myself
  3. Legs – The machine I use makes me do squats, but I am sat down as I push the weights

I did not think much of it when he told me and just went on my way, but after doing some reading, I found out I am exercise the 3 largest muscles in my body and by doing weights I am burning from the 3 biggest muscle therefore getting more out my work outs! I can clearly see my body is toning up great.

As my main aim was to tone up I use the weight that feel heavy enough for me to manage, i.e. I cannot carry the next weight up. I do 6 slow reps of 3, I can feel my muscles working.

And there you have it my workout in 30 mins and the best results I have ever got from using the gym.

Ok, I forgot omitted, as I am seriously trying to get a flat tummy guys, I also added 6 reps of 3 on the abs weight machine!

---------------------------------------------------30 mins work out done--------------------------------------------------

When I don’t feel like doing weights and I just want to relax and let my mind drift off I run for 30 mins on the treadmill.

What do you guys do in the gym?

Happy Fitness Friday!


‘Do not give the Devil an opportunity to work’ – Ephesians 4:27

Wednesday, 10 December 2014

Wash Day | 17 Weeks Posts – Where has the time gone?!




Hello ladies, another lovely Wednesday, am psyched to be on the weekly link up with SoS and JGA and a whole lot of other lovely ladies sharing our wash day experience. This wash day link up is filled with so much positivity!

My wash days have been relatively similar and very simple. On a weekly basis they look more and more like this:

1. Jump in shower with braided hair from my wigging during the week

2 Shampoo using a non sulphate shampoo, my choice this week was creme of nature Argan oil moisture and shine Shampoo

3. DC while still in shower for 10 mins with Aunt Jackies Moisturising Conditioner.

With the conditioner still in my hair, I detangle it, with a wide tooth comb.

4. As I  rinsing out the DC, I glide my comb in the direction of the water to further detangle my hair.

'Oh no', I hear you say 'manipulating your hair when it's at it's weakest (soaking wet)' 

I kid you not this has helped me get to 18 weeks post, but time will tell! 

I then t-shirt dry my hair then M&S and braid hair for next week wig session.

Who is this!!!



And there you have it, a full wash day in under 1 hour!

But let me add a picture of my hair just to keep you assured (and myself :D), that I still have hair under this wig.




Happy Hair Journeys Ladies! :o) 

'That breath that you just took....that's a gift' - Rob Bell

Tuesday, 4 November 2014

Wash Day | 13 Weeks Post...and counting

My wash days have been getting shorter and shorter, this week went something like this

1. Shampooed my hair with Creme of Nature Shampoo twice

2. DC with Auntie Jackies Conditioner

3. Rinsed and t-shirt dried my hair

4. Left it to air dry, there finished it off with a cool blow drier

5. Moisturised with a mix of shea butter and Elasta QP.

I have been wigging for the last 3 weeks so I prepared by hair underneath for the week ahead.

During my detangling process I did have a few too many SSK, I tried being patient and detangle as thoroughly as I could. Team SSK really sent me a message to make sure I moisturise my new growth better going forward or else :x .... noted team SSK!


I made the parting where my closure parting would sit


Another week in the wig

Happy Hair Journeys Ladies! :)

Join SOS and JGA every wednesday to share your wash day experience.



Monday, 27 October 2014

During my Hiatus

During my hiatus I have been playing around with my new wig.

I recently got 12” extensions made into a wig and was not really happy with the results here , this error cost me almost £100 ($160). A friend of mine was travelling to Ghana and offered to get my wig redone for me at the fraction of the price £25 ($40). I had nothing to lose. When the wig came back, oh I was very happy, it’s the best wig I have owned (only have 1 other wig which is synthetic)

So I have been protective styling with my wig for the last 3 weeks and now I am 12 weeks post.
I do obviously have my concerns regarding wig wearing. The wig I have does not have combs but has a headband on the inside that secures it in place, first concern will this affect the hairline towards my side and nape where it rests on.

Then my second concern is: will I get lazy on my hair journey because my hair is now under my wig constantly (3 weeks now)

My first concern….I will sadly have to wait and see, the head band is not too tight and it seats on my wig cap so am hoping there will be minimal damage on that part.

My second concern…well…I really just have to keep a solid time table on my wash days and M&S (I have been very lazy on M&S recently)

So far so good, I was very self-conscious when I first worn my wig to work….this is the first time I have even worn a wig to work, and oh my I get enough questions about my texlaxed hair, everyone was double taking when I came in with bouncy curls or just loose hair (I protective style 100% when am at work, so my hair is always tied up)

My plan for the rest of the year is to protective-style, and try to stretch my relaxer to 22 weeks (10 weeks to go) and touch up just before my 2nd hair-anniversary and a few weeks shy of my wedding date (the hopes for BSL hair for my big day are still alive)
Here are a few pictures of my wig





Happy Hair Journeys Ladies! :o)

Wednesday, 1 October 2014

Wash Day | 8 Weeks Post

My wash days are getting more and more simple.


This week I DC on dry hair, this is how it went

1) Mixed Aunt Jackie's Conditioner with coconut oil and a Rosemary infused oil mix my soon to be sister in law got me, looks very interesting. DCed for 2 hours.


2) Shampooed my hair with a natural soap bar I got a few months ago, Nettle and Marshmallow root shampoo bar...still not sure about this one.


3) Rinsed hair and t-shirt dried it for 30 mins


4) Made a moisturiser with

i) Coconut oil
ii) Shea butter
iii) almond oil
iv) Elast QP leave in conditioner


This has been keeping my hair super moisturised lately and really loving it.


I left my hair to air dry for the rest of the day, with 8 twists, I on Sunday I tried to wear a twist out, but hot mess! so pinned it up into a faux TWA hehe, don't kill a girl for trying!





How was your wash day?


Join the wash day linkup every Wednesday!