My Current Exercise Regimen

Remember i said my Motto for the Year is 'Just Do It'? Well i have keyed into that and it has been working out great so far. I'm sure y'all are loving how semi-frequent i'm posting, its as a result of sticking to my motto and its the same with me adopting an exercise regimen. I pray i can keep it up for the rest of  the year.

This motto is good for me 'cos i'm an expert procrastinator, there's always a perfect excuse to not do something right at the moment i should and with exercise i can manufacture excuses forever!! Luckily i'm also a practical person so once something has passed a stage of negligence and almost gotten out of hand or in cases of extreme laziness, i let it get out of hand, i immediately suck it up and don the needful to get whatever it is sorted or to the right state ASAP. 

I let myself enjoy the holidays (it started even before the hols to be honest) way too much and slow and steady the weight crept up on me. I couldn't fit into my shirts and pants and had to stick to loose fitting gowns. I was 'suddenly' a Size 10. My frugal self was not ready to shop for a new wardrobe (especially in this recession) and i quite like being a Size 8, that was the wake-up call i needed.

No more waiting till i register at a gym i probably won't go to or till i get proper workout clothes/shoes or start eating healthy or till i print out a blank workout calendar. 

NO MORE EXCUSES!

Once i had mentally prepped myself the rest was easy. I dug out my 'Ministry of Sound Move It Loose It' Workout Videos and went on YouTube and downloaded more workout vids. My Goal was to go back to a Size 8 and become fit and flexible. I already know my favourite type of exercise is anything that involves dance moves, so i focus on those kind of workout videos and get extra videos for Flexibility/Stretching, Cardio, Toning the body. 

It's best to have a defined goal of what you want for your body before you start exercising (Tone, Strength, Flexibility,etc.) and then figure out the kind of exercise you enjoy (Dancing, Jogging, Swimming, Power-Walking,etc.) to make your start-up easy until you find a routine that works.

I dusted my Skipping Rope, Yoga Mat and Weights, Printed blank workout calendars and Pics of Teyana Taylor Showing off her Abs (She's my Body Goals, her Abs post-baby is all i want!!! Have you seen her in Kanye West's Fade Video?? I can't mahn).

It was hard and painful starting out but i have been there before(i had proper abs and was more fit & flexible back in Uni-i could easily do Chinese bends), i know the pain passes, i just had to power-through.
I started with the Ministry of Sound Workout Videos to get me in the zone and on days i did not have a lot of time, i would do a YouTube Workout that was 5-15 mins. On super-lazy days, i'd skip rope at least 200 times to get my heart pumping and make sure i stayed active

I track my workouts using a calendar where i write out my daily exercise so its easy to know when i'm being lazy and shape-up asap (See all the -- in January mehn).

I noticed what i struggled with most was waking up early enough to get in a proper workout and be at work on time so i switched things up. Who says you can only workout in the morning?? 

I started working out at night whenever i couldn't meet up with my morning workouts or if i just felt like it. I like doing flexibility/stretching and dance routines (esp Soca) at night and this leaves me feeling good after i shower which results in a good night sleep.

You can check out these YouTube Channels for Inspiration & Workout Videos:

• XOriginals{SocaSweatSeries}
• Superherofitnesstv
• Keaira Lashae
• Blogilates
• POPSugar Fitness
• Icon UK
• Shameless Maya
• Lyzabeth Lopez

So get up and get to work, no more excuses! 

You have to put in the work to get the results you want instead of daydreaming and 'goalsing' other people's bodies. If you don't have a Yoga Mat, use a towel; you don't have weights, use bottles of water or workout with videos that don't require any equipment; walk, swim, etc. I'm sure you get my drift, don't wait till your body feels heavy for you to carry (also being skinny does not equal fitness) before you take action.

Eat Healthy (i tryy) & Stay Active throughout your day; walk around, climb stairs,etc.
Check out my posts on 'How i gain weight' and 'How i lose holiday weight'.
This post is also for my 'future self' if i start getting lazy, what matters is i don't stay lazy. 

Toodles!XooX

How I Gain Weight

I know most people that read this will probably be like "Seriously! We need a post on weight loss mahn not weight gain! You have no idea how much weight i put on during the holidays".
Well i gat u, i already wrote about how to lose the holiday weight fast and i am personally finding it useful currently. Can you imagine that i moved from a Size 8 to Size 10!

Woe unto small chops & cakes!

Majority of my clothes did not fit after the holidays and i'm definitely not ready to accept this new size and change my wardrobe. Nope!
I have started working out, eating really healthy, snacking mainly on watermelons, counting my calories and i'm currently on a 40 day church fast. Fasting is not only a spiritual exercise it also helps detox the body when done properly and combined with a healthy diet. Thankfully i'm almost back to my regular size and i won't stop till i get my Teyana Taylor bod😁 *fingers crossed*

Anyway enough of my stories ba, this post is about how to gain weight not how to lose weight.
There are people who struggle with weight gain and for a variety of reasons either because of stress, eating too little, high metabolism, burning more calories than is consumed, etc. I recommend the Superskinny vs Supersized show for anyone facing this challenge. You will definitely learn a thing or two about how to improve your diet. I typically lose weight when i'm really stressed with work and extra-curricular activities.
Being skinny does not always mean you are healthy/fit. We need to always find a balance, if not you end up fatigued and burned out very easily.

Food is Fuel for our Body.

I'm no professional but this is how i gain weight somewhat healthily:

• Know your Body Mass Index (BMI)
• It goes without saying that you will need to eat and not just eating your regular portions. 
• You will need to increase your food intake even if it is slowly and more times a day 'cos it will take a while for your stomach & body to adjust to not getting full quickly. Try to eat at least 3 proper meals a day and increase it from there
• Accept that it may take some time to add the weight
• Accept that you may add weight in places you don't want to except you are also on a good workout routine (e.g thighs, stomach) 
• Balance your workout with a proper diet- It could be with smoothies and fruits before you can access a proper meal
• Eat a balanced diet- It should include good fats & oils, protein & carbs at the very least. You want clean calories
• Eat coconuts, avocados & dates
• Drink full-fat yoghurts (I recommend Habib Yoghurt) esp with Fura (ground millet)
• Dairy & Whole Eggs are great for weight gain
• Drink Water only before or after your meals not during
• Do not keep climbing the scale to see how much u've gained-You will be disappointed, instead measure ur weight loss by how ur clothes fit or by using a tape rule
• Meal planning you can have a timetable, make a list and cook from it or prep ur meals for the 3days-1week ahead. Planning ahead helps you if you are not one who enjoys cooking or has time to eat out.
• Diligently keep a daily food diary/calendar (click here) to account for how well you eat daily (You can take pictures of what you eat as a photo diary)
• Involve a close friend or family member to help you on your journey and keep you accountable
• Switch up your meals every once in a while. You can go to restaurants or find new recipes online to spice things up
• Take Multivitamins especially the ones that improve your appetite
• Stock ur fridge, freezer and pantry with the good/healthy stuff and snacks (Fruits, Veg, Nuts, etc)
• Find useful resources online
• Get enough sleep, rest or downtime especially when stressed
• If your case is serious you may want to consult a nutritionist or dietitian to recommend a n effective solution for you.

I hope this helps someone out there that has been struggling with weight gain.

 Toodles!XooX

How I Lose my Holiday Weight ASAP!

First thing anyone that knows me and reads this post will say is What!! Which Weight!! Please leave us that have weight issues with our struggles oo. lol. I totally understand where they are coming from though, to them i look like the perfect weight, majority of my friends beef me that i'm a foodie and never pile on the pounds. haha. they say it's the person wearing the shoes that knows where they pinch and hurt.

me tryna compress the CHEEKS

Honestly i rarely have issues with my weight, as far as i'm concerned, my BMI (Body Mass Index i.e the ratio of your weight to your height) is perfect. My weight is usually between 50kg (lowest)- 59kg (highest), it fluctuates depending on my meals, diet, stress, etc. I have discovered that my weight almost enters the 60s on the scale, in fact i'm sure it enters this range during the holiday season (Christmas/New Year/Sallah/Easter), i just refuse to climb a scale during this period and remain blissfully unaware of the numbers *wide grin*
When i do add the weight it starts showing first on my face especially my cheeks (note i already have naturally full cheeks) and chin!!! and these parts are the ones that get to me! that's when u see me taking all my pics at angles!lol; then slowly my clothes get really tight and since i have no plans of changing my wardrobe, the weight gats to go. 

Last year i got kind of an early start on piling on the 'holiday weight' when we went for our honeymoon in Zanzibar, Tanzania. We had booked our hotels online and they were 'All-Inclusive' i.e the room rates included meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, room service, etc). Oh my days!!!!! I ate like a glutton and piled on the pounds mehn!! Before i could say jack i had a double chin and full rosssyyyy cheeks (people started asking if i was preggers). Funny thing is before we went on this vacation, we had done serious workout to get in shape and have 'beach bodies'.

post-holiday fuller cheeks

Post-Zanzibar round face

Anyway enough of my stories ba, here is how i get rid of the weight ASAP after the holidays are over:

• Accept that it'll take some time to lose the weight
• Accept that you'll loose some goodies in the process (i.e. boobs, ass) *tears*
• Get ur family/friends on board-they'll motivate u n help/correct when u wanna cheat 
• Join a support group (mine was SYTYCC fitness group); you can also use an app for this
• Do not keep climbing the scale to see how much u've lost-You will be disappointed, instead measure ur weight loss by how ur clothes fit or by using a tape rule
• Stay Motivated by all means (it helps to work towards a goal weight or a dress you wanna fit in by a certain time, etc.)
• Meal plan, you can have a timetable or just make a list and cook from it. Planning ahead helps you not just reach for snacks,fast food or eat out so much
• Track your Meals-You can keep a food diary or picture log
• Stock ur fridge, freezer and pantry with the good/healthy stuff and snacks (Fruits, Veg, etc)
• Snack addict (snack healthy-carrots,tigernuts,dates,cucumbers, plain popsorn, etc.)
• Cook more instead of eating out especially veggies n protein meals
• Eat less carbs (Rice, Pounded Yam, etc). Take smaller portions and take more of the Veg and Proteins
• Cut out Soda & Fizzy drinks
• Portion Control (I use small bowls to help measure what i eat, white plates also help after a while ur eyes can guage what is ok for you)
• Eat smaller portions more frequently (easier for ur body to digest, don't overdo it) instead of one large portion that will send u to woonderland
• Eat fruits
• Don't overdo it, pace yourself and slowly but surely your body will start to adjust accordingly
• Use the white house (toilet) regularly
• Shower at night after eating (for me i feel more refreshed after a shower and get a few more hours awake for my food to properly digest)
• DON'T go to bed IMMEDIATELY after eating
• Drink lots of water (before and after a meal especially-you will visit the loo more often however)
• Exercise;know what works for you-power walking, dancing, moving around doin diff activities(climb staircases), skipping, stretches, squats, situps, legups, house cleaning (that sweat is calories being burnt, don't underestimate it)
• Keep a Workout Timetable (whatever ur form of exercise) to track your activities
• Be active (move around more). Having a pedometer or smart band to track your steps keeps you motivated
• Watermelons are your friend
• Detox once in a while
• Fasting (usually church prescribed but works for me)
• Facial Exercises (supposed to help us with full cheeks; thank God for 'contour' sha)

'Regular weight' face

'Perfect wedding weight'{After 100day church fast}

I watch a lot of 'Fat Shows' on TLC and i learn from them, the habits to cut and how to be aware and control what you eat in order to reach/or maintain your desired weight instead of fighting to lose weight. Weight loss is hard especially after a certain stage, it is better to work towards not even reaching such a stage.
I maintain my current weight by cooking what i eat, portion control, indulging my sweettooth once in a while, being active and very little exercise (mostly walking, house cleaning and dancing).

Slow and Steady wins the race, just keep at it and eventually you will see results (clothes start getting loose, etc.). Hope this helps anyone that overdid 'small chops' during the Easter.

Toodles!XooX

Dates!

The fruit o! Not goin on dates with guys or gals o.

Fresh Dates

Dates are quite popular in the Northern part of Nigeria moreso during the fasting period (Ramadan). I have been having quite a lot of it of recent and i have to say it's very tasty and filling and has quite a no. of health benefits asides catering to my sweet tooth. The fresh ones are more of my favorite, very juicy! while the dry ones are more chewy, sticky and gooey. All dates are high in iron and potassium and are a good source of fibre.  

Dried Date

Health benefits of dates

• Wonderfully delicious, dates are one of the most popular fruits packed with an impressive list of essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals that are required for normal growth, development and overall well-being.

• Fresh dates compose of soft, easily digestible flesh and simple sugars like fructose and dextrose. When eaten, they replenish energy and revitalize the body instantly. For these qualities, they are being used to break the fast during Ramadan month since ancient times.

• The American Cancer Society declares that usage of one date on a daily basis assists in maintaining healthy eyes for one’s life time. One date each day can prevent eyes blindness. 20-35 grams of soluble fiber every day is sufficient.
• Dates are referred to as an outstanding treatment for alcoholic intoxication. Dates offer fast comfort when it comes to alcoholic intoxication. 
• The problem of sexual weakness/low libido can be countered by dates, as they are beneficial in increasing the body's sexual stamina. One needs to soak handful of dates in goat's milk overnight. Next morning, grind the dates in the same milk and add a mixture of honey and cardamom powder. This yields a tonic capable of increasing sexual endurance.
• Dates consist of 20 different kinds of amino acids which facilitate the digestive process. This is why dates are easily digestible, and furnish the body with required energy for physical activities in about half an hour, after consumption. 
• Dates are a high source of energy, with 100 grams of dates yielding about 300 kcal of energy. They are packed with 29 grams of natural sugars (glucose, sucrose, dextrose and fructose), 3 grams of dietary fiber, and 31 grams of carbohydrates. Therefore, the tiny date fruit can be appropriately described as an energy-boosting dry fruit.
• Dates help in weightloss as they help you avoid overeating. The factor responsible for human hunger is shortage of sugar in the blood. Consumption of dates takes care of this shortage, and pacifies the feeling of hunger with its sugar content. Moreover, the dietary fiber and other nutrients in dates, gets absorbed by the body quickly, which prevents people from overeating after a day of fasting. Dates are nutrient-rich brown nuggets, that not only satiate the palate, but also provide a variety of nutrients to the body. Consuming a couple of dates when one's hungry will be a good idea, because it will help prevent binge eating. Enjoy the sweetness of dates along with its numerous health benefits!
• Dates have been found to promote growth of friendly bacteria in the intestines. Moreover, the nicotine content found in dates is also believed to help cure intestinal problems. Pregnancy is a time when a woman experiences extreme bloating, constipation and other intestinal problems. Dates are an excellent remedy for such intestinal disturbances. However, women with gestational diabetes must control the intake of dates, unless otherwise specified by the obstetrician.
• Loaded with soluble and insoluble fibers, dates not only help improve bowel movements, but also clears toxins from the gastrointestinal tract. In order to benefit from the laxative properties of dates, one should soak dates overnight in water. The soaked dates should then be ingested in the morning along with the water to gain the actual advantages. The roughage provided by dates increases bowel movement, thereby solving constipation issues. Pregnant women are advised to eat dates to alleviate constipation, because it is not only a high-fiber snack, but also contains lots of nutrients that are good for the growing foetus. 
• While most of us are trying to cut down our weight, there are some people who are desperately trying to gain weight. Dates are high in calories, with one date corresponding to 20 to 60 calories (depending on the type). Including 5 to 6 dates in one's daily diet can help increase body weight. Dates, unlike junk food are a healthy way of gaining weight. If you don't like to eat dates as they are, you can also add dates to cakes, puddings, and other baked items to reduce the sugar content in them. Soaked and pureed Medjool dates, when combined with applesauce and added to cake batter, not only add moisture and texture, but also do away with refined sugar, added in the cake. Dates also add fiber and increase the nutritional content of the baked food item. If the dates purchased are not soft, microwave them along with a little water for a minute. Blend the softened dates in a food processor. 
• The fruit is rich in dietary fiber, which prevents LDL cholesterol absorption in the gut. Additionally, the fiber works as a bulk laxative. It, thus, helps to protect the colon mucous membrane by decreasing exposure time and as well as binding to cancer-causing chemicals in the colon.

• They contain health benefiting flavonoid polyphenolic antioxidants known as tannins. Tannins are known to possess anti-infective, anti-inflammatory, and anti-hemorrhagic (prevent easy bleeding tendencies) properties.

• They are moderate sources of vitamin-A (contains 149 IU per 100 g), which is known to have antioxidant properties and essential for vision. Additionally, it is also required maintaining healthy mucus membranes and skin. Consumption of natural fruits rich in vitamin A is known to help to protect from lung and oral cavity cancers.

• They compose antioxidant flavonoids such as ß-carotene, lutein, and zea-xanthin. These antioxidants found to have the ability to protect cells and other structures in the body from harmful effects of oxygen-free radicals. Thus, eating dates found to offer some protection from colon, prostate, breast, endometrial, lung, and pancreatic cancers. 

• Zea-xanthin is an important dietary carotenoid that selectively absorbed into the retinal macula lutea, where it thought to provide antioxidant and protective light-filtering functions. It thus offers protection against age-related macular degeneration, especially in elderly populations.

• Dates are an excellent source of iron, contains 0.90 mg/100 g of fruits (about 11% of RDI). Iron, being a component of hemoglobin inside the red blood cells, determines the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood. Consuming dates on a regular basis can provide the body with the iron content it needs. Pregnant women are often advised to consume dates, so as to prevent iron-deficiency anemia in mother and child. However, since vitamin C is required for iron absorption, it's important to consume vitamin C-rich foods as well. Anemia patients are advised to eat several dates on a daily basis to raise their level of iron in the blood.
• Dates contain fluorine, which is an essential mineral to slow down the process of early tooth decay. Fluorine is also known to keep plaque at bay by strengthening the tooth enamel. However, many people are of the misconception that tooth enamel can magically reverse tooth decay. This is not true. Tooth enamel consists of hydroxyapatites, which when brought in contact with fluorine forms hydroxyfluoroapatites, which is resistant to decay. This clearly means that fluorine helps prevent further tooth decay, but cannot reverse the decay process.

• Further, they are very good in potassium. 100 g contains 696 mg or 16% of daily-recommended levels of this electrolyte. Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids that help controlling heart rate and blood pressure. They, thus, offers protection against stroke and coronary heart diseases.

• They are also rich in minerals like calcium, manganese, copper, and magnesium. Calcium is an important mineral that is an essential constituent of bone and teeth, and required by the body for muscle contraction, blood clotting, and nerve impulse conduction. Manganese is used by the body as a co-factor for the antioxidant enzyme, superoxide dismutase. Copper is required for the production of red blood cells. Magnesium is essential for bone growth.

• Further, the fruit has adequate levels of B-complex group of vitamins as well as vitamin K. It contains very good amounts of pyridoxine (vitamin B-6), niacin, pantothenic acid, and riboflavin. These vitamins are acting as cofactors help body metabolize carbohydrates, protein, and fats. Vitamin K is essential for many coagulant factors in the blood as well as in bone metabolism.
• Dates are also seen to strengthen the uterine muscles and facilitates childbirth. A study (2007-2008) was conducted at Jordan University of Science and Technology, on pregnant women to analyze the link date fruits have on labor. 69 women were asked to consume 6 dates every day, for the last 4 weeks before their due date. On the other hand, 45 other women were also included in the study, who were not given any dates. After analysis of all their births, it was found that the women who consumed dates showed more cervical dilation, along with higher percentage of spontaneous labor in of women, as compared to those who didn't consume dates. The study noted that dates helped labor and spontaneous labor. However, more research has to be conducted in this field. 

Fresh Date

In the stores, one may come across soft, semi-dry, and dried types put for sale. At home, store them at room temperature in a cool place inside an air-seal container or in a refrigerator where they stay well for several months. You can also leave them out to ripen before eating them.Dry and soft dates are usually eaten out-of-hand.

• They can be stuffed with fillings such as almonds,walnuts, candied orange and cream cheese.
• They can also be chopped and used with fruit salad and in a range of sweet and savory dishes.
• Dates are also being used to prepare juice and Jallab (a type of syrup popular in the Middle East and made from dates, grape molasses, and rose water).
• They can be chopped into tiny slices and scattered across cakes and puddings to ameliorate their flavor. 
• Date paste can be mixed with yogurt, milk, bread, or butter to enhance their flavor.

There are several types of dates depending on the region/country they are grown i believe.

Do the necessary research and hop on the Date wagon (eating the fruit) y'all. lool!!

Toodles!XooX

Apple Cider Vinegar is the truth!!

Quite a number of us know Vinegar, use it for improvised home cleaning, hair rinse, cooking, washing fruits, Weight loss etc. I just found out it can be good for the skin as well!! I went for a much needed facial recently and the therapist mentioned that i have a lot of white heads and  that's because my clogs are pored and advised that i use my face scrub more frequently to unclog my pores. After the facial my face was super smooth and soft 'cos my pores had been unclogged. I have had white heads most of my life, it occurs mostly on my chin and nose and its more obvious when i skip my cleanser or scrub routine, i did not really think it was something i need to combat 'cos i thot it a norm for the oily skinned. I decided to do a bit of research to find out what causes white heads and the best way to tackle it, I found a lottttt of useful information and after sifting through decided to go with one of the home remedies i found in which the person combined Apple Cider Vinegar and Rosewater to combat hers. I also went further to find a list of comodogenic (pore clogging) oils/butter (https://www.beneficialbotanicals.com/facts-figures/comedogenic-rating.html), this was brought to my attention by Youtuber Heyfranhey in the video where she talked about her reason for going with Almond oil for her oil cleansing skincare routine.

I use Moringa oil on my face daily and it has made quite some change to the smoothness of my skin and fading of my acne scars, although i did not find it on the list of comodogenic oils, i decided to switch from using it to using shea butter which can serve as a sunscreen and does not clog the pores.

I also started using Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) as a cleanser/toner, i use the Heinz brand as it is quite diluted, most people recommend the Braggs brand for other uses as it is organic and quite potent. I have very acne-prone skin and i'm telling u guys ACV is the ish!!! My acne breakouts are wayyyy less frequent and my acne scars are fading out, my skin is smooth and soft and the whiteheads are yet to return. It has also reduced the occurence of my bacne to the minimum and totally cleared out the breakout of Keratosis Pilaris (i will do a post on this soon enough) i had earlier in the month. I've been on this ACV treatment for about 2weeks now and i'm loving it. I've also been using Epsom Salt in my bathing water and i've been eating mostly healthy home cooked meals, so these may have also contributed to the fast results!! It kills bacteria, restores the skin PH balance, combats free radicals and all that good stuff (Google it for more info). I use it after washing and drying my face or cleaning my face with wipes on my lazy days, i poured it into a spritz bottle for easier use so i just spray it from the bottle to the cotton pad and clean all over my face, it stings very very slightly (especially when my hands have been picking at my face) and the smell is awful & almost choking ( i hold my breath when using it) but d smell fades out quick. I intend to still get the rosewater once i have some free time. Try it out guys!!It is sooooo worth it!!

I'm still trying to mentally prepare myself to ingest it as i have also learnt its very good for the body or maybe i'll just find a way to incorporate it into my cooking. I'll let u guys know how that goes eventually.

Toodles!XooX

Natural Nigerian Tuesday!! Hair Journey pics

I got featured on Natural Nigerian's page for her Natural Nigerian Tuesday posts! Glad i was able to send her my story and pics cos it mad me dig through this blog for my first post after my BC in August 2009, I have come a long way since then and learnt a lot, and i am still learning and enlarging my naturals circle. It was fun reading that post and reliving it. Here's the link to the post and do Like her page. Hope you enjoy it. 

Toodles!XooX

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=689883584370908&set=a.298737883485482.93378.205441639481774&type=1&theater

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=689885134370753&set=a.298737883485482.93378.205441639481774&type=1&theater

My writeup
"Natural Nigerian Tosin lives in Wuse 2,Abuja. Read more about her big chop in 2009 on her blog: http://tamikoadyms.blogspot.com/2009/08/my-bc.html

"My natural hair journey began about 4 years ago when I had the intention of locking my hair.I let the hair get very due and after a while I did the big chop.I loved the new texture and curls of my hair and enjoyed taking care of it myself so much so that I let go of the idea of getting dreads.I learnt a lot from youtube,www.bglhonline.com (at that time it was still a blog) and many other sites. My research made me more conscious of ingredients in the products I use and their effects on my hair and dis made me more curious about the ingredients in other products I used for my body. It made me do a lot more research and eventually make a decision to change to a healthy living lifestyle. I decided to go all natural and live healthy, I became more aware and choosy of the products I use and d food I consume and I can truly say I'm a better person all around thanks to these changes. Friends who laughed and were confused about me going natural have now joined me. Being natural and living healthy is a lifestyle not a trend. I'm glowing,energetic and can't remember when last I was ill.I love my thick, full, nappy, black hair people r always dying to touch!"

After BC-August 2009

March 2010

December 2010

December 2010

August 2012

October 2012-Straightened hair      

August 2013-Hair straightened

August 2013 (same day as above)-Embracing Shrinkage after some raindrops

January 2013-At a friend's wedding

April 2013-took my braids out n goofing aroung

June 2013-Curly

June 2013-straight

SlimKicker

I consider myself slightly fit and as much as i try to do more to keep fit and be healthy so many obstacles stand in my way. I have found different maneuvers around them though, for instance i take the stairs at any opportunity instead of the elevator or escalator. I try to drink a lot of water,i' m not really a soda person anyways, i take juice instead. I try to eat have a balanced diet but that's kinda tough 'cos it'll involve me cooking and i can be very lazy when it comes to that (i admit). I leave for work early and come back worn out, I just eat whatever is available or have snacks/chocolate or go to bed like that. At work i eat a fairly balanced diet but lets be real that's just 1 meal outta the 3 i should be having. I don't have issues with my weight, i just wanna be healthy.

Exercise is another challenge i'm facing now. I'm considering joining a gym seriously. While i was in school i was super fit! I used to take long walks, jog, do sit-ups,leg-ups and a bit of yoga. I have to say i had some time on my hands though and i had friends to motivate me. Now though work and social activities, etc don't give me much time, but if there's one thing i've learnt,it's that there'l never be time for anything except you make extra effort to create time.

Anyways, i intend to join a gym asap and once my house hunt is complete and i have my own space, i will cook more. I also wanna start swimming again, dancing,etc basically get involved in fun activities that help one stay fit.Dance or play golf  or box some dude on Xbox or do some random exercise on Wii.

I came across this site my friend sent me http://slimkicker.com/ and i intend to use it to track my progress and explore all the fun challenges it entails. Please Enjoy and i wish you all the best in your pursuit to be fit and healthy.

XoXoxO....toodles