Is your hair preventing you from working out consistently?

Since the Madam CJ Walker’s straightening tools were invented, working out has conflicted with hair styling and maintenance, for many in the black community. People would straighten their kinks and curls, but any slight moisture on the scalp would cause their precious straight hair to revert back. The time and pain experienced during this process, meant that reverting back so quickly was not an option. Parents would  warn their little girls to look after their hair, to preserve the style for as long as possible. Even playing outside and running around could pose a threat to the hair.  In an 1982 article by Ebony Magazine, reader Pam Proctor recounts the many missed opportunities to swim or participate in sports because her hair would ‘go back’.  Then came the years of relaxers, which, are still going on til this day.  Some subscribed to this notion of ‘sweating out the perm’. This may be why stereotypes have  formed about black women in particular, not participating in swimming.  Not wanting to get their hair or weave wet, has typically been a reason given for avoiding it.  Of course there are always exceptions to the rule, but many of these stereotypes started because of hair..

So how have attitudes changed since then? With access to the internet and the growth of the information age, people are becoming more informed about health and fitness. More of us, from all races and backgrounds are learning about prevention rather than cure. People are taking responsibility for their health and know that a lifetime of dependency on prescription drugs and medicines isn’t their only option.  Unfortunately, certain diseases are attributed more towards people of African descent (type 2 diabetes, certain cancers for instance). Most health problems are connected to poor diet and a lack of physical activity, Staying active is a huge step towards taking control of your health and breaking the cycle of disease.

Hair should be the last thing that prevents you from working out. For those who don’t want to be another stereotype or statistic; here are some tips on staying motivated to workout and not allowing your hair to get in the way.

Plan your hairstyles around your working out, not the other way around

After styling your hair in a fresh twist out or spending an uncomfortable night with your hair in flexi-rods, the last thing you want to do is go to the gym and sweat profusely. A fresh new hairstyle can instantly switch your mind off workout mode. However, you could workout Monday to Friday and do a new style for the weekend. Consider flat ironing your hair as a treat rather than a necessity. Even if you regularly flat-iron, you can still wear curly and wavy styles, don’t be so hung up on achieving that bone straight look all the time.  You could even plan your styles around certain workouts that aren’t as strenuous. If it’s cardio day tomorrow, keep the hair in a bun, but if it’s weights day, your hair should not get too frizzy. If you have a special occasion coming up, you could prep your hair after your workout, and it will be ready for the event the next day.

Find your workout hair style

This depends on how you are styling your hair for the week. A protective style is probably the easiest style to manage when working out. Two strand twists, pinned up or put into a ponytail, work well. I prefer to put my hair in a puff, as it is the most convenient style for me.  If I want to preserve a twist out or curly style, I work out with my hair in a loose pineapple. Go for a style that keeps the ends of your hair away from your neck and off your forehead, so they remain dry. If your ends remain dry, your twist-out will still be somewhat evident, even if the roots become a little damp or frizzy.  I also find wash and gos hold up well when working out. To maintain a wash and go, I put my hair in low pigtails. Then I take them down when I am finished, give the hair a little shake, and I am ready to go.

Keep your hair up for as long as possible, after a workout

Unless you are taking your hair down to wash, perhaps leave it in a puff or pineapple. This will prevent your ends from becoming frizzy while your scalp dries.  It will also keep the hair taut at the roots so your hair is more stretched when it is taken down.

Avoid working out with your scarf or bonnet on

Sweating helps to regulate your body temperature by removing excess heat. We usually lose a lot of heat from our head. A scarf may cause you to retain more heat during a workout, as the heat is restricted from escaping. It is important that your scalp remains breathable, so the body does not become overheated. This can end up having a negative impact on your workout overall. If you want to keep your hair sleek, spray your hair with a mist of water after your workout, and then put the scarf on to sleek the hair and edges down. After 15 minutes or so, the hair will appear sleeker once the scarf is removed. From my experience wearing a scarf while working out never really prevented my hair from becoming frizzy anyway.

Practice co-washing more frequently

If you are working out during the week you will want to wash your hair more frequently. Many would want to avoid exposing their hair to frequent shampooing because of the drying effect this can have. Frequent co-washing is considered kinder to the hair and even moisturizing. Wash and gos may also work well for this reason. Check out the post: Stretching and styling your hair after washing for convenient styling ideas.

Focus on the benefits of working out

Frizzy hair is not as serious as obesity, heart disease, diabetes, stress or depression. Just a few health issues exercise has been proven to prevent or treat. The hair challenges that exercise may present, are minor in relation to the benefits. Such benefits will not be seen unless you workout consistently and make it a lifestyle rather than just a New Year fad. People who exercise also have a longer life expectancy and generally are better off physically and mentally. Besides, when you take care of your body, your hair and skin will thank you for it!

We have all been guilty of it at some point. How do you manage your hair when working out? Share your tips below.

Seven Reasons For Excessive Shedding or Breakage

Hair sheds naturally each day. This occurs when a hair strand has reached the end of its growth cycle and falls out, making room for the new strand.  On average a person sheds up to 100 hair strands a day. Naturally shed hair usually has a white tip at top and will be near to full length. However, at times you may experience more shedding than usual for a number of different reasons. As you know your hair better than anyone, you can monitor the shedding of your hair and spot when it becomes excessive. Shed hair is usually evident after detangling, combing, or styling. At times the shedding may increase to an uncomfortable level. Seven reasons why excessive shedding may occur are as follows:

 

Protective styling

The benefits of protective styling are evident. However there is a way to do it safely to minimize damage to the hair. Weaves, braids and wigs should not be too tight and it is better to have a break in between protective styles so your hair is not constantly subject to tension. Excessive protective styling, done poorly can lead to traction alopecia,  Traction alopecia is more prevalent in black women than any other group. After taking out a protective style, you may find that you have a lot of shed hair. This is perfectly normal as shed hair is built up for as long as the style is kept in. Monitor the amount of shed hair that accumulates each time you take out a protective style. If this amount increases dramatically after a particular style, damage may have been caused.

Deep conditioning for too long

Deep conditioning is a vital part of our hair care regimen. However there seems to be a growing idea that the longer it is left in, the better. Some women choose to leave their deep conditioner in overnight. This is considered unnecessary by some  hair care experts. It is important to note that hair is more fragile when saturated in deep conditioner that is water based. While sleeping, a person is likely to move around a lot, turning their head numerous times. This may cause a lot of rubbing and hair strands may be tugged and pulled in the process, which may result in broken or weakened strands.  This may cause them to shed before their time or break off easily when styling the next day.

 

Product ingredients

Glycerin is a humectant that absorbs moisture from the atmosphere. It is a great ingredient to create long lasting moisture for the hair. I like to use ‘glycerin heavy’ products when  putting my hair in a protective style, so the moisture can last a few days without having to reapply frequently. However sometimes I find that my hair becomes more fragile after this and this can result in excessive shedding.  After washing my hair and simply using water for moisture, along with oil for sealing, I experience much less shedding. Glycerin can weigh the hair down and keep feeling damp for longer periods of time, this may weaken the strands. The amount of glycerin used should be limited, as a little goes a long way. If too much is used, it may be better to wash your hair sooner, so it doesn’t  build up and become detrimental to the strength of your hair.

Protein/moisture balance

Too much emphasis on moisture may result in weaker hair strands, as the hair needs protein to rebuild and reinforce itself. However constantly using products that contain protein may cause excessive dryness. Hair that is too dry also becomes brittle. So the protein moisture balance is important for healthy hair. Substitute every forth deep conditioner for a protein treatment and avoid using products that are protein heavy unless necessary.  Alternatively, simply examine your hair regularly and decide if it is in need of protein at that time, instead of your usual deep conditioner.

Dehydration

Dehydration occurs when the body starts to lose more fluids than it takes in. Hair is one quarter water and water carries vital vitamins to the hair root. It hydrates the entire strand from the inside. Water is also the main source of energy for hair cells, including the ones that promote growth. It also clears the body of pollutants, which cause hair loss. Suffering from dehydration causes a shortage of a water supply to the hair. Water is then rationed to vital parts of the body, such as the brain and heart. This leads to excessive shedding and the roots will not be stimulated enough for new hair growth. So drinking plenty of water is crucial to the health of your hair. It is recommended that we drink six to eight glasses of water a day.

Medication

Hair loss may be a side effect of certain medications, so check the labels of your prescriptions. Some particular medications that may cause excessive shedding include blood thinners, antidepressants, and birth control pills. For birth control pills, the American Hair Loss Association recommends that all women interested in using oral contraceptives should only use low-androgen index birth control pills. If there is a strong predisposition for genetic hair loss in your family, they recommend the use of non-hormonal forms of birth control. Talk to your doctor if you are concerned about your medication.

Stress

There are different types of stress.  Telogen effluvium causes a large number of hair follicles to go into the resting phase of the hair growth cycle. The affected hair might fall out suddenly within a few months when simply combing or washing. Trichotillomania is when a person feels a sudden urge to pull their hair from the scalp to cope with  stress and anxiety.  Lastly, alopecia areata is one of the more serious forms of hair loss. This is a condition in which the body’s immune system attacks the hair follicles, causing hair loss. This can also be caused by stress. This can be reversed with better stress management techniques, exercise and reducing your caffeine intake may help for instance.

Leyla of FushionofCultures has spoken about dealing with Trichotillomania

Dieting or poor nutrition

Crash dieting or failing to maintain a healthy diet, may have a negative effect on your hair. The hair is the last part of the body to receive nutrients, as major organs are prioritized. Hair needs the right vitamins and nutrients to be healthy. Two vitamin deficiencies that can particularly cause excessive shedding, or breakage, are vitamin A and iron.

Have you experienced excessive shedding or hair loss? If so, what  was the reason?

 

Eight Benefits of Cycling

Some of you may be throwing gym membership money down the drain. Being indoors, running on a treadmill or trying to figure out how to use workout equipment, isn’t for everyone.  That doesn’t mean you should give up on exercising completely.  There are many other ways to get fit.  In Australia, where I am currently living, the weather is cooling down.  This actually makes it more conducive to exercising outdoors.  Those of you in the Northern Hemisphere should be seeing the first signs of spring, perhaps this has inspired you exercise outside.

 

Cycling is a great way to get in shape.  Here are eight benefits:

 

1. You can start indoors

Perhaps you are not quite ready for the tour de France, but you can get fit in front of the TV and leave yourself with no excuses.  According to Dr Lennert Veerman at the University of Queensland, being inactive can be just as bad for your life expectancy as smoking.  You can purchase an exercise bike or put your road bike on a bicycle trainer and cycle while you watch your favorite programs.  This will reduce your risk of heart disease and diabetes as well as improve your fitness.

 

2. You can cycle on the way to work

Cycling on your way to work is convenient and cost-effective.  These days, many office buildings  have showers for employees to use.  Pedaling at 9 miles an hour burns about 287 calories per hour.  Exercise also releases endorphins which elevates mood and promotes energy. This is a great way to start the day and prepare for the challenges ahead.  Start planning what to do with the money you will save on transport and gym membership.

 

3. Mountain biking is better for fitness than road biking

You can burn more than 500 calories with an hour of mountain biking. Studies show that off-road bikers have higher bone density than road cyclists. Mountain bikes are not as fast as road bikes because the wheels are heavier, so they require you to work harder. Choose the most appropriate bike for the type of riding you wish to do. Check out your local national park, there should be a variety of biking tracks to use for some good off-road action.

 

4. Cycling helps you  sleep

A study at Stanford University School of Medicine found that insomniacs who began cycling 20-30 minutes every other day, fell asleep sooner and slept for longer.  Cycling outside during the day helps to get circadian rhythms back in sync. This reduces the stress hormone cortisol which disrupts sleep.  Good sleep is essential for weight loss and overall health. Researchers at Brigham Young University found that high quality sleep was associated with lower body fat while poor sleep correlated with higher body fat.

 

5. Stand up on the pedals for a greater workout

Standing on your pedals engages the whole body in order to keep balance and generate force.  This raises the heart rate and burns more calories.  It also builds strength in the upper body.  Switch between standing and sitting at different intervals.   Try  ten minute hill climbs, alternating between sitting and standing.

 

6. Exercising outside promotes vitamin D production in the body

Our bodies can produce vitamin D with direct exposure to sunlight. The main function of vitamin D is to regulate the absorption of calcium and phosphorus in our bones and aid cell to cell communication in the body. Vitamin D helps to support the immune system, maintain healthy bones and even reduce the risk of cancer.  According to a study conducted by the Medical College of Georgia, vitamin D plays an important role in maintaining a healthy body weight. Vitamin D deficiency is common in people who wear sun protection frequently and in people of  African descent, because pigmentation reduces vitamin D production.  Vitamin D can also be received  through food and with supplements, however going outside for a bike ride  is a fun way of getting a much-needed dose of it.

 

7. You are less likely to get bored with cycling

You can always try a different route for a change of scenery and, treat  cycling as an opportunity to explore.  Try combining your cycling with some photography. I occasionally stop along the way to take photos if I find something interesting. From animals, beautiful sunsets, exquisite scenery, to classic cars or planes; you never know what you might find.

 

Cycling path, Glenelg SA

 

8. Cycling is a low impact exercise

Cycling is a good form of exercise for people with knee problems, as it does not directly put pressure on the knee joints. The  repetitive motion of cycling works the quadriceps and hamstrings, which are the muscles that support the knee joints. It is an exercise that strengthens the legs and promotes cardiovascular fitness. For the best results, cycle at least three or four times each week for 30 minutes.

So get on your bike, get in shape and start exploring!

 

Are you a cyclists? What benefits have you discovered from cycling? Share your experiences below.

 

 

 

Natural Hair Journey to Health Journey

It’s amazing that so many women who are discovering their natural hair for the first time have also begun to consider their overall health.  Many have now embarked on a health and fitness journey.  If we are going to take the time to research what makes our hair healthy and what to avoid to prevent damage to our hair, how much more should we do this for our bodies? Hair and nails are the last to receive vital nutrients from foods. Our bodies are so amazing that they are designed to prioritize the vital organs. If we take the time to learn how to look after the least important part of our bodies; hair, then it’s only a matter of time before we desire to do the same for our overall health.

What goes on inside our bodies is reflected on the outside anyway. Having the best hair care products, the best regimen and the most creative hairstyles, will not get us very far if we are not healthy from the inside. If our bodies are not hydrated for instance, our hair  and skin will suffer from dryness to reflect this on the outside.  If we are lacking key vitamins and nutrients, it doesn’t matter if our shampoos or conditioners are ‘enriched with vitamins’, our hair and overall health will still suffer.

I am glad to see so many newly naturals not only embark on a natural hair journey, but also considering the effects of diet, exercise and a healthy lifestyle on their bodies as a whole. I often hear many not only discussing good hair care practices, but fitness and workout regiments, weight loss and avoiding processed foods or drinks. Not only are they avoiding  chemicals in their hair products, they are also doing the same with their skin products and food.  Quite clearly it has become about much more than hair, and I for one believe it is a step in the right direction.

I’m tired of reports suggesting that certain health problems are more prevalent within the black community and with black women in particular. Regardless of whether you believe such statistics are accurate, it should be a priority for us to break any negative trends and set a better example for our children.  Many health problems such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease and cancer can be prevented by having a healthy diet and exercising regularly. Such diseases can also be cured or managed simply by improving your diet and adopting a healthier lifestyle. For example according to the America Diabetes Association, weight loss of just 10 to 15 pounds can make a huge improvement to the health of those with type 2 diabetes.  The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services found that overweight and obese women were at a higher risk of uterine fibroids.  A diet high in fruits and vegetables and thus high in fibre was found to be crucial for the prevention and treatment of fibroids.

More and more women in the natural hair community, and beyond are realizing the importance of healthy eating, exercise and the avoidance of harmful chemicals. We understand that we no longer have to be reconciled to a lifetime of taking numerous medications.   Instead, through education and basic research we can learn to look after our bodies as well as our hair.

Did going natural lead to a health journey for you or have you always been conscious of these issues? Maybe you are yet to embark upon a health journey. Share your thoughts below.

Just Juices and Berries

I am not writing this to bash ‘product junkies’. I  like trying out new things and for some people that could be hair care products. However, I am noticing a lot more emphasis being placed on products, in the natural hair community. On forums, blogs, YouTube and social networking sites, I am seeing different women post questions about what products to use to address certain hair ‘problems’.  For example: what product can I use to stretch out my hair? What product can I use to soften my hair? What product can I use to make my hair grow? I am thinking about going natural, what products should I be using?

I can’t help but believe that we are reverting back to the old mindset, that we simply need a magical product to make our hair perfect! This is opposed to simply learning how to manage our hair properly. Isn’t that how relaxers were presented to the black community, for decades? Relaxers, perms and texturizers were supposed to be magical products that would ‘fix’ our hair and take away all our hair problems.

This quick fix mindset is based on an unwillingness to do research and educate ourselves about our hair. It is quite concerning to see some women obsessing about products before they have even gone natural. This makes going natural a lot harder than it needs to be and I can imagine why some women find the concept quite daunting. When I first went natural I was living in the UK and most of the products mentioned on the internet were only available in the US. So I didn’t have access to a great number of products. To be honest the last thing I was thinking about was products because 99% of products in my local beauty supply contained harmful ingredients. I had learned about them through doing my research. I came to realize that most of the products I used when my hair was relaxed had sulphates, petroleum, silicones, alcohol, harsh perfumes parabens and other chemicals that I couldn’t even pronounce. It’s funny to see that those same black hair companies are now jumping on the natural bandwagon and releasing natural product ranges, to cater to the natural hair community. It’s good to see that they are taking notice and shows that we have a powerful voice.

However, due to the lack of quality hair care products at the time, I was only concerned about the benefits of natural ingredients. I learned about Shea butter, the benefits of plain water, extra virgin olive oil, coconut oil and aloe vera juice. This made my life a lot simpler and I wasn’t bombarded with the many products that are on the market today. I was able to focus on learning to manage my hair, and to this day I personally haven’t found a product that holds my twist outs as well as pure Shea butter does.  I haven’t found a product that moisturizes my hair as well as water does and I stretch my hair out by simply braiding or twisting it. A product by itself will not make your hair grow any faster or longer. Protective styling, moisturizing and being gentle with your hair will help you to retain length.

Of course I enjoy trying out new products from time to time and learning about different products can be part of your natural hair journey. However, when all else fails, I go back to my simple usage of water for moisturizing, oil for sealing in the moisture and my Shea butter for styling.  I’m not against products and I’m happy to see many black owned companies becoming successful. However, there is no product out there that will magically ‘fix’ your hair. You simply need to learn how to manage it properly. Some of us need to learn how to manage our hair with simple ‘juices and berries’ instead of looking for a magical product that simply doesn’t exist. We also need to consider being healthy overall; diet, exercise and water consumption can also affect our hair. Products can only enhance your hair, not make it into something it is not. ALL  hair  textures are beautiful, with or without the use of different products. Keep it simple when going natural and learn the important basics that will benefit you well into the future.

What do you think? Is there an obsession with products? Share your thoughts and ideas below.

Why is it so difficult to find products that are 100% natural?

Shea Butter

I’m sure there are people reading this question and thinking the exact opposite, it isn’t difficult to find such products, what is she talking about? However, look at it from the point of view of someone who lives in an area that only has the major stores such as Wal-Mart. They may not be internet savvy and know what websites to go on to find such products, or they may simply believe that retailers wouldn’t sell anything in the shops that could be harmful.

I’ve lived in the UK and I am now living in the U.S.A and it’s the same.  Unless you are aware of where to go to find natural products you are pretty much stuck with the major stores and their lack of variety. When I go into my local supermarket (whether here or in the UK) it is virtually impossible to find shampoos, body lotions, shower gels, deodorants etc that  have 100% natural ingredients. Since going natural with my hair, I have also become more aware of the ingredients of many popular brands, and the effects of such ingredients.  Why is it impossible to go to my local store and find products that don’t contain parabens, sodium lauryl sulphate, mineral oil, petroleum and other harmful ingredients and preservatives?

I stopped using relaxer, and was glad, because I became aware of the harmful chemicals used in them. Only to find that the same chemicals are used in my moisturizer! Why should a moisturizer contain sodium hydroxide? Why aren’t natural products available in major stores? I’m sure if I lived in a bigger city I would have more options, and I know that the larger stores of Wal-Mart now have  a ‘naturals’ section. That’s great, but what about people who do not live in major cities, why don’t all Wal-Mart’s have a ‘naturals’ section?

It upsets me, because the majority of people don’t know about the effects of certain chemicals and manmade preservatives.  They simply assume that if it for sale, it must be safe to use.  The fact is the majority of popular beauty brands produce products with chemicals that can cause skin or scalp irritation, allergies and in some cases, an increased risk of cancer. If I decide I don’t want to use a deodorant with aluminium in it I should be able to go to my local store and have the choice to buy a natural deodorant. I shouldn’t have to go to a special store or search on the internet, to order one from a company that is based overseas.

When I was in the UK I loved Holland and Barrett. I was upset to find that they don’t exist in the U.S. However I wasn’t a fan of their natural deodorant (it  left me smelling musty by the end of the day), but I didn’t have a choice. As far as I was aware it was their brand or a popular brand that was guaranteed to have aluminium in it. Thankfully in the U.S they have the Toms brand and I think their deodorants are great and they smell good. If I was still in the UK, I probably wouldn’t be aware of this brand, but if I was, I would have to order it online and pay shipping fees to have it delivered. What a pain, having to order online and wait for the items to be delivere.  Only to be told that the delivery came when you were out and you now have to go to the post office to collect it, I digress .  The point I’m trying to make is that, I wish I could just pick up the products I need when I do my grocery shopping, just like everyone else.

There are people suffering from dry scalps or dry skin and they think it’s simply something wrong with them and something they are prone to.  The reality is, many of us are suffering from these annoyances due to the products we use on a daily basis. My husband (who has European hair) noticed the difference when he started using the shampoos I use, instead of the generic one he picked up from the store.  He would regularly suffer from dry scalp and would constantly be scratching his head. It use to drive me mad. Then I realised that it’s not only women with afro textured hair who have ‘gone natural’ that should avoid shampoos with sulphates.  Anyone could benefit from doing so, whether you have afro textured hair or European hair. He switched to the shampoo I was using, that had no sodium lauryl sulphate and his scalp improved. When I went further and not only avoided sulphates but also chose to avoid shampoos with silicones, he noticed the problem improved even more and it is no longer an issue.

So the ingredients that are in products do make a difference.   I can understand people who don’t know any better,  using products that aren’t  natural.  However, I don’t understand when people who have been made aware of the dangers, still choose to use products with ‘junk’ in them.  Maybe it’s because of the inconvenience of having to find all natural products, or maybe they believe products that are 100% natural are more expensive. It is, when you have to order them from oversees and pay for shipping, or buy them from a specialist store that probably has to charge more, to cover their costs.

I don’t think 100% natural products are particularly more expensive, it depends on the brand and where you get them from, but a few dollars or pounds extra is worth it, in my opinion.  Besides, you can always make your own hair products and body lotion by simply mixing a few oils and butters together. However it’s a shame that natural products are considered specialists products.  They should be the norm and consumers deserve to have choice, variety and convenience when they shop. They should not be penalised through cost and time, simply for wanting the best for their health.  I guess if something is worthwhile it requires a little bit more effort. The companies that make natural products are doing a great job, I just wish they were just as accessible as general brands.

Sources

http://thegoodhuman.com/2007/06/21/what-are-parabens-and-why-should-you-avoid-them/

http://safecosmetics.org/article.php?id=291

http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/AP-Deo

Ingredients in a moisturizer I purchased from Wal-Mart. I bought it because it had Shea butter in it. Well I realised, that wasn’t all it had in it!

It says on the bottle: infused with pure African Shea Butter and uncover radiantly soft skin. Skin Enriching Cream with a high concentration of pure African Shea Butter, a natural source of antioxidants & vitamins. This sounds great but look what it contains……….

Ingredients
Water, Butyrospermium parkii (Shea Butter), Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Petrolatrum, Ceteareth – 20, Hydroxyethyl urea, Mangifera Indica (Mango) Seed Butter.

Ethylhexyl Isonanoate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Octyldodecyl Myristate, Hydrogenated Polydecane, Cetylesters, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone , Fragrance, Isohexadecane, C13 & 14 Isoparaffin.

Sodium Hydroxide, Stearic Acid, Carbomer, Mineral Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Methylisothiazolinone, Methlparaben, Propylparaben.

Look up the safety of most ingredients or products at: http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/

Do you find it difficult to find natural products? How can this problem be improved?

My Workout Essentials

Here’s what I need for a good workout.

Music

Good music makes all the difference. If my iPod isn’t charged I have to reschedule my workout time. Sometimes a good song comes on just when you feel like giving up and you find the energy from somewhere to keep going! Here’s my random selection of songs I like to play when working out.

Top five workout songs:

1. Jackson 5 – Can you feel it?
2. Rocky Soundtrack – Gonna Fly Now
3. Rocky Soundtrack – Eye of the Tiger
4. En Vogue –  Hold on
5. Jackson 5 – Dancing Machine

Favourite piece of gym equipment

I’m not a big fan of the gym because I hate the treadmill. Personally, I find it extremely mundane and I don’t particularly like doing weights either as I’m scared of bulking up. Although light weights are fine and don’t really cause you to bulk up I prefer to do resistance training with my own body weight (push ups, squats, sit ups ). This is something I can do at home.  However, the only reason I visit the gym is to use my favourite piece of gym equipment, the Cross/Elliptical Trainer.

When I first tried this machine I was hooked. It provides a simulated running experience without the high impact. It is sort of like running through the air.  It works the same leg muscles that cycling does. However, because you are also rotating your arms on the machine and using your core to remain balanced, it works the whole body.  When I used to go jogging I would get a recurring pain in my left knee. This was due to the fact that jogging is a high impact exercise that puts pressure on the joints . However with the Cross/Elliptical, there is hardly any pressure on your joints and back so there is less chance of injury.  Nevertheless, it still provides the benefits of high impact exercise such as strengthening your bones.

To be frank this machine is pretty easy to work on. You really do feel like you are getting a good work out and it causes you to sweat! However it doesn’t feel as tiring as jogging does. This is due to the fact that is low impact and puts less strain on the body. This is why you could probably work out for longer on this machine and burn more calories.  When I use it I stay on it for 45 minutes. I usually have it at level 10 and have it on the random setting. This gives me a varied workout with various peaks and troughs. I usually burn 450 calories, not bad! I would certainly recommend trying this machine.

Favourite workout DVD

I first ordered Billy Blanks Tae Bo DVD when I was really looking for something other than the gym or jogging outside. If you stick to the same thing you become bored with exercising.  The good thing about using workout DVDs is that there are always new ones to try.  Tae Bo is fun and challenging at the same time. Billy really knows how to motivate and encourage you. You find each DVD gets easier as you do them regularly, then its time to move on to a new one. In saying that the DVD that involve a lot of floor work (abs, back, leg etc) are extremely challenging and I haven’t quite mastered those ones yet. I prefer jumping around as opposed to lying on the floor working on your 100^th sit up! That was probably a slight exaggeration but that’s what it feels like.

What are your work out essentials? Share in the comments below.

References: munfitnessblog.com

livestrong.com

Ingredients to avoid

When I did my initial research before going natural, the first piece of advice was to avoid shampoos with Sodium Lauryl Sulfate.   In fact the first video I watched was a vlogger that suggested I avoid shampoo altogether and use baking soda.  Now I did this for a few months after my big chop and it wasn’t too bad apart from the odd occasion when I would put too much baking soda and my hair would cake up! Disastrous! As my hair started to grow I began to miss shampoo, the smell and feel of it in my hair. Then I realized that there were plenty of shampoos out there that are sulfate free. I noticed a popular pharmacy chain had sulfate free shampoo so I purchased it straight away and never went back to baking soda!  If it works for you great but I missed shampoo.

However it wasn’t until after a year or so that I started to learn even more about ingredients to avoid. It wasn’t just sodium Lauryl Sulfate I had to avoid, there were many others. You really have to do your research when learning about natural hair. I have simply learned more as my natural hair journey has progressed.  I have picked up more information along the way. We all learn from experience, trial and error and gradually along the way, whatever our style of learning may be.

I eventually discovered that as well as avoiding sulfates it is important to avoid Silicones in products. These dry your hair over time and are man-made agents that simply coat your hair and prevent it absorbing moisture naturally.  I think they simply create an artificial sheen. Of course in shampoos and moisturisers these ingredients are not referred to as Silicone. That would be too easy. I’m sure there are more but I am aware of one: Dimethone.   I was shocked to discover that a particular brand of shampoo I was using contained these products! So I had to go back to the drawing board and look for a new shampoo. It is all a learning experience. Even my husband who has European hair noticed a big improvement to his hair and scalp when we changed our shampoo. Just one artificial ingredient can be the difference between dry hair, an irritated scalp and soft, moisturised hair and a healthy scalp.

Then there are those oils and moisturisers that are popular in many afro hair shops. I soon discovered that many of them contain mineral oil and Petroleum.  These were products that a male friend of mine told me to avoid. He had been growing an afro for years and I relied on him to get my Shea butter.  He was able to get a massive chuck of it at his local market for one pound!  You learn from many different sources and it’s good to exchange information.  So I stopped using certain products and would check labels constantly. I do the same thing with my food so why not with my products. A lot of products that claim to be natural or organic usually contain many artificial ingredients. They add one percent Shea butter and label their product as Shea butter for example. This is very misleading so you have to read the labels. You can’t go wrong when you stick to natural ingredients that don’t need to be packaged in a glossy and expensive containers.

So I will make a brief list of the ingredients I am aware of below. Please add to the list so we can share this important information with each other.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (used in shampoos to create lather, this dries out your hair)

Dimethone (Silicone which is also drying to the hair)

Mineral Oil (This is not 100% natural. It coats the hair and leads to a build up of grease)

Petroleum (This greases your hair instead of moisturising it, it leads to a build- up of grease)

Specific Alcohols (Too harsh on the hair. Can lead to drying and irritation)

I know there are others I’m not aware of. Please share and spread the knowledge. A helpful website: www.ewg.org/skindeep/. This categorises products according to how safe they are based on their ingredients and production methods.