Newbie Challenge Members - November Update

[preciousjewel76]

So, how are we doing, ladies? This is an opportunity to report on any progress you've made, or to let us know if you're having trouble with your hair regimen. We're all new to this, but I'm sure we can help each other through it!

Personally, I admit to slacking a little on the exercise tip. I usually try to work out in the mornings, but I have had trouble dragging my butt outta bed lately. I need to add a little more cardio into my regimen (I do stength training w/weights 3 times a week and cardio 3 times a week - shooting for cardio 5 times a week).

FYI: I've posted the Newbie Challenge Rules in my journal. To access, just click on my user ID and go to my profile. I'll also repost them here.

Good luck fellow newbies!

 

[preciousjewel76]

REMINDER: NEWBIE CHALLENGE RULES
***********************************

OK fellow newbies, here's the update on the Newbie Challenge. Your mission, should you choose to accept it , will be to stay on this healthy hair/body challenge until Valentine's Day 2007. I think 4 months is a good jumping off point. Challenge begins in October 2006.

Every month, I will post a new thread for you to share your progress. You can use this thread to post before/after pics and such. And be sure to put this in your signature, to remind yourself of the challenge. We need to represent!!:

***2006-2007 Newbie Challenge***
​

Our "official" newbie challenge rules will be as follows:

1. No direct heat! Put those flatirons away! Use of a bonnet or hood dryer is allowed.

2. Moisture, moisture, and MORE moisture! Be sure to moisturize your ends and the rest of your hair AT LEAST once a day. Remember, a good moisturizer will list water as the first ingredient (basically, grease is NOT a moisturizer, LOL). And don't forget to seal in your moisturizer with an oil.

3. Protective styling - maintain your ends. If possible, wear protective styles as much as you can. Buns, twists, ponies (real or phony), braids, braidouts, twistouts, etc. are your FRIEND!

4. If you relax your hair, try to stretch for one week past your usual touch up time. Try to stretch even longer if you think you can, but keep in mind that you will have to really take care of your hair once you have a mix of new growth and relaxed ends.

5. Drink AT LEAST six cups (48 ounces) of water each day. If you don't like water, try flavoring it with some Crystal Light drink mix. Hydration is important for your entire body, not just your hair.

6. Step up your physical activity. If you're not already exercising, an easy way to get started is to take a 30 minute walk every day. You can break it up into segments (walk in the AM, walk at lunch, walk after dinner). Just get moving! And find an activity that you like....if you hate running, PLEASE don't go out and try to train for a marathon! Find a "workout buddy" if you think that will help. We need to aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity on 5 or more days of the week. Moderate activity = activity that makes your heart rate go up and causes light-moderate sweating.

7. Grow AT LEAST ONE INCH of hair by 2/14/07! I know we can do this!

8. Most Important: Be positive! We're new to this board, so we're still learning how to take care of our hair. Don't set your goals too high. Give it time. Don't obsess over the length of your hair. Just try to get it HEALTHY!!

I'm really happy that this thread has generated a positive response. Let's keep it going, ladies, and see what a few months of healthy living can do for us...and our hair!

Be Blessed!

 

[preciousjewel76]

bumping....

 

[Miss.Que]

I have been doing pretty good with the challenge except for the physical activity part. I will make sure to step up my game and start exercising more these next three months.
I hope everyone else is doing well on the Newbie Challenge!!!

 

[oduwu]

I've been doing great on everything except the moisturizing. I've got to find a good moisturizer. I'll be getting a relaxer and a trim this weekend, so I can't wait to see how my hair has grown. My hair is so drawn up now from exercising and my new growth, that it's hard to tell if I've had any growth.

 

[PinkPebbles]

I have to say I'm doing really well with the Newbie Challenge.

I'm proud to say that I haven't used any direct heat, I keep my hair mositurize, and the Biggie- I'm stretching for the first time...I'm going all the way to 12 weeks...thus far I'm 7 wks post relaxer and so far so good!

I'm already seeing benefits with this challenge!!!

 

[sexyaqr]

I have been doing really great with the challenge. Since I joined the challenge, I only wore my hair out once( for like 3 hours max).

 

[preciousjewel76]

I've been doing great on everything except the moisturizing. I've got to find a good moisturizer. I'll be getting a relaxer and a trim this weekend, so I can't wait to see how my hair has grown. My hair is so drawn up now from exercising and my new growth, that it's hard to tell if I've had any growth.

Just a tip...have you tried using a regular old conditioner as a moisturizer? I just started using Elucence Moisture Balancing Conditioner (mixed w/water, glycerin, and oil) and Suave Humectant (direct from the bottle) as daily moisturizers, and I LOVE them! I actually like the Suave a little better for this purpose. I just rub a couple of pea-sized drops through my hair and seal with some jojoba oil. Instant moisture and shine - plus it's super cheap!

 

[prettypuff1]

Well i did do somethings right this month. I stopped using the flat iron, and have been with a protective style ( sew in weave), and i started taking a muliti vitamin. My goals for next week are to get some hair oils and conidtioners, and to eat better!!!!!!! I will start my healthy eating kick!!! I am going to phase out fast foods, grease and bring in more veggies....... I know i m not getting my 5 a day

 

[DreamLife]

Im doing pretty good with this challenge...Except....I haven't worked out since October and I dont drink enough water. I know my health is very important, I just have been so busy with school, finals are coming up! The only thing is that my hair has had alot of breakage ( I posted a thread the other day) but I'm working on that.

I have been
doing protective styles 6x a week
moisturizing 1-2x a day
airdrying
no heat at ALL besides steam heat from carusos
deep conditioning
clarified for the first time the other week

I have not been
exercising
drinking enough water
taking my vitamins or medicine (not just hair stuff, other stuff)

I really need to take care of my health!
I will post a comparison shot when I get a relaxer on Wednesday. I can't stretch because I only go home certain times so I have to get a relaxer Wednesday so I can get one in January before I go back to school. Then I can stretch to March or April.

I'm so excited, I just found a good combination. NTM mask + NTM leave in + Kemi Oyl + Airdried in a ponytail = straight five week post hair!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[KookieMunstah]

Hi Ladies! I am doing pretty good so far. Still trying to get more water in there. I usually wash and go but I am wearing twists more often. I am not a fan of the bun (I wore my hair in a bun/pony/chinigon for 2 yrs cause of the legnth - thought the splitdrybreakage munstah was out there - and the invisible "touch me" sign on it) so I am perfecting my twists (tho i do thro in a loose chinigon-twist from time to time). I have a few new pix (incld some real real triflin' twists). C ya next munf...Toodlez ya'll!

 

[jayjaycurlz]

I am also doing well. No direct heat, DC 2x week, moisturize 2x a day with NTM Silk Touch and seal with Coconut Oil - my hair loves this! I'm also condish washing everyday with NTM DC, Nexxus Humectress or Jason's Biotin. I Poo 1nce a week with Jason's Biotin Poo. For styling I use ORS carrot oil and IC gel. I'm slowly narrowing down my products! But, the PJ in me just ordered some Blended Beauty products so I could try out the complete line! erplexed

 

[Ladyhenri]

I've been doing alright...
Only thing is, i got an MTG itch/burn..think i may be allergic

 

[BronzyBella]

I've been doing alright. It's been 6 weeks, and I see about 1/2" of new growth in some sections, and about 1" in others (mainly my crown area)...it sucks how unevenly my hair grows.

Anyway, I experimented with glycerin & water. My hair loved it. So I went out and got s-curl, and my hair loves it even more! My individual strands feel smooth and pliable, which I never got with a cream moisturizer.

The only challenge that I'm having at the moment is trying to play with/comb my hair less. If I could stop, it would no doubt cut down on some uncessary breakage and shedding.

 

[Hareitiz]

My hair is doing great!! It's looked better than it has in 3 yrs. I am transitioning so I've basically been keeping it bunned for the past 4 months and washing twice a week. My mom pressed it yesterday and said that my ends look very healthy, which probably would have gotten chopped off if I went to a stylist. I will post pics soon!

 

[preciousjewel76]

I've been doing alright. It's been 6 weeks, and I see about 1/2" of new growth in some sections, and about 1" in others (mainly my crown area)...it sucks how unevenly my hair grows.

Anyway, I experimented with glycerin & water. My hair loved it. So I went out and got s-curl, and my hair loves it even more! My individual strands feel smooth and pliable, which I never got with a cream moisturizer.

The only challenge that I'm having at the moment is trying to play with/comb my hair less. If I could stop, it would no doubt cut down on some uncessary breakage and shedding.

Don't worry, it's very common for hair to grow unevenly. My crown also grows faster than the rest; from what I've read on this forum, that seems to be the norm.

 

[Royal Glory]

Well. I must admit that I am not totally independent of direct heat yet. But I am very proud of myself for my consistency and discipline enough to only use direct heat after I wash my hair. As a result, I have dramatically reduced breakage and my hair feels much stronger.

And I will be continue to practice roller setting, so I can continue to reduce heat styling.

My typical regime is:

Saturday: Pre-poo, shampoo and deep condition w/heat; then style with heat
Sunday: (Morning) Moisturize, style without heat. (Evening) Moisturize and set hair for bed.
Monday: (Morning) Moisturize, style without heat. (Evening) Moisturize and set hair for bed.
Tuesday: (Morning) Moisturize, style without heat. (Evening) Moisturize and set hair for bed.
Wednesday: Pre-poo, shampoo and deep condition with heat; then style with heat.
Thursday: (Morning) Moisturize, style without heat. (Evening) Moisturize and set hair for bed.
Friday: (Morning) Moisturize, style without heat. (Evening) Moisturize and set hair for bed.
Saturday: (Morning) Pre-poo, shampoo and deep condition with heat; then style with heat. (Evening) Moisturize and prepare for bed.

Diet: I eat a well-balanced diet: No fast food. No sodas (maybe once a month). 64 ounces of water a day for my 126 pounds. Lots of fruits and vegies, lean meats and fish. Occasional sweets. (A girl's gotta do something, huh?) No alcohol or smoking. I have added hair vitamins and evening primrose oil to my already-full list of nutritional supplements including biotin, multi for women, flaxseed oil, vitamins e, c, b complex, b5, calcium, zinc, magnesium.

Activity: While I am very active, I do need to get an actual, formal exercise routine. That is where I can improve.

Touch-Ups: I am now using protein treatments the week following my relaxer touch up and I am ensuring that I wait for 8 weeks at minimum to relax. I'm not sure I can stretch much beyond that, because I shedded quite a bit the last time.

Protective Styles: I wear my hair up about half the time to keep it from brushing my shoulders and breaking from sweaters and coats.

I have gained a couple of inches and am in that awkward in-between stage where I am having to style it a little differently because my hair is growing, especially in front.

I hope to have comparison pics in a few weeks.

 

[anherica]

I think I've been doing pretty good..except for the exercise part. Can't exercise much now due to injury.

I moisturize at least once a day with an glycerin/water/EO mixture and seal with coconut oil. I'm drinking 2 liters of water per day and have added some supplements - MSM, silica, multi-vitamin and an Omega n-3 supplement. Also added more fresh fruit and veggies to my diet.

My hair has definitely grown, just not sure how much. I have some pics for comparison and will post soon to check my progress.

 

[Tallulah Belle]

Hmm.. half and half I think. I've been really good at moisturising twice a day most of the time, and I had been doing fine with diet / exercise / water etc anyway.

But... I still haven't got to grips with how I can adapt to no heat / protective styling. The last time I tried to airdry my hair, it fell out it dry, matted clumps, so that's not an option. And buns etc are impossible after a mishap with a stylist left me with no hair in the back of my head.

I have however stretched my relaxer for the looongest time ever - over 3 months now! Last time I tried this, I couldn't comb it, but moisturiser and detangling GENTLY has really helped.

So in short, it hasn't been hugely successful so far, but once I get round how to not use heat (how!?!) I'll be well on the way!

Thanks all!

 

[scarcity21]

I will join. just have to try increasing my h2o intake and cardio. also, i live in braids so i dont have an october pic. however i have a july pic that im gonna use for comparison in february. also the moisturising while in braids, i have to incorporate that too. no more dry hair for me if i can help it

 

[PinkPebbles]

Ladies-

I almost messed up tonight...I had to fight temptation but i ended up getting the victory!

Here is the scope- I needed to wash my hair tonight but I was so tired. I couldn't put it off another day b/c I refuse to go to work looking busted. I washed and conditioned my hair and I figured I will let it dry over night and flat iron it tomorrow morning. I kept going back and forth about this...

Normally I rollerset my hair and it takes me two hours...I had to keep in mind that I'm stretching my relaxer so I have to be very gentle with my hair. As I was putting my leave in conditioner in my hair I noticed how healthy my hair is starting to look due to no direct heat. As I pondered on my progress I ended up rollersetting my hair and now happily under my soft bonnet. I'm so happy that I did not give into direct heat!!!!

Just thought I share....

 

[jenteel]

yay! good job ladies
i have been doing ok

i have been doing protective styles and moisturizing
but i can't get 2 my ends right now
i put my hair in bantu knots after i washed on sunday
my hair is already growing up out of the knots
i had 2 redo them 2day!so i oiled the ends then

exercise: i've been slacking on the excercise

supplements: msm everyday in loads of water-the most proud of this but i've been peein like crazy!!!!!sometimes i take my multi erplexed

preciousjewel76 thanks 4 checkin in on us!

 

[preciousjewel76]

supplements: msm everyday in loads of water-the most proud of this but i've been peein like crazy!!!!!sometimes i take my multi erplexed

LOL, believe me, I understand. I can't even tell you how many times I go to the ladies room at work every day. I'm a total water junkie. My bladder hasn't yet come to terms with this, though!

 

[CaramelPrincezz]

I'm doing okay. I've been moisturizing everyday with NTM silk-touch or ORS Olive oil and sealing with Kemi Oyl. Shampooing twice a week and DCing every poo. I also got some S-Curl. Just got my MTG in the mail so i'm starting with that. I've been drinking more water but I need to step that up. I'm having trouble with the no direct heat cuz I've tried roller setting and I just can't seem to get it. Soon as I get some money I'm gonna get some Caruso rollers and hopefully that will eliminate my use of direct heat. Also I don't do protective styles, partially because I don't think I look right in them cuz i'm used to wearing my hair down everyday and my hair is all uneven so if I try to bun, my nape wont stay in the bun and neither will the front. I'm trying to get my hair even and healthy so thats where I'm at with this challenge.

 

[navsegda]

1. No direct heat! Put those flatirons away! Use of a bonnet or hood dryer is allowed.

I thought this challenge would be fun to do (steps 2-8) but then I realized I'd miserably fail the first step. *holds onto Solia and rocks back and forth saying, "My precious, my precious"*

 

[preciousjewel76]

1. No direct heat! Put those flatirons away! Use of a bonnet or hood dryer is allowed.

I thought this challenge would be fun to do (steps 2-8) but then I realized I'd miserably fail the first step. *holds onto Solia and rocks back and forth saying, "My precious, my precious"*

I actually hid my Solia. It's tucked away in my linen closet. But, to be honest, I wasn't using it much anyway.

 

[ShaniKeys]

Hi ladies,

I've been doing lots of moisturizing, protective styles (day and night ) and conditioning, but the working out part , as far as drinking water, I usually drink three glasses every day, but I'll try to step it up

 

[preciousjewel76]

Hi ladies,

I've been doing lots of moisturizing, protective styles (day and night ) and conditioning, but the working out part , as far as drinking water, I usually drink three glasses every day, but I'll try to step it up

Three glasses? Yeah, you need to chug a lil' more.

 

[Clevelar]

Hi girls! I've been doing really well so far!

I haven't used any heat in well over a month. I purchased the Caruso rollers and I'm LOVING them, my mom has even been sneaking and using them when I'm not looking . I've been moisturizing twice a day, sometimes I use my keracare creme headdress or moisturizer with jojoba oil, sometimes I use my profective healthy ends or megagrowth, and now I've started using sta soft fro. I try to alternate what I use. I've also been bunning it everyday.

This week I have had three workouts before work, and I did three last week too. Trying to step that up a bit.

I've already been drinking tons of water b/c I take so many viatmins I was afraid that I would break out if I didn't. Speaking of, I'm taking GNC's Nourish Hair, Vitamin E, Vitamin C, Women's One a Day - the metabolism booster one, viviscal, and HF37 (which I'm going to stop when I run out of this supply. . .too many dang old pills to remember to take.)

So, I've been pretty good! I want long hair and a tight bod like NOW! Thanks for this challenge, it's a great idea.

I also took some pics last night so I can start documenting my progress, I'll have those up pretty soon. . .

 

[bablou00]

I have been sticking to this challenge as much as possible w/ my new job and working nights. I joined the Y around the corner from work so I either go in before work on when I get off that morning. In Jan. I will start training for a 1/2 marathon so that will be my daily workout routine running.erplexed As far as my hair I cut back to two days of washing but if I feel like my scalp really needs a rinse from working out I will wash and airdry. Lately I have been wearing my hair up in a pony, bun or braidouts. I havent wrapped my hair as much as I did when I had my first relaxer. I stretched for 3mos and I dont think that was a healthy choice for my hair. There was some breakage but I think 2mos to 10weeks will be good enough for my hair. Daily moisturizing w/ keracare, mizani or mango butter. I got frustrated one night before going out on the town and ended up blowing drying my hair only to put it up in a ponytail. Oh well I will not do that again.
All and all I have been doing good on this challenge. My eating habits have changed so much lately only because I have been working out and want to lose 10 lbs. I started drinking carrot juice and eating more fruits & vegs. Water intake is a most I keep a 24 pack in my car so I have it everywhere. Now I am on a soy milk kick so hopefully that might have some good benefits on my hair. Good luck to all the newbies. There are so many women on here who give me inspiration. So I cant wait and will do everything right to get to where they are. Sorry so long...good luck again