beautyofmyroots

Things I've learnt from the running challenge

2015-09-18T13:00:00.000+02:00

When I started this challenge I wanted to score brownie points on my Nike running app, more than anything. I wasn't happy that when I linked my profiles on the Nike + fuel, I'd lost my previous runs. This challenge was to regain my dignity in the running community, lol! I gained more than brownie points.

I feel in control of my body and life. My sleeping patterns have changed, I sleep better. My legs are more toned than before. I'm stronger. I feel happier and less stressed. It's true that running is the cheapest form of therapy. I have resolved lots of conflicts with myself during my runs. Wrapping this challenge is bittersweet. I'll definitely miss it but I need to move on to other things. I don't want my body to get familiar with a routine. I will still run but not as much.

In the past three weeks I've ran 105km. This is the highest number of kilometres I have ever done in my whole life. I have 50 more kilometres to run by next week Thursday. Have a look at this for More Benefits of running

Natural Babe

2015-09-09T12:00:00.000+02:00

I recently chatted to a friend of mine, Rachel, about her experience as a natural in the corporate world. I also asked her about her favourite hair-care products and this is what she had to say...

Your decision to remain natural?

My parents always cut my hair short to a brush cut. Later on I started growing my afro then dreadlocks then back to an afro. I believe in my natural beauty.

What are your problem arrears?

My only problem is the hairline when I have braids. Eish... and the shrinkage Nkosi yam'! But doing maphondo (three strand knots) before I go to bed is the best solution.

Do you find corporate culture accepting of natural hair?

At work they tend to talk about how one should comb their hair and we all know how freaking sore our hair can be! I've learnt to be comfortable in my skin. People’s judgments don’t bother me anymore.

How do you handle resistance in the corporate world, if there's any?

Not recently. I think people are now getting used to my hair. I am not apologetic about my hair, NEVER!

What do you use for your hair?

I use castor oil (preferably Jamaican), coconut oil and vitamin E oil. I also use your mixture it works for my hair and I wash with sunlight dishwashing liquid *hides*

Me: there is something in this sunlight dishwashing liquid...lol!

Do you struggle to get natural hair product in the shops and what are favourite products?

No, my products are always available except the Jamaican castor oil, it’s hard to find.

Do you wash yourself or you go to salon? If you do it yourself, what's your wash day like?

Sometimes I do it myself. I wash my hair at least once a week if it's not plaited Nkosi yam' *part time job*

Me: I call it a labour of love.

So when I wash it myself that day I shower so I can wash it thoroughly and clean it. The blow drying takes forever as well and there's hair all over the place *sobs*

Do you have a goal length for your hair?

I now want to grow it for as long as I can - no more locks and brush cuts. I pray and hope Nkosi yam' that I get to the point where I no longer worry about shrinkage, where my hair is just long and I tie my it in a ponytail.

Any advice?

PATIENCE! PATIENCE! PATIENCE!

16 days to go!!!!

2015-09-07T12:00:00.000+02:00

I'm 90km away from my goal of 250 km. The past week was better compared to the previous one - I managed to run 38km. I increased my running distance from 9-10km. My pace hasn't improved much though.This week, I'll be working on my pace. I'll also be running few kilometres than the past week. I generally exercise four times a week; two days cardio and the other two for strength training. I haven't done that since this running challenge.

Now that I feel I'm on top of this running challenge, I'll be running only 30km in the next 2,5 weeks. I didn't give it my all on the last day because I was exhausted. My core muscles are also weak since I haven't worked on them for a long time. The fourth day will be dedicated to building my strength.

Sharing this challenge has made me accountable and forced me to push myself. I also came to the realisation that if I don't see this challenge through I would've failed myself. When I am on the road running, I choose me. I let go of everything and work on me.

Coffee before a workout

2015-09-02T11:30:00.000+02:00

A friend asked me last week if it was a good idea to drink coffee before my workouts. My response was a resounding yes. I always start my day with a cup of coffee. I also don't start anything that's difficult without a cup, including exercising. I've accepted that coffee will be the poison that will unite me with God and my ancestors.

Recently I came across few articles that suggest that drinking coffee before a workout is great for you. Apparently, it accelerate weight loss, increases performance and decreases muscle pain. The reports also say that if you exercise in the evenings it may disrupt your sleeping cycle - this is true for me.

Please read here for more details. Here they also give the side effects of coffee intake and one of them is lack of sleep. If you, like myself, love coffee and there is no medical condition that prevents you from drinking it, have a cup, go out there and kill that workout.

23 days to go! Who's in for the challenge?

2015-08-31T12:00:00.000+02:00

Week one is done. Only managed to run 27km instead of 40km. Day three was difficult - my average speed was eight minutes per kilometre. I wondered why I even bothered with this challenge. After 6km I took a break and did lunges to catch my breath. This gave me strength to run the last three kilometres. I had never been so excited to see the gate of my complex!

Mistakes and lessons learnt during week one:

Scheduling my runs for the evening was my first mistake. This week I will run in the morning. This will free my evenings and possibly regulate my erratic sleeping patterns. A rest day was my second downfall - I never got back to the running plan after a rest day. The new plan is that on my worse days I will run only 5km instead of pushing for 9km. The rest will be earned when the goal for the week is achieved. The last issue is food! I ate junk most of the week so my hard work was in vain. I need to learn to stop rewarding myself with junk food.

Who started with me? What were your challenges?

"If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail" - Benjamin Franklin

Head wraps and protective styles

2015-08-28T12:13:00.000+02:00

I have been wearing head wraps a lot lately. My reasons are that it's getting warmer and I haven't worn all my scarves,which I sometimes use as head wraps. Secondly,my ends are desperate for some protection.

Ends are the weakest because they're the oldest part of the hair and my lazy night routine has cost me. My ends needs more care and attention.In order to retain length,ends need to be protected and moisturised. I have been enjoying my twists out and sleeping with my hair loose. My hair clearly hasn't. For few days I had three strand twist under my head wrap . I'd spray the twists and seal the ends with castor oil and tuck them in. My 4c hair tangles and knots very easily so hand detangling is my best friend. I hardly use a comb and I usually detangle before new twists.

For now on, I won't go to bed without some sort of protective style. I'll also give my hair a break from manipulation by doing more protective styles,like plaiting,or wearing a head wrap. I'm also bringing back baggy method in my routine.

Kids should be kids

2015-08-26T08:00:00.000+02:00

A friend of mine, Musa, has 4-year-old with beautiful, natural hair. I asked her how she maintains her child's hair, what some of the challenges are and pointers on the hair regimen. This is what she had to say…

Why did you opt not to relax your baby girl’s hair?

Honestly, I didn't and still don't have a reason to relax her hair. Her hair is manageable and length has never been an issue. But I guess the main reason is that I wanted her to grow up knowing her natural hair is beautiful as it is and there is no need to fix what's not broken.

What are your thoughts on relaxers for kids?

I think they are too harsh for kids’ soft and growing scalps, all those chemicals in them… I think play a role in swaying their hormones.

What do you use to wash and moisturize her hair?

To wash, the Sunlight green bar soap and on the "not-so-happy-to-wash-hair-days" a little Sunlight dish washing liquid (that's all my mom used to use on my hair *hides*). We don't use a hairdryer ever (she is scared of it) - so its either a towel or T-shirt dry. We moisturize (mornings only) with a homemade spray of water, coconut oil, castor oil, olive oil (sometimes avocado oil) and some glycerin. We base with a mixture of coconut and castor oil after every wash and just before we plait the hair. We don't have a set routine for all this, it happens on a need-to basis and after some begging mostly from me and promises and bribery LOL!

What are your biggest challenges as mom with your little one’s hair?

The main one is keeping the hair clean - she likes doing a sand rain at creche, she rolls on the grass and floor... inkinga nje. The other challenge is that I am running out of easy to do hair dos for her, she doesn't like sitting for too long and I don't want doing her hair to feel like a struggle or punishment to her. I feel that will make her resent her own hair instead of enjoying it so the quicker we can do this whole process (washing, basing and plating) the better. She doesn't even do those nice thin line plaits anymore because she used to be so miserable after that session and undoing them was another trauma. Her hair used to break because she couldn't sit still too long to undo them properly. I feel she is a child, she should just be and not stress about hair. I actually had planned to keep her hair short till she is 10 years but she refuses to cut it (yet like, India Arie, she claims she is not her hair nxa!)

What in your opinion are the best products for kids?

I haven't looked much for them, what we have works best and I know exactly what goes in there (control issues...you can tell).

Which hairstyles are best and convenient for you?

I don't think it's about best anymore rather convenience these days *hides*. We do the block plaits (6 or so), plaited 6-8 ponytails to the sides (or folded in), twist locks with ribbons at the bottom. Some days I loss the battle and she wins the war and gets her one ponytail at the top or two (like Minnie as she says) or a loose afro with a Alice band (those are the most problematic days after school) most of the days her hair is hand plated (the wool breaks it) in different style (thanks to grandma some days)....oh and she doesn’t like combing, even with the big-tooth comb she doesn't like it and she has the curliest hair! And the last challenge is buying ribbons and Alice bands she likes...huh!

I want some of that!the volume

I guess sunlight liquid work! lol!

Cuteness!

Awuuuu can i just die

30 Day Running Challenge

2015-08-24T10:00:00.000+02:00

I need to reach 250km on my Nikeplus app. I still have 155km to go. I need to improve my speed from 7 minutes per km to 5 minutes. I'm currently running 15km a week and I need to increase this to 40km. This means I’ll be running four times a week.

Plus, it's my friend's wedding in four weeks and I need look good. I'm a bridesmaid, which puts pressure on my shallow self. The wedding pictures will be looked at even after we’re gone so I better be looking hot.

I also find running therapeutic. It gives me the illusion that I'm running away from my problems. It keeps me sane and helps clear my head. I come up with most amazing ideas during my runs. This challenge is one of those ideas.

Who’s up to doing the challenge with me? What’s your goal? Please share.

“It always seems impossible until it's done.” – Nelson Mandela

Wash Day

2015-08-21T10:00:00.000+02:00

I usually wash my hair every two weeks and that is a whole day event. I was due for wash day few days ago. I couldn't bring myself to do it. I decided on a wash ago. I used to live on wash and go during the first year of my natural journey. Now that I have embraced shrinkage, it seem fitting to reunite with an old friend.

Results

#shrinkageneverlovedus

I washed with my detangling shampoo which makes it easier to detangle. For now I'm enjoying being carefree. There is no nightly routine this week. The main purpose is to enjoy the journey.

Quitting sugar

2015-08-19T12:00:00.000+02:00

The only thing that is standing between me and a ripped body is discipline. I really want to see my abs. My problem is sugar. I eat a lot of chocolate. My plan was stop eating sugar from the first of August. I didn't happen. As I type this I had frozen yoghurt earlier with variety of sweets on it. My excuse,I was sad.

Funny that I was advising my aunt to keep fruit in her handbag to help her sugar pangs. I will need to find a substitute for frozen yoghurt and chocolate. It's getting warmer and warmer that means spring is close. We need to remove the layers of clothing we have been hiding under during winter.

Black Lipstick

2015-08-17T10:06:00.000+02:00

I am itching for a new lipstick. I saw this black lipstick from Instagram the other day. When I get a chance I will pop in at MAC store and try it out. I'm grateful to the fashion gods for bring lipstick black in all colours. I love the fact that,we black girls wear all these bold colours with class.

Google image

Rihanna Queen of cool

I love, love lipstick on the days when i'm feeling myself, I put on lipstick to go to the shop down the road. I need to match outfit with my lipstick like Grace Gealey on Empire.

Night time routine

2015-08-13T12:37:00.000+02:00

Since I have stopped wearing a scarf to bed,I have experienced a lot of hair breakage. Simply because I'm lazy to do any protective styling before bed. I realised the error in my ways. I do three strand twists, they don't take long unlike two strand twist. I only do thin two strand twists after I have washed my hair. It's easier to moisturise the scalp and hair.

I also detangle the knots as I am twisting the hair. This way it helps to shed less hair. I use my fingers to detangle. On the days that I find my scalp itchy, I do thin twists in order to moisturise the scalp. I have learnt that when my scalp is itchy it's either dirty or dry. I spray my hair and seal it moisturiser to lock in the moisture.

Fit Inspiration

2015-08-10T13:00:00.000+02:00

Unathi

For some fitness inspiration these are the women who inspire me daily on instagram@unathi.co and @teamhlasela.
We all have days when we don't see a point of it all. Exercise always take a back sit. These women are career women with families.

teamhlasela post pictures of meals and the ingredients she uses. Eating healthy doesn't have to be boring. I am inspired by their discipline and hard work. She also lost 50kg! I'm inspired by her story.

lasting twist outs

2015-08-07T11:51:00.001+02:00

I have found a way to make my twist last for few days. I no longer wear a scarf at night for the reasons I mentioned here. I have been covering my pillow with my satin scarf. My twist out last 3 days before I used to redo nightly. A routine that was not sustainable. I also find that three strand(amagoda) twist give a more defined look.

I'm really enjoying my hair now that I have stopped fighting it. I have accepted for what it is.
Enjoy the hair that you were given.

Secrete to my youth

2015-08-04T12:00:00.000+02:00

Carrot and Orange Juice

Unlike the other juices the orange and carrot juice I find is easier to drink with meals. Juicing helps me to eat more fruit and vegetable that I wouldn't normally fit in,in a day. Carrot has potassium, magnesium and Vitamin A. Read more on the benefits of carrots. I love that it is anti ageing. Oranges have vitamin C, when you lack vitamin C you can have those throbbing headaches. I always know if I had enough sleep but still have a headache then it means I am lacking vitamin C.

Happy 3 Years!

2015-07-31T12:00:00.000+02:00

Happy girls are the prettiest

Exactly three years ago I made a random decision to cut my relaxed hair. I know my family didn't believe I will stick it out. I have learnt a lot, most importantly self love. Now I can raise a daughter...lol!

Important things I have learnt, moisturise, love your hair, listen to your hair and don't compare your hair to another natural. I have stopped obsessing over length. Don't get me wrong I still want a huge afro but healthy hair is important. I'm having more fun with my hair. I'm not trying to achieve the coolest hairstyle,I'm not that creative. Shrinkage is my new Bae.

Happy Natural!

New Goal,New Body

2015-07-29T13:54:00.000+02:00

I will be honest,I'm deadline driven. If there is no deadline,I won't doit. Same thing with exercise.
I started running yesterday after a month of doing nothing. I reached my goal weight, I wore my favourite pants which I hadn't worn in 2 years. Mama I made it!

It's my birthday in almost 3 weeks. I need to look on point as I age. It's my friend's wedding in Spring and I am a bridesmaid. The goal is to gain muscle definition. I need to work on the arms and legs. I often neglect the arms.

I have decided to change my work out routine. I think my body is familiar with it. I will be running more. Plan is to run 30 km a week.

For sculptured legs, reverse running and side running work on the side thighs and back. I do this on the quiet side of the road. Lunges have become my favourite. I used to hate them. I think I still do but I love the results. I also lunge on the treadmill on high incline. I hate running on the treadmill, I do lunges for 10 minutes. I cannot neglect my butt,squats are a definite. I will add frog jumps. Running doesn't have to be boring. Let's do the work. I hope one day,the body below won't be just a dream but my reality.

Spring In Five Weeks

2015-07-27T12:30:00.000+02:00

Kurlsontherun

July has been the hardest month for me to work out. I never had troubles to work out in winter. I think one of the reason that made me to relax, I finally lost all the weight I gained during medication. It took two years to fit into my old jeans. This has been the hardest weight to loose. You would think when I stopped taking the medication the weight fell off,No I had to work my butt off. I gained 10 kg.

I ran 21 km races, boxing, regularly ran,squatted and lunge on the Westcliff stairs and still went to gym. I also used myfitnesspal to count calorie intake. This app helped a great deal. Sometimes when we are trying to loose weight we over eat or under eat. I reached my goal when I introduce this app as part of weight loss.

This is the picture that showed me I lost weight. I don't weigh myself. I use my clothes to judge. During my weight gain I wore shorts often. You might find this strange, I was toned and thick. I couldn't fit in jeans,joggers were the easiest to wear in summer and leggings in winter. This picture made me try out my jeans and I was pleasantly surprised.

This was taken in 2013 December. I weighed about 60 kg! I am 1,52. Few weeks prior to the picture,it was wellness day at work. Where I was told I am overweight,I need consult a dietician. I was hacked. I ate healthy and worked out but the medication wouldn't let me be great.

The point of this post,be consistent. What you eat is as important.

MY DIY Face Cream

2015-07-24T12:00:00.000+02:00

I ran out of face cream the other day instead of buying a new one. I made my own *chaffed with myself*
In the mix
Coconut oil
Sunscreen
Castor oil
Tiny bit of E45 to blend the oils and make it more smoother.
It is essential to use sunscreen to protect your skin sun damage. Coconut oil contains sunscreen but you can never have enough. I guess I am bit conscious. You know I cannot live without castor oil, read here and here on why I cannot leave it out as part of my skin care.

Tapered Hair Cut

2015-07-22T13:00:00.000+02:00

I have decided to have fun with shrinkage. The other day I woke up the tapered hair cut...hahah! Don't we love shrinkage. I'm kidding I didn't wake up with it. I did three strand twist on top and left nature to take care of the back and sides.

I'm loving this length. I have been itching for a tapered hair cut since last spring. The fact that I can achieve it with actually cutting my hair,It has dancing like a retard. Love the hair you have,in whatever length.

Falling In Love With Shrinkage

2015-07-20T12:00:00.000+02:00

These pictures were taken a week apart. Above,just washed and used perm rods. Below washed and blow.

My shrinks about 80%. I have tried to keep it starched out but it's just exhausting. I also had an aha moment the other day,who said it's not pretty or acceptable if its short? Hating shrinkage is still self hating. No other hair type is long today and short tomorrow. You can be a different woman everyday with our hair.

I found that in its shrunken state, I can easily finger comb. I don't necessarily need to cut my hair to achieve this hairstyle. I can side part my hair and I am good to go. This saves me time. I also don't like the burden of plaiting my hair every night so I can have longer hair the following day. If it's a look I'm going for that day, sure but it cannot be my daily routine.

Let's love and work with what we got.

Get the scissors out of my hands

2015-07-17T12:00:00.000+02:00

When I first went to natural, I used to read blogs people saying they are scissor happy. At the time I was still obsessed with growing my hair. I felt they have my achieved my desired length,why cut a dream? Well, I am scissor happy now. When I first trimmed my hair, I thought the next time it will be in six months. It was the past weekend. To my defence, I missed some areas the last time.

My new obsession is healthy hair over length. I see no need of having unhealthy long hair. With that being said, I need to protect my ends. I don't rub my hair with a towel when drying. I finger detangle and moisturise my ends.

Weak edges

2015-07-15T12:00:00.000+02:00

The struggle is real. I noted that my hair in the front is weak. I have baby looking hair. I guard my edges with everything I have. I am a pain to plait. To achieve these results with all my efforts, it's heartbreaking. Because it's not only the sides that are weak also the front, I went through my childhood pictures to verify if this is a nature of hairline. Yes I took it there..lol! It turns out, it's not.

I apply castor oil daily on my edges, I wear satin scarf. When the hair is braided, it is loosely
done and I don't style my hair too tightly. I realised as a child I didn't wear a scarf when I go to
bed. The scarf always move from my forehead to the beginning of my hairline. I decided to stop
wearing a scarf and cover my pillow with it instead. It's only been two weeks, I will give it few
months. The benefits of not wearing a scarf so far, my twist out last longer.

No more heat

2015-07-13T12:30:00.000+02:00

Since my hair was heat damaged last September I have been staying away from heat. I have been trying different things to achieve a stretch out look. I discovered African threading. It is laughable that I am an African, In African but didn't know of this practice. I doubt that I will be blowing my hair anytime soon since I have discovered this. I really liked the results. Check out the video here. I will admit. I'm not that patient my hair was only threaded overnight unlike the lady in the video.

Dry Brushing

2015-06-29T12:00:00.000+02:00

Dischem

I have been dry brushing for few years. I will admit,I'm not consistent especially in winter. To see results consistency is the key. I am in summer..lol!

I start brushing from the feet up. The only place is I don't dry brush is my neck and face. It removes toxins,improve circulation and reduce the appearance of cellulite. Read more here.
Best results do it twice a day morning and evening. In summer, I usually steam my body twice a week. I will dry brush then apply my coffee scrub, then sit in the steaming room until I am uncomfortable then shower. It gives my skin a glow and it feels soft.

Five months away from summer,lets start today.