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Wednesday 31 August 2011

10 KILOGRAMS IN 3 MONTHS CHALLENGE WEEK 9

23 more days till I am like "set timer on camera then pose..."

Tomorrow is the first of September! 23 more days. I have lost weight people! I am a lovely 85.8 kg that is down  from 87.5 kg, almost 2 kilos= 4.4 pounds. Unfreaking believable! And the best bit is that the water weight I had, it is still the same, 48.2 a kilo heavier. I am a pretty happy bunny.

I have eaten okayish this week, so I have eaten three bars of chocolate, it is not my fault! They were Cadbury cashew nut and coconut chocolate bars! It is the most amazing chocolate bar known to man, my mom brought some back from Kenya. They were amazing. Monday was my sister's engagement party which meant loooooaaads of food and different types of cakes, donuts, biscuits, chocolates, EVERYTHING! I did try but not as well as I could, I went over my one 250 ml glass of Coca Cola a week rule. Bad Cho Cho, bad! And to make matters worse/better..I had a champagne lunch yesterday with my best friend. Lovely yummy bubbly, sandwiches, tea, sweets, scones and fruit! Really, really lovely.
250ml of Coca Cola equals 105 calories and 29grams of sugar, which is 29% of sugar intake!  And we all drink the 500ml bottle, which is now 210 calories and 58 grams of sugar which is 60% o sugar intake which will in the end get stored as FAT!

Gym was bad, Friday was raining, cats and dogs, Saturday I was with Stevie, Sunday I was made to stay on and eat lunch at church, Monday was the Zambian engagement and I was supposed to be present and taking notes, Tuesday I was out with LaLa. So ummm...yea, 5 days no gym. Don't worry I am off to the gym as soon as I finish typing this...and watching awkward online!

Tuesday 30 August 2011

The Hair Chronicles...Neem Oil For Hair Growth (MN substitute)

My hair oils; neem, castor, coconut and almond.
These are all the oils that I use on my hair, I decided to show what exactly is going on with my hair and what products that I am using. I am in love with natural oils, they have so many benefits and are all rather cheap.



So the first in the "series" is Neem Oil- this is an Indian oil that has been used for thousands of years, it is used in making cosmetics, it is used as an insecticides, cures skin disorders, it is also anti-fungal, used as contraception, as an immune booster. This little bad boy has a lot to offer, the Indian lady at the store I got this from swore that it has boosted her hair growth.

I have been using Neem oil for over two months now, and let me start by putting a disclaimer out there! This stuff STINKS! Almost on the level of decaying flesh. When I first purchased it I happily poured it all over my scalp before a gym session. Error! Wrong! Computer says no! It stank so bad, my brother and sister begged me to wash it out. Three different shampoos and two different types of conditioner, my hair still smelt like death! It was really, really, really bad, I would rather go 6 months without washing my hair than a day with my hair smelling like that. Never again.

Now the positives, my hair has grown, pretty well. I trimmed my ends, about a inch off two months ago and I have regained it all. I must put a pic up some time. Seriously. Neem oil works, I will say that it promotes hair growth because it is anti-fungal. A clean scalp = hair growth. Fact. My scalp is also in really good condition, no flakes, no itching, no nada. A main point I want to raise is many women on youtube using MN, Daktarin, for hair growth, this oil will have the same hair growth results without the unbearable side effects, those damn migraines! I know this because Neem oil is used to cure thrush and jock itch, this is what MN is used to cure.  So get some Neem oil instead, its natural, may smell horrible but it is safer in the end.

 Hair is not breaking, now I know that I cannot say that this one thing is responsible for my hair growth but I would say it is a massive factor! I mix Neem oil with the other oils in the photo above because it requires a carrier oil.

Sunday 28 August 2011

HAIR BOOTCAMP


So this is a cut and copy from Lauren Conrad's website, thebeautydepartment.com. It has become one of my favourite websites of all time. She addresses all skin tones, all hair types, everything! I was and still am Team Lauren, and her website is another reason why I love her. There is a wonderful ombre hair tutorial that she did on the website, and many make up and hair tutorials! It is a must if you are like me and still learning the bits and bobs of hair and make up. Have a look.
Alright. This is serious. As promised, you’re all getting a free trip to hair boot camp this weekend. This is a post for those of you who asked for a hardcore hair health plan. If you don’t have time to do it this weekend, MAKE TIME! (That’s my best boot camp yell.) Look through these images and see which of these lovely ladies most represents your hair type. Once you find your number(s), follow the letter keys at the bottom. Do as many as you can over a weekend. Without a doubt, this little health boost for your hair will have you well on your way to shiny strands!
1. Naturally curly  hair: Weekend- A, B, D, E, H, I RegularlyK, M, O, P, Q
2. Virgin hair: Weekend- A, B, D, H, I RegularlyJ, L, M (twice a month), O, Q, S
3. Color treated hair: Weekend- A, B, D, E, F (for hilights), G (blondes), H (brunettes/redheads), Regularly- J (blondes), K (brunettes/redheads), M (brunettes/redheads), N (blondes), O, P, Q, R, S
4. Heavy + straight hair: Weekend- A, B, D, H, I Regularly- J, L, M (on the ends), O, P, Q, S
5. Bleached or high-lift blonde hair: Weekend- A (only shampoo once with clarifying shampoo. if you need to shampoo again, use your regular shampoo!), B, D, E, F, G, I Regularly- J, alternate M + N, O, P, Q, R, S
6. Naturally wavy or frizzy hair: Weekend- A, B, D, E, H, I Regularly- K, L, M, O, P, Q, S
7. Beach hair or hair affected by weather: Weekend- A, B, D, E, F (if yellowed from sun + salt water), H, I  Regularly- J (if hair is colored) K (if hair is not colored), L, M, O (you can also apply spray-on sunscreen to your hair before going to the beach), P, R
8. Hair with extensions or a weave: Weekend- A, B, C, D, E, H, I Regularly- K, L, M, O, P (on your hair and the extension or weave hair), Q, R, S
YOUR WEEKEND TO DO:
A. Shampoo your hair with a clarifying shampoo. Focus on massaging it into your scalp using your fingertips and let it naturally clean the ends as you rinse it through. This will remove any film caused by product build-up or natural oil build-up. That film will be a dulling residue in the long run, so you need to remove it when you feel it. If your shampoo doesn’t lather, try shampooing it one more time. When hair is clean, it lathers. That’s when you know you’ve removed all the gunk. Good lather = clean slate!  Note: This is NOT something you would do every time you shampoo because it would be TOO cleansing and strip all the nutrients. Only do this once or twice a month.
B. Blend 1/4 cup olive oil, 1/4 cup jojoba oil + 1/4 cup coconut oil in a bowl. At night, apply a light amount to your ends and put it in a low braid or bun. Don’t soak it or you’ll end up with a greasy pillow! The size of a nickel or quarter will be plenty. It moisturizes while you sleep! In the morning, wake up and apply a more liberal coat from the middle to the ends of your hair. (Rub a little into your scalp if it’s dry! If you have an oily scalp, skip it.) Put it in a low bun for the day. You OBVIOUSLY want to do this on a low-key weekend because walking around with oil in your hair isn’t exactly… a trend. In the evening, shampoo lightly to remove oils and condition as usual.
C. If you have extensions or a weave, it’s really important to clean your real hair, so focus on getting in between the wefts with shampoo + your fingertips. Repeat if necessary until it lathers. Do small, gentle, circular motions with your fingertips. Not too rough or you will tangle the hair above your extensions or weave. Let the shampoo rinse through the ends as you rinse it out. It’s never a good idea to vigorously scrub at the ends of extensions or a weave. That can be a bad scene. Condition heavily from middle to ends. Avoid getting conditioner near the tops of the extensions because that can cause slipping. Make sure to rinse all shampoo + conditioner out from in between wefts or your scalp will itch.
D. Whip up this Kitchen Beautician mask as directed, put it on from roots to ends + put a shower cap or saran wrap over it. Apply light heat with a blow dryer. Let it sit for one hour. Rinse + lightly shampoo.
E. Check out your hair under a microscope. Rough towel drying can surprisingly cause damage. Try switching out your hair towel out for an old absorbent t-shirt! This is one of my favorite tricks for eliminating frizz!!
F. Shampoo for 2-3 minutes using a purple shampoo! Toning shampoo has a dark purple base and will cut out unwanted yellow-y or brassy tones. It looks scary and dark when it comes out of the bottle but don’t worry. Ask your colorist which one they’d recommend.
G. Ask your colorist or hairstylist to recommend a repairing protein mask. Protein masks are used to re-build weakened or chemically-compromised hair.
H. Ask your colorist or hairstylist to recommend a moisturizing mask. Moisture is much different that protein. Moisture masks are extremely important for naturally curly hair, virgin hair, and those with single-process color.
I. Apply leave-in conditioner! It helps detangle, seals down the cuticle, restores the ph balance, and promotes shine. Try to find one that’s weightless!
YOUR REGULAR TO DO:
J. Switch to a sulfate free shampoo + conditioner. To put it simply, they don’t strip the proteins from your hair. There’s no point to doing protein treatments if you’re just going to wash them out, right?
K. Use a moisture rich shampoo + conditioner. Curly/wavy hair naturally lacks moisture. It’s less about proteins for this kind of hair and more about retaining moisture. Maybe even try a natural or organic brand from your local health food store!
L. When in the shower, be sure to focus on shampooing the root until it lathers and conditioning the middle to ends. This will this will create the cleanest canvas and maximize volume for hair that’s straight or heavy.
M. Continue using a moisturizing mask once a week! It will soften your hair and promote shine. It will also help eliminate dryness that can lead to breakage.
N. Continue using a protein mask twice a month. It will strengthen your hair from the outside in and creates a protective protein shell in the long run. Great for weakened hair caused by over-processing!
O. Use a protective serum or argan oil on your ends before + after blow drying. Also great for eliminating frizz and creating shine when air-drying.
P. Every 8 weeks, go in and get a color gloss with your hair colorist or do a store-bought color glaze at home. I say it all the time and I think everyone should do this! It’s like a band-aid for the hair. You can actually extend the life of your haircut by doing this in between cuts. It literally seals down split ends temporarily.
Q. If you’re guilty of OVERSTYLING from blowing out or curling your hair every day, substitute one or two of those days with a non-heat styled updo, like a messy ponytail, the Ballerina Bun or the Fun Bun.
R. Invest in the best shampoo, conditioner and/or leave-in conditioner. If you’re spending a lot of money on a beautiful hair color, you want to make sure it lasts as long as possible and doesn’t fade. Most of the time, higher-end brands DO use higher quality ingredients. Find out what your hairstylist thinks will make the biggest difference. Try it out. Keep the receipt, because most high-end brands also guarantee their products.
S. Don’t spray hairspray before you curl or flat iron! You’re basically baking alcohol into your hair. Try your best to only spray after you use a hot tool of any kind. If you need the extra help with hold, use a thermal protectant spray. Any hairstylist will be able to help you find a good one!
Now, I know you guys want product recommendations, but like I’ve said before, you should try and get a recommendation in person from a professional! If you can’t make it in to the salon, I personally look to Allure for product reviews because they have the best break downs. Do your research + get samples! Just because a bottle is pretty and the product smells good, doesn’t mean it’s doing the best job. And last but certainly not least, continue taking vitamins for MAXIMUM hair health!
Xx Kristin
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Wednesday 24 August 2011

10 KILOGRAMS IN 3 MONTHS CHALLENGE WEEK 8

I know how you feel Khloe

The 23rd was yesterday, that means I have a month to go before my birthday. Well, let me start by saying this month has been pretty shit! For two and a half weeks I had to give up my room for some stupid people! Uggghhhh!! And then the other week some dramarama happened in the family and I had to put gym on semi hold. And eating has been a little but off.. And moving on to my actual weight, its kinda jacked up. I am 87.5 kg but my water weight has gone up from 43.6 to 47.9, I am retaining a lot of water! I don't even know why! WHY? I am keeping 2 to 3 kilograms of water, wtf! So annoying, I have no idea how to get rid of it. I think I may have hit a plateau, anyways something is not giving! It is really frustrating, annoying, I almost just want to give up completely.

I know the last 10 pounds are the hardest and I have to step up my game, I am sticking to 1000 calories workout at the gym, I am back to counting my calories to 1200 to 1500. Last month I stopped weight lifting as much and I am back to that. Not all carbs have been cut out but they have been reduced and protein and veg has been increased. I just started doing bedroom exercises, I think they are like yoga based exercises.
I love Adventure Time

Random thought I need new gym pants, because my black Adidas are COMPLETELY worn out, am talking no hope here, massive, massive holes in the crotch area. So very very bad! Hopefully I can buy new a new pair from sports direct on Friday. And my only pair of size 16 jeans are really loose, my size 14 jacket are really really loose, and I can do up all the buttons except the last one, damn my tummy!!
                                                                                                                                                                START                                                                                                             CURRENT
Bust: 40 inch(DD's, that I lurrrvvv)                                                                      38 inches -2
Waist 35 inch                                                                                                     31.5 inches -3.5 inches
Hips:47 inches                                                                                                    43 inches   -4 inches!!!
92.4 kg                                                                                                               87.5 kg

On the inches bit, I haven't lost a thing! This is the worst one, I don't mind the weight, but the inches are a thousand times more important.So, here I go one more month, I am almost there...  


PS. My mummy is back! So very very very very very very very very happy.

Wednesday 17 August 2011

10% DISCOUNT ON ASOS SALE ITEMS


Bloody hell, online stores rarely offer a discount on sale items, but lovely, lovely Asos are offering an extra 10 % off sale/clearance items. Many of the items have at least 60 percent off, it is such a bargain! Nice one Asos, this is just about going to make up for the sale thingy fiasco that you had. The code is EXTRATEN, enjoy shopping.

12% OFF NEW SEASON URBAN OUTFITTERS

Most of the stuff at UO is so out of my price range that any discount available is highly appreciated. Type the promo code AWT1 for 12% discount and there is free delivery on orders over £75. Enjoy shopping.

20% OFF ILLAMASQUA SCHOOL OF MAKE UP ART

Let me start by saying Illamasqua always bring their A game when it comes to make up, their collections are sometimes better than MAC. And their transformations well, just look at the promo pics up there. The make up company is offering 20% off short professional make up courses, you can go to their website to download the full course guide, maybe there may be some course that you may like. Just quote carnaby20 when you are booking online or in store. Enjoy.

Friday 12 August 2011

10 KILOGRAMS IN 3 MONTHS CHALLENGE WEEK 7

Amen!

 My goal was to be in the 86's kg this week but due to the London riots I had to skip out on a gym session which I believe would have resulted in me achieving my goal. My scales are lying to me, well kind of, it is my fault really, I got on them waaay too many times this week and it is giving to two different results, 86.6 and 85.5, I do not know which one is right so this week I will ignore the scales until Thursday, my weigh day. I am not stressed about not knowing what the number is exactly because I can see and feel the weight loss in my clothes. My gym shorts nearly fell to the ground when I was running for a bus on Monday, I only caught a bus because of the riots, it just wasn't safe. My belly is visible in my t shirts but it doesn't look like I am 6 months preggers, I look like I am two months preggers! I found out that my old fav t shirts from uniqlo which are a size small have a 33 to 35 inch bust. At least now I know what I am working to exactly, 33 to 35 inch bust and a 30 inch belly.

Story of my fridge life.
On the food frontier, I have a bit of a confession, I eat normally all over again. I eat my carbs( hello, half a large Dominos pizza with 1 topping), my fats, heck even ice cream (60 calories per 2 scoops!! I am in love!), chocolate, oreos, everything but in moderation. Food is always grilled or boiled, never fried, I use sunflower oil which is lower in calories and saturated fat than extra virgin olive oil, shocking I know! I have brown bread, white if we are out, my milk is skimmed with 1% fat and  I am drinking at least 3 cups of green tea, no sugar in anything, no sugar in my oatmeal, muesli, tea, rice krispies, nada. I may have to increase my veg intake a bit, I have been lacking on that.
I get what you are saying Snooks!!

Gym sessions have been great! I am still going 5 days a week, 2 hrs and a calorie burn of 1000. Massive number, so I do put in a lot of effort when I work out. 45 mins on my treadmill at 7 or 7.5km/hr which results in 600 calories burnt, then 400 calories is spent on other cardio machines. I really enjoy working out, seriously the 'high' you get afterwards is just amazing! Seriously.

Friday 5 August 2011

10 KILOGRAMS IN 3 MONTHS CHALLENGE WEEK 6

I know how you feel Po, I know how you feel....

So, ummm yeah, this is a quick one because  I did not lose much weight, boo! I am currently at 87.3, only 0.4 kg! That's not even a pound!! Ughh! I know why I did not lose much weight, I have not been going to the gym and I have been eating really badly! On Monday I binged on a whole 175g of Doritos with dip!! Over 1000 calories! I am such an emotional eater! I was really missing my mum on Monday, I haven't been to the gym because of stupid excuses and reasons which include spots and I currently the flu. I feel a bit bad because I know I can do better. This week I will lose a kilo and a tiny 300g bit, I will work my butt off at the gym and I will eat right. Next week I will be in the 86's, nothing more than that.

And I made the decision of what my ultimate goal weight is 75kg! 165 pounds! I think it is a good weight because my body mass index is around 24.2.