Hair 10/30/09 Wash day!

I'm pretty flipping proud to say I am 14 weeks post relaxer

I've been doing pretty good with maintenance these last 4 weeks. I must admit I was being really crappy about it before that, but I'm back on track. My regimen is ever rotating, but currently I am using these products:
Shampoo
*Aphogee Shampoo for Damaged Hair (loves it)
*Mane N' Tail Moisturizing Shampoo
Conditioner
*My super conditioner (EVOO, EVCO, one egg, 1 TB mayo, and Silk Elements Mega Cholesterol Treatment)
Leave-Ins
*HE LTR
*AtOne Leave In
*Original Infusium 23
Moisturizer
*Wave Nouveau Moisturizing Finishing Lotion
Sealants
*EVCO
*Castor Oil
*African Royale Hot Six Oil

I haven't had my ends clipped in a very VERY long time and I did them Tuesday, but I don't think I cut enough...the idea of cutting my hair scares me severely! Especially since I don't seem to be getting any closer to my goal of SL. So...on today's wash day I'm happy to say I had very little shedding in the detangling process

I'm pretty happy to say it's getting very strong

but alas still not the growth I was looking for

and...

Still a measley NL, but a far stronger NL so I'll take that and roll with it! HHG!

Just a Thursday thought........

That which is striking and beautiful is not always good, but that which is good is always beautiful. ~Ninon de L'Enclos

Field Trip!!!!!

I'd like to believe that God gives us a little bit of heaven on earth. We find that heaven in family, friends, activities, and places around us. Don't laugh at me, but I'd like to believe that Whole Foods Market is part of my heaven on earth. Yes, Whole Foods Market! I love the place...never been?? How sad find one and go there immediately!

I should probably tell you that I am currently carless. For a limited time only, but carless nonetheless. That means traveling from Racine, Wisconsin to Milwaukee, Wisconsin requires 2 buses and an hour and fifteen minutes of my time. It's still worth it.

Ahhhh look at all that gorgeous produce!


The oh so tasty olive bar


ridiculously decadent looking deserts (I'm so glad I didn't indulge)

and seafood.....uhhh marinated seafood salad I believe (and yes there are octopus in there)

And my new vice......the Gelato bar (coconut to be exact!)
OMG gelato is sooo good how come no one told me about this!(I was a good girl only got the 2 oz. kids size)

and it all fit in this cute reusable 99 cent bag!

This is seriously one of the greatest stores for healthy food. It's a little out of the way, and a little higher in price than I would like, but there are so many foods that I wouldn't have access to in my neighborhood that I can get at wonderful places like Whole Foods Market, Trader Joes, and Outpost Natural Foods. This gives me the option to try and discover foods I have never tried before. Introducing my taste buds to healthy options, new tastes and textures, and an environment that encourages healthiness and a love for the earth. That alone makes it worth that hour and fifteen minutes, that extra money out of my pocket, it's all worth it...and that's why it's my piece of heaven!

Random Ramblings.......

I have sooooo many things to talk about it's just ridiculous! Not quite sure where to start so I think I'll just ramble. Excuse my lack of focus this can get messy, but....you'll get the point!

Weight Loss

*I love to exercise. I love to walk, jog, run (for very short times of course on the running) and anything movement related, my biggest issue is FOOD! FOOD! Oh what a great friend and dirty dirty foe!

My weight fluctuates soooo much sometimes I wonder if I will ever get control of this situation

I absolutely love strength training I am ridiculously in love with my resistance bands I don't know how I have lived this long without them

According to Oxygen Magazine weight loss is 70% diet......so I'm doing a great job 30% of the time

Weight loss is NOTan easy task! Every meal, every activity, every day is a moment to ask yourself: "In the face of adversity can I make a decision that helps myself get to my goal?" and even when you fail with that one meal, or activity, or day you still keep pressing towards the goal!

Hair


I have not always loved my hair, actually I'm just learning now at the age of 28 to slightly like it

Anytime you see long luxurious flowing raven locks on me, it's probably a wig or weave...actually it is a wig! If it's not I'll tell you...don't hold your breath waiting for me to tell you it's not LOL!

I am learning so much about the care of my own hair from my wonderful free-flowing girls at Hairlista feel free to join ladies it's such a great learning experience!

I will display my hair from time to time (perhaps weekly) as I keep you abreast of my hair growing and strengthening journey

I will also be posting my hair care regimen very very soon. I will be reviewing products and tell you what is and isn't working for this princess

Make-up/Skin Care


I consider myself to be a princess I like make-up, and all things girly I like to try new products, new looks, and questions what products have the most...dare I say it.. "bang for their buck". After all my bucks can't be used on just any crappy product that doesn't give results...and I mean GREAT results. After all isn't the sole purpose to look AND feel fabulous!

I do not consider myself to be a beauty expert just a barbie/princess that wants to look great at the drop of a hat and doesn't want to spend every dime I make doing so....this also includes a dab of plus size fashion. *wink*

Allow me to reintroduce myself.......

It's been an unnecessary amount of time since I've been seen in these parts, so I feel obligated to explain what "The Royal Transformation" is about. This started in January as the world's window into my highs, lows, and struggles with healthy living, eating, and weight loss. Now it has become much more than that. It is now my home of ramblings about weight loss, healthy living, hair, make-up, nails, self-esteem, healthy body image, self-love, and all things dealing with a glowing mind, body, and soul.

So many people gauge their love for themselves on this, that, or the other. I've heard many people say "I'd be perfect if I could lose 50 pounds" or "If I could stop my skin from breaking out I'd be pretty". Why can't you be pretty as you are? The world has a tendency to make people (women in particular) feel as if they have to attain a goal to be great. I love myself! All 250 pounds, five feet, and four inches. I love every lump, curve, dip, crevice, and wrinkle. Somewhere down the line with this blog I hope you learn to do the same. We all have our issues like my love/hate relationship with my hair's out of control thickness, yet slow growth to my love of all things girly, pink and make-up related. Together we will try different products, regimens, stores, exercises, and brands. Together we will find what works for us, so that our best healthy, beautiful version of ourselves shines through. So enough talk let's begin......the transformation.

...and where the heck have you been???

I know, I know bad bad blogger! I never meant to stay gone so long. I'm not quite sure what I was thinking. I decided to cut my trainer, and gym membership due to a hard financial slump, and made myself believe that I could live without internet too! That was just wrong on my part. I missed my blog something awful! Never again I promise *pinkie swear* !

Well I'm sure you're asking....how has the weight loss been going so far? Ummmm not well...but it's still going! I have days when my eating habits are great and my desire to jog 2 miles in the park is at it's highest, and then there are the days that I only leave the house to go around the corner to the local bar for a pizza burger. Yes, a pizza burger. Work in progress I say. Never give up. One thing that always helped this journey was my blogging. Maybe just maybe the support of my internet masters and mavens will get me back up to speed! Have a great friday!