cyclingchick - More Oyin Love, pics...

Hello Lovelies...

I finally decided to do a little journal here. It will be awhile before I have anything noteworthy to post about my hair, so expect a little fluff in this space for now.

A few details about me...

My name is Courtney...I'm a 32 year old corporate travel agent in Dallas. I decided to go natural for health reasons. I have a very sensitive scalp and I finally reached the point where burns were no longer an acceptable part of my "beauty routine". No.more.fire.cream My other deciding factor was my fitness journey. I've lost over 100 lbs in the last several years with the help of Weight Watchers and cycling (indoor and outdoor). I still have a long way to go and I figured it was counterproductive to focus on exercise and nutrition while allowing a harmful chemical to take up residence in my scalp.






I'm not blessed with a lot of patience, so I knew that my transition would be short. I had no desire to deal with "strappy" for an extended amount of time. My last relaxer was 5/26/10 and I BC'd on 8/18/10. I've been pleased with my decision from the beginning. I know it sounds cliche, but looking in the mirror after the cut and truly seeing myself for the first time was amazing. I wasn't concerned about going so short. I have a major cheek situation going on and decided no amount of hair was going to disguise them, so I might as well be FREE.



I consider myself lucky because I have a supportive family, boyfriend and network of friends and it has made this entire journey much easier. There are several naturals in my "inner circle" and between them and the lovelies at CN, I feel I'm in good hands.

I am loving the ease of the TWA right now, but I also look forward to growing/learning about my texture. I'm a Virgo, so I must say the methodical world of Natural Hair is right up my alley. LOL

AHHH its about time! Welcome and congrats on your weight loss and gettn the fire cream out of you life. You look good with that TWA, and you said cheek issues? Are you kidding, you are beautiful.

Welcpme! Congrats on the weight loss and the BC! Can't wait for more updates.

Thanks, Cris! I joke about my cheeks/big face. It seems that some women are scared to do the BC because face/head size, but I've yet to see a bad TWA...maybe we're just all gorgeous and can rock anything.

Thank you, np!

Congratulations on your bc, your twa is gorgeous! Congrats on the weight loss also. Weight watchers really taught me about portion control and I was able to lose weight with this method.

thanks, kc...it really is a sensible program. I needed something that would fit into my life without truly feeling like a diet.

congratulations on your weight loss. Your story has definitely inspired me. BTW, your twa is beautiful

Welcome to Curl Street and congratulations on your weight loss!!! Maintaining a 100 lbs weightloss shows you have patience and wheel power too!!!

I look forward to watching your hair grow and your body shrink!

Congrats on your weight loss and welcome to Curl Street!

Thank you, Ladies!

Happy Weekend Ladies!

I woke up in a fabulous mood...the temperature is in the 80s in Big D (that's practically Fall LOL), all mushy about the beau *and* my baby fro is on the grow! Good stuff...

I have a duathlon in November (run/bike/run), so it's time to kick things up a notch...will be putting time in the gym during this long weekend.

Hair-wise, things are going well. I BC'd 2.5 weeks ago and it's finally starting to feel soft. I have a weird little straight patch in the back, so who knows what will happen with that. I joined the new growing challenge, so hopefully my micro fro will gain a presence before the end of the year.

Hope you all have a great weekend...

Your TWA is super cute, it's perfect for your cheeks!

I'm sure you'll do great in your duathlon!


HAPPY SATURDAY!

LOL Thanks Tiff...I'm looking forward to the duathlon...the weather will be cool, so no suffering in the heat. Welcome to the forum.

Welcome to Curl Street!

Congratulations on your weight loss. I saw your avi change a couple of weeks ago and was like, wow she BC'd and thought to myself she looks so good. Came to look for your journal and didn't find one. I'm glad you've joined us.

OMG! 100 lbs. lost that is so friggin awesome. There is so much more going CN.com than hair. All kinds of inspiration. Lynnie & her 5K, Chrs and her weightloss, KinkyShea fitness tips, and so many others living healthy lifestyles and focused on wellness. I just restarted Weight Watchers myself. I did the program before and lost 60 lbs. but got comfortable and slowly gained weight back. This time I don't know what it is but I'm more focused and exercise is actually enjoyable. It's basic and all about making lifestyle changes...not dieting just as you wrote. Reading what you've shared is even more encouraging to me. You rock!

I just BC'd again so we're both TWA'ers. I'll be looking forward to reading about your hair and fitness journey.

Good luck with the dualthlon.

welcome! congratulations on your weight loss and lovely hair!

Dva,

Thank you for the kind words! I love this board...such a positive group of women. Good Luck on your weight loss journey too. WW is a great program...and while I'm guilty of getting too comfortable more times than I care to admit (LOL), it's easy to jump back on the wagon and not feel deprived.

swoodward,

Thank you...can't wait until mine grows up and looks like yours.

Hey CC! So glad you finally joined us! Your story is truly inspirational! You look amazing, lovely!

Hi CG...thanks for the kind words! I'm more motivated than ever to finally reach goal weight. New hair, new mindset.

Good Morning Lovelies...

I am soooo glad that I'm off work today. Tropical Storm Hermine is causing monsoon rain in Dallas and I'm not trying to kayak to the office. Today's agenda: DC while reading a book and listening to Coltrane. Perfection. Hope you all have a great day!

cyclingchick wrote:Good Morning Lovelies...

I am soooo glad that I'm off work today. Tropical Storm Hermine is causing monsoon rain in Dallas and I'm not trying to kayak to the office. Today's agenda: DC while reading a book and listening to Coltrane. Perfection. Hope you all have a great day!

OO girl that sounds like plan. Enjoy inspite of the storm.

Hey Lovelies...

I did my morning workout, got the brows waxed and did some retail therapy. I'm attending a Black/White party next month, so I got some hair candy to dress up the 'do...now to find a dress. I have a "difficult" build: smaller up top...Buddha Belly...37 inch inseam...and 6'0" tall. Can someone find me a dress that won't make me look like Patrick on Spongebob? Thaaaaanks.

Soooo...hair news...not a whole lot to report. It's definitely growing. I could barely grab anything after the BC and now I can stretch all areas. As of right now, the top/sides are super tight kinky/coily, but the back has a little bit of a curly thang going on! My stylist said my "kitchen" is in my "living room"...sounds strange, but she's right. LOL

FYI Both pics were taken dry...



Anyway, I am thoroughly enjoying things so far (yeah, I know it's been less than a month since the BC). I'm tempted to play around with color, but I think I'll wait until the spring. It's coming in super dark (which I love). A friend of mine made me a mini hairstory from the last few years. Yeah, definitely digging the natural.



In fitness news, I dropped 5 lbs at this week's weigh-in. I was thrilled because my body doesn't give up weight like the beginning of my journey. However, I have been a spin queen lately and my company's 10,000 steps challenge is helping too. I'm the captain of my team, so you know I have to carry my own weight and then some.

Random: If you haven't heard Willow Smith's new song "Whip My Hair", check it out. I am not ashamed to be almost 33 years old and jamming to a 9-year old's song. LOL Lemme go find some hair to whip. haha

Well, I need to get some things done around the house. No big plans tonight...will probably catch a movie with the beau. Hope you all have a great weekend!

Welcome to CSJ. I really enjoyed your story. Congrats on losing another 5! I'll have to check out the song.

Thank you!