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Please stay Encouraged!

Dirty Thirty Challenge Details

Here are the details I have set for myself for the Dirty Thirty Challenge.

· Pick a protective style Twist outs, bantu knots, buns

· Pick an amount of days you will workout I will be doing 30 days (not consecutive).

· Identify your hair growth goal and your health goal I will do this challenge until I lose 50 lbs. I need to lose my arm/leg jiggle and love handles. I would like to achieve shoulder length with my hair.

· I already use No-Heat methods, but I’m struggling with what to do with my hair for my birthday.

· Your ends must be protected for most of the day. I can make a really small bun, but I think that puts stress on my hair. I have not experimented with pinning up my twists yet, but I am willing to try. When at home, I will bag.

· Each work out must be at least 30 mins. long to count!!! I will combine my at home work-out DVDs (Biggest Loser) with going to the gym. I’ve had a problem in the past with getting bored with my workouts, so I’m going to mix it up. I plan to weigh-in every other week so that I can track my progress.

· Try not to be weight obsessed, the goal here is to get healthy. I will concentrate on how my body feels.

· Try to eat healthier! I will limit the intake of bread and potatoes because they cause my blood sugar to skyrocket! I will mostly eat food that it grown rather than manufactured.

· You must still find a way to be your beautiful self! No slum-dogging it to work for this challenge! Protective styling can be beautiful! I am falling more and more in love everyday with my natural hair. Transitioning is natural but it will be well worth it!

· I am adding this for myself…Extra Rule for Monica....I am allowed two shopping passes per month for non-necessities (make-up, eating out, clothing) for which I have a $50 limit. ( I need more financial discipline).

I need all the help and support I can get with this. I’ve tried to lead a healthier lifestyle so many times in the past, but have failed. Although within the past 6 months, I have started to eat healthier and exercise occasionally, I have not made that critical lifestyle change. Although I am extremely busy, I need to look at exercising as another job. I also need to change my negative paradigm towards exercise. I know this will take time, but it will happen.

Be Encouraged Beauties!!

"But Those Who Wait On The Lord Shall Renew Their Strength." Isaiah 40:31

The Dirty Thirty Challenge

I came across The Dirty Thirty Challenge on the Long Hair Care Forum (LHCF). I love that it combines disciplining yourself to acheive goals for both your hair and weight. This is challenge was created by music-bnatural-smile. I know I could be successful at this challenge because I do well under scenarios where rewards can be earned for good behavior. This challenge would give me tangible ways to "keep my eyes on the prize" so to speak.

*Epiphany*!!!!- I could add in a shopping rule. I am a chronic shopper, often buying things I do need or can't really afford. While I have improved my spending habits over the past 6 months, I still struggle with overspending. One of my goals is to decrease my debt by half by the end of the year.

Here are the rules:

1. Pick a protective style .
2. Pick an amount of days you will workout before you heat style/relax your hair again.
3. Identify your hair growth goal and your health goal whether it be inches lost, weight gain, weight loss, arm jiggle loss... whatever... I will be doing this until I lose 30 lbs
4. You may co-wash, DC, or whatever it is that you regularly do with your hair, but NO HEAT!!!!
5. Your ends must be protected for most of the day.
6. Each work out must be at least 30 mins. long to count!!!
7. Try not to be weight obsessed, the goal here is to get healthy.
8. Try to eat healthier! Working out is no good without a healthy diet!
9. You must still find a way to be your beautiful self! No slum-doggin it to work for this challenge! Protective styling can be beautiful!
10. Post your goals for this challenge and your progress! Every week I'll do a roll call!
11. Anyone can join at any time... I'm not gonna close this one... Heck I doubt anyone will even join LOL.
12. Extra Rule for Monica....I am allowed two shopping passes per month for non-necessities (make-up, eating out, clothing) for which I have a $50 limit.

In case there is confusion... you do your 30 (or whatever amount) workouts, then you are allowed to heat style/ relax. That is one cycle... Then you keep going til you reach your goal!

I will be posting my actual plans for the challenge in the coming days. My only problem is that my birthday is coming up (September 4th!) and I definitely plan to straighten my hair for the occasion. I will start the 30 day cycle over after that date to keep myself accountable to the challenge. Is anyone else on a hair care, weight loss, or self-improvement journey?

Be Encouraged!!!

Overcoming a dilemma

Let me just say that the Lord is good!

The past two days have been extremely stressful. As some of you may know, I will complete my internship at he VA (Veteran Affairs) outpatient clinic this school year. In ordered to qualify, I had to complete a physical. Well, on July 31st, I completed all but the lab work portion of the physical. I had to leave in order to arrive at my part-time job on time. (Looking back, I should of stayed and told JC Penneys that I was going to be late. A career is more important than a job). I had every intention of completing the lab work at a later date, but never got around to it. I thought it was just a technicality, since the doctor who performed my health assessment told me that he is recommending me for employment.

Fast forward to Monday, August 17th. I arrive at the new hire orientation and they tell me that my name is not on the list. At first, I thought it was a simple, fixable error. I was sent to the HR dept and was told that I could not complete orientation because they had not received the results of my physical. I was deflated. They told me that they would have a rep contact me the next morning. Meanwhile, I went over to the hospital and had my labwork done.

At home that evening, I decided to send that rep an email explaining my situation. Here is an excerpt,

I am due to start my work with the VA on Monday. I will not be able to do so if I do not complete the employee orientation. If I cannot start this Monday, I will be behind on the hours required for the social work program at NSU, lose my stipend, or even lose the privilege to be a social work trainee at the VA. I am so grateful for this opportunity and I do not want to lose it. I fully understand the magnitude of my error and I am asking if I can still make-up and/or complete the employee orientation this week.

Thank God, there are wonderful people out there who is willing to work with you and on your behalf! The rep spoke with her supervisors and they are allowing me to start work on Monday on condition that I complete the orientation the following week. I am so grateful because I could have lost the whole opportunity. Here is what this situation has taught me...

• The Lord is faithful and merciful!
• Nothing in a formal process is a technicality, especially with the federal government
• Know your priorities

Best wishes

I'm Still Alive

I've been neglecting my blog...

This is supposed to be a mechanism to promote change in my life and I have not used it to do so. I will do better...

Here is an update of what's going on with me:

• I have managed to lose 12 pounds and keep it off.
• I have 6 months post-relaxer (and I'm going strong!).
• Juggling the two part-time jobs, which has is going well.
• I have been confirmed for my PAID internship at the VA (Veteran Affairs) Medical Center this coming school year. I went for my physical last week. They told me I am in good health, but I need to lose more weight (shocker!).
• I am understanding my family more...especially my father. Things are becoming more and more clear everyday.

I can't believe my classes start again in two weeks. Where has the summer gone? Only one more year to go (for my Master's and then who knows!). I have some really encouraging and inspiring people around me, for whom I am so grateful. One of these people is a fellow blogger! Check out the Flawed Christian at http://1flawedchristian.blogspot.com/ . Follow her ASAP.

Best wishes always

Monica