How to Avoid Turning the Holidays Into Heavy Days

The holiday season is quickly approaching and no matter if you celebrate Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, or Kwanzaa, one thing unites us...we all indulge in delicious holiday meals. Most people believe that the average person gains about five pounds during the holiday season. The truth is, the average weight gain is only about one pound. But this one pound tends to remain through the season and into the next season. Not only does it remain, but we also add to it as time goes on. So here are some tips on how to stay away from the dreaded holiday weight gain.

Never Party Hungry

Many of us have heard that you should not go grocery shopping hungry because it will cause you to buy more than you need. Well the same goes for holiday partying. Never go to a holiday party hungry because it will cause you to overeat. Have a healthy meal before you head out to that Christmas party that way you will be sure to have self-control when aunty brings out that juicy pineapple glazed ham.
Alcohol is Not Your Friend
Besides the fact that alcohol leads to the embarrassing acts that make for a legendary office story, alcohol is also not worth consuming during the holiday season because it has no nutritional value and add empty calories. Calories from alcohol tend to be stored as fat, so while your holiday hangover will go away the next day, the calories from the consumption won't. Stick to virgin eggnog and apple cider. If you must consume alcohol, do so in moderation.
Talk Away From the Snack Table
Talking by the snack table brings nothing but trouble. While mingling with friends, you're reaching every two seconds to grab a chip or a piece of cheese and before you know it, you've just consumed 300 calories for no good reason. So instead of talking by the snack table, grab a small plate of the goodies you want and take the conversation to the other side of the room. You are less likely to overeat if you have to walk back and you are more likely to forget about the table of snack when it is out of sight and out of reach.
Opt For Diet Drinks
Ideally you should drink water with those holiday meals in order to avoid consuming any extra calories, but if you have to have a flavored beverage, opt for diet drinks over regular soda and juice. A 12-ounce can of soda and or 8-ounce glass of juice contain about 150 calories. But diet soda contains about 2-4 calories and club soda is calories-free. So choose these options as they can save you about 450 calories a day!

Exercise, Exercise, Exercise
Not only is exercise good for your health in general, but exercise can also help prevent candied yam and turkey stuffing weight gain. Increasing your current exercise regimen during the holiday season will allow you to eat all of the candied yams your heart desires. For example, on average we eat about 500 calories more a day during the holidays. So increasing your work out regimen to burn 500 more calories than usual will allow you to have a zero calorie balance. It's simple. If you burn the extra calories you consume, you can maintain you current weight.
Many of us expect to gain weight over the holiday season, but that does not have to be the case this year. By following these simple tips, you can maintain your current weight and avoid those unwanted pounds. You don't have to treat holiday foods like they are your enemy, but know that they are definitely not your body's best friends. So consume with caution. Stay healthy, and stay pretty.

TRANSITIONING FROM RELAXED TO NATURAL HAIR

Going from relaxed hair to natural hair is a process that involves patience, love and dedication. This is the time you decide you no longer want to relax your hair. During this period proper care must be taken to care for your hair. It may be frustrating sometimes dealing with the two textures – that’s why some opt for "the big chop". This is the point where the relaxed hair is completely removed. Depending on how much natural growth you have, this may mean shaving your head or if you have an inch or two of new growth, you can cut the hair to the point of the new growth. This is known as a TWA (teeny weeny afro) - which looks great on most women! If "the big chop" or TWA are not options you’re willing to take, try to embrace your hair during the transition period. Take the time and energy to care for your hair with the right styling options. In order to hide the two textures, you may opt for styles that require very little or no daily grooming like cornrows, braids, extensions, straw-sets or twist-outs. But, you must remember that during this transition period – LOVE YOUR HAIR!

One of the most important things to do is condition, condition, condition! Also, trim your hair gradually to get rid of the straight ends. This also aids in helping the hair avoid breakage. Another way to avoid breakage is to use a wide tooth comb, conditioning the hair regularly, and by giving your hair a hot-oil deep conditioning treatment. This is essential to restore moisture and balance. When you transition, the point where the two textures meet is known as the "line of demarcation". This is the weakest point. The curly/coily hair meets the relaxed or straight hair. At this point the structure of the hair is completely different due to the two different textures. This is the point where the hair is more prone to breakage.

While you transition, if you are conditioning your hair, comb the hair carefully with the wide tooth comb while the conditioner is still in the hair. Leave the conditioner in the hair for 10 minutes and then rinse out. A great after wash and conditioner is Infusium Leave-In Conditioner. Add to the hair after washing and conditioning with the creamy conditioner. Infusium Leave-In Conditioner is a great product to use after every wash because it rids the hair of tangles.

Try to consult with a professional stylist to help you through your transitioning period. A visit to the stylist for a professional deep conditioning will also be very beneficial and helpful during the transition period. It’s best to go to a stylist that embraces natural hair. The last thing you need is a stylist who makes you feel like you’ve lost your mind because you’ve decided to go the natural route. You need to surround yourself with people who support your decision. It’s amazing how many stylists frown upon natural hair. Your stylist will also be able to recommend the best products and methods to use for your hair. Another key point to having good hair (whether transitioning or not), is a healthy diet. So, get healthy! Try to eat right so that your hair will grow quickly and grow thick and healthy. Green leafy vegetables like spinach and broccoli are great at growing long healthy locks.

Transition Tip: Try to avoid slicking your hair back because the tension may cause breakage. Your hair is more susceptible to breakage because of the two different textures.

Stay Motivated, and Stay Pretty.

Staying Summer Silky in the Winter.

It’s the beginning of November and it seems quite clear that we’re in for a cold, cold winter. During the cold winter months, your beauty routine needs to go into overdrive. The harsh winter weather, along with the dry heat of the indoors, can cause skin to crack, nails to split, and hair to break. But there are some simple, but routine habits you must develop for your daily winter grooming.

Hydrate Your Skin

Whatever lotion you use to moisturize your skin during the warmer months, may not work as well in the winter months. Hydrate your skin with lotions that are rich in shea butter, glycerin, or petroleum. A lotion that I have found to protect the skin very well during the winter is Gold Bond Ultimate Healing Skin Therapy Lotion. Apply lotion right as you get out of the shower for maximum hydration. During the winter, we tend to take warmer showers and wear more abrasive clothing. However, try to bathe in lukewarm water using a gentle soap, such as Dove. And to counter the effect of thick, harsh sweaters and jackets, wear a cotton, long sleeve shirt underneath your clothing. Also, wear leggings underneath your pants to protect from the brisk air and from those heavy pants materials. For many of us, our hands and feet experience a persistent dryness during the winter. Just because you’re not wearing sandals anymore does not mean that your feet should not still look their best. To maintain soft, beautiful feet, latter your feet in a thick moisturizer and wear socks to bed. This will allow moisture to penetrate and soften the skin. You can perform a similar practice on your hands by applying lotion to your hands and wear gloves at all times when outside in the cold weather.

Nourish Your Nails

It is very important to apply lotion to your cuticle area several times a day. Do not just apply lotion, but massage it into each cuticle. This will prevent nails from chipping and skin from peeling in the cuticle area. It is important to have frequent manicures to keep the cuticle area free of jagged or peeling skin that can sometimes lead to painful and sore spots when we rip or bite the hanging skin.

Moisturize Your Hair

Keep your hair from breakage during the winter months by conditioning it every time you wash and by applying a leave-in conditioner. Once a week or every two weeks apply a deep conditioning treatment and leave it in for at least twenty minutes before rinsing it out. Like with showering, avoid washing your hair in extremely hot water. This dries out the scalp, which can lead to breakage. Also, taking vitamins (particularly Vitamin E and Biotin) and hydrating the scalp with oils rich in Vitamin E can help keep hair strong during the winter months.

Maintaining your skin, nails, and hair during the winter requires more effort than during the summer months, but it is an effort that is necessary to make sure that when next summer comes around, you are sandals and stripy dress ready. So as you use this time to hibernate, also use this time to hydrate. Stay moisturized, and stay pretty.

Ideal Winter Gear To Protect Your Hair

No one wants to think about winter right now, but the truth is that it’s right around the corner. It’s about that time again to start buying hats, scarves, and coats, but before you invest in those items, it’s important to know how they may affect the health of your hair.
Coats Cause Chaos

While coats may protect your body from the winter weather, they can also be very damaging to the hair. Coats with a high collar can rub against the nape of the neck, which cause breakage to the hair at the back of the head. Not only can the height of the collar cause this to happen, but also the coat material. Wool coats can cause a lot of snagging and the constant friction can cause the hair to become dry and brittle. To prevent breakage, choose coats with hoods versus collars and choose coats that of a softer material, such as cotton or soft leather. Avoid wearing rough wool fabrics. And if you are going to wear wool because it tends to be the warmest, be sure to protect the neck area with a soft scarf.

Scarves Create Shedding

The best type of scarf to wear to protect your nape hair from damage is a soft cotton or silk scarf. Stay away from scarves made of rayon because rayon absorbs moisture, so it can leave the back of the hair dry. Materials such as polyester and nylon do not absorb moisture well, so they will not strip the hair of its moisture. Wools should also be avoided, unless it is pashmina, which is a form of cashmere wool. Also, how you wear your scarf can cause breakage. Wearing the scarf tightly, right at the nape of the neck can cause friction that will break the hair. To avoid this problem, wear your scarf loosely, either below or above the back of the neck. Also, keep the hair tucked in the scarf instead of hanging over the scarf. This will keep the nape hair from coming into direct contact with the scarf.

Hats Wreak Havoc

Like scarves, the best type of hat fabric for your hair is soft cotton or silk or satin. When choosing a hat, it is important to wear a breathable material, so that air can circulate to the scalp. It is also important to wear hats that do not come down tightly on the head, as this may create tension that can stress the hairline and clog the pores. It can also strip the hair of moisture, causing the hair to become brittle and dry. So wear a soft, loose-fitting hat. For a warmer option, you can wear a satin or silk bonnet under a wool hat.

In sum, softer, breathable materials are the best way to go when choosing coats, scarves, and hats for winter. While these are not the warmest fabrics, they are the fabrics that are best for the hair. So to have the best of both worlds, be sure to wear layers underneath those soft fabrics. It’s important to stay warm during the winter, but your hair’s health should not be compromised in the process. So stay warm, and stay pretty.