New Wave!

Hope everyone year an awesome Christmas! I know I did, I got a tablet (which I'm using how).
I'm still on the no poo bandwagon! As far as my skin I know for fact I'll never use a oil stripping soap again! Since I've been using coconut oil my skin is softer, clearer and more radiant. I went to my Mom's house for Christmas and she noticed my skin right away, she went and bought coconut oil for herself and and a dry spot She has been battling for about a year now is gone after just a few days! The stuff amazing!
    I'm also really loving my hair although I am defiantly still in the adjustment period! Im playing with measurements and such but my hair is so much healthier its almost unbelievable! I know it sounds weird but I'm not "shedding" so much and my hair seems to be growing or maybe its just not breaking as much. I don't know but I like it! I'm also getting used to my hair in its natural state I've discovered my hair is wavy which is interesting. I'm brainstorming on how to embrace the new waves. We will see!
A funny thing happened yesterday I decided I wanted  to do a coconut oil mask in my hair so I got online read how and put the oil in my hair. I'm not totally sure how I thought it would go.....I let the oil sit for about an hour then jumped in the shower. From what I read you just rinse with hot water then rinse with a vinegar and water mixture. NOT THE CASE! I have no idea what these grease balls are doing but hot water and vinegar does not take coconut oil out of your hair! So tried my  "shampoo" well baking soda didn't  get it out either! I seriously contemplated shampooing my hair (but I didn't). I got out of the shower braided my hair and decided I'd try again tomorrow. Anyone that is familiar with  coconut oil knows that  when heated it's liquid and when cold it's solid so for the rest of the day every time I took out my dog my braid turned into a coconut oil popsicle! On an up note I  got up today and washed my hair again, the oil came out no problem and my hair is pretty amazing! Maybe next time I won't use so much oil!
With the new year coming I've got a few resolutions: 1.) Less cussing  (unless I'm crossfitting) 2.) Less screaming (unless I'm lifting) 3.) Complete " The Whole 30" which I'm going to blog about to help keep me accountable( I'm going to try to blog more as well).
I hope everyone has a safe New Year and I'll be back on then 1st for mesuments and weighing in!

Day 6

Ok so I'm going on 6days of no soap or shampoo. My hair is kinda fuzzy but much softer and my ends look and feel wayy better! My roots seem to be getting oily faster but I'm guessing that my hair is still adjusting! My face is healing really well and I haven't noticed any new blemishes! A few things i didn't expect I wear contacts and usually my eyes are sucked dry by mid to end of the day. Since I started using oil to cleans my face my eyes no longer get dry! Also the circles under my eyes are fading which I LOVE! My hair is easier to brush and I don't seem to be "shedding" as much (my hubby is super happy about not finding my hair everywhere lol) I'd say operation no-poo is a success so far!

Cutting the crap!

I’m not quite sure what is up with my body lately but it is totally out of wack! Seriously my skin has gone nuts along with my hair! I’m not sure what’s up maybe stress, change in training, hormones, change of seasons and I honestly don’t care what it is but I have to do something about it! The fantastic part is it seems the more I piled the expensive acne treatments and leave in conditioners on the worse it got! so I decided to “Google” after reading through a few sites I stumbled upon the “no poo” concept. I read through a few blogs and I was intrigued! Most articles I found used a mixture of water and baking soda for “shampoo” and vinegar and water for “conditioner”. The way I understand it is that the natural oils your body produces are “supply and demand” the more you wash your hair with harsh sulfates stripping the oils the more oil your body produces in result you need to wash your hair more. when you stop using harsh shampoos your body regulates and only produces the amount of oil it needs to! HOW COOL! I mean there where so many people that were doing this and all for different reasons some where wanting to cut out the chemicals and sulfates, some wanted to save money, some were just plain curious. The coolest thing is most had the same results! There seems to be an adjustment period for your body to get used to the poo-free lifestyle …but the ones who lasted through this period all said pretty much the same thing! Individuals that have taken the plunge rave that their hair has never looked better, that they no longer have to use product , their hair is healthier and growing faster! I decided that if I’m cutting the poo I might as well cut the rest of the crap too! So after a little more searching I found ways to cut out the soap and face wash …..As far as my face I decided to go with a method called “oil cleansing” the basic concept is that oil clears pores of dirt and bacteria without stripping your face of natural oils and good bacteria. strange I know but worth a shot! So if I’m not using soap or shampoo what am I using? I promise I’m not going full on primal on ya’ll! For shampoo I’m using baking soda and vinegar. You can use either apple cider or white from what I gather white is better for oily hair and apple cider for dyer hair. For soap I am using baking soda and olive oil or just plain baking soda. For the oil cleansing of my face I’m using olive oil and for moisturizer (body and face) I’m using coconut oil!

Getting started … It seems there are a few ways to mix your “shampoo” some made the baking soda in to a thick paste, some pre-made the mixture, the way I decided was best for me is to just make it in the shower. I jumped in my shower right after the gym I was nice and sweaty I started with my face. I did exactly as directed

1)Apply oil to dry face (whatever oil you decide to go with ) I used olive oil. rub oil into your face for a minute or so.

2) Take a wash cloth get it wet with hot water and lay it over your face to steam your pores remover when cools.

3) Massage face again for about a minute

4) Steam again

5) Wipe face clean removing excess oil

I thought for sure after I did this my face would be oily and full of un-removed make-up and sweat! In fact it was quite the opposite my face was squeaky clean and fresh!

Next I did my body with olive oil and baking soda making a paste and washed my body! It was pretty much like a mild scrub about what I expected

Last but not least my hair ! I was pretty nervous about this I mean what was this going to do to my hair!

1) Mix 2 table spoons of baking soda into one cup of water pour over wet hair (mostly on the scalp)

2) Scrub your roots just like you are washing your hair (its pretty strange with no lather or bubbles) leave the mixture in for about a minute or so

3) Rinse

Now for the “conditioner”

1) Nix 2 table spoons of vinegar and one cup of water pour over head starting at the ends

2) Massage scalp and hair just like you were using conditioner and let it sit

3) Rinse

Now I’m going to be honest when I did this it felt strange and smelled weird. By the time I washed the vinegar out my hair felt like heavy dry straw and I was concerned! I wrapped my hair in a towel and moisturized (with coconut oil) anyone that knows me knows that I’m tinder headed and I was preparing for a full on fight with a brush! Towel out brush to head and I braced myself BUT the brush went right through no problem and again and again! This made me pretty hopeful! I walked around smelling I little bit like pickles (the smell goes away as soon as your hair is dry) once my hair was dry it was soft and shiny and all around pretty nice!

I’m on day 5 now my face is soft and all my blemishes are healing with no new ones.

My hair is a tiny it oily at the root today ( adjustment period) but I have noticed I big difference in my ends which are now softer and smoother compared to the dry mess I was experiencing 5 days ago!  

Taken on day one all I did was towel dry and brush :)

Rest Day!

OK so its been a really long time since I posted last ... I could blame it on school, kids, my Long workouts or life but really I have just been lazy when it comes to blogging that is. Its a quiet Sunday(a rest day) so I decided to take advantage of the Hubby being in the field to give y'all alil update! I mean that's not the only reason lately I have been in-boxed with LOTS of questions about crossfit, paleo, recipes and just advice. Also I have been receiving messages about how my posts have inspired others to get up and get fit! How amazing is that! With that being said I want to send out a HUGE Thank You to those who have been giving me feed back y'all have inspired me to take a minute and sit down to blog again!! Today I would like to share with y'all a picture I'm 9 months out and in a two piece it feels amazing to be comfortable in my skin! while my surgery defiantly helped this I have crossfit, weight lifting and great fitness friends to thank for lots of HUGE revelations Ive had in the past few months. I no longer want to be a size 2 I see a "skinny girl" in the gym and I take comfort in the fact that I could squat them for reps with no problem( no offence to my lovely thin ladies just be cause I embrace myself as a thick chick doesn't mean I don't think y'all are beautiful or love you any less lol) ...I  no longer stress about  the number on the scale (pure freedom). There is something about picking heavy stuff up or knowing you can get through a crazy intense wod that is so empowering! I literally face problems like this "Well I can back squat ## so I know for a fact I can face this head on" or " I got through this wod so I know I can get through this"...strange maybe? Many may not understand. But others don't have to "get it" today I stand up alittle  A LOT straighter because I love me... not just my body... I love me :) Today I would also like to share a variation of a recipe I got off paleomg.com( amazing site) I was craving something sweet and didn't have all the ingredients I need so I just kinda winged it and came up with something yummy!!!

    Sweet potato apple cakes
1 sweet potato shredded
1 apple shredded
1 spoonful of fat of your choice( I used bacon fat)
2 eggs
tiny pinch of nutmeg
dash of Cinnamon
drizzle of raw honey

Shred your apple and sweet potato mix them together with eggs, Cinnamon and nutmeg.
Then heat fat in pan and make sweet potato mixture in to pancake like patties. Cook patties in pan for about 3 minutes on each side or until brown...put them on a plate sprinkle with Cinnamon and honey ...ENJOY!!

3 months

Just figured I'd post a few pictures since today is exactly 3 months! Everyday gets better still not a lot of feeling in my tummy....but I'm slowly starting to see tiny parts of the scar fade to flesh color. I started back my normal exercise routine and I'm even seeing definition(wish u could see it in the pics) I'm still swollen for the most part its BAD on the days I do abs. My belly button is out most days but some days I notice its in and you can't see the scar around it. I love my tummy now scars and all everyday gets better I almost wish I could fast forward a year to see the results!

Quick update

Well just a quick update my computer is broken and I have to use my phone so this is gonna be short and sweet. I'm at the end of my 7th week and loving my results! I saw my doctor yesterday who said at this point in my recovery I'm doing about as good as he has ever seen someone do! He also told me that I'm still REALLY swollen(normal but I didn't expect it I thought it was down alot) so this means that even though I feel amazing and think my results are more then I hoped for IT GETS BETTER! I will be watching my tummy get flatter for at least the next 6 months! My scare is getting lighter by the day and will fade almost all the way with good time. I'm also back at the gym almost full force. Although it is a little frustrating not being able to force certain muscles to work like they used to,but I'm getting there!

Finding A Doctor

Lately I’ve been getting emails asking some great questions about my process I wanted to take a little time to touch on how I personally chose my doctor and things that I think helped me in my process!
Choosing your doctor is obviously the most important part in your experience!
First things first call around and ask questions. You want to make sure your doctor is Board Certified you also want to ask if there is any cost for the initial consultation. I chose not to see any doctors that asked you to pay for the consultation, Even though most put the payment toward your surgery. I feel like it almost obligates you to go with that doctor because you have already made an investment no matter how small! In my opinion a good doctor will make you feel confident in their ability during that first consultation and do not have to take your money so your obligated to go with them. Trust your gut not your pocket book! You will know when you are sitting in front of the right Doctor for you! Sadly sometimes the price is higher then your budget… SO pony up the doe!! It's worth it to go with the right Doctor. You can not put a price on results and excellent bedside manor! You may have to pinch pennies or save for a few extra months but like I said it's well worth it! Do not be afraid to ask questions!!!
Are your Board certified?
What Hospitals do you have Privileges at? ß that one is important because in some cases (like mine) the Doctor will have privileges at different hospitals who have competitive prices. You may find choosing a hospital can make or brake your bank!!
How many times have you preformed this procedure?
Can I see before and after pictures of previously preformed procedures that you have done?
What are the risk involved with this procedure?
Asking questions will help you get to know your Doctor and a good Doctor will not be inpatient or have any problems answering your questions!
Do your research! Google! Google! Google! Read reviews and ratings on your doctor and their staff! Find out if there are any malpractice or sanctions against your doctor! A good site to go to is health grades.com.
 Don’t limit yourself to seeing just one Doctor see several then weight your options. I saw Three before I chose the Doctor that made me feel absolutely 100% comfortable! The most important thing is that you have NO reservations about your doctor!! Go with your gut and DO NOT settle no matter how many doctors you have to see! Do not rush through this process and your reward will be amazing results and a wonderful experience! I hope this Helps! If your are reading please hit the follow button on the right side of my blog I love to get feed back and know who is reading : )! Good Luck Ladies!! Keep the Questions coming! Posting updated pictures as requested!