Got My Insanity Shirt!

Happy Wednesday folks, I have my Insanity TShirt!!

I'm going to re-design it, aka turn it into a fashionable muscle TShirt. I don't like plain shirts!  If anyone wants to know, yes I am still a BeachBody Coach so if you're not afraid of hard work, feel free to hit me up and I'll add you to one of my Challenge Groups for Beach Body. We have other workouts too, Cize, Hammer & Chisel, 21 Day Extreme Fix, etc!!

FitnessWithVeronica

Black Dymond Naturals ~ Items

Hello, there! Okay, I'm currently re-stocking my African Black Soap, Shea Butter and my own Fab mixture of hair moisturizer will be available soon. If you'd like to place an order, call 301-717-3461 and I can put a rush out on it, or just comment on this post. 

Still tweaking Black Dymond Naturals T-Shirt designs. I'm a sucker for fashionable T's and I want to make sure they're on point!  I'm working on the Bling-Style type of T!

blackdymondnaturals.com

Why Do You Do What You Do?

People ask why do I prefer working for myself all the time, especially family members.  I believe if you have a skill/talent that you're passionate about, why not turn it into a money making tool?  I used to have a corporate job until I was laid off in 2011, but thankfully I had massage therapy to fall back on. I have hubby too, but I prefer to make my own, you know what I mean?

Massage therapy and working in the e-publishing field wasn't like work to me. It was something I enjoyed doing and is lucrative.  I'm also a Silpada representative. Yes, that's similar to Mary Kay and is fun, having friends host me in their homes while selling jewelry.  I'm also a freelance writer. Hey, Jill of all Trades, that's me.

I'm a Sagittarius and we are pretty much free spirits. I didn't mind working for other folks, but if I wasn't fairly compensated or acknowledged for my achievements, that simply brings my morale down. I'm the type of person that puts 110% of themselves into whatever it is I do. If I feel I'm doing it in vain, then I don't want to do it. I had worked as an Office Manager/Admin assistant for a long time. In 2006 I started web design/virtual assistant/cover art/ & publishing on the side. It's always important to have a good side gig in addition to your regular job. There's nothing like having your own business. I wasn't very appreciated and I began to loathe that job because when I first started as a temp I was promised the moon. Once I became full time, things swiftly went downhill. I hated getting those Sunday night jitters and having my stomach twisting in knots and I dreamed of the day I could give my notice and venture out on my own and not have to answer to anyone.

Seriously, my grandfather passed in 2008, yet my boss asked if I would be coming in later in the day. Really?!  I did feel obligated but no, I didn't go to work. I needed time to mourn, and sometimes with some companies, they really don't care what happens to you. (At least with my experience)

It's been four years and I've made a nice income on and offline.  I went to Baltimore School of Massage therapy for my certifications and I've just recently passed my personal trainer's certification and when I achieve that  I became a Beachbody coach. It's a challenge for me. I plan on taking other courses to further my education in my field. I don't mind working 7 days per week because my schedule is mine and I get to manage my time the way I want.

So, this is why I do what I do. I've suggested to many family members they should start a business for themselves because I see so much talent. I also seem them complaining so much about their jobs. If a person is so miserable, why do they not change what they do and start something on the side?

Are you happy with what you do?

Fitness Journey, Beachbody Coach & Personal Trainer Certification

Good morning all you beautiful people out there! It's been a while since I've posted, but I've been very busy. For those of you in my circles, you've seen me in my Fitness & hair groups.

I passed my personal training certification program! Yay!!! I'm now a certified personal trainer and
I'm so happy. Also, in Spring I'll be taking on new massage therapy clients and I'm now a Beachbody coach. You don't have to have a personal training certification to become a coach, but for me I wanted that extra recognition.

Interested carving out that summer body now?   Check out my page here.  On my Beachbody page, you can choose a challenge pack and we can get started immediately.  For my personal training services in your area, email me here.

Now, a little about my fitness journey. Middle age spread hasn't got me down yet, no sir. And for that, I'm thankful. I turned 45 in December, October I joined a gym and started lifting weights again. I've also been doing my Insanity workouts a few times per week.  I'm no stranger to the gym and weight training. My goal is to pack on as much muscle as I possible can by incorporating squats, deadlifts, and bench pressing and other weight training workouts into my schedule. I've been trading fat for muscle and I'm loving it!



I'm putting together a challenge group and if you're struggling with motivation to lose weight, or build muscle, contact me.  I know the struggle is real, especially after losing the weight. I've been on a fitness/diet roller coaster all my life until last year. There is a balance to everything and once you find it, you won't believe how easy it is.

Curly Gal Wigs

Shout out to the awesome cashier at Walmart. Blessings to you always, here is my website. Below is my newest crochet wig.

curlygalwigs.yolasite.com

My Havana Twists Installation

Well, I hope you had a wonderful holiday weekend. We went to my Uncle's cookout Saturday and Monday just stayed inside. Monday was the perfect day for me to install my Havana Twists.

I've been eyeballing the style for a minute, scouring Youtube and practicing the invisible braid method. So, Monday night I was feeling myself, and I had the nerve to start installing the things around 7p.m.  Seriously?!  LOL

I purchased 7 packs of hair a few weeks ago. The Janet collection Havana Spirit is really cool. It's not rough at all. I think I finished around 3 or 4 a.m., Mind you I took a few breaks.  Below is the finished product.

Now, I have to pat myself on the back because I had it going on with the way I twisted these things, unfortunately I wasn't too happy with my parts. Also, my hair is not coarse and dense so in some areas, there wasn't a lot of hair to attach the twist hair too. You would think I have a full head of hair just by looking at me, but sadly I do not. It was because of that aspect that I uninstalled these twists in under 45 minutes. LOL  I never went to bed Monday night and that was fine with me. 

The hair was entirely too heavy for my tastes even though In the past I've had Nubian Twist extensions twice. It was uncomfortable and annoying and I missed seeing my fro. This was supposed to have been a style to help me fight the shrinkage and give Vi a break from the normal wear and tear, but you know what? I think I'll do wash and go's and updos for the rest of the summer. 

I purchased 7 packs of hair, used only 3 and I've got four packs left so I'm selling those on my site, Black Dymond Naturals. 

 I'm going to crochet a wig for myself because for me, I think wigs may be a better option. Don't get me wrong, braid extensions are wonderful, but unfortunately they're not for me. 

Finally Mastered My Wash & Go

Okay, so I wrote a post about my modified wash and go a few days ago. You can see this post here.  Now there are two more times I've tried a wash and go. (not counting my faux wash and go's). Once was about two years ago when I was pressed for time. I had just finished washing my hair and had lost time. Back then my wash routine was about 4 hours. So I had to hurry, apply my leave in conditioner, moisturizer and some gel. I did a high puff and was out the door. Now that's a wash and go! LOL

Last summer for date night with hubby I did a wash and go but it came out crunchy, and I didn't stretch it so there was some shrinkage. But you see, this was a few months after I had my mom cut my hair to about chin length.

Well, over the weekend I did a twist and curl. Saturday night I took my hair down and it was fluffy and curly. Due to the humidity (it rained before we left the house) my hair swelled but it was nice & fluffy. Halfway through dinner it shrank a bit but it was so full and still fluffy. The texture was off the chain!  I absolutely loved it. By the time we came home, it was still nice and so full of moisture and I slept on it. LOL  The next morning I didn't suffer from tangles because my hair was full of moisture. I used ouchless bands to stretch the hair and twisted before leaving the house around 2 p.m.

Well, as you know, it was very humid yesterday and Vi shrank. LOL  So, I'm telling ya, I'm too through with twist outs (for now).  I'm sure if I used some grease or some type of anti humidity product I could rock my twists outs, but I feel the need to experiment more with wash and go's for the next week or so.

Last night I tested another wash and go on my damp hair.  Applying products to sopping wet hair isn't for me. I did the usual method of sectioning the hair. I applied my leave in, then my oil mix. After that I apply moisturizer and then saved my Eco-Styler gel for last. I piled my hair on top of my head and secured it with a few large scrunchies. Also, this made for a great workout hairdo. This is the way I slept.

The next morning I took my hair down, unsure of how it would turn out. You know what...

I'm digging this look. I absolute had no problems with the take down this morning. I spread some oil mixture on my fingers and arranged my hair the way I wanted it, that's it. I didn't mist the hair with water because my hair will shrink to my ears.

I love more volume with my Wash and go's. I had some shrinkage, but not a lot. My hair brushes against my shoulders a little. Today was supposed to be wash day, but I'm going to experiment with maintaining this wash and go tonight. Instead of pineappling, I'm going to mini pineapple in sections to see how much volume I can obtain on the top and sides of the hair.

It's 1 p.m., I've been out in the humidity today but I still have my length and volume and movement. Now for those of you who think us 4c curlies can't do wash and go's, I urge you to take the time and experiment a little. Perhaps it's the products you're using, or maybe you think a leave in and gel is key. I made that mistake last year and I did experience some tangling and SSK's.

Although I slept on my hair Saturday night(morn) I didn't have any tangles or SSK's.  Even now I don't have those worries. My hair remains soft (no gel cast) and I'm really glad I didn't give up on the wash and go.

When I wash my hair tomorrow night, I'm going to put it all up on my head while the hair is kind of damp and rock a cute curly puff top knot for Wednesday.

Peace!