I'm way overdue for a weight loss/fitness update, but better late than never, right? I want to make sure that I keep you in the loop about how I'm coming along with my weight loss progress overall. Here are my progress updates so far:

• I started this Fitness Challenge weighing…

Hey everyone! I really need to continue posting in this journal more regularly. That was one of my New Years Resolutions for this year so I really need to stay on top of it. I've dedicated so much focus with my spare time to working out/losing weight but I haven't let go of my love…

Hey everyone! I just wanted to check in and post a fitness journal to log my progress so far and what I've been up to. Here are some updates: 

I am working out 5 days a week, varying up the exercises between either a 1) Full Cardio Day, consisting of intense treadmill, elliptical and spinning…

Today's Fitness Tip: Before strength training, spend about 10-15 minutes on a row machine to engage your upper core and get the blood flowing through your joints and muscles.

So I made some progress yesterday! When I weighed myself when I got up the scale read 166.4. Which…

Hey everyone! I hope you're having a great health&fitness day today! Here is my inspiration for you today:

I had a good day today at the gym, focusing on abs and leg strength training. I did about a half hour on the treadmill at a speed of 5.0 and a zero incline to…

The moment I moved this morning I felt my sore muscles from yesterday's workout. Specifically, my upper arms and my abs (especially the sides) were screaming! It's funny because Kwan was pushing me at the gym yesterday as I went through different strength training machines that focused on the upper body, and I was…

Your daily beauty regimen should be full of satin! I absolutely love wrapping my hair up in satin scarves at night, and sleeping on satin pillowcases feels heavenly and has major benefits for your skin and your hair. Here are the beauty benefits of satin:

• Helps your hair and skin retain…

Description:

It’s great for all types of unmanageable hair: transitioning from relaxed to natural, stretching relaxer touch-ups, revealing perfect curls, and dry, color-treated hair.

PLUS, No Parabens, No Petroleum, No Mineral Oil, No Artificial…

What does summertime mean for you? Does it bring automatic joy? Do the warm outdoors intrigue you and your spirit? Are you on summer academic break, or are you working but trying to fit in as much summer fun as humanly possible? 

I can honestly say that one of my favorite elements of this season is…

Description:  Jojoba Monoi Deep Conditioner is fortified to balance the hair's moisture level, resulting in stronger, healthier, more manageably hair. Replenish and restore hair's natural beauty from over processing, damage, and dryness.  Excellent deep conditioner for all hair…

If you are having difficulty stretching your relaxer, don't give up! When you are struggling with your new growth or are experiencing issues such as breakage, it is very easy to give up and just schedule your next relaxer appointment. Trust me when I tell you: When I first started stretching, it wasn't easy. At times, it was so frustrating and I had difficulty managing my hair while my new growth came in. However, I learned certain methods and basic truths about my hair that helped…

I got my hair relaxed a few days ago after stretching my relaxer for four months. In the past, I used Organic Root Stimulator's Olive Oil Relaxer, but I used Dr. Miracle's No-Lye Regular Relaxer this time (I wanted to change it up, and I am comfortable with Dr. Miracle's relaxer and its strength). My hair came out silky straight, smooth, and smelling great (the peppermint-smelling leave-in in the packet makes your hair smell heavenly, and also nourishes the hair post-relaxer). I gained a…

As part of my personal mandate to co-wash more and wear protective styles, I experimented with a new style and am happy to announce that it is my new staple look for a…

Here are pictures that I took of my hair yesterday and today:

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I often hear people say, "Why can't we just get over this light skin/dark skin hype"? In my opinion, the answer is obvious: People keep the skin color divide alive today via commentary and actions. Very rarely do you hear someone officially reignite the divide with some official announcement. More often than not, it is…

Off the the stretching finish line! For the last relaxer, I stretched 15 weeks. For this relaxer, I'm pushing it for a week more (16 weeks). It may just be an additional week of stretching, but I believe in taking it week by week when it comes to adding on stretching time. That way, I slowly evolve with learning how to take care of additional new growth over time. 

I have to pat myself on the back with this one: By Valentine's Day week, I will have reached four months of stretching my…

My hair is off to a good start this year. I have been diligent about my deep conditioning treatments, and started using Carol's Daughter's Monoi Repairing Collection to strengthen my hair during my relaxer stretch. 

In terms of length, my hair is getting closer to full bra strap length, but not fully there yet. It is also a bit hard for me to tell anyway,…

What are your hair resolutions for 2012? Do you plan to stop hair breakage? Learn how to get rid of split ends on your own? Do more protective styles? Transition to natural hair? Whatever your plans, you can accomplish your resolutions by being patient, not giving up, and implementing the right hair product…

One of the best things about keeping up with my online hair journal on Cafe Belle is the ability to look over the posts and the pictures over the year and see how my hair has progressed over a long period of time. In the…

On Friday, a caller by the name of "Charlie" called into TMZ about the possible existence of a "Kardashian curse." While you may scoff at the idea, the guy does make an interesting…