Brittle hair and slow weight

[potatoe]

roman]

Hello,

I wonder if anyone is having difficulties with others who eat raw but has difficulty with brittle hair. My hair is permed, but i like permed hair. I have afro american hair, and although my hair was cut off, the damaged ends that is, I continue to get breakage.

Also, although I have been mostly 100% raw, I am not dropping weight as fast as everyone else seems to be.

Sometimes it feels like my body is so weird. I excercise almost fanatically, but I don't look as good with my body tone or weight as I used to before having my last child years ago.

If you have any comments, I'd appreciate hearing them.


Potatoe :eek:

[Rawkinlocs]

Hi Potatoe,

Well, I know I'm going to seem biased here...but as a Cosmetologist, I can tell you that the chemical you're putting into your hair is the main culprit along with any styling, heat, etc.

How long have you been eating raw? It "could" improve but you'll need to make sure you're taking in enough fat to get your essential fatty acids, eat plenty of greens and drink plenty of water.

But 9 times out of 10, brittleness and breakage of relaxed hair comes from the relaxer itself, possibly the products being used and again, the manipulation of the hair by way of combing, hot curling, etc.

Would you ever consider releasing the chemicals and just pressing? I mean, the heat of the pressing comb can also be damaging to the hair but at least you'll no longer be putting the toxic chemicals in your system and hair.

If you want, you can PM me or email me (cherie@herspecialhair.com) to talk more about the hair thing. We can discuss what products you're using and see if we can find a solution.

As for weight...again, how long have you been raw and what is your current raw diet looking like on a daily basis?

[JMD]

My hair has always been a tad dry--but found out I had low thyroid. Could that be a possiblility???

JMD

[beelzebubble]

hihi,

i'm usually a lurker, but i thought i should post for this one. i completely agree with jmd. brittle hair and weight gain (or inability to lose weight) can be signs of hypothyroidism. if you are experiencing anything else, like tiredness, coldness, hair loss, swollen tongue, dry skin, eyebrow loss...i would absolutely suggest going to the doctor.

even if you don't have any other symptom, it might be worth having your thyroid levels checked.

be well.
bubble

[shakalover]

i agree w/ rawkinlocs - probably your hair breaking off has to do w/ the relaxer that you're putting in your hair, and that can be found w/ all relaxers.

when i stopped relaxing my hair and wearing it natural and really taking care of it, my hair stopped breaking off and became much more healthy. even though i'm currently wearing it in braids, i haven't relaxed it again and i haven't had problems w/ it breaking off since.

[potatoe]

Hello,

I don't have hypothroid according to my doctors. I have been checked periodically for it, and am glad that I don't have it. I have only been on the raw foods diet for about 30 days @ 100%. I have not been consistent with that portion although close to 100%.

So honestly, my expectations may be too high, because I definetly can't loose 20 lbs in 30 days, but I will continue to evaluate how I am choosing to eat. I know that when I am ready to make the full commitment it will yield better results.

:rolleyes:

Potatoe

[JMD]

Hang in there--there are so many variables to releasing weight--more than just calories , age, hormones, exercise etc...(at least for me). It also depends on my moods. If I am stressed or "down" I release weight a lot slower. In the summer, my weight goes down and mood always is higher. Keep eating well....you will see the results so soon!!! I just know it!!!

[julesmoz]

I agree that your brittle hair is probably mostly from your perm. But if you just can't give up your perm, there are other things you can try.

I was recently in a similar position, as my hair was over-bleached and extremely brittle. I could barely brush it without tons of breakage. Then I realized that since my hair was chemically processed, I had to treat it with more TLC than I did before the chemicals.

A great piece of advice I got is "treat your hair like a fine piece of silk". Be gentle and graceful in the way you handle your hair. This includes brushing, shampooing, drying, and styling. Shapmoo only your roots -- the shampoo will wash over the rest of your hair when you rinse, cleaning but not overdrying it. Then, just put conditioner on your shafts and ends. When you towel-dry, don't rub your hair. Pat it dry. You may want to consider a leave-in conditioner, too.

After trying several conditioners, my favorite for dry hair is by far Dove Intensive Moisture. I can't stop raving about it!

If you blow dry, just dry until your hair is 80% dry. Most of the damage happens in that last 20%.

Finally, you may just need to get a dechlorinating shower filter. I got mine for $35 online, and it has done wonders for both my hair and skin. I realized that my water was breaking my hair more than any of the other factors.

After implementing these things for about two months, my hair has gone from dull and brittle to shiny and soft. I hope yours does the same!

[greeninlosangeles]

I lost weight the first couple weeks raw and then it stayed the same untill couple weeks ago I stoped eating after nine at night(no limitations during the day). For me worked like magic, because usualy I used to eat late at night not, because i was hungry, but because my son went to bed and I could eat for pleasure undisturbed. Lost 6 more pounds just by doing that(now 5'6 123pounds).
I don't know if that's what your problem is, but just a thought.

[jaurequi]

Flax seeds daily (1 TB whole seeds, ground up) really helped my hair. As well, green smoothies regularly has been beneficial. I have new hair growing in all over my head -- I love it. As well, it is growing better than ever, meaning the hairs are stronger, much darker, and silky, much like the long-lost hair of my youth many moons ago ;)
I think MSM has also helped in this area.
I recently got a shower filter -- took me so long, I've been wanting/needing one forever. The hard, chlorinated water is so awful for one's hair and skin. I'm enjoying my showers much more now.
I would also recommend MORROCCO METHOD (http://www.morroccomethod.com/) products--fabulous. I can't say enough about them. they are so pure and natural you can use them as face and body cleansers. I love the way they work on my face. I use/rotate all five for my hair as recommended -- great results.

All these things combined have contributed to regrowth and better conditioned hair for me, but I think the number one factor would be the flax seeds (and other essential fatty acids such as in green smoothies).

Best,

[jaurequi]

Oh, and you might want to try changing up your exercise routine. It sounds like you're experiencing the dreaded plateau! You may be exercising too much, which, believe it or not can work against you.

I would do something different: if you run, try cycling and speed walking. Try cutting down on your days if you're overtraining. Try doing fartleks if you run or apply the concept to whatever cardio you do. Add weightlifting to your regimen.
Take some days off (even if it kills you! I know this is a toughie, but it can catapult you into boosting your results; amazing what a good rest can do!); you probably need it. Get sufficient sleep! You need to recover.

Best,