Ditching shampoo and conditioner

I’ve been wanting to write this post before I went through with this crazy idea. I knew I only had till the last bit of my shampoo and conditioner was gone but I kept putting it off. Maybe I'm subconsciously stalling? I wanted to get my thoughts down and then come back with my thoughts as I’m going through my detox.

I first read about going “no ‘poo” sometime last year. I thought it made sense but quickly decided I couldn’t give up one of my last good-smelling things – my shampoo. I’ve used Herbal Essences as my main shampoo since college. I’ve flirted with others. I’ve even tried some good stuff (my sister has a friend who used to work at L’Oreal). Even over Shu Eumera, Kerastase and MANY other high end shampoos, I prefer my Herbal Essences. I use the formula for extra body and it’s just perfect for my hair. And I love the scent!

I subscribe to several green living blogs so I kept coming across this whole idea of ditching my shampoo AND conditioner. Here is a good post explaining the process. But basically you use a combination of baking soda and water to wash your hair and apple cider vinegar to condition. And no, your hair will not smell like vinegar. We use white vinegar in lieu of fabric softener and you can’t smell it at all. Honest.

From what I’ve read, there will be an adjustment period while my hair gets used to not having its natural oils stripped every day. I already wash every other day, use minimal conditioner, don’t use anything else on my hair, and let it air dry 99% of the time. So I’m hoping my adjustment period won’t be too awful.

When I told my mom my plans to ditch shampoo she said, “Where did you come from?” I told her she couldn’t give me a hippie name and not expect this to happen! Her real question was, “Why would you want to do that?” I gave her the briefest explanation I could muster, “the chemicals they put in these products are not good for us.” All you have to do is Google Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) or Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) and you’ll see what I mean. Eliminating a few chemicals from the many products I use on a daily basis is just the tip of the iceberg for me. But I think this is a good place to start. Plus, it’s much better for the environment AND my body.

Blogging for real

Anyone who’s known me for any length of time, knows I blog (and if you’re reading this, you DEFINITELY know) AND that I’ve considered being a little more serious about. I often go through phases and interests come and go. But blogging has remained. And the thoughts about doing it seriously remain. So what to do?

There is an endless supply of great blogs out there. In my quest for more information about nutrition, green living, cloth diapering, you name it – I’ve come across some really awesome blogs. I mean so good I add them to my Google Reader so I can get updated about new posts. And not only do I add them to my Reader subscription list, but I READ THEM! So yes, I love blogs. I love all things wellness, green living, cloth diapering, and, and, and the list goes on and on. But what do I know enough about to blog about? What would people want to read about?

I’m still thinking about this. My sister came up with some good ideas recently and I’ve been mulling them over. I do know one thing for sure though….you all should be using Google Reader!

Cloth Diaper Giveaway

Check it out and help me win a Flip package! We just got 2 covers and 6 inserts yesterday and we need more so we can travel with these quit disposables altogether!

Advocare Day 22 and other exciting news

I was back up to 172.6 but I'm ok with that after Saturday's eating frenzy. I'll also say that having come this far, I'm definitely more considerate about what I eat. AND everything tastes so much better!

In addition to trying to lose 50 lbs (now 40), I've also been working on closing my abdominal separation. I have a separation of my rectus abdominis muscles. It's not pretty. You can see a diagram and learn all about it here. Many women have this condition, not just moms of multiples. I learned about the Tupler Technique this past spring and took a 3-session class from a local instructor. You measure your separation in finger-widths. Mine was 6 at the top, 8 in the middle and 4 at the bottom. I wore the splint and by the time I was done with my sessions, I was 3 on the top, 6 in the middle and 3 on the bottom.

It was too hot to wear the splint over the summer and I needed a new one since the velcro was shot on mine. So when it cooled down, I got a new splint and have been wearing it. I've been KINDA doing my exercises again but not like I should be. The other night I was laying on the floor with the babies and decided to check again. It's only 3 in the middle now!!! This has given me the motivation to really get on it and get this stupid thing closed! If only it would also get rid of the extra skin and fat :)

Advocare Day 21 - afternoon

As of yesterday I was 171.6. I was 173 this morning but let me tell ya - I ate like a PIG yesterday. We went out for Sean's birthday. I had a stuffed mushroom appetizer at the Pub. Then we had sushi rolls (the fattening kind) at Sake. Then we went bowling and I had 2 appetizers there. It was like I couldn't stop eating. So I think the 173 this morning is AMAZING and also think it was mostly water considering how much salt I consumed last night.

I've more than made up for last night today and am poised to finish out strong. My only concern is dinner Wednesday night since we'll be traveling to visit my family. I'm not sure what I'm going to eat. I'm definitely ready for Thanksgiving dinner!

I keep going back and forth about what I'm going to do after I'm done. I still want to lose another 40 lbs. Sean was like, "Do you really need to lose another 40? Are you supposed to weigh 130?" I told him that that's the "recommended" weight for my height and frame. But in all honesty, I'd be thrilled with 140. I mean, how am I going to get to 130 without exercise?

Advocare Day 16 - bedtime

Over the weekend I was 174, yesterday was 175 and today was 176. Here is my list of cheats:

• Sample of apple pie @ Kroger on Saturday
• Two samples of a cracker with cheese spread
• A sample of a chicken nugget/wing thing
• Grated parmesan on my dinner Sunday night and yesterday for lunch

I will say that I've been feeling really good despite having one or the other baby wake up in the middle of the night for the past week. Normally after this long of that going on, I'd be a zombie.

I'm definitely ready for this to be over. I want BREAD. I want fast food! I bought some Kroger cupcakes for Sean for his birthday today and I want one! I want dairy. And all these wants have me thinking about how to deal with them and continuing to lose weight. How do I make it work?

I've been a little bummed that I've been holding right around 176 for almost the past week. But I had someone remind me that I'm still doing really well. I remember back when I was dieting and exercising regularly and it would take a whole week to go down a pound. Ultimately, I'd still like to lose another 4 lbs. I would LOVE to see 169.

In the meantime, I'm trying to mentally prepare myself for Thanksgiving and lots of traveling and not pigging out the entire time.

Advocare Day 12 - morning

My meal update will have to come this weekend but I wanted to post an update on my weight loss. Yesterday I was at 175.2 and today is 174.2. I hope to continue making progress over the weekend!