Author: alexandriawill

alexandriawill

The Perfect Workout Puff

February 6, 2018

Working out and having a cute hairstyle can be considered an oxymoron to some. As a marathoner and when training, we often take race photos. I used to look terrible in my race photos but now I try to be at least cute. I might be tired and slow but I will have a cute outfit and make sure I am well kept if I can. Additionally, there is nothing worse than having my hair get in the way while running. Seriously. It sucks and hinders my focus. I keep my hair up in a very neat, simple yet practical puff or bun. It’s a method to the madness as it’s also moisturized and doesn’t move even as I completed the New York Marathon. Yep! Check out my video hairstyle of how I style my signature workout puff. Struggling with working out and keeping your hair in top shape? Are you spending more time on your hair than working out? Sign up now for the 1st Ever FitHair Workout Hairstyle Guide E-Series. In 7 days, you will learn how to manage your hair, tackle dry hair issues, and even save time and money through this series developed exclusively by me – your FitHair Expert Alex!

ELDERBERRY 101 | DIY Daily Tonic

January 15, 2018

Everyone is sick and or has the flu. With training, I cannot afford to have a single day dedicated to being sick. With my close family all having the flu, I had to quickly take action and boost up my immune system with my favorite daily elderberry tonic. Benefits of Elderberries Elderberry is a powerful antioxidant used for years to help fight diseases such as a cold and flu. Elderberry is known for its ability to boost the body’s immune system and is also a rich source of vitamins A and C, which are crucial in helping the body maintain optimal health. Elderberry may help treat cold and flu symptoms by reducing congestion and possibly making you sweat more. One study suggested that using a standardized elderberry extract, Sambucol, could shorten the duration of flu by about 3 days. It was also said to help treat the Panama flu epidemic in the 90s. Benefits of Echinacea & Goldenseal Echinacea used to be called a “blood purifier” and is considered one of the most effective for infections such as strep throat, infected wounds, cold and flu, bronchitis, and much more. Goldenseal is also known as a natural antibiotic, helps ease stomach issues, kill bacteria. It is often combined with echinacea and promoted as strengthening the immune system. Recommended Elderberries Products Below are a list of products I am using and or recommended. These are pretty good sources and brands that have been around for awhile. Sprouts Elderberry Syrup – Purchase locally at sprouts stores Gaia Elderberry Syrup http://amzn.to/2FFRa4m Source Naturals – Wellness Herb Resistance http://amzn.to/2EH5DMs Quantum Elderberry Liquid Extract http://amzn.to/2D4xYfa Gaia Echinacea Goldenseal http://amzn.to/2DcoWku DIY Elderberry Plus Syrup with Echinacea Goldenseal Here is my DIY Elderberry Plus Syrup with Echinacea Goldenseal. For my tonic, I use a 5:1 ratio of Elderberry to Echinacea Goldenseal. 5 drops per day x 5 days = 25 Drops of Elderberry 1 drop per day x 5 days = 5 Drops of Echinacea goldenseal I consume it when drinking daily a hot cup of tea or a glass of kombucha. Really simple and easy.

How To Soar & Stay Motivated for 2018

January 2, 2018

A close friend of mine recently asked me, ” What are some books, audiobooks and recommendations for staying motivated and uplifted?” It wasn’t long before I had a slew of recommendations because quite frankly, I am a self-help junkie. Instead of just sending her a long list via email, I figured I would pass along these tips to all. Reading, listening and writing are some of the best ways to get to soar and accomplish your goals but also stay motivated along the journey. Whether you are are just looking for some new books to get into or in need of some motivation for the new year, check out a few things I listen to to keep me motivated and going. Side-note: I couldn’t start this list without mentioning my book FitHair foundations. No matter where you are along the journey, this books is all about laying the proper foundation for a healthy lifestyle from the inside out. You can grab it on Amazon right now. Podcasts Here is a list of podcast I listen to every week. Podcasts are free so I try to soak up as much as I can from listening to podcasts each day. Some I listen to each day while others I tune in weekly or a few times a month depending on the topic. Joyce Meyer The Read NPR Elevation Church Oprah’s Super Soul Conversations Dave Ramsey Optimal Finances Daily Success Insider Books & Magazines My head is always in a book and it’s a great habit to incorporate. There is nothing like breaking away from technology and cuddling up with a good book at the beginning or end of a day. Below are a list of books that have helped me in the past and or some I continue to read to this day. The Mind Connection, Joyce Meyer The Battlefield of the Mind, Joyce Meyer Power Thoughts, Joyce Meyer Soar, T.D. Jakes The Alchemist The Richest Man in Babylon, George Samuel Women’s Health Magazine Entrepreneur Magazine The Dream Giver It’s Not How Good You Are, It’s How Good You Want To Be Kingdom Woman, Tony Evans & Chrstyal Hurst StrengthsFinder 2.0, Tom Rath Wisdom of the Ages, Wayne W. Dyer You Have 4 Minutes, Rebekah Borucki Audible Books So, I broke this down into a separate list because the book list was getting very long. Ha! most of the books I mentioned above also are on audible or have an audio version. Anywho, here are a list of a audio books I also have listened too and recommend. Boundaries in Dating, John Townsend The Power of Intuition, Wayne Dyer Outliers, Malcolm Gladwell The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, Marie Kondo You Can Begin Again, Joyce Meyer Destiny, T.D. Jakes Manage Your Day-to-Day, Jocelyn Glei #Girlboss, Sophia Amourso You Are a Badass, Jen Sincere Power Thoughts Devotional, Joyce Meyer The Power of Habit, Charles Duhigg Lean In, Sheryl Sandberg Notebooks & Planners If my head isn’t in a book, a notebook and planner are always within hands reach. Writing down your goals and or your daily habits is vital for success. It’s important to keep track of your progress on your journey but also writing down items means you have some form of accountability. Here are a list of my favorite notebooks and planners. It’s a short list because I am super picky about what I write on so these are my faithfuls and never let me down. Day Designer Academic Planner Weekly Monthly – Blue Sky Collaboration Day Designer Notes – Blue Sky Collaboration Moleskine Classic Ruled Soft Cover Notebook Moleskine notebooks – any to be honest Greenroom journal with soft cover 300 writing prompts journal Black Marathoners Beta running journal (members get this)

Chickpea Mason Jar Salad

December 21, 2017

I am often asked what I eat for training for Marathon or on any given day. To be honest, it. varies but one thing that doesn’t change is my need to get some greens in my system each day. Every week, I try to end my day by eating a salad every day. It’s pretty easy to do and readily available anywhere but it can be very expensive if I am eating out and or time-consuming to make. This is why I am obsessed with making salads in a mason jar. It not only helps saves me time and also are very healthy and affordable. So, I figured it’s a great time to share one of my simple and easy recipes using chickpeas for a mason jar salad. Benefits of Chickpeas for Healthy Hair Chickpeas are a great source of protein and other vitamins and nutritions, which aid in strengthening your hair from the inside out. From hummus to salads, chickpeas are both cheap and a very versatile protein rich source. Additionally, chickpeas also help Control Hunger Reduce Cholesterol Helps Protect Against Heart Disease and Cancer Great Source of Fiber and much more! Directions for Chickpea Salads in Mason Jar Now that you know a bit more about chickpeas, here is one of my favorite vegetarian protein-rich salads complete with cooked chickpeas, veggies and a simple Italian dressing. It’s super affordable so feel free to get creative and use roasted vegetables, brown rice, quinoa, eggs and literally anything else. The possibilities are endless! I love making mason jar salads as part of my weekly meal prep. So here is a quick and easy way to make your own mason jar salads within a few simple steps. Drain, season and cook two cans of chickpeas. While chickpeas are cooking, add dressing to the bottom of the mason jar and prep veggies. Start adding ingredients to your mason jar in this order After the dressing, add the chickpeas, shredded veggies, tomatoes and then any herbs and additional seasonings or nuts you may want (hemp seeds, sunflower seeds, etc.) Secure each lid and store in the fridge. Shake up the salad once you’re ready to eat, or you can dump/pour it into a large bowl if you prefer. You can add on a bed of mixed greens, massaged kale, Arugula or ditch the greens and eat as is. I prefer my mason jar salads not to have the greens in them. Mainly because it’s super easy to carry my Kale Queen mason jars in my pursue/bag and the greens stay fresher when not in the jar. That’s it folks! Let me know if you are excited to try it or obsessed with mason jars too?! Click For This Free E-Guide For More…. Want More? Signup For Your Free E-Book

Baltimore Running Festival Guide

December 7, 2017

In October, I spent several days in Baltimore, Maryland. The city is known for its harbor and famous crab cakes. I spoke about my quest to run two marathons within two weeks, and it didn’t go as planned. I ended up demoting myself from the full marathon to what’s called a bal-ta-mor-athon, which consist of running a 5k and the half marathon. However, I truly enjoyed myself and the city. If you are running the race or just coming to hang for the weekend, here is a travel guide of the city of Baltimore and the Baltimore Running Festival. So I wanted to share a race recap, travel tips and obviously things to see and do in Baltimore. Travel to Baltimore I travel by way of Southwest airlines straight into Baltimore main airport – BWI, but you can also travel into Washington D.C., which is about an hour away. Additionally, you can fly into Regan or Dulles and take either a train or rent a car to travel the hour distance to Baltimore. So in short, there are a few different ways go getting to B-more. I like BWI because it’s nice, clean and connects directly to the light train. I took the light train from the airport straight into the downtown harbor area for only $1.80!! It was a great way to see the city and relax my feet for 30 minutes. Unfortunately, on the way back due to leaving at the crack of daw, I had to take Uber to the airport, which cost me a little over $20 but it was a short 10-15 minute trip from my hotel. Getting around the city is very easy. I walked most places because they were within walking distance and when not Lyft, which has a more significant prescience in Baltimore during this time, was available within a few minutes. Unfortunately, I didn’t get a chance to take the bus, but the bus is free and very easy to navigate throughout the city. Hotels to Stay At In Baltimore While there, I visited several different hotels for an upcoming event I am planning with the Black Marathoners Association. My favorite hotels thus far are the Baltimore Renaissance Hotel by the Harbor and Hilton Baltimore. Baltimore Renaissance Hotel From amazing views of the harbor every time you wake up to their endless healthy breakfast buffet, this hotel is perfect for families and those who want to be within a few feet from most tourist attractions and less than a mile from Wholefoods.(Gotta be close to a store for last minute item!) Additionally, the hotel is connected to the mall, which may be great for some or not so great for others. I was tempted to do some massive shopping, but I didn’t! HA! I liked that the Marriott allowed guest to make reservations for dining at any time because there is nothing like wasting time for waiting around for a table. Additionally, their breakfast and bar for a night cocktail are great. I was able to make my own juice as I overlooked the harbor before race morning. The hotel is half a mile from the train and pretty easy to access for anything. Hilton Baltimore I stayed at the Hilton Baltimore, which is my top pick of hotels to stay at. It is currently undergoing some updates, but they have already started and should be completed by March 2018. I got a chance to see the newer rooms, which are amazing! The view is breathtaking because you get to look at the beautiful baseball stadium and some of the city skyline. Hilton’s customer service is unlike any hotel I had. Additionally, I liked the Hilton because I was close to several local bars (not tourist stuff), directly off the light train and could easily walk with 10 minutes to the harbor to meet up for drinks. Oh yeah, the food there is the BOMB! I had crab dip, salmon BLT, and beet salad; which everything I ate was so fresh and delicious. Dining Places in Baltimore Harbor Speaking of food, Where can I start! There are so many places to eat in Baltimore, and most of them are within walking distance of either hotel or a short 5-minute ride. I want to focus on most of the restaurants and dinning within the harbor area because I didn’t get a chance to eat at all the places but here are a few highlights of places to go. The Land of Kush – the Best Black vegetarian restaurant within walking distance of the hotel. Make sure you grab it and then some for the next day! It’s that good. Phillips Seafoods: Be careful, you can eat everything at this restaurant and want to continue to eat more. There are so many options, but I had the salmon salad; however, I will be back for their famous seafood mac and cheese. Hard Rock Cafe – Because I know some of you gotta grab the magnet and pins of each location. The Grub Factory – Great spot for vegans. Can’t make it? Then hit the grub hub for delivery to you. Pappas Restaurant – Known for the best crab cakes for decades. Additionally, Oprah listed them as one of her favorite things, so ya know if O’ says it then. Hilton Hotel: For a hotel, this food is the bomb.com. Get into the beet salad, which these pecans were like heaven or their crab dip. If you are staying there, they have tons of specials and goodies before and during the baseball games, which are across the street. Rita’s Frozen Custard – If you haven’t had Rita’s you are missing out. Nothing like stopping midday for some frozen homemade custard, Italian ice or any one of the countless sweets. There is one right in the harbor with fast service and loads of options. Other Vegan & Vegetarian Spots Close –Here is a list of other vegan and vegetarian spots close by. I

New York City Marathon

November 12, 2017

A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step. – Lou Last year, I made a goal to run the NYC Marathon and less than a year later, thousands of steps the journey and goal has been completed. My NYC weekend isn’t the typical weekend because I can never do anything basic. I am always extra with everything. Additionally, I am always representing the Black Marathoners or doing something for the organization so it’s never a dull moment in my life. Brace yourself, it’s a bit lengthy but I couldn’t leave out anything because it was packed weekend and it’s a dream come true! It’s a good read I think. So with that, here is my VIP NYC Marathon recap. Friday – New York City I Am Here I arrived in NYC Friday and basically had mapped out my day with going to hang out and tour the Women’s Health Magazine / Rodale office and then hit the expo and I did just that. The NYC Marathon is not a typical race as most because it’s an entire weekend event of stuff. You really have to be organized or you might just miss out on running the actual race. HA! Anywho, I had a packed weekend so here goes… If you don’t want to read then feel free to enjoy the video epic documentary with scores, scripts and more extraness on my youtube channel. Women’s Health Magazine / Rodale So Rodale owns some major magazines you probably read, one being women’s health but also runners world, men’s health, and Prevention. As a 2x Women’s Health Action Hero of the year, I wanted to finally meet the folks I had been working with for now a few years. It was a cool office and experience. It was even cooler as I got a chance to see the wall of magazine covers! NYC Expo So my goal was to do everything I could at the expo and avoid it on Saturday. I did just that. The expo is basically split into three big sections. Section one is the intro to the NYC where you get everything for the race, (bibs, VIP, etc.) Next section is the NYC Merch and New Balance – the sponsors. The third is full of the other vendors. There was a lot of NYC merchandise and it was very busy. Honestly, it was crazy. The expo can be overwhelming at times. I took breaks because I was so scattered brained and wanted everything but the way my pockets were lined up…. Yeah, Nah son. The lines weren’t too long for me, as I didn’t have a wait at all. After debating on jackets for an hour, I ended up getting a windbreaker NYC jacket because I knew it would look cool with my brooks NYC shoes and red is my favorite color. The next part of the expo is basically the other sponsored stuff and picture time. This also includes the section where you do the thank you wall. I loved this because it was really cool to see all the different nationalities and ethnicities that were represented. It felt like the Olympics and we were the athletes on opening day. I couldn’t just write just one thing but I wrote multiple ones because I am extra… After that, I hit the United section and obviously more and more picture taking. Also, they had a cool section to learn about “visualization” for running from Olympic athlete Meb Keflezighi. You can check out the video in my NYC Race recap, which was really helpful during the race. Once I learned a few tips about visualization when running then I hit up the general expo section for goodies for the race. (Really look at my video recap for details on this.) I met so many people and companies at the expo that it was kinda of a blur. The best thing I did at the expo was NormaTech system. They look like large boots that basically help with dynamic compression devices designed for recovery and rehab. Basically, you put the boots on and they are supposed to help you recover faster between workouts by reducing muscle soreness and improving circulation. I did this before and afterward my race and let me tell you it works! My feet were super sore from just walking, traveling and such. After 10 minutes sitting with it – the swelling was gone. The boots provided circulation to flow better and offered more oxygen. If you get a chance to try this at an expo please do! Anywho, I got a chance to do a lot at the expo, needless to say, I was there basically for hours. From getting VIP badges in the Blue room to picking up a complimentary custom pillow, I had a great time at the NYC Expo it was lit! After the expo, I watched the NYC parade. My phone was basically about to die so I don’t have any footage of it nor do I care. This race/weekend made me just live in the moment and just take it all in. It’s like that sometimes. … SATURDAY – Social Day In the video, I show you a better glimpse of the hotel I stayed it but I stayed in the DoubleTree in the Financial District in New York. It was right off the Ferry stop and very convent to all the trains in New York. I picked this location because I wanted to roll out of the bed the day of the race. Most of my friends had over an hour or so commute just to get to the Ferry stop due to the subways being packed. I had a 3 minute walk! I was able to enjoy some sleeping in a bit. Instead of going for a quick shake out run the day before like most folks, I just took a quick 2-mile tour of the financial district and grab a few

Affordable Supplements | Genuine Health

September 29, 2017

I am always on the hunt for new protein and supplements to use. Ther are so many to choose from and I know it can be overwhelming, thus, I will try to sort through all the crappy ones and only show you the ones that are worthwhile and while. I have written about probiotics and guy health before in my book “FitHair Foundations and also is one of my top five vitamins and supplements for healthy hair and body from the inside out. I am passionate about gut health so much that I dedicated an entire chapter of my book to breaking down this point. Gut health is the foundation for overall health and thus good gut health will help your body produce healthier hair. Probiotics help improve intestinal flora balance, inhibit harmful bacteria, promote good digestion, boost immune function, and increase resistance to infection. Fermented foods such as kefir, sauerkraut, and miso are some options fo natural probiotics. – Alexandria Williams Since everyone is on a vegan kick thanks to “What the Health” documentary, I figured I would showcase a few vegan products that will aid in healthy hair and body from the inside out. Today I wanted to highlight a brand and product most folks haven’t heard of, Genuine Health. I have been using their probiotics and proteins for a little bit and really like them. I think they are a great option for many who are looking for an affordable vegan supplements line. About Genuine Health Genuine Health is a proudly certified B Corporation that develops researched-based natural health supplements to help nourish your body. The flagship product, Greens+, has been keeping people healthy and alkaline for over 20 years! The company believes everyone deserves a healthy, vibrant life – and a lean, well-nourished body is the best way to get there. The Founder and CEO Stewart Brown says; “Health gives you the ultimate freedom – freedom to live your life to the fullest.” Genuine Health started over 15 years ago in Canada with greens+, the original, research-proven superfood formulated by Sam Graci for energy & well-being. The company has several different products such as probiotics, multivitamin, and omegas to say the least. Today, Genuine Health has over 170 products and is sold in both Canada and the U.S.Most of their products are vegan and or leave out soy and wheat for those of you looking to reduces or are allergic to those ingredients. Take a look at the other products. Genuine Probiotics Advance Gut Health Genuine Health probiotics contain 15 strains carefully selected for their abilities to repair and restore. The strains are treated with the utmost care – in a temperature and humidity-controlled environment, they are cleaned to remove toxins and weak cells, ensuring that only the strongest and fittest remain. A vegan, delayed-release capsule with a fermented prebiotic ensures that strains pass through the stomach acid, taking 45 minutes to reach the g Probiotics & The Body I have already discussed having probiotics daily via food source or supplemental is vital to your hair but also your overall body. Here are a few ways how your gut health can be affected a variety of factors. Psychological factors, like stress, and sleep problems, have been found to reduce microflora. New research has found that just as we have sleep rhythms, so do our bacteria. Drug addiction and lack of physical activity have been found to alter gut microflora – less movement equals less diversity of bacteria in the gut! Antibiotics in prescriptions and in the food supply not only knock out select bacteria – once these bacteria have died, so do the others that were dependent on them. Environmental toxins, alcohol and tobacco have been found to alter the ratio of good to bad bacteria, causing what is known as dysbiosis, which translates to “life in distress.” Diet creates changes in the microbiome. Certain foods feed the good bacteria in our gut while others do not. What’s for certain is that we are eating too much of the not so good stuff and not enough of the good. Additionally, what I do like about them the most is that the probiotics are not a large size pill. This is major win for me!! Fermented Vegan Proteins+ The other product I wanted to highlight is the protein called fermented vegan proteins+. The protein is packed with a lot of guy health but also hair healthy foods that will help keep you healthy from the inside out. The fermented protein+ contains a variety of healthy ingredients but also is a great source of protein. It also doesn’t taste bad as I pair the chocolate with my homemade walnut milk recipes you guys know I love. Some of the benefits of the fermented vegan proteins+ are No bloating 40% more absorption to the body Strengthens gut health Contains 15g protein Non-GMO and gluten-free Contains essential amino acids If you want to know what I look for when picking out the right protein supplement, check out my post “3 tips for picking out the right protein supplement.” for a quick overview. Ingredients matter, so I always make sure to look and read my labels. If I can’t understand the products or ingredients then I am less likely to purchase. I love and fully understand the ingredients used in the protein. Cost of Products The cost of this the protein is $34.99 and the probiotics are $19.99. Both are very affordable for a supplement line that contains both soy and gluten free products as well as non-gmo ingredients. This is a Win-Win for me. You can purchase the product locally at Sprouts or online direct. Also, they are available at Vitacost, Iherb.com, Vitamin Shoppe and other locations. FTC: This post is not sponsored

Surprise I am Running the Boston Marathon

September 24, 2017

Morning FitHair Crew! I am overdue in sharing some exciting news. If you follow me on Instagram you already know some of my exciting-to-me pieces of news this week but if not, now is a good time to let you know a bit of what has happened. For almost a decade, I have been a member of the National Black Marathoners Association. If you didn’t know, the National Black Marathoners’ Association (NBMA) is a not-for-profit organization. It is open to everyone, regardless of your athletic ability or previous marathon experience. You don’t have to be a marathoner to join and it’s also free-99! A few things we do are Encourage Black Americans and others to pursue a healthy lifestyle through long distance running and walking. Serve as a vehicle for Black American distance runners across the nation to meet in mass at a single marathon. Provide scholarships to deserving high school boy and girl distance runners. (We’ve awarded over $25,000) Increase black distance runners through assisting with runner workshops, becoming certified runners and history of black runners etc In addition to being a member, I am a director on the board and typically serve in our marketing initiatives. From managing social media to being the National Black Distance Hall of Fame Event Manager, I truly poured my heart into an organization that impacts the community around the country. Some of you saw me last year, travel the country speaking and helping churches start a walking program. Often times, I am more behind the scenes making sure things happen for our members and make sure they are achieving their goals and dreams. For many runners, completing the Boston Marathon is on their “bucket list” or a wish. The Boston Marathon is a big goal to run it and earn your “jacket.” I didn’t think it was even possible for me to run Boston nor did I know any blacks who had accomplished running Boston until several years ago. I meet one of our members, Isaiah Douglas who has qualified over 20 times and ran it at least 14 times. After meeting him, I remember telling him one day I will because I saw you did and so did others. Each year I saw the growth of Black Boston Qualifiers and Runners thanks to one of our members, Adrienne Benton, who has coordinated the Boston Marathon “Meet and Greet” for Black runners for several years. When chatting with folks, most members have expressed a desire to not only run the race but to represent the Black Marathoners as a charity and raise funds. So, our organization went to work recently. We have built a great relationship with the BAA (Boston Athletic Association) and many of their runners. It’s pretty cool, I have even gotten to meet and hang out with Olympian and Boston Marathon winner Meb Keflezighi and awarded him for his accomplishments. If you don’t know about Meb, you need to know stat! Additionally, my “running godfather” is Tony Reed the first African-American to run a marathon on all 7 continents. I am in good company, to say the least. Anywho, I am rambling on. You get the point. I am really involved in the running community and impact it in historical ways. The NBMA received two invitational entries to the 2018 Boston Marathon. Each entry requires a fundraising minimum of $5,000. The donations will be used to support NBMA college scholarships, operations, educational programs, achievement awards, hall of fame, and coaching grants. This includes delivering a running workshop for the Boston community. So my goal of running the Boston Marathon is happening while I am making history as well. I am so excited and already set out a full training plan because I have to be a smarter and faster runner unlike anything before. But I need your help! I can’t run it without meeting my fundraising qualification. Please help me get to Boston by donating. You can donate anything as every little bit helps, plus it’s going right back to an organization I truly love and impacts the community dollar for dollar.

The Affordable Sports Bras Guide for Women With Large Breasts

September 11, 2017

No matter if you are just starting a fitness regimen or training for another race, one thing I know you will need are a few good sports bras. Finding the perfect sports bra isn’t easy for most women. It’s even harder if you are a blessed with larger breast AND on a budget. Most sports bras are at least $55-$85 a pop for women who are larger than DDs and offer max support and comfort. It’s almost impossible, but I am here to say it’s not impossible anymore. I spent over 2 months searching and testing a range of styles and sizes to find great sports bras for those of you who have large breast like me but are affordable. All the sports bras are under $50 and most can be found at half the cost or regularly on sale. SPORTS GUIDE FOR WOMEN WITH LARGE BREASTS In my research, I decided to two this blog post differently. I wanted to offer some sports bra history, show you various sizes and types but then I also wanted to share the importance of being properly fitted each year for your sports bra. I am open and honest so much so; you get to see my process of finding the perfect sports bra for my marathon training. Sports Bra Fitting Tips & Tricks Check out this video where I take you on my bra fitting and how I am finding the perfect sports bra just for me! Sports Bra Do’s & Don’ts Always buy sports bras with wicking materials instead of cotton. Wicking fabrics move moisture away from your skin and also keep you comfortable. Test your sports bra by actually working out and moving around. Do 10-15 jumping jack and squats! Wash the bra in cold water with mild detergent or hand wash. Avoid drying sports bras as heat breaks down spandex. I hang my sports bras to dry or lay it flat. Most sports bras last anywhere from 6 up to 15 months thus a good rule of thumb is to change sports bras every 6 months to a year. Sports Bras History, Types & Top Picks Dive into this video as the kind folks at Luke’s Locker school me on the history of sports bra, various textures, and types that are best for max support and my top picks for affordable sports bras. My Top Sports Bras are the Hero bras from Rebook and the Fiona and Maia from Brooks Women. I also want to point out the Juno bra. I went back and tried it and like it as well. It’s a great alternative for the Maia and also a bit cheaper too. Compression, Encapsulation or Both Compression: The original sports bra. This bra is best for smaller cups or just walking around. These are often super cheap and can cost you $20 bucks easily. Encapsulation: This is the best for women with larger breast. Sports bras with individual cups aka encapsulated cups are best. They make sure your breast are not smashed together, adjustable and can remove sweat properly from the skin. Both: Many sports bras now are a combination of compression and encapsulation, which offer both supportive and comfortable. These are more expensive so I avoided focusing on these but there are some great ones out there such as Victoria Secrets. Strap Types Racerback: Racerbacks tend to be the best supporting bras for women with larger breast due to the straps clinching in the back. They offer more support and mostly Tank Top: I am not a fan of racer back because they are a pain to get in and out of after a 2-3 hour run. If you are like me, then always look for adjustable, padded and wide strap sports bras to ensure the weight is distributed and supportive. Crisscross: Crisscross have become very popular because they add a pop of “fashion” to a boring tank. They offer decent support and are my pick for yoga and super low impact. Many are adjustable but don’t expect to find a lot of styles or options for larger breast. Most of the crisscross straps are thin, so they are not able to hold up or offer tons of support over an extended period. Special Thanks to Luke’s Locker for helping so much with this post. If you are in the DFW Area pop in and let them know I sent you for to get your complimentary sizing. They also order anything for you if they don’t have it in there store.

Brandless Not Worth The Hype?!

August 23, 2017

Brandless is a website that has one big mission. with one little $3 price. It’s a site that basically had brandless aka generic/store brand products for one flat price $3. It focuses on the essential products for the kitchen and home. Every single item in the store is $3. YES. You heard and read it right. Literally every single thing on the site is $3. From can openers to organic granola, it has a little bit for everyone all within a few clicks of a button. Most of the products is non-geo, organic or free or crazy additives and chemicals. This sounds to good to be true to me. Brandless has gotten a lot of press and crazy fans of the web since launching just a few months ago. As a frugal shopper, I knew this would be the site for me to help keep me right with my budget and on the healthy track. I was super excited and even reached out to the company regarding my upcoming purchase. So I decided to do a review of my first thoughts of what I ordered and much more. Is Brandless Worth the Hype? First Impressions & Unboxing What did I get for $3? Or the Grand Total of 34.50 bucks + Shipping I ordered a few items that were both good for the belly, body, and household from Brandless — and the whole thing was only $34.50. At first, my order was well over $50 bucks, which is part of the problem. Everything is $3, so you feel like you can go HAM on things you think you want and or need. I had to cut out a lot and only got essential items I needed or could use up should I not like them. Here is the list of items I purchased. Multi-Surface Cleaner Dish Soap – wasted and opened Peppermint Mouthwash Can Opener – scratches on it Organic Oats & Honey Granola Organic English Breakfast Black Tea Fig & Thyme Crisps – can get locally for same price but good Organic Blue Corn Tortilla Chips (2 bags for $3) Organic Brown Basmati Rice Gochujang Korean Sweet & Spicy Cooking Sauce Organic Poppy Seed Dressing Organic Light Brown Sugar There area few items that are not $3 such as canned beans and chips. They offer those as a certain amount for $3. In this case, the bag of chips were 2 for $3. The items in bold are the ones I like and say are winners. The ones italicized I liked but were questionable as I noted about them in my video. Shipping, Discounts & Membership Shipping is where things get iffy. It is $9 via FedEx, which comes in about 2-3 days. Not too bad. If you want free shipping, you have to spend $72, so that’s roughly purchasing 24 products at one time. They have a membership called B-Program, which cost $36 bucks a year. It allows you free shipping at $48 instead of the $72 price tag. Additionally, you get a sneak peak at new releases early and access to special events. You can learn more about their B-Program here. Meh…. A post shared by Alexandria – FitHair Expert (@alexandriawill) on Aug 22, 2017 at 7:05am PDT For first time orders you get shipping at $3 after that it’s $9. I was so excited when I opened the package but unfortunately it turned into disappointment. It was packaged nicely, but most of my items had some issue with them. From scratches on the can opener to chips and ships and crackers being broken. I think they need to rethink the shipping part especially if I order again and am paying $9. Thanks to shipping issues and most my products looking like they went through hell to get here, I say this is a major FAIL for me. Additionally, by paying $9 for shipping for a little bit over ten products means my items were almost $4 with no way for a refund thanks to the damages. Overall Brandless is a No For Me With Amazon (Prime, Now and Grocery), Trader Joes , Sprouts and Costco all sitting within my finger tips or backyard, I don’t find the need for Brandless. Most of the household items I honestly can purchase at the same price or less even online for name brand products or other ones I trust. Most items that are $3 honestly looked like they were worth $3. I like the packaging of things but most of my items were broken upon arrival or opened and damaged. This is a major fail for me. It get’s a no for me. Save ya coins. ALTERNATIVES FOR BRANDLESS & GREEN CLEANING If you are looking for a site that does have a cool membership and great healthy products for the house. I really love The Grove Collaborative. They have some of the best natural products at great prices, delivered right to your door. It’s my favorite online site to shop for organic, eco-friendly and sustainable items like Dr. Bronner’s, Meyer’s and Seventh Generation. On my first order, I grabbed a special filled with 4 free products – mak ing this FREE 99 for products. Check out why toxic chemicals can affect you hair and my shift to all natural products. Additionally, you can grab $10 bucks to shop on the Grove Collaborative by clicking here. Disclaimer: I wasn’t contacts nor sponsored for this post or to review Brandless. Paid for everything out of my pocket.