Blog 2 - Page 6 of 14 - AlexandriaWill

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.

5 Quick Tips for Summer & Fall Travel

August 21, 2017

5 Quick Tips for Summer Travel It’s officially the summer travel season. If you have been keeping up with me on Instagram or the #whereisalex hashtag you will see I have been hitting the road in the past few weeks. I was asked by Weight Watchers® Ice Cream to create some unique tips celebrating the anticipation of the summer season so here are my five super easy and fun quick tips for summer travel. Switch it Up If you are looking for cheap flights for the summer, make sure you take a look at a variety of destinations within your budget. There are tons of great deals happening to the cities of Dallas, Chicago, D.C. Caribbean and Mexico. Instead of going to Disneyland or Vegas, try going to a new destination in another country or take a cruise. This year, I opted to switch from a traditional cruise trip, which allowed me to island hop and ended up hopping within one island – the famous island of Jamaica. Bring Snacks No matter when or where I go, I always bring snacks. Nothing is worse than being delayed and being famished and irritable. I pack a variety of snacks with me so I can munch on just in case I am not able to buy food or when hunger strikes! A few of my favorites are trail mix, Larabars, Garden of Life Raw Protein and greens and fresh fruit, Make sure to rinse and clean your fruits and veggies before packing or grab an Eat Cleaner wipe to not only clean but prolong shelf life. Stay Hydrated When traveling out of the states, I have learned bottled water is very expensive. I often will bring my filtered water bottled like from lifestraw to have filtered water within seconds. But don’t forget about your hair. Make sure you have a hydrating spray, moisturizing products and daily cream to keep tresses in tact. I love the Brita Water filter water sports bottle, which saves money and offers clean water within seconds. Shop Smart If you’re going to travel, know the best days to buy tickets. According to FareCompare.com, the best days to buy is Tuesday at 3 pm. Don’t forget to compare airfare and fees on a variety of websites. Comparing fares and fees can save you tons of cash. Keep Cool When I don’t travel with this, I also make sure to have loads of foods that are cold. From frozen fruit, smoothies to desserts and low-fat yogurt and popsicles, you’ll appreciate not only the taste but also cooling off with some of my summertime’s favorites. Now that you have a few tips. I want to hear from you on how your getting ready for the summer. Let me know if your traveling anywhere or need to get away.

Hottest Half – Half Marathon Review

August 15, 2017

I am officially recovered from my race on Sunday. I completed my first half marathon in over two years. For several years, I have wanted to run in the Hottest Half – Half Marathon by Mellow Productions. Typically in the summer, there aren’t that many races because of the insane amount of heat. The races that are put on are often during the cooler times of the summer or days, but the Hottest Half is typically on the hottest day of the year and is a test of your endurance and strength. This year, we haven’t had the scorching temperatures like normal, but we have had a crazy amount of humidity and poor air quality (UV index) than normal. Sunday I braved the rain, humidity and mid and competed in the Hottest half. It was one of my worst races ever but boy do I have a story about this race yal. Let’s get to talking about this Hottest Half race and things.. Hottest Half – Half Marathon Review & Race Recap Pros of the Hottest Half – Half Marathon Race distance: They had a 5, 10 and a half marathon distances so if you wanted to run the half while a friend ran the 10k it’s a great option. Relatively affordable: The price of the half is around $60 bucks with a $5 discount. It does go up, but this isn’t bad for a half Friendly people: Mellow races thus far tend to be filled with friendly folks thus far. Everyone waves or tried to be nice. Medal: The medals are pretty nice. I can’t complain at all about the medals and like the quality of them Packet pickup: You have the option of arriving early to get your packet, and additionally you have the choice of paying on the spot Less fuss: There isn’t a lot with the race, so for newbies, this might be good option to reduce stress or anxiety. Challenges: They have a few race challenges through out the year and seasons, so it’s good if you are looking to do multiple races and want to test yourself regularly. The combo packages are also a better deal than just buying one race. This race is part of two race challenges. The 4 Seasons or the Summer Half Marathon series. Parking: Parking is free and you don’t have to wait or park extremely far from the starting line. Cons of the Hottest Half – Half Marathon Packet pickup: While it was a good, I have had a few issues when picking up my packet. One race they ran out of bibs, so we had to wait awhile for some to bring some. This time, one computer was down, and a lady was writing them. Additionally, don’t expect much in the packets. You get a shirt, bib and maybe something else in the bag. The course: For the 10th year it was at Trinity grooves area instead of the white rock lake. This coupled with the weather and rain was an epic disaster. This is boring, and not the best for crowd support. Folks can only cheer the first mile of the race, to be honest. Additionally, the rain caused massive mud, sliding and really it was more of a trail run than a road race. Medals: I feel really odd having a medal that says half marathon but I only ran a 5 or 10k. Everyone get’s a half marathon medal regardless. Incorrect Advertisement: So on the website, it states there was supposed to be water stops at about every mile, but it wasn’t. There was one water stop at about 1.5 miles then midway for 10k and then midway for the half marathon. Additionally, most port-a-potties were in the beginning. There was one at the water station and two spread out but meant long wait times for them. I think the other two were public as they hardly had toilet paper in them. Strollers: Yeah they should have banned strollers for 10k. The trail is not stroller friendly at all. No scenic route: I felt like I was going insane looking at the same thing over and over again. I run for the view. No shade: Since this is river front and the trees are away from the trail, there is not a lick of shade. Between the sun’s rays and the insects make sure you overload on the sunscreen and insect repellent. Overall: I earned this medal. I went up against everything I hated and learned mentally how I had to adjust during a race. Also, it makes me realize how much more I want to be a better runner and I enjoy running in races. Would I run it again? At first, I thought I would run another Mellow production race as their first year at this route and things happen. However, I more than likely would never run this and if I did I would never run and pay for this again. It would have to be someone talking me into this race again or I got into for free and needed to test or redeem myself. Other than that. Nah. It’s a pass.

Benefits of Wheatgrass for Hair, Skin & Body

August 11, 2017

I love wheatgrass because of the benefits but I am not a fan of the taste of wheatgrass. Quite frankly it makes me gag at times. Lately, I have been falling in love with wheatgrass powder and making my own drink. I love wheatgrass powder because it’s a concentrated and much cheaper than a wheatgrass shot at Jamba Juice. Chlorophyll is one of the top nutrients from Wheatgrass. Chlorophyll is known to assist with detoxing and liver health and improve digestion. Before you purchase wheatgrass powder, make sure you review my top tips for picking the right supplements. Did you know wheatgrass is good for not just the body but good for the hair? Check out 13 benefits of Wheatgrass for hair growth, your body and much more. 13 Benefits of Wheatgrass for Hair, Body and Skin Benefits of Wheatgrass for Hair Helps hair growth by increasing oxygen: Since Wheatgrass helps increase oxygen in the blood, this, in turn, will be detox impurities but also increase stimulation of hair growth. Revitalize Skin: Wheatgrass can regenerate skin cells and is thus helpful for the complexion. Many people take a wheatgrass shot daily or apply the juice straight to the skin to get rid of acne, overcome dryness or eczema, and treat discoloration. Helps prevent or alter gray hair: According to Under Ground Health Report, regular consumption of the young grass of this common wheat plant can recolor those grays so that you can enjoy your lush, natural color well into your senior years. Got Dandruff? Some sites note a simple way to eliminate dandruff is to massage 4-6 ounces of wheatgrass on to the scalp and cover with shower cap for 15 minutes. After 15 mins, rinse and condition. Here are several other benefits of wheat grass listed below. Benefits of Wheatgrass for the Body Suppresses appetite Boost immune system Stabilize and improves blood sugar levels Improves digestion Contains all minerals and the following vitamins, A, B-complex, C, E, I and K Contains 17 amino acids Removes heavy metals from the body Gluten-free because it’s cut before the grain is formed Antibacterial and natural healer thanks to chlorophyll So I know you are wondering, how can I consume Wheatgrass? I admit it’s a bit of an acquired taste but I did create a simple way of drinking it. You can tweak it as needed but thus far I really enjoy it in a glass of lemonade. Wheatgrass Lemonade So I know you are wondering, how can I consume Wheatgrass? I admit it’s a bit of an acquired taste but I did create a simple way of drinking it. You can tweak it as needed but thus far I really enjoy it in a glass of lemonade. 2 cups water 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice 1 scoop of wheatgrass Stevia or honey to taste 4-5 ice cubes Mix all ingredients in shaker and enjoy!

FitFro Expo Workshop

July 28, 2017

Thanks so much for attending the FitFro Workshop. My session is jam packed starting at 2:50 pm in the Collins Cooper Room. Make sure you get there early to take advantage of sponsored items from Women’s Health. Additionally, I made a simple e-guide for attendees. Sign up to download and you will be entered in to win one of 6 giveaways. (Must be present to win.) No matter if you are attending the workshop in person or digitally tuning in, here is everything I am discussing at the FitFro expo. If you can’t attend make sure you are following me on Instagram for a sneak peek at what’s going on. You can also take advantage of some of the book sales and bundles below too! FitHair Workshop E-guide PURCHASE THE FITHAIR BOOK PURCHASE THE FITHAIR BUNDLE The FitHair Bundle include the Kale Queen Mason Jar, an autographed printed copy and a complimentary digital copy of the book. Take a look at the exclusive Kale Queen Jar. FitHair Jars Info Sponsors Rhythm Superfoods Women’s Health Magazine Prebiotin Prebiotic Fiber

Crotchet Braids with Faux Locs | Moisturizing Routine

July 26, 2017

I am so in love with faux locs. I have had them for a few weeks and cannot get enough of them. I have had several questions about how I am maintaining them and keeping my hair moisturized. With so much training and working out, especially in the summer sun, the hair can become very dry and brittle. It is important to protect both your hair and scalp when having any protective hairstyle such as braids, twist, and sew-ins. As such, I made a unique moisturizing routine for my hair with faux locs, which aids in hydrating and preserving the hair and scalp. You can use the products of your choice that best suits your needs. The biggest key in this moisture routine is the use of steam to penetrate the shaft and stimulate the scalp. Items Used The Mane Choice Hair Growth Oil The Mane Choice Tropical Moringa Daily Restorative Spray Q-redrew hair steamer This ultra moisturizing routine is focused primarily for women who work out or are suffering from dry hair due to hotter temperatures. When working out sweating and heat play a big part in losing moisturizer, so it’s critical to add moisture back into the hair on a regular basis. This routine has helped me a lot, and it’s straightforward, relaxing and doesn’t take a lot of time. Night Time Regimen for Faux Locs Bonus: I often do my moisturizing routine before going to bed or in the evenings, so in the video, I also show you how I lock in the moisture at night and reduce frizz or static. My Evolve Satin Hair Wraps is the biggest key to keeping my hair off my face, in place and aid keeping moisture through the night.

Five Multi Purpose Products For Hair, Skin & Body

July 20, 2017

I am trying to simplify my life and make sure I am only using items I need and love. I try to invest in products that will save me time and help me as I work, train and frankly just live. I hate having a bunch of products in my gym bag as it takes up to much space and I often don’t use them all. If you are like me and are trying to simplify your life or just find some new products that are the best bang for your buck, I am listing five product that are great multi purpose products you gotta have. I picked five hair, beauty and/or body products that tackle two (or more) things at once thus saving you time, money and frankly space in your gym bag or carry on if you are traveling. Check out the video below and or hit the links to get ya shop on! Multi Purpose Products For Hair, Skin & Body Items Mentioned Dr. Bronner Hand Soap Brita Sports Bottle Q-Redew Steamer Olay Facial Wipes Rivers et Roses Candle

Prime Day Picks for Fitness, Beauty and Health

July 10, 2017

If you follow me on Instagram, you know I am a faithful Amazon Prime user. From groceries to health products, it’s become my assistant in the palm of my hand. Amazon Prime Day is July 11 and is full of nothing short of an epic Day of Deals. From TVs to kitchen products, Prime Day has become like Cyber Monday. Additionally, this is the time to join Amazon Prime or grab any Amazon product items you have been wanting on sale for little to nothing. If you have never shopped on Prime Day then here are a few tips about shopping on Prime Day courtesy of Forbes.com. New deals will be posted every five minutes for 30 hours until 3 a.m. ET on July 12. Downloading the free Amazon App is probably the best tool to guarantee that you don’t miss the deal that you want. And make sure to turn on the alerts! Use your desktop or laptop computer for purchases. While Amazon’s app is great for browsing and finding upcoming deals, it’s best to make the actual purchases on a computer, especially if you’re heavy on the multi-tab usage. If you aren’t a Prime member, it’s a good time to take advantage of a 30-day trial. Make sure your Prime account is in good standing and all personal information is correct and updated — deal urgency is obviously a factor here so any lost time could get be a deciding factor in getting that sweet discount. Now that you got the 411 on Amazon day, here are some of my must-have products on Amazon. Check out the links below to grab some deals! FitHair Foundations: I can’t start my recommendations of things to get on Amazon without giving myself a shout out. Yes, the FitHair Foundation book will be on sale for Prime Day! Here are three ways you can enjoy the sale! For my bookworms, buy the printed edition and get a digital copy for free. For those who are on the budget or just want the digital copy? Grab it for $2.99. Don’t have any money and want to read it? Grab it for FREE with Kindle Unlimited. GET IT NOW! Health & Fitness Nathan’s Sports Bottle Santevia Alkaline Water Filter Matcha Tea Kit Mission Cooking Towels Breville Juicer Omega Juicers My Favorite Sports Bra Blendtec Blender My Favorite Running Shoes Non – GMO & Vegan Protein A range of Supplements & Vitamins Meal Prep Containers Numi Tea Rhythm-Superfoods Clean Water on the Go – Brita Nut Milk Bag Hair & Beauty Camille Rose Natural The Mane Choice Alikay Naturals Slapcap Now Essential & Pure Oils Tarte Cosmetics Burt’s Bees Beauty Dr. Bronner’s Products Hair Steamer Olay Wipes Scunci Accessories Nubian Heritage Bobbi Boss Hair CRYSTAL Essence Mineral Deodorants