Guess what I did today?

New year (almost), new me, right? Well I guess that was my motto this morning.

I posted a while back about being natural and I have been so for about a year and a half. I used to be really into braid outs and twist outs and then I got lazy as soon as I realized I could wear it in a poof, throw on some headbands and call it a day, but with that I got lazier with hair care and really in the past couple of month haven't taken care of it at all (yikes!).

So I noticed when I straightened it for homecoming in October how damaged my ends were so I promised myself I'd grow it out for 2 months and cut off all the damage when I came home for winter break, which is pretty bold for me.

I have never really worn my hair out in an afro around town or campus and technically I still haven't, but I got it cut today and as I was about to slick it back into my staple poof, I stopped and said "Just F***ing (sorry) Do It Brittany"

I rubbed some oil through my hair, fluffed it out a bit and walked out my house.

It's so comforting, the confidence and freeness I feel, especially at home. On campus there are plenty of girls with natural hair, so it isn't uncommon for people to see others, but here it's different. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't worried about what others would think, but I did this for me, I'm growing my hair out for me and I'm gonna hold my own and stick with this.

2013 is a year of health for me. Healthy mind, body and soul. Healthy relationships, spiritual journeys and changes.

It's gonna be great. Here's to the new me (and the new you as well!)

Eating Disorders (not a typical post)

So today I noticed a lot of the people I follow on Tumblr tagging "ed" in their posts. I'm familiar with it, I'm pretty sure I've already posted about my experiences with EDs, so I'll skip that story for now. Below is what I wrote to anyone and everyone willing to listen on Tumblr and I just wanted to make sure I did it on here too. Just in case by some off chance that someone comes across this post and it saves their lives. If you know someone that is suffering from an Eating Disorder or you're worried about how they're losing weight, calmly talk to them. As their friend or family member NOT a psychiatrist. Best of luck and I hope this helps someone out there.

_______________________________________________________________________

I literally want to cry.

It breaks my heart that so many girls feel like they aren’t good enough for society. That they don’t see their worth unless a boy is giving them attention or the scale is under 100 pounds. It’s crazy and it is so unhealthy.

You can say I don’t understand, but I do. My best friend was anorexic in junior high, I used cry and scream and beg her to stop, until eventually I just went to her mom. She hated me, but right before my junior year of high school, I got an unexpected call from her, thanking me.

It’s hard, I know it is. I’m not going to sit here and say I’ve never starved myself, or binged, or over exercised in hopes of being skinner, because I have. Therefore, I know, it’s not worth it. It just isn’t.

Please, PLEASE if you want to lose weight, do it the healthy way. Talk to your physician. Eat more than 1,000 calories a day, drink plenty of water. If you keep going down the path you’re on you could die. That can’t really be what you want. 

I truly believe all shapes and sizes are beautiful, I love myself the way I am, I really do. I love my sense of humor, I love that I’m high maintenance, I love my curves and I want to and will be healthy, but I’ll still have my curves and I’m never going to regret that.

It is possible to lose weight the healthy way, please consider changing your ways. All of you that tag ed are beautiful and you can overcome this if you try.

If you need anything, ever, please don’t hesitate to message me, or call one of the numbers below. You are not alone and you never will be. Promise.

Bulimia and Self Help Hotline (24 hours a day):

1-314-588-1683

National Association of Anoerexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders

847-831-3438

Hit the Gym!

Hit the Gym! by wanna-be-fashionista featuring a blue t shirt

Who says the gym is just for oversized muscle shirts and basketball shorts? If I'm going to get down and dirty (or at least sweaty) at the gym, I might as well look kinda cute right? I will be spending more time than ever at the gym this year, so I figured might as well stock up on yoga pants, like the ones above from Old Navy (I prefer theirs, they are cheaper and form fitting but not too much like their counterparts over at VS), cute Mizzou tees (my school!) and a good pair of running shoes (I am still trying to figure out what that is). Of course you can't forget a gym bag and water bottle to stay hydrated!

Whether your New Years goal is to hit the gym more, or hit the runway, do it in style!