new thread
Hi guys,
Just felt like taking some photos tonight. I had the time to properly detangle which makes a big difference. I find I'm severely neglectful of doing that and it probably contributes to breakage.
I want to welcome all the newcomers. There are some amazing heads of hair making their presences known and we welcome you! The journey to being a longhair is so important on many levels. Do not let anyone or anything discourage you!
I had my wife brush it out after my detangling to distribute the natural oils. I've been remiss at the coconut oilings. I must get back into the routine.
I started with my favorite style: the braided halftail.
WOW!! Very inspiring. I long for the day that I reach such length and can put in a braid similar to yours. I'm so glad I came across your post today because I needed to hear that part about not letting anyone or anything discourage you. Too often I get "the look" from people, or comments about how I need to cut my hair. Sometimes when I'm having a down day, I'm tempted. Thank goodness I never follow through. I'm very thankful for this forum.
Great pics. Thanks for sharing.
As I thought about what you said about how having a down day tempts you to cut your hair, it came to me about how much MORE a person would be down if they DID give into temptation and cut their mane, due to a bad day, stupid people's petty comments, etc. As your hair gets longer and you remember all you went through to get it to the goal you wanted, people's negative attitudes will mean less and less.
Good luck to you.
Steve
Totally agree! Life has been pretty crap lately and it's got me very down at times. BUT I've got my health ... and my long hair.
My hair has been a sort of strength for me; its success seems to run counter to everything else. While lots of other things in my life have taken a dive, my hair has gotten longer and stronger. It may sound silly but if I lost my hair as well, I really would be down!
Jason, your hair is totally awesome!!!
Damon
----------------------------
Thanks.
Sorry to hear that life hasn't been the greatest for you lately but you're totally right about having your hair as something that is unquestionably going well for you! My life has definitely had its ups and downs since I've been a longhair but that alone is a source of strength. Sometimes just going for a walk in the woods with my hair loose and flowing reminds me of this basic truth.
True. And you know, self-esteem means a lot. I love and respect myself regardless, knowing that I'm made the way God wanted me; but we do have choices. I, like you, like the way I look with my hair long. In fact, I'm happier with myself than I've ever been in my life. To me, it's an outer sign of my own personality as an individual. I like being myself, regardless of whether it goes against the grain of other people's idea of what box I should be catagorized in or not.
Steve
Wise words, Steve. My own self-esteem reached an all-time low recently but I too have found a great deal of comfort in expressing my individuality through my hair. Nothing worse than having to repress the real you just to conform. Hate that!
Your hair looks attractive and cool. ;)
Damon
----------------------------------------
Snap! Walking is an incredible stress reliever. I live near the sea so my walks tend to be round the harbour and seafront. Walking is a good way to unwind just by itself but feeling my hair caught in a slight breeze and flowing round my face enhances the experience a thousandfold and raises my spirits like nothing else. A true blessing!
Damon
---------------------------------------------
Very true. As Bill is fond of saying, every day is a bad hair day for the shorthaired!
Thanks about the photos but I appreciate even more that this site has helped you through times of potential discouragement. Just keep your sight set on your longhaired goals and realize this is what you want. People will have every kind of opinion imaginable. It all doesn't matter. You have the kind of quality hair that probably many men (and women) are jealous of and that might enter into it as well.
I'm enjoying following your journey and look forward to seeing your fully grown out mane!
Hi Jason, I think you have every reason to post these Pics, they are amazing! Length, colour, thickness and waves all fantastic and an inspiration. Thanks, Ian
Thanks Ian! I appreciate the fact that you carry the torch for the truth that long hair is for life and not just for people in their teens or 20s!
Hi Jason,
I have to say for neglected hair yours still does look awesome!Imagine if you put a lot of time into it.LOL.I still see lots of volume all the way to the ends which is commendable.So be proud of what you have achieved and enjoy it every chance you get.
On another note I hope you are doing better after your biking mishap.You can't be too careful riding as you are very vulnerable on a bike against any motor vehicle.I wish you a full recovery so you can jump right back into it.Finally your looking great physically too as your diet and workouts are paying off big time:)I can't say enough about the value of staying in shape especially as one gets older.Great update my friend and keep the faith:)Cheers
Mark
Hi Mark,
I'm quite pleased that my hair is as resilient as it is. For a while there I was coating my braid with coconut oil before going on bike rides but then got out of the habit. I know the wind and buffeting has an effect but we can't stay inactive just for our hair! I hope to get back into the oiling routine.
I wish I had the fortitude to try henna like you have! Your hair is such a henna success story. It simply looks fantastic!
I did a 33 mile ride today after a week's layoff. My knee didn't feel too bad. I iced it afterwards. The real test will be tomorrow. I'm at least going to try to get back to the good diet and leave that one day foray into ice cream and Big Macs behind!! I just tend to be an all-or-nothing kind of guy! I totally agree too about the need to care for our bodies even more as we get older. You're certainly looking buff!
I just tend to be an all-or-nothing kind of guy! I totally agree too about the need to care for our bodies even more as we get older. You're certainly looking buff!
Jason,
I couldn't help notice in your photos that you look like you've been working out. My wife commented on how nice your arms looked. I am the same as you in regards to being an all or nothing type person. I have recently started getting back into shape. I am doing the INSANITY program. Not sure if you've heard of it, but I did it about a year or so ago and finished it. After the 90 days I felt the best I've ever felt and lost a good deal of weight. Not much longer after I finished it, I just fell into a funk and stopped exercising altogether and started eating like crap. I let the stress of my job get the best of me and about a month ago I hit a very low point. I had to take a day off work to do some reflecting and just be alone. During that time I came to some awareness and acceptance in regards to things about myself. I decided to slowly start taking back my life. Rather than go all or nothing I started setting one goal at a time. This week I finished my first full week of the Insanity program and hope to keep going.
Sorry for the ramble, but reading your post and seeing your pics just made me appreciate this forum all the more. It truly is a support group for me.
Take care.
Brian
Brian, that program is similar to P90X,,I really liked that program, it definitely got me in shape in 90 days, again like you I fell into a funk and stopped working out..I intend to start the gym soon again..
Hi Brian,
I think I have heard of the Insanity program. It sounds like it emphasizes intensity for its workouts. I'm a big believer in interval training and going for maximum heartrates.
My problem is sometimes when I get injured or sick and can't workout, I lose motivation to stick with healthy eating. Fortunately, it's usually not too long before I'm back in a good routine. I find the benefits go so far beyond the physical. It keeps me sane and balanced mentally.
I wish you the best on getting back into shape. Tell your wife thanks! :)
Best,
Jason
Hi Jason,
I agree that being inactive just because we want to protect our hair isn't an option.When riding my bike I tail my hair and stuff it under a baseball cap so the effects of the wind aren't an issue then.I would never leave it open to the wind as the tangling would be awful for me.When I take the cap off at the end of the day my hair is all flat and oily looking from any sweating but its tangle free:)I can live with that and I avoid breakage too that way.I do the same for work as well.
I'm completely happy with my hennaed hair and just love the new color:)Thankfully I don't care what others might think but I actually have gotten some compliments on it!Go figure.I have backed off on the coconut oil as my hair was just getting way too clumpy from it probably because I put too much in.I only do it as needed anymore instead of after every hair wash.
I pride myself for keeping lean and in good shape at my age.I'm probably considered underweight but I feel good at my current weight and more nimble.Since I can't ride the bike as much as I'd like there is the gym which is what I do religiously.It's good because I can get a good workout in a short amount of time.For me to trail ride I need to cart my bike to a trail that requires almost an hour of driving before even getting started.Because of this I can only ride on weekends.Anyway I'm glad you are back up and running after some short down time.Take care , my friend, and hope someday maybe we could even meet up:)Cheers
Mark
Your hair is awesome, and the physique improvements you've made via healthy diet and exercise are likewise tremendously inspirational. You are one cool man, Jason. I hope our families get to meet someday.
--Val
Thanks. The rewards of eating well and exercising properly are so worth it and not just for the physical effects/changes.
I plan on showing my son some pictures of your longhaired sons as good role models/examples! That would be fantastic to meet in person too!
Amazing! I can see why the braid is your favourite style. It looks really great. I'm going to have to keep that style in mind for when my hair starts getting down past my shoulders.
Thanks! I think you'll like it. It keeps the hair off the face but still gives you the feeling of having it loose.
Jason your hair looks amazing!! Love the color too, I like better than the reddish color...I can't wait until my hair reaches l
Your length...you have similar waves to my own...your hair is looking very healthy. Are you doing a anything special ?
Hi guys,
Thanks Dee. I'm seeing a few grays mixing in both they're not noticeable yet. I hope my natural color stays prominent for a while yet. I have more gray in my beard.
Braiding my hair every day probably protects it some. That and coconut oil.
Your hair looks super, Jason. I see it is waist length now. You sure have shed a lot of weight too. Looking good.
Scott
Thanks Scott. I also think I've reached waist. I'm still going with small trims every few months.
I feel so much better not lugging around those 40+ extra pounds. You've always been an inspiration both in fitness and hair.
Hi Jason,
Thank you for sharing such a truly inspirational, and excellent update! Your hair looks fabulous in these photos, and defintely looks thicker as well. Also, congratulations on your awesome weight loss!
Take care, and keep it growing!
David
Hi David,
Thank you! It feels much better to be living a healthier lifestyle. Maybe it's helped my hair too!
Congrats too on your weight loss.
Take care,
Jason
Amazing looking long hair Jason, and I am so glad you have gotten through the trying times you were having with your hair. Good news! As for some neglict.......sometimes I think hair is just a little bit tougher than many give it credit for. But, I think Mother Nature made sure of this.
Hey, it is in the 30's out here this AM and I am freezing. Makes me think of New England. All of the colorful trees are tinged in ice. Kinda pretty however actually.
Justin~
Thanks Justin. I agree. I think some benign neglect is fine. Coconut oil has definitely helped too.
We're expecting winter to set in pretty soon. Ah well, we've had a nice autumn.
Nice to hear from you.
Jason
Jason, the pictures are great, as always. Your hair is more or less a yardstick for a lot of us to measure our own growth by. My own is coming a long really nice (over three years now since I started growing it when it was an inch long all over) and is almost mid-back length, but still has a way to go before it's where I want it. You're an encouragement. Thanks!
Steve
Thanks Steve. I appreciate the kind words. Your hair is certainly an inspiration as well. Also, your resolute determination to not allow dissenters to influence or bully you in any way sets a great example.
I don't know about a yardstick! I look to superstars here like Hegg and many more that leave me in the dust. Check out his hair from last December!
Hegg's Hair
Hi Jason,
I enjoyed greatly viewing your nice assortment of photos Jason. I perceive your hair is still growing and I think it appears that your achieved waist-length now. The ends are looking healthy and fuller and perhaps improved fitness and diet is now paying dividends. At any rate your hair is looking very nice and healthy looking with a shine to it. 2012 looks a great year for you Jason with the imminent birth of your new son. Hopefully the birth goes well for both you and your wife.
cheers,
Duncan
Hi Duncan,
Thanks for the kind words and well-wishes. I am heartened compared to how I felt this past spring. I was pretty discouraged as I compared my hair to its previous health. I think it still has a ways to go but the coconut oiling and trimming has had a positive effect.
2012 will be a life-changing year for sure. As the birth is drawing ever-nearer, it's both exciting and sobering but we're very much looking forward to his arrival.
Also, I hope you're planning on another update soon. It's always inspirational to see your thick locks displayed!
Best,
Jason
I'll probably post another hair update in February which would be my 48th month anniversary. Watch this space!
Duncan
I hope I'm not too late to chime in here, but here goes, anyway...
In a word: PERFECTION!!!!
Truly inspiring pics there, Jason, I'm so glad you still enjoy being a part of this community, as your contributions are always hands-down terrific -- and I'm sure encouraging to all of the newcomers as well!
So sorry I'm away from the board so often as I am nowadays; but at least when I come back, it's great to see a post like this, especially from such a long-time regular as you!!
Take Care,
Ken
Thanks a lot Ken. I've long enjoyed your participation here!