The Ugly side of Beauty

The Ugly side of Beauty

There are a lot of ugly sides in the pursuit of beauty or perceived beauty, but today I choose to talk about some ugly I have recently experienced.

I blame myself for this ugly, I am embarrassed to say that at the age of 38 and after living a lesson based life, I still dove into something without educating myself... So I guess I have taken one for the team.

What am I talking about?!?!....Lash Extensions.

Lash extensions are taking over the world. I think if all the ladies I know with lash extensions got together, locked arms and fluttered our lashes really fast we would take flight...well perhaps not, but you get what I mean. Lash bars & lash parties are popping up everywhere... Everyone has a friend or a friend of a friend that does lashes. Even tanning salons are offering lashes....scary!!

I dove right in to this new trend and I went in blind...after what happened I could have very well ended up blind.

I loved my lashes! I loved the look, the ease of getting ready, the glamour I love everything about the lashes....but then the Ugly happened.

The last set I got 3 weeks ago were irritating my eyes, nothing crazy but some itching. I contacted my lash lady that I love and trust even still and she thought it could have been my primer...so I gave them a good cleaning and I was ok :)

Well I was due for a fill on Tuesday and off I went to see my lash lady. We used the same lashes, same glue, same everything that we had been using for about 8 months...so why would anything change?

Well let me tell ya....I woke up on Wednesday morning unable to see very well, and my eyes had swollen almost totally shut. I was so scared, I was afraid I would lose my vision. I contact my lash lady and she had me in right away. At the ripe old hour of 7am. I went through the painful process of having the extensions removed while my eyes were swelled and puffy...it wasn't fun...or glamorous... or sexy...it hurt like hell, and I was scared!!

What had happened?!?...Well I didn't do my research...so here is some info for you if you have lashes or are thinking of getting lashes.

**Disclaimer-Not all lashes are the same, not all glue is the same...but ASK about the following**

1. Does the lash glue contain Formaldehyde? Did you know that most of the lash glue does?...did you know that it is highly allergic?...I assume you are saying NO...I didn't know either :( 

Formaldehyde is in a lot of products, but one of the main symptoms of exposure is itchy irritated eyes...so why is it in lash glue?!? 

**What is Formaldehyde...here you go** :) http://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/substances/formaldehyde/formaldehyde-fact-sheet

2.Will the lashes damage your existing lashes??....yes they can!!. The clogging of pours at the base of your upper lid can prevent good re growth. If repeatedly put on properly and cleaned very well you shouldn't have a problem.

Lash extensions are hard to keep totally clean and the glue, well its glue! So everything sticks to the base of your lid where lashes grow and breath. 

I have had my extensions removed and how have tiny little lashes that I need to re grow, this is normal but I'm not excited about the regrowth part. I see how this is a dangerous cycle. Going from Glam to bland isn't fun...but I'll take eye health any day!!

I'm going to try this...you are welcome to try it too :)

http://wellnessmama.com/2028/eyelash-growth-serum/

3.Where did the technician go to school?...I trust my lash lady totally...she is well trained and provided a service that I asked for. She is well educated and I know a lot of ladies that see her. She often told me of horror stories of other technicians that were trained by a friend of a friend over a weekend!!...what!??...You learned how to apply glue to lashes over a weekend?! Be sure and check where they were trained!!

When I went to see my Family Dr he said I was the THIRD lady this WEEK in his clinic because of lash extensions...WHAT??...I was shocked.

He explained that formaldehyde and he assumes lack of training are the problems. Your body will tolerate it for only so long before it will YELL at you to STOP..well my body yelled!! He also warned of suffocating the natural growth of your own lashes, and they should not be a long term thing for women. He said, eventually there will be no lashes to attach fake ones too. Agree or disagree with that statement is a personal choice. If I had no issues, I would have done it indefinitely. 

I've done some reading and realized there are a lot of women out there that have had a similar experience. These are just two of the women that learned from.

 

One of the bloggers that shared her story

Another woman that had this happen 2 weeks before her wedding

I had no idea, and felt compelled to blog about it. I'm not saying extensions are BAD. I LOVED mine and I was sad that this happened...but information is power and now you are all a little more powerful!!

Pow-Pow!!

It's been two day's since this infection/reaction has taken over my face and my life. I have not been able to work, my vision is almost back to normal-thankfully. I have ZERO energy...My body is using everything it has to fight this off. It is way more serious than one would expect from an eye lash extension problem.

Below are some links and information about eye lash extensions...so now YOU know!!!

http://wellnessmama.com/2028/eyelash-growth-serum/

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/07/22/lash-extensions-tips_n_3286927.html

And this is ME...trying to stay positive though this experience. I feel much better sharing this with the world so you can be informed before you make a choice. 

Still smiling, because this isn't the worst thing that could happen!!

I hope you find this informative. The purpose of this blog is to inform, share a story and give information to those looking into something I recommended. Lash extensions are fun and pretty. There are lots of awesome technicians in this city, just be informed before you try anything new.

Thanks for reading!!

Sheryl Gesinghaus-Gatzke

RESPECT: Strength and Conditioning W.I.T

supplements 101

Supplements 101

The world of supplements is big and confusing, it's really easy to get sucked in and start taking anything and everything on the market. 

I personally take what I feel are foundations supplements, well they are my foundation anyway. They are the things that help me feel good and perform well.

1. Protein powder:

-Make sure that you enjoy the taste, if you don't like the taste you are  not going to drink it ;)

-Pay attention to Sodium content. It's often higher on the chocolate peanut butter flavors

-See if the label lists the protein sources. What are they using to make up the % listed on the container.

2. Fats:

-Fish Oil, Coconut Oil and the all mighty peanut butter 

-Good fats are a great source of energy, they are great for brain function, internal lubrication, external vanity...the list goes on and on!

Here are some links about Fats:

-Coconut oil

 https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/oils/health-benefits-of-coconut-oil.html

-Fish Oil

https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/oils/health-benefits-of-fish-oil.html


-Natural Peanut Butter

http://www.healthambition.com/health-benefits-of-peanut-butter

3. VegeGreens

-Contains a wide variety of veggies and plants for optimal PH of the body.

http://progressivenutritional.com/vegegreens/

4. Magnesium 

- Helps the body metabolize carbohydrates, fats and proteins. Hormone regulation, aids in muscle function.

http://www.ancient-minerals.com/magnesium-benefits/


5. Vitamin D

-Helps with such a wide array of health problems.
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/12/22/dr-holick-vitamin-d-benefits.aspx









I hope this video helped to answer the questions that came in about supplements and what I take and why.


I keep it pretty simple, as I mentioned it's easy to get sucked into every new thing on the market. Try to eat as much nutrient rich foods as possible and supplement in what you feel you are lacking.


Happy reading and watching. :)


Sheryl xo

#Hashtagyourself

#Hashtagyourself

Hashtags...when did they become a thing anyway?!? 

According to Wikiipidia, know-er of all things...a Hashtag is a Label. I label that helps identify a post, poster, theme or trend. It basically is a way to search for things that you are interested in.

In this fitness industry it is very easy to get sucked into the hype of it all, the Fitfam the memmes the Hardcore...the Hashtags ;)

I have done it ALL....and I'm not likely to stop anytime soon #everyonelovesagoodhashtag ;)  But one thing I am changing is what I represent with my posting... I will represent myself. 

I think it's super important to not let your own time, goals, desires and career to be sidetracked because of the goals of others. The Hype, the desire to fit in, to be accepted, to get likes and hearts, the desire to help to promote can often make you feel like a pimp...a pimper of all products, gyms and people. 

I've been "pimping" for a long time for Gym's, Products and People...It's time to pimp myself ;) Ouuu...That's a good hashtag... #pimpyourself Ya, I like that one!!

So the burning Question that everyone has asked...Why?!?...Why?!? did you leave Lil's Gym?...Well The video below should help you understand.

But Above should to...I just wanna do my own thing :) 

I want to Train Clients, I want to Work for Gemini Modeling, I want to Run Classes and Host Meetings. I want to work when I want, How I want and Grow my own business. I want to be an independent personal trainer. I want to just be me.

  I Can, So I am.

I was raised in a very strong household and it produced 3 very strong women. My sister Rhonda is also a personal Trainer and My sister Christa is a Photographer and Farmer...so Ya, we all prefer to just be self directed and follow our passions. We are all very passionate, and it shows in all our careers.

As I mentioned in the video I have been lucky enough in my life to know a lot of strong, independent self directed women. I Thank all of them for being examples and inspirations in my life.


I wish everyone the best, even with the imaginary lines that some chose to draw after I left, and even with the un friending and blocking for wanting to represent myself, I truly wish everyone the best in their own journey and their own hashtags. :)  My life and time at Lil's Gym was great...I love that family and always will...but sometimes you gotta find your own path, do your own thing, follow your dreams and represent yourself. #respect

The take away from this video is to really be true to yourself. Be true to your instincts, Be true to your goals, and your time..Represent yourself!

It's OK to put yourself first...the subject of Vlog #3...Putting yourself first :)

After you find your Wagon, Here are the 3 C's :)

The Three C's

Welcome back to RESPECT: Strength and conditioning Blog....or as I like to call myself: "Little Lady" :)


So as you can see there is a you tube link below...personally I'm not a super fan of blogging, I'm going to do what you young kids say is called "vlogging" ;)

I'm a talker, it's my skill. Yep I consider talking a skill and I will be using my you tube channel more and more....fun right?!?! 

I am VERY VERY nervous in my first video, next time I'll have a drink...LOL. The first step in anything is the hardest. I've been jumping out of my comfort zone lately and Vlogging is just another Jump.....

I created it to be interactive, I want to hear from YOU. What do you want to know?...What do you wanna talk about?...lets talk. :) I am not a huge fan of one sided anything, I have no desire to have a one sided blog or channel. I'm super open, so let me have it :)

For today...I'm talking about the THREE C's...We talked before about finding your wagon. Once you have found that wagon I suggest you adopt the 3 c's!

What are the 3 c's???....well let's talk :) 
(Subscribe to my you tube channel so you get to be interactive)

To recap what I spoke about in the video:

1.Find something you LOVE to do and Commit to it fully...give it 100%

2.Be Consistent with that commitment

4.Change If you use the above C's you will be granted Change.

Remember that this can apply to all aspects of your life, not just fitness. If you want to succeed at anything The Three C rule applies!

HUGE HUGE shout out to my Cousin Kim and Dustin for following the 3C rule and being a complete success with the 21 day challenge

Dustin and Kim killing the 21 day challenge



Another HUGE Shout out to my Friend Andrea, she Also used the 3C rule and has turned her dreams into reality with healthy eating and Zumba.

Andrea-Amazing transformation 

As I mentioned in the video it really doesn't matter what you do, just find that wagon or combination of Wagons and use the three C rule...You will be rewarded with Change!! :)

More fun Videos to come

Much love xo

Little Lady,



Finding your Wagon

Finding your wagon

Well its time to start blogging again. It's been a while since I had anything to say, but now that I work as an independent and I'm free to speak about anything I want...I seem to be inspired. :)

Working for myself means to REPRESENT MYSELF and it's one amazing feeling. For the first time in my journey I am not representing anyone other than me. I can speak about what I want freely without feeling disloyal. This will allow me to give you the best non bias information and advice I can.

So here you go :)

I have been asked This A Lot " Can you help me get back on the Wagon" Or "I feel off the Wagon".

The Truth is....If you fell off the wagon, perhaps you were not on the right wagon...or on the right track.



I would totally pick this Wagon