Ok, I've ignored it long enough and now it's become an actual issue...my hair is falling out.

And yes, I am smart enough to know that a person typically loses around 50-150 hairs a day. But my hair falls out in handfuls and by the end of the week my brush is stuffed full of lost hair.

So, what do I do when I am confronted with a truth I can no longer ignore? Research!!!

Dieting is one thing, but losing my hair is another. It's gotten bad enough that you can now see my scalp, which to say the least is not good on the self-esteem. No matter how much weight you lose if you end up bald you still aren't going to feel great about yourself, especially when you had hair when you were fat.

I had a feeling it was due to the fact I was losing weight and losing it fairly fast. Sure enough, according to online reports significant and rapid weight loss can be accompanied with hair loss. This could be due to the lack of proper vitamins, including but not limited to low iron or...get this...too much Vitamin A! Yes, too much Vitamin A can result in hair loss. Be aware.

I have been rather lax about taking a supplement, thinking that I was getting enough vitamins (I love how my English weight loss counselor says it...vit-eh-mens) through what I was eating. Apparently not. Solution: start taking a daily vitamin as well as an extra dose of folic acid. Which, by the way...EWWWW! I've been burping up the most awful burps since I took that folic acid. Moms-to-be...I understand your agony now. I may also pick up some extra iron if I don't feel the daily pill is giving me enough.

Of course, it will be 2-3 MONTHS before I notice any real change. Let's hope that I keep some hair on my head in the mean time. I may end up having to cut off my hair (which I had just gotten past the awkward growing out stage) so that it appears fuller. It also means making changes to styling hair treatments. What really sucks is the hair that I do have is incredibly healthy! I mean, no split ends or breakage in sight. It's shiny, smooth, and really lovely. Oh well, so it is with me.

I am writing about this so that if you are also noticing a hair loss that is not typical, well...there are things you can do. This is what ~I~ am going to do:

1. Take a daily vitamin

2. Take folic acid daily

3. Cease wearing a pony tail unless I have no choice

4. Wear ~loose~ hats when out in sun (protect my scalp but not crush my hair)

5. No more brushing hair while it's wet. Just deal until it's dry.

6. Use very little product on my hair when it's not needed...less reason to wash more than 3-4 times a week

7. Wash only 3-4 times a week if possible - due to the fact that washing results in more hair down the drain (literally)

8. Keep an eye on my iron intake to see if I should increase it

9. Take deep breaths and remember that stress also can lead to hair loss

10. If it all falls out...buy a great wig. And then buy some fun colored ones...if Katy Perry can do it, so can I. :)

Good luck to the rest of you.