On Fitness: It’s Your Hair, Or Your Life

On Fitness: It’s Your Hair, Or Your Life

It really is that simple. It took a minute, but once I stripped the issue down to its core, it became easy to cut through all my crap excuses, decide in favor of my life, and move on.

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by HotYogaChick at www.shelovesgloves.com
Your hair, or your life.  Pick one.

It really is that simple.  It took a minute, but once I stripped the issue down to its core, it became easy to cut through all my crap excuses, decide in favor of my life, and move on.

Healthy, vibrant women get that way by sweating.  Profusely.  Several times a week.  In doing so, their hair gets damp, drenched, frizzy, flattened, out of sorts.  For those with humidity-resistant hair, this is typically a non-issue. (Wash and go, done and done.)  For others with different hair types and textures, it can mean the regular undoing of an hours-long process.  Regardless, all accept that this is a small price to pay for feeling, looking and moving better than they ever thought possible.  So they make the best of it, walk with an assortment of ties, clips, headbands, etc., and otherwise learn to deal.  In short, they keep it moving.  Under no circumstances do they stop working out.  They choose life.

Others, I’ve accepted, will make a different choice.  The whys don’t really matter in this context, because they are dwarfed by more critical concerns.  (And the disease/mortality statistics which underscore them.)  And while we care for and encourage others where we can, we also know that ultimately people decide to alter course only when they’re ready.  As we’ve seen, no amount of mounting medical evidence, stricken relatives, friends’ pleas or even their own personal health scares can move them to act until…well, until they decide.  Many of us have been there, so let’s bypass judgement in favor of empathy, respect that this is their choice for now, and move on.

Besides, this post is not for, or about, them.

It’s for you.

You’re here because you’ve already said yes.  Yes to a body that works, instead of just exists.  Yes to aging strong, vibrant and beautiful.  Yes to a future free from being stuffed into industrial-strength shapewear like an encased sausage.  If you’ve chosen life over hair, you’ve adopted an Alpha-like mindset to sidestep petty distractions and solve problems to your benefit.  And Alphas don’t tolerate a situation where their hair is controlling or managing them (instead of the other way around), to the detriment of their health.

So get out there, and sweat.  As often as you can.  Understand that there are no winners in the contest for Corpse With Best Hair award.  Only, sadly, unwitting losers who needlessly shave years off their lives, create senseless pain and loss for their loved ones, and deprive the world at large of their special gifts, far too soon.

The question we all need to ask ourselves:  What hairstyle is worth all that?

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Oaktown Paul 844 pts

I completely agree with the stated premise of this article.  From a man's perspective, a healthy body is pretty near the top of our wish list.  Seeing a woman (of any race) with a healthy look, athletic attire and her hair pulled back is very very attractive. If you ask 100 men if they'd rather their partner have a healthy body or stylish hair, I will wager good money that over 90% (maybe even 100%) will want their partners to have a healthy body.            

FeliciaRenee 11 pts

I know since i started working out over two years ago and became a vegetarian my hair has never looked so good. I am 44yrs and i did not look and feel as good as i do now in my tweenties.

IAOSingleMoms 879 pts

This is why I LOVE my sisterlocs...I workout hardcore 3 times per week and I am dripping with sweat every time...I just wash my hair and let it air dry and I'm done. BW really do need to get past the hair issue for the sake of their health if this is really the case.

Leille 155 pts

There is a strong correlation with overall health and hair condition...

http://www.healthyhairplus.com/The-Correlation-Of-Exercise-Healthy-Hair-s/3962.htm

 

Eat well balanced meals with variety and good fats, drink WATER, exercise,  and get  adequate micro nutrient supplementation for health and longevity!

 

thecrazyartist 2242 pts

 Leille

 I was just about to mention this, if anything a healthy balanced with lots of healthy fats and lean protein,  water, exercise and quality supplements actually improves hair.   Especially cardiovascular exercise, because it improves circulation.  Which is why it is so confusing when black women say exercise will ruin their hair. 

Tish 170 pts

I have never let my hair hold me back from working out. I have worn braids, weaves, and relaxers all through my YEARS of working out. I will always choose being healthy and fit over having a "fly" hairstyle anytime. Yes, it takes me a minute in the mornings to repair the after-effects of what sweating does to my hair, but I pull it off almost effortlessly. Working out is a LIFESTYLE CHOICE and unfortunately it is one that many BW choose not to adopt. 

MySmile 4175 pts

I love this...so encouraging. Yes, I know of a few other women who didn't work out partially or mainly because of their hair..plus they didn't like getting sweaty. It was never my hair, I just love to eat (even though I eat fairly healthy) and I gain weight fairly easily. I need somewhat intense workouts to whip this body into shape! Now that I've been natural for a while it makes it even easier for me to work out. My health is way more important, plus I like my hair natural (and there are other options for people under time constraints....braids, natural looking wigs and weaves, etc) so it's a win win...I'm starting to see more black girls working out at my university rec center and I like it!! We're still in the minority though...Diabetes and all kinds of health problems run in my family, and I was only slightly overweight but I felt like crap before I started working out on a regular. People need to realize that the quality of one's life is really important..that's enough motivation for me!! Who wants to be sick and tied to the bed all the time.....or not able to do simple things without tiring quickly ..I want to explore the world and try new things...and being out of shape will only make my life harder...

BlackWomenDeserveBetter 1852 pts

 MySmile I found that being natural makes the fitness and hair maintenance routine easier. If our "do" is hindering necessary lifestyle changes, then are we TRULY looking our best?

My latest conversation: Just Another GDMC - Vincent McLean

thecrazyartist 2242 pts

 BlackWomenDeserveBetter  MySmile

 I agree MySmile, even losing just 5-10 lbs and eating healthier is enough to give a person a boost, improves overall health and well-being.  I also think a lot of women use having a relaxer as an excuse, can relaxed hair not be washed? can it not be put into a bun instead of flat ironed straight?  It's a lifestyle choice,  in fact keeping the scalp clean and wearing the hair in a low manipulation style would also improve hair health. These women could still be relaxed and keep a low maitenece regimen that does not hinder day to day life.  Again, these women choose not to.

hotyogachick 35 pts

thecrazyartistBlackWomenDeserveBetter

Exactly, thecrazyartist.   It IS a choice.  A hot yoga enthusiast (4-5x week), I sweat my relaxed hair out on a near-daily basis. And…guess what?  No one died. I swept the whole damp mass up into a loose ponytail.  Or slicked it back into a bun.   Or, washed and set it when I got home later.  (If your hair is short, all the better – a little product, cute headband, fluff or scrunch it out, and be on your way.)  The point is, life, and my daily schedule, goes on as usual. 

 

The following does not apply to this crowd, since it sounds like everyone in this space has very likely already made that "yes" decision, whether your hair is natural or not.  But for those other women with relaxed hair currently suffering from an overblown fear of water/moisture touching their hair, I would suggest that they consider doing these 3 things TODAY to get over it:

 

1.  Stop ceding control of your weekly/biweekly hair regimen to a salon.  Except for cuts,  chemical treatments or color, learn to DIY at home.  Invest in the right tools, which pay for themselves over time.  The point is, stop setting yourself up to mourn and obsess over the perceived “loss” associated with a $40 or $50 salon bill, every time your hair “goes back.”  Change your habits so that the only thing you have to lose, is your own time.  

 

2.  Cure yourself of the (irrational) fear of the unknown.   For one week straight, every day, deliberately put your hair in the direct path of water or humidity:  take Bikram or hot yoga classes, a swimming class at the local Y, take a jog or walk on a rainy day, sit in a sauna or steam bath, make love in the shower…whatever.  Afterwards, force yourself to experiment with reviving and restyling it.  By the end of the week, not only will you feel great physically, but you cannot imagine how freeing, mentally, the whole exercise will be.  The unthinkable happened.  Your hair got wet (gasp!), and…what?  Life went on.  You were still cute.  Your boyfriend or husband still lusted after you.  No one at your job gave a damn, or likely even noticed, whether your hair was styled up, down, out or sideways.  You were, in fact, still YOU.  Move on.

 

3.  Change your mindset, and learn how to get at and address the root cause of your own irrational behaviors and thoughts.  Do this by using the “5 Why’s” method, every time you catch yourself doing something not in your best interest.  This was me, several years ago.  Sound familiar?

 

I can’t work out today. 

Why? 

Because I can’t sweat my hair out. 

Why? 

Because I won’t be able to get to the salon to get it redone. 

Why do I have to go to the salon to get it redone? 

Because I dread doing it myself at home. 

Why? 

Because it takes so long, I don’t know what I’m doing, and the end result sucks. 

Why?

Because I don’t do it often enough to get better at it, and reduce the cycle time. 

Why? 

Because I don’t have the right tools at home. 

Why?  

Because I don’t know what to buy in order to get salon-quality results at home. 

Why? 

Because I haven’t done the research.  And…deep down, I doubt myself and suspect that only trained hair stylists possess the keys to the Magic Kingdom of Great Hair.

 

Why???

 

 Uhhhh…I don’t know.  No earthly good reason.  Guess I better start researching, buy the right tools, and commit to a 2x p/wk practice schedule of washing and setting/styling my own hair. 

 

Within 2 months of throwing myself into this home process I was a self-taught pro, getting better results than the salon, and in less time. 

 

Lesson?  No one knows my hair better than me.  And no one knows your hair better than you.  Get comfortable handling it, in all its various and wonderful forms (wet, dry, curly, straight, bushy. kinky, smooth.)    And then, put it out of your mind as you redirect psychic and physical energy to that which is truly important:  living your best, health-affirming life possible. 

MySmile

thecrazyartist 2242 pts

 hotyogachick  BlackWomenDeserveBetter  MySmile

 I feel you on this, with all of the resources available(youtube, science of black hair, curlmart and many more) and increased availability of quality products for black and biracial hair(shea moisture is at most targets and CVS stores, as are many other products) there is just no excuse,  not anymore. 

hotyogachick 35 pts

 thecrazyartist  BlackWomenDeserveBetter  MySmile So true.  For example, until stumbling onto this YouTube video, I had never before seen, actually illustrated, *natural*, african-american hair being blown dry into a finished style, with just a round brush and blow dryer.  (i.e., no flat irons, curling irons, etc.):

http://youtu.be/RD2ysAlfuKs

Just yet another styling option, not just for women with natural hair who may want to switch it up every now and then and go for a straight, smooth style, but those with relaxers, as well.  And while I still prefer a roller set as my default styling option, I recognize that I can't take my Pibbs hair dryer and roller kit with me everywhere I go, such as on vacation.  So newly armed with the info in this video, I promptly put this tip in my back pocket "toolkit", which meant going out and investing in a high-quality blowdryer and round brush so I can practice this technique at home until I master it.  Again, it's all about educating yourself on what styling options are available to you, whether your hair is natural or not.  Knowledge is power.