Health or Hair

Has anyone found the happy medium for Black women and exercise? This is a very serious question I’m posing. I’m not afraid to say that sweating my hair out drives me bonkers. As a natural who wears it straight (via flat iron), any bit of a workout will throw my roots in a tizzy and I’ll be rocking a poofy semi fro. To wash it after a workout, every workout, would be too much work- wash, condition, roller set under the dryer, flat iron. As I write this, it may sound easy. Most of us know it’s not and it is time consuming for those of us who have lives. To wash my hair more often than once a week, or to just flatiron that my fluffy roots into straight submission (sounds dirty, like dirt-sweat kind of dirty) a few times in a week would be too harsh. I know what to do; I just don’t know how to do it.

Not too long ago, I took a break from working out. I just procrastinated myself into a two-month gym hiatus (sad, I know). I went to the doctor and she asked how much I weighed. I had just learned my current weight minutes before I stepped into her office. She laughed when I told her. We have that kind of relationship so she can do that. I’m laughing too but wondering what is soooo funny?! Turns out as she tells me, since our last visit 8 weeks ago, I’ve gained 6 lbs. WTH???!!! Oh that was funny alright! She said, “Sam, go back to the gym…” I just smiled and nodded at her and made the promise to myself that I’d go back. The promise was easy. Working out is even easy because I love to do it (when I’m actually doing it and not a moment before), but the hair is the hard part. I wish it wasn’t so. I really do.

So I need advice, because my jeans are saying “No, Sam, don’t even try to put us on,” my doctor’s saying, “Girl, get your butt back on the elliptical,” and my man is saying “Babe, your face is a little rounder? Have you noticed that?” O_o

Who can help?! What are you doing to make sure your hair doesn’t get in the way of your health?

Love,

~Sam