How I Workout With Any Hairstyle

by Danielle Gray,  The Style and Beauty Doctor

I eat like a nine year old boy so there's no negotiating---I have to work out. In my prime, I'm breaking a sweat five times a week, when I'm bad I average maybe 3 times a week, and when I'm at my worst I'm lucky if I get from my computer desk to the remote control. Since inactivity for me equals hello, chub, I can't let things like my hair get in the way of getting my Jillian Michaels on. Over the last three years I've been relaxed, transitioning, natural, and even slapped a few weaves in--all while trying to maintain an active lifestyle. Here's how I managed my hair:
 
Relaxed: My relaxed hair was shoulder length and cut in layers. I would schedule my sweat sessions around my hair appointments. If my hair was freshly done, I'd use that and the day after as my off day. Typically on the third day post-appointment, I would do yoga or Pilates---effective workouts that didn't produce a lot of sweat, but would make sure my hair was wrapped to help preserve my style. Then for the remaining four days, I increased the intensity moving to cardio and weight training---still keeping my hair wrapped to keep my 'do, but usually around day four I'd give my hair a conditioner wash and let it air dry while wrapped. Since it was cut in layers, all I really had to do in the morning after it dried was comb it out of the wrap and go. If I wanted to revive my style without getting my hair wet, a little dry shampoo did the trick. And when all else failed, a loose ponytail saved the day.
 
Transitioning: I wish I could say I did a bunch of cute spiral curl styles when I was transitioning, but nope---my transition was BORING. I was almost always in a variation of a loose low bun which made working out easy. If I wanted to wear my hair "out," I would repeat the steps from my relaxed routine.
 
Natural: As you might have guessed or experienced, my natural hair was the easiest to maintain while exercising. I was a big wash-and-go fan when I had shorter hair, so I could work out without a schedule based on salon appointments. Funny enough though, I wound up working out less after I did the big chop.
 
Weaves: If you've ever worn a weave, you know one of the most important things is to make sure the section of your hair that's left out blends in with the purchased hair. I have a small section of my own hair and my edges exposed---hair that is unprocessed---left out. I usually workout both the night before and the morning of my hair appointment, then take it easy after my hair is done to preserve my style. The next day I either take it easy again or do something light like yoga. By the third day post-appointment, I'm back into my full-on regimen keeping my hair wrapped to prevent some of the moisture from reverting my hair. Of course some of my style is still affected, so I'll have to go over it again with a flat iron. I also use dry shampoo to help revive my hair in between shampoos.
 
And that's how I do it! Like I mentioned, my eating habits totally need to be countered by a consistent exercise routine so there's no excuses for me. Plus I love the way I feel after I work out---I mean, it's up there with how awesome I feel with a hot hairdo, but can't a girl have both? I say yes!
 
How about you? How do you maintain your hair and an active lifestyle?

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