FU@K MY HAIR: I'm Gonna Workout!

No, this is not other post about Gabby Douglass. However, I think that the Douglass incident suggests we need to have a broader discussion about Black Women, Hair, and Health.

We have all read the blog posts, news articles, etc. about how some Black women avoid Exercise because they don’t want to mess up their hair. It’s amazing to me that even with the Natural Hair Movement and the DIY movement many women are still allowing their to be a barrier to exercise. It may be because there are still too few resources on managing Black hair and Exercise. I get that hair is a complex issue for us. But at some point we have to stop discussing this problem and do something about it.  You know the stats we have the highest rates of Obesity. 4  out of 5 of us are overweight or obese. It is completely unacceptable that we let our hair contribute to these numbers. We have to do better, we have to choose our Health over our Hair.

 In my own personal hair and exercise journey, I eventually reached a point at which I said “F my Hair.”  I chose exercise and a healthy lifestyle over my hair. I lost 40 lbs after making this commitment. I came up with a game plan that allowed me to workout out 5 days a week. I wore my hair in ponytails during the week. On the weekends I washed and straightened it. The best thing about saying “F my Hair” is that I learned how to do my own hair. Before making this commitment I never washed my own hair I relied completely on a hairstylist. I recently decided to transition to natural hair and I have found it even easier to manage my hair (it’s much more versatile).  Let me be clear when I say F my Hair, I do not mean that it is not possible to find a hairstyle that is professional and cute. You just have to think outside the box and be willing to try something new. You can find a style that works for you.  Part of this process is accepting that your beauty is not determined by your hair.

So I encourage you to free yourself and find a hairstyle that allows you to exercise. You can get braids, go natural, wear ponytails, a weave. I know many of you reading this have already found a solution that works so please share your story. We have responsibility to help each other. 

Hair Product Giveaway by Just Naturals Organic Care

Last week I was raving over how great Just Natural Organic Care Products are. If you missed my post check it out here.  Well I love them so much that I am going to share them with you! Two lucky winners will win a "Fitness Goddess Sweat and Refresh" Haircare pack by Just Naturals Organic Haircare. This prize includes their Shampoo and Conditioner. These products retail at 45 bucks but two of you will get to try them for free! All you have to do is enter the random drawing below. Good Luck!

This creamy organic shampoo has been formulated to naturally
revitalize dry hair from your roots to the tips. Leaves your hair soft
and full of shine without weighing it down.

This creamy thick natural conditioner penetrates to protect and
moisturize from the inside while closing cuticles on the outside for
hair that is left healthy, shinier and silky smooth.

USE THE WIDGET BELOW TO ENTER !  

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Black Hair and Exercise: Is Going Natural for You?

As I go through the process of transitioning from relaxed to natural I have been doing a lot of reflecting. One of the reasons I began this process was because I wanted to find a low maintenance style that would make it easier for me to exercise. After making the big decision (to go natural) I vowed to learn how to care for my own hair. I have watched countless youtube videos, consulted with my sister (a Hairstylist in Chicago), several friends, and family members.  I researched the best products to purchase, bought a really good (expensive) hooded hair dryer, rollers, etc. Needless to say this process has cost me a lot of time (and $$!). In this past week I have attempted to style my hair three times. The first time I did a roller set with perm rods and it came out pretty decent. The second time I tried to do a Bantu Knot Out and it was a major FAIL (I did not even bother to take pics). I did a second perm rod set last night. I haven't taken it down yet, so I will let you know how it turned out.

Anyway, if you are considering going natural I want you to know that it requires a huge time investment. You have to experiment with various styles and products. If you elect to do the BC (big chop) you will have an easier time because you are only dealing with one hair texture. If you elect to transition you have to work with curly styles that allow you to blend the hair textures together.  No matter what you decide you should do your research. Go to youtube, look at hair blogs like http://www.naturallycurly.com/, and research hair products.

From my experience thus far going natural is NOT low maintenance (unless you do the BC). But it is a learning experience. I am learning to care for my own hair. Also, working out with curly styles lasts much longer with my work outs. My first perm rod set lasted about 4 days and I worked out everyday (including running).  See below for the results of my first perm rod set. To style my hair I used Jane Carter's products. So it's not easy but I'm luvin' it!

Natural Hair and Exercise: Transitioning Tips 101

I'm so lucky that my Sis is a hair stylist. She works at a hair salon downtown Chicago and just so happens to be an expert on transitioning from relaxed to natural hair. She has been helping me through the process so I asked her to write a post for you all. See the post below and be sure to check out her blog Kinky Hair Girl.

The pic above is my first DIY rollerset. More detailed pics to come!

Hair Care advice for Transitioners from Kinky Hair Girl:

Transitioning Tips 101

Hello Readers, I apologize for not updating in such a long time. I have been doing a lot of research and product knowledge classes.


A lot of my clients are continuously me the same questions. "How can I go natural without cutting my hair?", "What are the best products to use, while transitioning?".

So, that is the topic for my post. ''The Big Transition"



If you want to keep your length while transitioning, it is possible but difficult. There are many ways to go bout this but one thing that is very important is that you You must understand that when you straighten your hair you stretch out your curl. Therefore setting back your natural goal. What I always recommend my clients is to start treating your hair as if it is already curly. Which means start doing the natural styles. Like I said it will be a difficult path but you can achieve your goal. Here are my tips on achieving your goal.


Natural Styles

1.  When doing natural styles use rods at the ends of your hair. Because the relaxed hair is still straight you need to use the rods to make it curly. Try the smallest rods so that they may be tight and last longer.

2. Make sure to clip your ends exactly every 6 weeks. When you are going through the transition your natural hair will get tangled with your relaxed hair. To prevent that clip at least 1 cm of hair every 6 weeks.

3. Hair should be conditioned under the dryer/ under cap with hot towel for 10 mins. every two weeks. Your hair will be very dry during this time. So this is a very important rule.

4. One of the easiest ways of styling while transitioning is doing rod sets. Why? Because its a curly style and when you sweat it will not be that noticeable when your hair starts to revert.
Virgin Olive Oil or Coconut oil. Just a quarter size every two to three days. It will keep your hair soft and easier to manage. Stay away from greasy products, they coat the hair and does not allow moisture to penetrate.

5. Drink lots and lots of water. There will be a point where your hair will feel very dry, that is okay and normal. Just stay hydrated.

CLICK HERE FOR THE REST OF HER POST

Natural Hair and Exercise: How to maintain hair during a workout

As many of you know I am transitioning (going back to my curls). I have been doing some research/experimenting to find solutions for maintaining my hair and exercise. I know I told you last week that I was going to do my own roller set but I ended up going to my hair dresser on Saturday. I had a last minute special event to go to. I couldn't take any risks with my DIY style. Anyway, I got my hair curled (see pic above) on saturday afternoon and so far it is has survived three days of exercise. I did flow yoga (yes I sweated) on Sunday, cardio (elliptical) and weights on Monday, and I just finished with 45 min on the elliptical and core exercises (e.g., planks). See below to see how my hair looks now. By the way I pin curl my hair at night and leave that way at the gym. I do not touch my hair until it is completely dry. FYI: I am 4.5 months post relaxer

I definitely, think pin curling at night and leaving it that way while at the gym is  a good strategy.

Sorry the pic is blurry (I was obviously on the go) but you get the picture, my hair was still curly

NFG Hair Maintenance Recommendations :

1. If your hair is curly then you should pin curl it at night and leave the pin curls in while at the gym
2. Let your hair breathe while you work out, put a headband on it to catch the sweat (but do not wrap it up tight)
3. Do Not touch your hair until it is dry
4. Try a dry shampoo to refresh your style (I am currently trying to find a really good one)


Do you have any tips ?

Natural Hair and Exercise: So much to learn

So I told y'all I am transitioning to my Natural Hair. I have not had a relaxer for four months (pic above is how my hair looks now) and so far I have been wearing my hair straight. Now that I have made the commitment, I want to start wearing more textured styles. But I am so worried about how this will effect my exercise routine. So I have just been doing a ton of research. It's amazing how much info there is on Natural Hair. There are so many styles, products, there is even a Natural hair vocabulary (e.g., TWA = Teenie Weenie Afro). I am just so amazed (and overwhelmed) at how much info there is. I am in the process of figuring out what will work for me. Unfortunately, there is not that much out there about natural hair and exercise. So as I go through this journey, I will share with you all my successes, challenges, good hair days, and bad hair days (:-/).

Right now I am in the preparation stage. I have ordered a hooded blow dryer, bought some Jane carter hair products, and some Cantu Shea Butter (see pics below). I have seen so many recommendations for the Cantu Shea butter leave in conditioner (everyone says it must be used alone--do not put anything in your after you put on the leave in). Jane Carter had a trial pack at Target for 19.99 so I scooped one up. I plan to do my first flexi rod set this weekend. My Sister is supposed to come help me out. She is a Hair Stylist in Chicago and does natural hair all the time. So I will let you know how it goes (pics comings soon and maybe even a video).

One more thing......
I got super lucky today and ran into a Natural Hair expert at Target. I met Mama Naturalista, an expert from several natural hair blogs (e.g., curly nikki). She gave me tips on transitioning and some good sites to get cheap products. She also gave me a thumbs ups on the Jane Carter products and Cantu Shea butter. I think the best advice she gave me is to recognize that everyone's hair, workout routine, and various other lifestyle factors are different so there is no perfect style. Also, she said don't become a product junkie (it's so hard though).

She recommended www.curlmart.com and www.curlbox.com. 


I can't wait to get some curls into this head!

What are your favorite products?
Favorite styles?
Any tips for a newbie???

Product Review: Bai

Ladies you know I like to keep you updated with new healthy products. Here is my product review of Bai5:

I recently tried a new drink called Bai.  It's an antixodant drink that is made from coffeefuit and white tea extract. I tried the Costa Rica Clemintine version and it was quite tasty. It was also only 5 calories (10 cals for the whole bottle).  It does contain erythitol (a naturally occurring sugar alcohol) which is also in some brands of chewing gum.  There is a little bit of an aftertaste with the low cal version but I find this to be true for most diet drinks.

I find products like this to be okay in moderation.  Of course you must make sure you get your eight glasses of water per day first. So if you are craving something low cal, sweet, and no funny aftertaste, then try Bai5.

Have you tried it??