Black women site hair as impediment to working out

Cheleigh

Well-Known Member
Yikes! Sorry for the misspelling of "cite." :(

Directly copied from another post on np.com (just giving credit). I know that when I was relaxed, I also didn't know how to properly care for my hair post-workout. Maybe the LHCF ladies can write a booklet about how to workout with relaxed hair?:grin:

Taken from Sweet Potato Pie
Dermatologic Barriers to Exercise in Black Women


WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – About a third of black women cite complications of hair care as the reason they do not exercise or exercise less than they would like, according to Amy J. McMichael, M.D., the lead investigator of a study from Wake Forest University School of Medicine.

McMichael, associate professor of dermatology, specializes in hair and scalp diseases, ethnic and pigmented skin diseases, and general dermatology and skin care. “I see a lot of African American women in our clinic and had noticed how many of them are overweight. This puts these women at risk for hypertension, diabetes and other serious problems.”

In fact studies show that 77 percent of black women are overweight or obese, McMichael said. “I thought it would be interesting to look at what role their hair plays in their amount of exercise. Many African American women with coarser hair use either heat straighteners or chemical products to straighten their hair. Depending on how coarse or fragile their hair is, they can’t just wash their hair after exercise without having to go through the whole process again, and that can take hours. Over-washing fragile hair can make it break off easily.”

McMichael and the team of investigators from the Department of Dermatology, the Division of Public Health Sciences, and the medical school interviewed 103 black women about how much and what types of exercise they do, and the time, expense and complications of caring for their hair. Sixty-four of the respondents had relaxed their hair by various means.

All of the respondents believed it was important for them to exercise. And 50 percent stated that they considered changing their hair to make it easier to exercise.

“We have now identified the problem – hair care does seem to be a factor – and it is one that is not easily solvable. Somebody might say, ‘Oh, just cut your hair,’ but that does not make sense. We have to figure out ways to address this issue, get some African American women in a forum or group meeting and talk about this,” McMichael said. “This is just a first step.”

The study was presented recently at the Fourth International Symposium of the L’Oréal Institute for Ethnic Hair & Skin Research by fourth-year medical student Shani Smith, MBA. Other investigators include Melicia Whitt-Glover, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Department of Epidemiology and Prevention, Kismet Loftin-Bell, MALS, MSL, research associate, and medical student Rebecca Hall.
 
Last edited:

cicilypayne

Well-Known Member
Gosh we got a couple threads on here where the ladies were having a post workout problem. I think we should make some our solutions more public and major magazines and articles with our interest should use LHCF as a Reference site or better yet a professionally accepted peer reviewed journal:lachen::lachen: I mean it
 

PeggyFair

New Member
I could never understand the mentality of putting hair before health. I think what also contributes to the amount of overweight BW we see is their complacency in being "big boned" or being a "bbw". I work for the Federal Government and I commented the other day to another sista, how sometimes in a meeting or when I'm on the shuttle, I am the only slim BW around. And these other BW are not just a "lil chubby", I mean they are OBESE! To the point where they could stand to lose AT LEAST 60 lbs. and UP, just to be at a good weight.
 

Soliel185

New Member
I thought having relaxed hair was supposed to make things easier? I'm not sure how - ESP if your hair is bone straight - it's so hard to do a quick rinse in the shower, throw it up in a bun, and go. Even if you let it air dry in a low pony, wouldn't it be mostly straight? :ohwell:

When I was texlaxed, I would wash at the gym, scrunch in some aussie leave in conditioning mousse and GO. Maybe if more black women knew how to be more " hands on" with their own heads, they wouldn't feel so helpless when it came to taking care of it. :yep:
 

daniemoy

New Member
I'm relaxed and my post work out issues are easily tamed by putting my hair in a pony and using a cotton head band to keep the edge straight. I've never had a major problem even with NG
 

daniemoy

New Member
I thought having relaxed hair was supposed to make things easier? I'm not sure how - ESP if your hair is bone straight - it's so hard to do a quick rinse in the shower, throw it up in a bun, and go. Even if you let it air dry in a low pony, wouldn't it be mostly straight? :ohwell:

When I was texlaxed, I would wash at the gym, scrunch in some aussie leave in conditioning mousse and GO. Maybe if more black women knew how to be more " hands on" with their own heads, they wouldn't feel so helpless when it came to taking care of it. :yep:



ITA..........
 

ResultsMayVary

Well-Known Member
I will admit I put working out on hold depending on my hair. I sweat in my head the most and a 30 minute workout can equal hours of doing my hair. But since this site I have found new methods to tame the NG. I still don't work out as often as i should because of my hair (sometimes I just don't want to have to bother with hair) but I am hoping one day to find the perfect regime for going to the gym.:yep:
 

PinkSkates

New Member
Originally posted by Cheleigh
Directly copied from another post on np.com (just giving credit). I know that when I was relaxed, I also didn't know how to properly care for my hair post-workout. Maybe the LHCF ladies can write a booklet about how to workout with relaxed hair?:grin:

I'm working on it! Healthy Body Healthy Hair...
 

prospurr4

Well-Known Member
That article was interesting. I can't imagine giving up my workouts, and my hair has never been a problem.
 

LadyKaypnyc

New Member
[quote=Soliel185;4245725]I thought having relaxed hair was supposed to make things easier? I'm not sure how - ESP if your hair is bone straight - it's so hard to do a quick rinse in the shower, throw it up in a bun, and go. Even if you let it air dry in a low pony, wouldn't it be mostly straight? :ohwell:

When I was texlaxed, I would wash at the gym, scrunch in some aussie leave in conditioning mousse and GO. Maybe if more black women knew how to be more " hands on" with their own heads, they wouldn't feel so helpless when it came to taking care of it. :yep:[/quote]

Ditto to the bold!!!

I'm natural, and I still don't see my hair as a problem...if it's in a protective style, I just step in the shower and let the water run over my scalp, or I use pour some witch hazel on a rag, and wipe my scalp clean. If its out, I just do a quick cowash and go...it's not that hard.:nono:
 

LadyKaypnyc

New Member
My cousin was sitting over me while I was responding to this post and she got really upset. She was like, I know how to take care of my hair and washing it too much, even if one only uses conditioner, is unhealthy...She said she only works out when she has microbraids...pathetic if you ask me, some people are too set in their own ways, they aren't even willing to try alternatives...SMH
 
Last edited:

Connie

Well-Known Member
Working out is the reason I chose to remain relaxed when I was attempting to transition a while back. Unless I planned on wearing my hair natural most of the time, working out and maintaining my natural hair would've been more time-consuming (and I have little patience with my hair as it is). With relaxed hair, I can wash it and let it airdry or blowdry on a warm setting.

The only style I think I could manage during a workout schedule without...pardon the pun...pulling my hair out, is a short afro. Less hair to detangle..LOL!
 

MizzBrown

Well-Known Member
I'm gonna have to agree for myself that it IS an impediment. I don't set aside time to work out. My part time job is active enough to where i actually sweat from walking around, reaching, lifting, etc. Its a workout.

I HATE having my hair/scalp sweat. I feel dirty and no, I don't have the time to keep washing it or the time to wait and air dry and it is way too much manipulation to wash it 3 or more days a week or more on a workout schedule for ME.

It is time consuming. I already have to wait on my day off to really do a full wash, DC, pamper my hair to the fullest.

Even after joining this site, i am not doing anything that would require me to have to wash my hair nearly once a day. No extensive workouts for me, they must be light and as SOON as i feel my head getting wet, i slow down.

I don't think i would have any hair and i'd be wasting product. Soon as i put something in/on my hair, i gotta wash it out. It would never get the full effect.

Tis the same reason why most black women can't/ or choose not to go swimming.
 

AfroKink

Well-Known Member
I cornrowed my whole head today. Ready for my workout tomorrow. After the workout, I'm going to jump in the steam room, then rinse of under the shower. I change my hair to fit my life style, not my life style to fit my hair. If I know I want to swim during open session at the gym, I know to put my hair in a style that will hold up to that. (and I put my "swimmer's shampoo" to work)

Lys
 

anon123

Well-Known Member
I'm bad and am not working out as I should be. But I will admit that when I did my hair was a hassle. I had to wash every other work out and so detangle every other workout. by my workout schedule, this meant twice a week. If I felt like working out again, I wouldn't let this stop me, but I will admit it was a hassle. I think I might able to detangle just once a week if I wear twists, though. I really need to start working out again.
 
I cornrowed my whole head today. Ready for my workout tomorrow. After the workout, I'm going to jump in the steam room, then rinse of under the shower. I change my hair to fit my life style, not my life style to fit my hair. If I know I want to swim during open session at the gym, I know to put my hair in a style that will hold up to that. (and I put my "swimmer's shampoo" to work)

Lys

I agree.
It ain't that serious to not workout over some hair.
Whether I was relaxed, loc'd or a loose natural, I still get my workout on. I would also get in the pool too. It's only hair, if your health ain't in check, then your hairstyle ain't gonna matter :rolleyes:
 

HappyHairDreams

New Member
I co-wash every other day so working out is not a problem. And even when I wasn't co-washing before LHCF, I just made sure I had a sweat band on. If I'm going to be fat and unhealthy it's not going to be because of my hair.
 

naturalmanenyc

Well-Known Member
When I was working out 5 days a week I would rollerset at the gym and use a blowdryer attachable bonnet dryer. I later got Spanish Wavy weave that curled up after a quick rinse out of the sweat.
 

poookie

Well-Known Member
My cousin was sitting over me while I was responding to this post and she got really upset. She was like, I know how to take care of my hair and washing it too much, even if one only uses conditioner, is unhealthy...She said she only works out when she has microbraids...pathetic if you ask me, some people are too set in their own ways, they aren't even willing to try alternatives...SMH

wow...

i hope she didn't see you type that part! :grin:

why not introduce her to this site? clearly we know by hair that frequent washing is beneficial... maybe she could learn a few things? :scratchch
 

LadyKaypnyc

New Member
wow...

i hope she didn't see you type that part! :grin:

why not introduce her to this site? clearly we know by hair that frequent washing is beneficial... maybe she could learn a few things? :scratchch

I did, she said we were a bunch of amateurs, so why would she take advice from a bunch of women who don't know any more than she does...

To make a long story short, she was very insulting and after giving her a piece of my mind, she left:nuts:
 

keyanah

New Member
Hi Ladies. I too had this problem. Emphasis on "HAD". Now keep in mind that I do not normally blow dry my hair but I have found that it helps to maintain my straight style after working out. While working out, I put my hair in a pony. Afterwards, I hold the blow dryer back about a foot from my hair and blow it until the sweat dries. Give it a try.
 

pinkchocolatedaisy

Well-Known Member
I've always been relaxed until I decided to stop about 3 months ago and I always worked out. I never even considered it to be an issue for me. I would either put in a phony pony (my style of choice back then) or I would go to the gym in the morning and wear a bun then flat iron afterwards. No probs for me. I think working out is actually beneficial to your hair. At least for me my hair was thicker and fuller and a tad bit longer 4 years ago when I consistently worked out 5x week. :grin::yep:
 

Divine Inspiration

Well-Known Member
I thought having relaxed hair was supposed to make things easier? I'm not sure how - ESP if your hair is bone straight - it's so hard to do a quick rinse in the shower, throw it up in a bun, and go. Even if you let it air dry in a low pony, wouldn't it be mostly straight? :ohwell:

When I was texlaxed, I would wash at the gym, scrunch in some aussie leave in conditioning mousse and GO. Maybe if more black women knew how to be more " hands on" with their own heads, they wouldn't feel so helpless when it came to taking care of it. :yep:

Agreed.

I think if more of us knew that going home, washing/DCing/styling/rinsing/etc our own hair was an option, we would. I think MOST black women are completely dependent on stylists for their hair care needs. I think the LHCF ladies are an exception which is why we can't understand why other BW don't just "wash it and go"...there was a time when I would have looked at somebody like :eek: if they had suggested that I wash my hair at home. I just didn't have the knowledge and tools to do it.

These days, apart from my strong commitment to my health and my body, I know how to get my hair to behave for the next day so working out is no longer a style ruiner.
 

MD_Lady

Well-Known Member
My cousin was sitting over me while I was responding to this post and she got really upset. She was like, I know how to take care of my hair and washing it too much, even if one only uses conditioner, is unhealthy...She said she only works out when she has microbraids...pathetic if you ask me, some people are too set in their own ways, they aren't even willing to try alternatives...SMH

I have to agree with you on that one.
 
Top