Excercise and Natural Maintence

[biancaantoinette]

I have always avoided "doing too much" so that I dont mess up my hair but im wanting to get in shape now.
How do you all maintain your natural hair after a work out. I dont want to have to wash my hair every day after I work out thats just too much to worry about!! I am finally getting to a point where I feel comfortable working with my own hair after years of damaging weaves, so I want to take care of it. I have thick 4b hair almost should length but I just twist out after every wash.
PLEASE HELP!!!!!!! erplexed

 

[natural2008]

I have the same hair as you have described and I wear my hair in twist. I twist weekly. I use to get my own hair french braided into styles. I love healthy thick growing hair but I also love how I look in my clothes results from running 7 days a week :0).

 

[biancaantoinette]

I guess I never really stated a question in my post but basically I want to know how you all keep your hair while you work out and what you do afterwards!

 

[biancaantoinette]

I have the same hair as you have described and I wear my hair in twist. I twist weekly. I use to get my own hair french braided into styles. I love healthy thick growing hair but I also love how I look in my clothes results from running 7 days a week :0).

My hair doesnt cooperate like yours does so I have to do it once every 2 days or so. What do you do with your hair during ur excercise???

 

[Whimsy]

bianca if you're doing ur hair every 2 days u've got nothing to worry about. pin it up while you work out, and finger re-style after. twistouts are great for naturals who exercise.

 

[MrJohnsonsRib]

I have been wondering the same thing...bumping for more input. I am in the military so exercising is NOT an option, lol! I am really skidding by too with passign my fitness exams and lately I can't even pass so yeah I need to know all of the little tricks to keep my hair manageabbke BUT still getting in my cardio etc. I would just cowash and detangle with the wide tooth and Denman then two ponytails for work...well now I cowash, detangle with the tangle teaser and do the pin and tuck hairstyle which I think is old school, but classy and super good for hiding ends without the harsh bands.

 

[snillohsss]

Do you wear it straight? I think that will be the only challenge. When I straightened and worked out, I had to pull my hair into a pony, and wear a scarf to keep it straight. It worked, but it was a pain. Now I am doing wash and goes 100% now because its just easier.

If you wear twists, you should be totally fine. Your roots will sweat, but the rest of your hair should be fine. Pin it up to keep it off your neck and from behind your ears..so that the sweat won't touch your loose hair and make it revert.

 

[biancaantoinette]

Thank you ladies for all your helpful comments!
I guess im not really worried about the style (since i can retwist whenever) as much as I am convcerned about my scalp being extra dirty from the workout. Maybe ill just put an extra co-wash in my week (3x week)
What do you think?

 

[Chameleonchick]

I just made a video about this. I keep my hair in twists, they work for me. If I need to rinse I just do it, then moisturize and keep it moving. Next month I am going to try the whole wet bunning thing to see how that works.

 

[Embyra]

Thank you ladies for all your helpful comments!
I guess im not really worried about the style (since i can retwist whenever) as much as I am convcerned about my scalp being extra dirty from the workout. Maybe ill just put an extra co-wash in my week (3x week)
What do you think?

In the CG handbook she reccomends making your own lavender mist spray for its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties

 

[SimJam]

if i have a twistout like i have in my avatar, then I just make a high loose puff to keep my hair off my face and neck, then re style after my workout.

sometimes I may have in twists that I plan to take down for a twistout, then I'll workout in a beanie, then after I shower I style my hair (i go to the gym in the AM before work)

if I have in twists that i plan to keep in, I just use a headband to keep them off my face and neck

I dont normally put products on my scalp so there is not much buildup on my scalp and I actually think the sweating is good for my scalp, keeping the pores open and free... who knows lol


I wash my hair 1 time per week and I work out atleast 4 times per week, this works for me.

You have to know your body.

 

[CurlyLawGal]

I usually just cowash after a sweaty workout, but I have heard of some ladies using Witch Hazel or Sea Breeze on their scalp. I have never tried this, but a lot of people swear by it.

 

[Leeda.the.Paladin]

I'm another one for twists. Maybe spritz a concoction with a little peppermint or tea tree oil in it if I'm worried about a smell.

I really don't think an extra cowash will be necessary but if you feel that you need it and have time to do it, why not?

 

[MsLizziA]

2 words... mini twists

 

[ericajoy]

This is a good thread. I'm texlaxed but I used to be all natural 4a/b, and I exercise and sweat a lot. What works for me is to workout in the evening and co-wash (1-2 times a week) or shampoo (once a week), at night. Then quickly twist or braid in maybe 8-12 big braids, let air dry overnight, then in the morning style in a bun or a pony / puff.

Or, for morning or midday workouts, I've also done a co-wash and pulled my hair into a puff or a wet bun. It works but I don't like putting my hair up wet, so I don't do this too often.

These are the least time-consuming ways I've found of keeping my hair fresh and (sort of) maintained and keeping a consistent exercise regimen.

Also, if it helps, I think it's also a mindset -- I have an internal rule that I will not sacrifice a workout for my hair -- so having that mindset, I always find ways to manage my hair after exercising. Hth.

 

[biancaantoinette]

2 words... mini twists

pretty hair!

 

[biancaantoinette]

I'm another one for twists. Maybe spritz a concoction with a little peppermint or tea tree oil in it if I'm worried about a smell.

I really don't think an extra cowash will be necessary but if you feel that you need it and have time to do it, why not?

hmm ill have to try a spritz for the scalp.
makes sense to me!

 

[adamson]

2 words... mini twists

Yep!

At the beginning of last semester in college (when I started my hhj) I did mini twists and washed my hair two or three times a week. I redid my hair every week.
This is a good routine if you have a busy lifestyle

 

[natural_one]

I wear wash and go's and I am a heavy sweater. I normally rinse my scalp a few days a week and use a scented spritz to keep things smelling good.

 

[**SaSSy**]

I wear either flat twist, mini twist, or median sized two-strand twist, that I take down, and redo once a week. I was trying to go every two weeks, but my scalp always starts to itch on the 8th or 9th day.