Working it Out 💪🏾
Exercise and active lifestyles are a relatively new social trend, and with spring break right around the corner and summer not too far behind, everyones trying to get right!
And with the everyday struggles of a black man and woman, working out might not be at the top of your list of things to do. But exercise is the perfect remedy to improve not only physical health but mental health as well.We already knew working out can help you look good, but what you may not know is that when you exercise, your brain gives off endorphins which is a biological chemical than reduces pain, and increases mood.
To be completely transparent, I've let plenty of excuses keep me from working out. A big one for me was finding somewhere convenient and safe to work out. I know that many of us can't necessarily run around our neighborhoods alone at night after work or class because of how crazy the world is. And honestly, the cost of some gym memberships are so ridiculous, that if you don't have a gym in your apartment or your home, I personally feel like thats something you really have to have a passion for. So if your issue is location, time, or money, I have a few ideas.
Here are a few ways to get fit anywhere, anytime, and on a budget.
GYMS
Planet Fitness: $10/month
YouFit: $10/month
School/University gym membership: incorporated into tuition
YMCA: $20/month student rate
AT WORK/ANYWHERE WORKOUTS
Youtube workouts: Free
Fitness apps: Free
My Fitness Pal
30 Day Fitness Challenge
Sworkit: Workouts & Plans
ACTIVEx
Fitness apps: Paid
Couch to 5k: $2.99
Now even with those sources, theres one more thing that personally holds me back...my hair. With the
natural hair movement in full force I think women are more free to sweat everyday, but speaking from personal experience, if I decide to straighten my hair that week, Im also not working out that week.
At one point in time, I was a division 1 athlete for Howard's swim team. I was swimming twice a day and still trying to straighten my hair between practices. As you can imagine, my hair had to put up with A LOT of heat. I wasn't, and I'm still not willing to sacrifice a good hair day for fitness.
But since I've stopped swimming, I haven't, really had any interest in working out if it meant looking crazy everyday (and I know I'm not alone on that one).
Here are a just a few protective styles that have saved my hair days and hair health. (You can check out my favorites on my Protective Styles Pinterest Board)
Sleek low bun
Cornrows
Twists
Sleek high bun
Braided halo
Two high buns
The Pineapple
These styles are perfect for working out, and working it 😊. If you have any other ideas I'd love to here them as well. Leave a comment below, Email me or DM me your thoughts, questions, or comments at thehealthcarescoop@gmail.com or @thehealthcarescoop on Instagram!