My Hair Keeps Me From Working Out

I have never really l-o-v-e-d working out. Any “working out” kind of comes from an obligatory, logical place that knows it’s healthier and should be a priority because my inching closer to 40 self can no longer pretend that I’m inching closer to 20. But after a long heart-to-heart with myself, I had an epiphany.

My hair keeps me from working out.

It’s not that I actually mind working out. In fact, the options are almost limitless on how and when to work out. And to be fair to my hair, I can definitely come up with a long list of very valid and very understandable other excuses as well. After all, most women I know have to plan out when to wash their hair too.

But the reality is that I have to schedule workouts—the sweaty, smelly kind—around when I have enough time to wash and blow dry my hair. So, it’s really just a mental hang up for me. Working out feels like one more thing to plan that’s a part of a giant equation or puzzle. How many days can I stretch it? Which day is the wash day? Do I have to go somewhere in the evening? How much dry shampoo is acceptable? Some days I envy the male version of getting ready which can be done in ten minutes or less. A quick flick of their damp hair and BOOM they are done.

But the other part of the reality is that my time is not my own right now. My little people still need lots of help both in the mornings and in the evenings. Being there for them might mean forgoing my ideal timeline of working out.

In this season of life with kids and work, I have to let go of unrealistic expectations of myself. A 5am hard core work out is impossible since I need to be dressed and ready by a certain time. Evening workouts are a no-go since I’m a walking zombie by 9pm after doing dinner, bath and bed time. I think it’s okay to take some time, accept how things are today and re-evaluate in the future. Apparently my kids are going to grow up and be independent one day….so everyone says. 

For now, I try to take the stairs, walk to lunch on campus, take walks with my family, be active, and go to a group exercise class on the weekends. It may not be my ideal, but it will have to do for today.

So maybe it’s my hair and my life stage that keep me from working out. And that’s okay with me.