Working Out With Sisterlocks

It's that time of the year. After the holidays a lot of folks feel the need to start exercising. I understand that. This past Christmas there might have been a slice or two or three of sweet potato pie with my name on it. :-)
But working out is way easier said than done.

Early last year I began to notice that I wasn't as toned and flexible as I used to be. I looked "ok" but I wasn't feeling good in my clothes or my skin. I was beginning to learn that being slim does not mean being in shape.

I complained for several months and when that didn't fix the problem I realized I might actually have to start working out again. Tricky thing that, since the gym is NOT my thing. I've never been very athletic, and going to the gym is torture for me. I'd rather stand on line at the DMV, do Jury Duty and then go to the dentist for a root canal. Yes, I hate it that much.

So what's a girl to do? Yoga? No. Running? No. Belly Dancing? Hell, no. Although my ego assures me I'd be great at it. What's left? For me: Martial Arts, of course. I've practiced various forms on and off for a few years and I get mad at myself whenever I get away from it. I love it because I get a work out and I learn something: the skill of self defense.

I'm proud to say that since April 2005 I've been practicing a mixed martial art that includes Karate, kick boxing and grappling. What's grappling? Think wrestling. Unlike the movies, most fights end up on the ground. What do you do then? Grapple, get the advantage and proceed to apply a world of hurt on the unsuspecting fool who didn't know you had skills. Well, that's theory after long years of consistent training. :-)

The first few weeks were hard and I'm embarrassed to say that just the warm up before class wore me out. First class, in the middle of a sit up, I pulled a muscle so deep in my chest I thought I was having a heart attack! But I've stuck with it and now I train four to six hours a week. (Which you can see has seriously cut into my blogging time!) Last month I earned my yellow belt (my school goes from white, to blue, to yellow, green, red brown, black) and I'm seriously considering going all the way to black. I'm not sure though; that could be the fumes from the Ben Gay talking.


What Does This Have to Do With hair?

Not much actually, except that I don't have to worry about my hair when I work out. Having Sisterlocks actually makes it easier. If I want to have a little curl/crinkle after class, I lightly mist my locks then braid or two strand twist them (knotting the ends for a finished look); pull them back or up from my face and go. If not, a plain old pony tail will do. Don't have enough for a pony tail? Pin it back or just slap on a scarf. When I undid that these twists I got style in the top photo.

Even washing my hair after class is not the chore it would have been without Sisterlocks.

I remember one of the first things I did when I first got my locks was to take a swimming class. I made up my mind that my hair was no longer gonna stop me from jumping in the pool instead of sitting on the sidelines trying not to mess up my do. I'm not a great swimmer. I'm not even a good swimmer, but at least now I have options, thanks to my Sisterlocks.

So come on ladies: It's a new year; a new you. Get out there and exercise your options! :-)