How many times have you promised yourself that you are going to get in shape but there's one thing....your hair? A strenuous workout routine doesn't have to wreak havoc on your fab! Sunny's sat down to speak with our favorite Sunny's Couple to discuss tips to having it all...a healthy body and hair!
Kyndra Beaudoin is the woman behind some of Hollywood’s top celebrities, creating the hairstyles we all know and love: Gabrielle Union, Sanaa Lathan, Taraji P. Henson, and Vanessa Williams to name a few. Kyndra’s work has earned her articles with In Style magazine, Us Weekly, and Black Hair Sophisticates, as well as being the creative hand behind Gabrielle Union's nomination and win for best weave in Hollywood on celebrity gossip websites.
Ramon Terry is a personal trainer and creator of the Out The Box Fitness Camp Program, a 5-week program offered in Midtown Atlanta. His client roster reads like a Who's Who of Atlanta Music Industry heavy hitters. But he is the go-to trainer for Sunny's Girls.
Kyndra: Our answer to versatility and always looking put-together is wigs and extensions. Embrace it ladies! By all means, use them as your workout aid. All of my top actresses work out every day and go to red carpet events by night using wigs and weaves! They are an investment so you want to make sure you care for them properly. Never use cheap or drying shampoo on your extensions. Do not wet or wash your extensions and then lay down on them without working through tangles!
Ramon: Any cardio movements are good movements! Change up your routine to challenge your body. If you always walk on a treadmill, go outside for a change. The most important thing about sticking to a routine at home when you have no accountability is to do something you enjoy.
Kyndra: I alternate between wearing my hair natural and wearing weaves. When going natural I suggest scheduling your workouts Monday through Thursday, and having your hair appointments after your Thursday workout or on Friday. That way you get in your suggested minimum workout of four days a week and your hair stays moisture-free until Monday.
Q. Many women seek personal training to work on "problem areas." In your experience, what is the most common area, and what exercises can be done at home to focus on these issues?
Ramon: The most common conversation I have with a first time client is, "First I want to work on my stomach, second tone my thighs but keep my butt, and get rid of the flab under my arms.” Listen up ladies: That is the whole body! A common misconception is that you can spot train, but working out one body part without the others is impossible. Every muscle has a connecting muscle: You can’t work your abs without working your lower back. We learned this in elementary school anatomy. Remember the song that goes "your hip bone’s connected to your thigh bone?" It's the same with your muscles. The best way to get results on your problem areas to first recognize what the REAL problem is and assess the amount of space you have to work out. You should always have a cardio routine that works the whole body like jumping jacks, jump rope etc. Then follow with isolated SAFE movements (IE squats, crunches, chair/tricep dips). DON’T BE AFRAID TO GOOGLE.
Kyndra: It is a large commitment to jump in a pool when you know the work that goes in to pulling your look back together afterward. If swimming is your source of exercise, invest in a neutralizing shampoo (typically used after a relaxer) and a leave-in conditioner. Neutralizing shampoo is designed to lower the pH balance of the hair. Hair has a pH balance of 4-6 and chlorine has a pH of 12-14, similar to a relaxer, which will raise the pH of your hair. Using the right shampoo brings the hair back to normal and lowers your chances of split ends and breakage.
Q. When working out under your guidance, how soon can a woman expect to see results?
Ramon: You get out of it what you put into it! I can't go home with you and watch what you eat when you leave. Following my workout routines combined with a healthy diet, you will start to notice changes in your strength, posture, and body as early as 2 weeks. Kyndra: For natural hair or extensions, during workouts I suggest tying your hair down in the direction of the style. When the workout is finished make sure your hair is completely dry before removing the scarf. If necessary, blow dry while hair is still tied down; this will cut down on frizz. For longer extensions, tie down your top or edges and pull the rest up into a flirty pony tail. Finally for weave styles with bangs, invest in a dry shampoo! It brings flat greasy bangs back to life in an instant!
Ramon: Multi-vitamins help your body perform on all aspects. You should always be taking a good multi-vitamin along with your workout routine. I like GNC brand multivitamins. When focusing on your hair and skin, find a vitamin high in Biotin and Vitamin E.
Ramon: Choosing to be a healthier person is a lifestyle change, not a fad. Make yourself and your health a priority, and you'll be surprised at the positive effect it will have on your life and all the lives you touch.
Want to hear more or get an appointment with Kyndra? Email her at kyndrab@sprint.blackberry.net
Ready to stop making and excuses and get in shape? Check out Ramon's Out The Box Fitness Camp Program at tastemakersatl.com/outthebox, or email for program details: outhteboxfitness@gmail.com!
