When it comes to working out, worrying about ruining that nice hairdo is a real concern for many women of color. For some of us, taming our hair can be an all day process. After hours at the beauty salon or standing in front of the mirror, we expect those curls to last and that upsweep to hold.

Looking your best is an important part of your overall wellness, but it shouldn’t prevent you from staying fit. If you’re avoiding exercise because you don’t want to ruin your hairstyle, consider styling your hair in ways that suit your busy and active lifestyle. Try a natural hairstyle, short haircut, pin curls, braids, twists or dreadlocks. Wraps, ponytails and straight hairstyles can also be a lot easier to maintain than styles that require a curling iron or large amounts of hairspray or other chemicals that might damage your hair.

Ideally, you wouldn’t allow your hair to limit your activity choices, but it’s a real choice that many of us make. If your one of those sisters that has to have that “fresh from the beauty salon” look at all times, find solutions and activities that help you strike that balance between your health and beauty needs. Remember, hairpins are a tried and tested method for keeping hair in place. If you fear that humidity or being outside in the sun will get to your hair, join a gym, try a workout tape or other indoor activities. With patience, you’ll learn how to sync your hair care demands with your active lifestyle and stop letting them get in the way of your health.