Debate

In high school, I literally wouldn't leave the house unless my hair was freshly washed, dried, and curled. I remember waking up late a couple of times and faking a sore throat so I didn't have to go to school un-coiffed. Heaven forbid Anthony Schiavo see me with messy hair!

Over the years, I've outgrown that habit, often feeling free to go to class under the comforting shield of a baseball hat. I know, I've come a long way. These days, I've started washing my hair only every other day or so, for several reasons. One, it's just too much of a hassle to do my ridiculously thick hair every morning, and I'd rather sleep the extra hour. Two, I feel like I've wasted huge amounts of water in my life washing not-dirty hair. Plus, I've heard it's better for your hair to wash no more than three times a week. Anyway, the new system has worked well for me. I take shorter showers and sleep a little more, and it's meant there are fewer days I go to work with my hair pulled back in a conservative ponytail.

Enter the new X factor: The Biggest Loser. In an effort to secure the $400 pot, I've been hitting the gym every day after work, which makes me feel like I have to wash my hair every day again on account of being sweaty.

I was complaining today about my forced increase in hair-washing frequency and a friend at work said that she doesn't always shampoo after the gym, but for some reason that creeps me out. I like to feel 100% scrubbed off after a visit to 24 Hour Fitness, if only because I don't personally control the level of bacterial growth. (Cue gag reflex at barefooted woman on the stationary bike)

I can't say that I've paid much attention to the rate at which my scalp sweats. My question is this: Do you wash your hair after working out? I just don't know how I feel about it.

And thank you for suffering through this utterly trivial and self-indulgent post, if you've made it this far.