Getting tattoos done and can't go to gym
MeiannaLee
Posts: 338 Member
Hi everyone!
So I'm planning on getting two tattoos done this week but I was informed to refrain from exercise/gym time because it sweat, clothes rubbing and skin stretching can ruin the tattoo or cause an infection. I was told to avoid this for 2 weeks.
Which I am a little nervous about because I need to workout 3+ times a week in order to maintain my weight and to feel....I dont know not guilty?
What are your opinions on all of this? Could you go 2 weeks without working out? Should I workout anyways?
Do you think it would be okay to go walking around the neighborhood?
P.s the tattoos are going on my back and on my collarbone.
So I'm planning on getting two tattoos done this week but I was informed to refrain from exercise/gym time because it sweat, clothes rubbing and skin stretching can ruin the tattoo or cause an infection. I was told to avoid this for 2 weeks.
Which I am a little nervous about because I need to workout 3+ times a week in order to maintain my weight and to feel....I dont know not guilty?
What are your opinions on all of this? Could you go 2 weeks without working out? Should I workout anyways?
Do you think it would be okay to go walking around the neighborhood?
P.s the tattoos are going on my back and on my collarbone.
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Replies
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No, don't work out anyway. Pick one. Tattoos or gym. Both could be very bad for you.
Walks should be ok as long as you don't sweat or make your clothes rub on the tattoos... considering those were the reasons they gave.
Be responsible lol.0 -
There are lots of opinions on google out there (having a sitting done in November so I was looking). I'll talk to my artist more specifically, but the online consensus seems to be take several days off and once your tattoo enters the peeling phase, you should be OK to resume working out.
The back is a tough place for women (that's where mine is going) because it's affected not only by shirts, but likely by a sports bra too which is much more restrictive.0 -
There are lots of opinions on google out there (having a sitting done in November so I was looking). I'll talk to my artist more specifically, but the online consensus seems to be take several days off and once your tattoo enters the peeling phase, you should be OK to resume working out.
The back is a tough place for women (that's where mine is going) because it's affected not only by shirts, but likely by a sports bra too which is much more restrictive.
I was either thinking the back(shoulder blade) or the side of my belly/hip. The tattoo I want looks good in both places but I figured the back hurts less? lol
And I have small boobs so I usually dont wear a bra.0 -
MeiannaLee wrote: »There are lots of opinions on google out there (having a sitting done in November so I was looking). I'll talk to my artist more specifically, but the online consensus seems to be take several days off and once your tattoo enters the peeling phase, you should be OK to resume working out.
The back is a tough place for women (that's where mine is going) because it's affected not only by shirts, but likely by a sports bra too which is much more restrictive.
I was either thinking the back(shoulder blade) or the side of my belly/hip. The tattoo I want looks good in both places but I figured the back hurts less? lol
And I have small boobs so I usually dont wear a bra.
I would always advise the back over the belly/hip area. It will hurt less and it will age better. I'm not an expert, but I've had about 5 tattoos (2 of them are now covered with my back piece that I'm adding to).
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Do a cleanse, eat super healthy for two weeks, and focus on increasing flexibility of non tattood areas through stretching and yoga. It will keep your mind off not working out and insure you dont get super sweaty and permanetly mess up the tattoo (use a fan while you stretch) Plus you can do this naked... The better you baby your art the better it will look and last. Im excited for your tattoo! Good luck0
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Cleanse? No. Your kidneys and liver do a great job of cleansing your body every day. Cleanses aren't necessary. You can also gain weight eating "healthy" food just as easily as you can anything else. Count your calories and stick to your daily goal and you'll be fine.
Remember that exercise isn't necessary for weight loss. I get how you feel but if you aren't exercising you will just not be able to eat quite as much as you usually do to continue to lose weight. Alternatively, you could choose to go on maintenance for the time you need to heal or try to make up the calories by simply walking.
You're making a choice to get tattoos and with that choice comes a temporary restriction in activity. As @VeryKatie said, "pick one." You'd be very sad if you ruined a permanent tattoo because you couldn't stand to be less active for a few extra days. The end result is worth the price, in my opinion.0 -
Cleanse? No. Your kidneys and liver do a great job of cleansing your body every day. Cleanses aren't necessary. You can also gain weight eating "healthy" food just as easily as you can anything else. Count your calories and stick to your daily goal and you'll be fine.
Remember that exercise isn't necessary for weight loss. I get how you feel but if you aren't exercising you will just not be able to eat quite as much as you usually do to continue to lose weight. Alternatively, you could choose to go on maintenance for the time you need to heal or try to make up the calories by simply walking.
You're making a choice to get tattoos and with that choice comes a temporary restriction in activity. As @VeryKatie said, "pick one." You'd be very sad if you ruined a permanent tattoo because you couldn't stand to be less active for a few extra days. The end result is worth the price, in my opinion.
All of this.0 -
You have to pick one- gym or tattoos. Your artist is right, and infection risk is high in an environment like a gym.
If you want the tattoos, then take a break from the gym and be safe about it. Having open wounds on your skin is nothing to mess with. Maintain your caloric deficit and you will not gain weight. As for the guilt - it's two weeks. You need to get past that mentality.
If you can't, then don't get tattooed.
Also, ignore the post about doing a cleanse- it doesn't work that way. It's a waste of money and they're just laxatives that cause dehydration.0 -
Sweat isn't a huge issue, but infection from the gym definitely is. Infected tattoos are nasty. Keep your tattoo clean and away from surfaces that have been touched by a lot of other people. I usually use A&D ointment for mine, and that helps soothe it as well as protect it from particles in the air.0
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Is this serious? Sometimes it's hard to tell.balboabilly wrote: »Do a cleanse, eat super healthy for two weeks, and focus on increasing flexibility of non tattood areas through stretching and yoga. It will keep your mind off not working out and insure you dont get super sweaty and permanetly mess up the tattoo (use a fan while you stretch) Plus you can do this naked... The better you baby your art the better it will look and last. Im excited for your tattoo! Good luck
OP, are you talking about two weeks of no lifting, no cardio, or what?
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balboabilly wrote: »Do a cleanse, eat super healthy for two weeks, and focus on increasing flexibility of non tattood areas through stretching and yoga. It will keep your mind off not working out and insure you dont get super sweaty and permanetly mess up the tattoo (use a fan while you stretch) Plus you can do this naked... The better you baby your art the better it will look and last. Im excited for your tattoo! Good luck
WTAF?
To the OP, a couple weeks off isn't going to hurt anything.0 -
The way I read the cleanse suggestion he was recommending that activity because it helps to distract. If she is cleansing and eating healthy then she will feel like she is in control of her weight, and won't gain pounds, and can feel positive about her efforts, etc., and the two weeks will pass faster and easier.
Yeah, yeah. We get it. There is no evidence that a 'cleanse' actually removes anything that your liver would not remove eventually anyway. But that does not mean there are no psychic benefits, or that it doesn't discipline your appetites, which has its own benefits too.0 -
The way I read the cleanse suggestion he was recommending that activity because it helps to distract. If she is cleansing and eating healthy then she will feel like she is in control of her weight, and won't gain pounds, and can feel positive about her efforts, etc., and the two weeks will pass faster and easier.
Yeah, yeah. We get it. There is no evidence that a 'cleanse' actually removes anything that your liver would not remove eventually anyway. But that does not mean there are no psychic benefits, or that it doesn't discipline your appetites, which has its own benefits too.
Nah, not this. Just eat at maintenance for two weeks and then get back to it!!0 -
After surgery I was off any core exercise for six weeks. Maaaan I was itching to get back to it. But ignoring the advice would have been far worse. Your call.0
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The way I read the cleanse suggestion he was recommending that activity because it helps to distract. If she is cleansing and eating healthy then she will feel like she is in control of her weight, and won't gain pounds, and can feel positive about her efforts, etc., and the two weeks will pass faster and easier.
Yeah, yeah. We get it. There is no evidence that a 'cleanse' actually removes anything that your liver would not remove eventually anyway. But that does not mean there are no psychic benefits, or that it doesn't discipline your appetites, which has its own benefits too.
The best control I have over my eating is when I log everything I put into my mouth. I've known quite a few overweight vegetarians in my day; the philosophy of your eating (or drinking if we're talking juice fasts) isn't a guarantee of anything if you aren't monitoring it closely. Just check out the newbie boards here and count how many people post that they are "eating healthy and exercising but aren't losing weight."0 -
Two weeks off from exercise isn't going to have any negative consequences in the long run, but getting an infected tattoo will. Listen to your artist and do EXACTLY what they tell you to do. Let the ink heal and then go back to the gym.0
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queenliz99 wrote: »The way I read the cleanse suggestion he was recommending that activity because it helps to distract. If she is cleansing and eating healthy then she will feel like she is in control of her weight, and won't gain pounds, and can feel positive about her efforts, etc., and the two weeks will pass faster and easier.
Yeah, yeah. We get it. There is no evidence that a 'cleanse' actually removes anything that your liver would not remove eventually anyway. But that does not mean there are no psychic benefits, or that it doesn't discipline your appetites, which has its own benefits too.
Nah, not this. Just eat at maintenance for two weeks and then get back to it!!
Meanie!0 -
Maybe do exercise that doesn't make you sweat? You could always just do a lot of walking. But I'd agree with others that you should NOT risk it and go to the gym. You will have your tattoos for the rest of your life. How they look is extremely important. A gain of a couple of pounds (at most) is worth it for tattoos that are going to look good.0
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The way I read the cleanse suggestion he was recommending that activity because it helps to distract. If she is cleansing and eating healthy then she will feel like she is in control of her weight, and won't gain pounds, and can feel positive about her efforts, etc., and the two weeks will pass faster and easier.
Yeah, yeah. We get it. There is no evidence that a 'cleanse' actually removes anything that your liver would not remove eventually anyway. But that does not mean there are no psychic benefits, or that it doesn't discipline your appetites, which has its own benefits too.
OP, I really don't recommend this! It's not as harmless as this poster makes it out to be. Most cleanses are laxative in nature, can dehydrate and can wreak havoc on your intestines. Not worth it! Eating at a calorie deficit or maintenance will do just fine for preventing weight gain.0 -
I had a tattoo done on the underside of my arm two weeks ago. I wasn't told I couldn't exercise or sweat, just not to submerge in water, keep clean and put Bepanthan (nappy rash cream) on.
I run and walk a lot and because of the location of the tattoo it rubbed constantly on my clothes which hurt and messed up my clothes a bit but not my tattoo. When I ran I simply wrapped a bandage around my arm and removed it as soon as I was finished. Had no problems.
I would suggest you follow the advice of YOUR tattoo artist as though it was their warranty to you, however I'm pretty certain you'll be able to find other exercises to do that don't involve sweating or make some adjustments so you can comfortably do your normal exercise without causing damage to your tattoo.0 -
I got mine done in another country while traveling, but don't all y'all get a special covering for yours? I had antibiotic cream and a covering (not a bandage). It was like breathable clear plastic, and I had several sheets to keep on it for the first maybe week. It was bandaged the first day (or two?).
I wasn't supposed to submerge it, but as it was on my ankle bone it got lots of skin movement (although no clothes that time of year). I was never told to avoid anything except submersion and not wearing the protective covering and antibiotic. And no taking of blood thinning pain killers for a while.
I walked everywhere. It healed up quickly and perfectly. I really did miss the jacuzzi at the hotels, though!0 -
The best advice is to follow the instructions of your artist, most good artists will know if you've done anything to prevent proper healing. Most artist also won't guarantee their work or do free touch ups if they feel you didn't provide proper after care. I have had 6 tattoos done, most during my stint in the army, most healed well but you can tell how others didn't because of colour issues ect. I had my calf done and my combat boots tore it up nicely, the discomfort plus the overall finish of your tattoo isn't worth the two weeks of not working out. As another poster stated you can always do low impact activities that aren't strenuous as well. It's a good time to work and focus on flexibility and stretching. (coming from the guy who never stretched). For the cost of the work done, the respect for your artist, and the potential discomfort/health risks I'd stick keeping everything low key. However that's my two cents and probably isn't worth more then that
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No, don't work out anyway. Pick one. Tattoos or gym. Both could be very bad for you.
Walks should be ok as long as you don't sweat or make your clothes rub on the tattoos... considering those were the reasons they gave.
Be responsible lol.
I have five tattoos and I have continued to work out regardless. I simply washed my tattoos with asoap and then out a and d ointmet on it afterwards to prevent infection. Give tattoos. No infection. And still working out.0 -
Yoga is a nice exercise. It may get u sweating depending on what kind of yoga you choose but it's better than going a full out jog and sweating constantly and then itching later. That's just a pain. Good luck with both endeavours!0
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2 weeks seems excessive. I'm getting tattooed tomorrow and there's no way I'm taking off 2 weeks. I just take a couple days off and properly care for the fresh tat.0
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queenliz99 wrote: »The way I read the cleanse suggestion he was recommending that activity because it helps to distract. If she is cleansing and eating healthy then she will feel like she is in control of her weight, and won't gain pounds, and can feel positive about her efforts, etc., and the two weeks will pass faster and easier.
Yeah, yeah. We get it. There is no evidence that a 'cleanse' actually removes anything that your liver would not remove eventually anyway. But that does not mean there are no psychic benefits, or that it doesn't discipline your appetites, which has its own benefits too.
Nah, not this. Just eat at maintenance for two weeks and then get back to it!!
Meanie!
I agree....lots of rudeness here.0 -
With each one of my five tattoos I've erred on the side of caution. I wasn't going to risk ruining the tattoo from sweat and infection. Listen to your tattoo artist.
Eat an maintaince for a couple weeks until the tattoo starts to peel and then get back to it. Some time off from the gym isn't the end of the world.0 -
To avoid MRSA, don't go to the gym till it's healed.
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
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Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
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To avoid MRSA, don't go to the gym till it's healed.
This is exactly what I was thinking. It's out there and it's not something you want to risk. Some kids at my son's high school got it a few years back. Scary stuff!
There's a big difference between "working out" and "going to the gym" when you have a new tattoo or any open wound.0 -
Yep you don't want to be in a gym environment with any sort of open wound, tattoo or other. So you have infection risk and possible damage to your ink. It's a no brainer! Take some time off til it's healed and find something less sweaty to do
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