Nov
24th

I rarely need to carry a gym bag around since I have a handy-dandy gym locker at my company’s fitness center, and I keep so much stuff in there it’s ridiculous. The embarrassing thing is that it’s not organized and everything is just stacked on top of each other, and occasionally falls out when I open the locker. There’s a locker next time mine with a fancy shelving system, magnets and rubber tubs… mine? Bleh.

1. At least a week’s worth of clean gym clothes, runners and many extra pairs of socks. My biggest peeve is forgetting my gear and being forced to skip a workout so now I’m beyond prepared at all times. Oh and what about not having extra socks to wear? I’ve never forgotten underwear before and hope I never do.
2. Deodorant. I am paranoid about deordorant because I can’t tell you how many times my workout has been interrupted by bad B.O— and I must say, people who don’t wear deodorant at the gym are extremely inconsiderate. I don’t think I smell, but most people who THINK they don’t smell, DO. Me? I would rather not find out so deodorant is mandatory.
3. Extra towels. When I’m done my workouts, I usually look like I jumped into the ocean so a towel is a must. The gym ran out of towels once but I worked out anyway and it was messy—  good thing it was 5am and there was only one other poor soul at the gym. My gym has towel service but I always keep extra towels in there just in case they run out on weekends when the front desk isn’t staffed.
4. Gymboss Timer. And extra batteries.
5. iPod. I actually like working out in a quiet, empty studio from time to time but music is a must, especially when biking.
6. Workout Gloves. I use to use these all the time but I’m sick of having bitch hands and not being able to hang on the bar for long periods of time so I try not to use them any more. Still there for emergencies though.
7. Granola Bars. Quick snack for my workout buddies and I if we get hungry.
8. Toiletries. Shampoo, conditioner, body wash, face wash,  moisturizer, perfume and… mouth wash. I also get really annoyed when the person next to me has smelly breath so I need to make sure I don’t either.
9. Flat Iron. Just in case I need to pretty up after, but usually, I’ll just let my hair air dry.
10. Hair brush w/ a ton of extra hair ties on the handle and extra bobby pins.

If I had to carry an actual bag and could only carry THREE things, they would be:

1. Towel
2. iPod
3. Skipping Rope…wait can I cheat? I need my waterbottle too! =(

Back in the day, I use to skip workout if I forget my iPod, or my water bottle or a towel. Then later on, I wouldn’t skip a workout but would drive 20 minutes back home to get just to get my iPod. Now, if I forget anything, I tell myself to stop being a baby and adjust.

But I always have everything I need anyway so…

I really give myself no excuse to NOT workout.

 What’s in YOUR gym bag?

Nov
20th

If you:

• Skipped your workout
• Ate too many cookies
• Didn’t push yourself as hard usual at the gym
• Ran a mile less than planned

… take a deep breath because it’s not the end of the world.

TOMORROW, GO:

Fitness is a life time achievement and should have no time limit. Going off track for a day isn’t going to burn everything you’ve already achieved so just pick up where you left off…

… and keep calm, carry on.

Nov
17th

This has nothing to do with cold showers but IT'S SO CUTE.

I shower at the gym 5 days a week because I workout Mondays to Fridays and after years of doing that, I’ve learned to appreciate cold showers. At first, I only did it to cool down, especially if I didn’t have enough time to stretch and recover after a workout because I hate being all red and sweaty after getting back to my desk. Sometimes someone would have to talk to me right after and there’d be like beads of sweat forming on my nose… all because my body is so sensitive to heat! Yuck! Later, I discovered all the healthy benefits of cold showers so I continued doing it and gradually made the water colder and colder. I don’t always take cold showers but I always end my showers with a blast of ice cold water.

Advantages of Cold Showers

1. Better Skin. Cold water closes all the pores that hot water opens up which will prevent pores from being easily clogged by oil and dirt. It also rejuvenates and tones skin, giving you a healthy glow.
2. Healther Hair. Cold water closes your cuticles, making it stronger AND it makes your hair shinier.
3. Mood lifter. People swear that cold showers are a stress reliever, helps with depression and for me, gives me an energy boost— this is why a lot of people take cold showers in the morning.
4. Makes you feel like a badass. The Spartans thought hot water was for the weak and cold water tempers for your body for some vigorous ass-kicking, so why not? Ice cold showers are definitely not for the weak.

More on cold showers…

Nov
12th

I was never “fat,” but I saw an article with this exact same title a couple months ago and it caught my eye. There was a time when I was too far away from my happy place for my liking but even so, MY title should really be:

Things I Won’t Miss About Being Unhealthy

• Being out of breath after walking up 2 flights of stairs.
• Not being able to ride a bike for more than a couple of blocks before wanting to kill myself.
• Love handles.
• The chronic fear of TURKEY ARMS.
• Always craving for fast food… and eating it like no tomorrow.
• Being constantly tired and in a bad mood.
• When everyday was a “fat-day.”
• Having your server give you a funny look after ordering enough food for 8… for the two of you. Then you finish all your food and he comes back and gives you a WTF-look.
  • WELL… we still occasionally do this but it was pretty funny when it happened. Had to have it on the list.

Here is what I love about being healthy:

• I’m confident and proud of my body.
• If some bully pants’ed me on the streets, I won’t embarrassed (although I will drop-kick you if you try).
• I can shop longer, while holding more bags … and in HEELS without getting tired.
• If I was running from a tsunami, I’d definitely make it up that hill.
• I’m constantly happy, energized and in a good mood (unless I’m driving in Richmond).
• I’m going to live longer (…well, right after I fix my sleeping habits).
• I inspire others to make healthy choices and changes to their lifestyle.

What would you not miss?

Nov
9th

If you didn’t know me well, you would think I was super unhealthy.

1. I don’t go a restaurant to eat a salad. Ordering a salad at a restaurant is seriously the biggest waste of money ever. I can make a cheaper, yummier and healthier salad at home in 5 minutes.
2. I can’t stand chicken breast… and white meat. I don’t care if it’s the #1 protein for most people, but I’d never force myself to eat something I don’t like.
3. I never hold back when I go out. What’s the fun in that? Poutine, duck confit, lobster grilled cheese, Grey Goose … keep it coming!!
4. Dessert? Yes, please.
5. I talk a lot about junk food online. But would you rather have me talk about salad? You don’t make friends with salad.

On the contrary, I eat clean and healthy 75% of the time, especially during the work week and when I’m home. Most of my meals and snacks consist of REAL foods that grew on trees or from the ground. I usually pack my own lunch, I eat tons of protein, good carbs and healthy fats and I somewhat watch my calorie intake. I do indulge in some processed foods during the week, but I watch my portions.

I eat A LOT though, and my boyfriend definitely knows! I’m constantly snacking on something or complaining that I’m craving for something really bad (and he better get it for me or someone is going to get hurt)… even “clean” foods mean calories but I workout hard enough during the week to keep the weight off (I rarely workout on weekends).  Some of my friends told me that they THOUGHT they worked out hard… until they worked out with me.

You know that saying, WORK HARD, PLAY HARDER? I apply it to all aspects of my life, including health and fitness. Stay disciplined during the week by eating fairly clean and pushing yourself SUPER hard at the gym and then have plenty guilt-free fun when you go out!

YOU? If you can’t commit to as much exercise as I do, eat less during the week and omit the fairly from the clean. If you want to give up, remind yourself how good it feels to be able to go out and indulge, guilt-free. You know how crappy I would feel if I’m eating a garden salad and drinking water, while all my friends are eating steaks and drinking Caesars? That would’ve resulted in me, ordering a steak for myself after 3 minutes of watching them eat theirs— even though I knew I didn’t push myself at the gym that week… and feel even worse, afterwards.

BUT what if you did have a little too much fun? Don’t beat yourself up over it! Just push yourself a little harder next time you go to the gym and stay committed! Or get fat.

It’s your choice. What do you want more?