Friday Five: What’s In My Gym Bag?

I’m linking up with Courtney from Eat Pray Run DC, Cynthia from You Signed Up for WHAT?!, and Mar from Mar on the Run. This week’s Friday Five theme is What’s In My Gym Bag. This is such a fun theme!

What's in my bag? FrenchFryRunner.com

I’m sure most gym enthusiasts have a lot of the same things as I do, but here are 5 6 important things I currently have in my bag:

Gym bag closeup

  1. Lip balm (notice how I have two): You can ask my husband–I have so many different types of lip balm, it’s ridiculous. I’ve gotten them in stockings, in race swag bags, and because Chapstick has come out with a new flavor… Some people impulse-buy candy or shoes or whatever; I buy lip balm.
  2. Yurbuds: These are simply the best earbuds ever. I won this pair in a giveaway a couple years ago and they are still going strong. I have two pairs now, one that I keep in my bag and then some that are on standby for race action. (Also featured, an iPod Nano)
  3. Running shoes: I always keep running shoes in my bag, so if I’m at the gym and need to run or have planned a run, I have them.
  4. Hand sanitizer: Reasons for this are (1) it’s that time of year when germs are rampant, and (2) the gym is gross.
  5. Combo lock: For safety! There are locker-rooms at the gym, so I often stash my stuff in a locker and go on my merry workout way.
  6. Water bottle: Gotta stay hydrated!

5 Honorable Mentions

  1. Swim cap and goggles: If I happen to have a swim planned, I’m set.
  2. LUNA bar or Larabar: Delicious
  3. Hand towel: Great to have
  4. Extra socks: Sometimes these aren’t exactly clean socks, but there you go.
  5. Yoga grip socks and mat sanitizer: I hardly use the grip socks, but they’re nice when I do use them, and the mat spray works like a charm

FYI, my bag is an Apera Yoga Tote, and I love it!

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What’s in your gym bag?

Do you have a gym membership?

Do you use Yurbuds?

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FitnessFridayRev3I’m also linking up with Jill Conyers’s Fitness Friday.

 

 

Consistency

You know, someday I’ll write on here more consistently, but I didn’t think you all would want a bunch of posts on how lazy I am or how I’ve only worked out about a dozen times in the past I don’t know how many months. Work got in the way. Life got in the way . . . etc. I could come up with a ton of excuses, but I’m pretty sure you don’t want to hear me whining either. Consistency is my problem when it comes to fitness (and blogging!). I get really excited about something, do it all the time, get burned out, and then stop–especially when, by the time I’m burned out, I’m in great shape. I need to find that switch within myself to just be consistent. It ALWAYS sucks to have to keep starting over, but here I am. I really don’t want to be in the group of New Year’s “resolutioners,” but here I am. Although I do prefer goals over resolutions. Resolutions come with a pretty high bar to reach and an even greater letdown, but goals help you improve over time. That’s what I want to do–set a goal THEN just keep going and achieving more. I’m not going to take the idea of an ultra, triathlon, and so on off the table, but, again, I could’ve been so much closer had I been more consistent in the latter half of this year. And that’s my fault, so I’m going to pick myself up, dust myself (and my running shoes, yoga mat, swimsuit) off, and get after it. I have my eye on some races for 2014, and I’m just going to do them. First step: 5k to shake off the rust. Second step: 10k because they are so fun! Third step: 2 half marathons. Fourth step: marathon. Gasp. I said it. Marathon. Let’s see if I can get there by October.

Bring it on.

Work happens . . . so does yoga

I’ve been so busy at work lately that I haven’t had time/desire/energy to write. Sorry, guys! I’d say that I’ll do better, but only time will tell. I can tell you, though, that I love resting. 🙂 I was really hurting after my last half marathon (yes, I’ll get around to posting a recap), so I’ve basically taken a month off running, besides the 5k Color Run I did a couple weeks ago.

Have I also mentioned how much I love yoga? Yes? Well, I have to tell you again: I love it. 🙂 I love how great I feel after a practice. I feel strong and flexible, and I have better posture. It’s definitely awesome for someone with a desk job. Give it a try. I’ve posted a few videos for you (here and here) so you have a jumping-off point. And, if you do have a desk job, you can even do it at work! Here’s a great yoga sequence you can do at your desk (click on the picture or click here for more information). Don’t forget to breathe!

from yogarelieftips.com

Anyway, look for more posts from me–and a review of some great socks–coming soon!

Namaste