Do clothes make the workout?

I admit it.  I have a workout clothes/shoes fetish.  I have an entire dresser devoted to sportswear:  tops, shorts, capris, cargos, hoodies, ball caps....even jewelry.

I guess it started when I began teaching fitness classes at the gym.  When I trained for Bodypump, we were told what colors to wear (red, black, white or gray) and that our job was like any other - look professional and "put together".  Then came Zumba.  OYE!  Let me just say, these are smart cookies these zumba people.  Their zumba wear line shouts "Party!"  Funky colors, crazy styles, fun accessories that make you want to workout.

Think about it.  When you wear a super cute outfit, you feel better about yourself.  You want to go out and about in your new threads.  So, if this is what it takes to motivate you to move, then what's the harm?  Why not reward yourself with some new gear when you meet a goal?

And while we are thinking about gym clothes....here it is - Audrey's what NOT to wear list:

Guys:
1.  Sleeveless muscle shirts are great, as long as you don't have a jungle growing out from under your arms or on your back.

2.  No short shorts!  That 70's basketball short is best left in the 70's.

3.  Tanks or tshirts that boast your attributes:  "Welcome to the gun show" etc. .....unless of course there is a gun show to see.

4.  Sweat pants that are 3 sizes too small.  Just don't.

Gals:
1.  Shorts/pants etc. that are so tight that they require a dusting of talcum powder to pull on or off.

2.  Ditto on the tops.

3.  Bra tops are for those that have earned the right to wear them.  (Ab-alicious chics only)

4.  Excessive perfume, makeup and coiffed hair.  We're here to workout right?

I'm all about trying to look your best - even at the gym- as long as we don't forget why we got all gussied up in the first place.

"Go sell crazy somewhere else, we're all stocked up here"

I wish wish wish exercise was all it took to lose weight.  I've got that covered!  I am one of those people that enjoy and look forward (most of the time) to working out.  Exercise is a key part of the weight loss equation. However, your eating habits carry far more weight (pardon the pun) in your weight loss success.  I was reading one blogger's review of diet plans and scams and I was ashamed to realize that I have at one time or another tried a majority of them.

It began with the Slim Fast plan.  It was mid-80's so the convenient premixed cans weren't even around yet.  You got a shaker and the powder.  I remember holding my nose in an attempt to squelch the taste of it going down.  Over the years, I've been foolish enough to try some crazy diet scams.  The Carbohydrate Addicts Diet.  Heard of this one?  You basically eliminate all carbs during the day.  Then for one hour at night you are allowed to eat whatever you want.  ONE HOUR.  On your mark.....get set......gorge!!!  Let me just say that I had that one meal planned to a "T".  And heaven help the person that got in my way in that 60 minutes.  Luckily,  my daughter was still pretty young at the time....so she won't be scarred with visions of her mother scarfing down plates and bowls of food before the buzzer went off.  Fast forward to the Atkins Diet.... Xenedrine pills....Metabolife.....Alli....and my personal favorite:  the banana/hot dog/boiled egg diet.  Now, I can't claim to have actually done this one.  But, I have seen it in action...(if "you" are reading this, "you" know who you are).

Live and learn,  right?  What is that saying?...."Everything you need to know, you learned in kindergarten".  Well, I'm not sure we learned about the Food Pyramid when we were 5, but if we did, then that saying holds true. To think, the dieter's holy grail has been right under our nose all this time!  I know deep down that this way of eating is what works -- I do admit that temptations for the quick and easy fix has gotten me under it's spell on more than one occasion.  Did I lose weight?  Yes.  Did I gain it back?  Yes. 

Every time I have  tried to recover from one of these crazy plans, I fall back on the one sure thing I know.....eating "clean".  I must continue to remind myself to stay strong and guard myself against the lures of the quick fix.  Summer is coming....I've got my game face on.

*  I encourage those that are not sure of good nutritional guidelines to check out "Why Weight?".  It's a nutrition class offered at my gym.  If you look at the blogs I follow, you can see their blog for more information.

* Also, a friend and personal trainer recommended a good book you should read - "The I Can Do This Diet" ....check it out.

I'll take an order of endorphins please.....

My day kicked off to a great start -  Zumba this morning with a room full of fun, energetic people.  It's when I left the gym that things slid downhill.  We've all had those days where nothing seems to go right....where you feel as though surely there's a hidden camera somewhere and Ashton Kutcher is gonna pop out any time and tell you you've been Punk'd. 

I am generally a type A, OCD personality ...a little high strung by nature.....NOT a good foundation for things to go wrong.  All I can say is hallelujah for endorphins and exercise therapy.  There's something about taking that one hour - or however long - and devoting it completely and selfishly to yourself.  Mix in something you enjoy, people you love, good music, laughs and alotta sweat and you have yourself a prescription that no pharmacy can fill.

It's gonna be a long day.  Thank heavens I have another Zumba class to look forward to tonight!