Make it Work(out).

I want cooler workout clothes. As my one loyal blog follower knows (yes, that's you), I'm on a health kick. I work out five days a week now, mostly at the gym. It's cold outside, so I'm sure that'll change somewhat come Spring.

Obviously with this new hard-core I'm-training-for-a-half-marathon exercise schedule at the gym, I see a lot of people working out. What I've noticed are three different types of workout gear for women:

1. Sporty. These women are hard-core fitness freaks. They have the top-of-the-line, moisture-wicking, coordinated, form-fitting and expensive clothes. They want the best for their bodies, so nothing but the best clothes will do. Good for them. I have a few of these pieces that still fit, so I occasionally look semi-sporty.

2. Trashy. These women wear the Victoria's Secret Pink, skimpy, not-very-comfortable-looking, tight, they-know-they-got-it-so-they-flaunt-it clothes. These are the same women who put their makeup on BEFORE they work out and continuously check their hair in the mirrors. Granted, I do think they're at the gym to get a good workout, but the attire's over the top.

3. Mix-N-Match. These women wear eight-year-old Nike shorts that they got at T.J. Maxx, paired with a race t-shirt from the Reggae Run that they only ran because there was a hell of a party afterwards. This is me. I really don't care what I look like when I work out. I care more about getting a good workout. I do, however, care that my clothes fit me and don't make me look like a complete idiot.

Now, having had this opportunity to see the gym fashions for a while now, I've decided that I want cooler workout clothes for the world. In fact, I've been designing them in my head. If only I could get ahold of some black Coolmax fabric, I just know I could sew something hip. I've even been designing slogans and clothing (in my head) for the shirts a-la Gap Red - different, cool, with a message. Only, I haven't figured out how to make the designs in my head support Africa... or breast cancer... or feeding the poor...

Maybe I'm watching too much Project Runway. Maybe I need a break from staring at people at the gym. Who knows. But I want better workout clothes! Do they exist?

I’m a Mac.

I like the Apple store. It always seems to boost my creative spirit when I shop there, and today was no different.

My Mac was acting weird - abruptly shutting down when I used the battery for more than ten minutes. Plus, whenever I used Photoshop, the computer was soooooo slow. I have an Intel-based Mac, so that shouldn't have been happening.

Friday night, I made an appointment with a Genius, after my Mac abruptly shut down as I was trying to find flights for our upcoming New York trip. I was so glad to talk to someone who knew everything there is to know about Macs, and he FIXED mine!

Apparently, soon after I purchased my MacBook Pro in 2006, a battery recall was issued. I don't know how I would have known about that, but mine had to be replaced today. And I must say, in this day and age, it was so very cool that even though my Mac was out of warranty, the battery was replaced for FREE!

My genius also told me that the reason Photoshop was ungodly slow was because I wasn't running the newest version, which is more compatible with the Intel-based systems. I'm ready to install the upgrade later today.

Anyway, I was so elated at getting something for free that I bought Leopard, the new operating system. It comes in a very cool holographic box! I also bought iLife '08. I can't wait to try out iPhoto's newest features. Apparently I'll be able to create an online, interactive photo album. Stay tuned.

I'm on the road to renewed creativity and fun - as soon as I fully charge my new battery and then drain it.

Making Good on Those Resolutions!

Well, so far, so good! I've discovered that if I actually have a plan, I'm more apt to do the big stuff.

Running the Flying Pig half marathon was kind of intimidating at first. It took planning and writing my training schedule on my calendar to break it all up into manageable steps. Today I ran three miles! My legs felt like lead, but I kept telling myself that it was just a bad day. The next run will be better, and next Saturday, I'll run my four miles and probably be just fine.

I joined Weight Watchers yesterday. My mom and I are going to Friday meetings together. I'm on my way to losing that 30 pounds. It was a shocker to get on that scale and see what I actually weigh, but that step had to happen in order for me to get back on track. I figure I'll be able to run faster once I reach my goal (which should hopefully be around the time of the half marathon).

I also cleaned the bedroom today! I finally got around to putting the laundry away. I dusted, vacuumed, straightened, pitched, and made the bed. It looks nice! Tomorrow, I'm doing the kitchen. One room at a time is very do-able.

Amy said that getting my house clean was a lame new-year's resolution. Well, yeah, kinda, but "clean" means more to me than just vacuuming. To me, it means getting as organized as possible and paring down so that I can enjoy the people and things that mean the most to me... without having to worry about those big projects hanging over my head. I figure if I tackle as much as I can in these cold weekends where I can't do much outside anyway, then come Spring, I'll be able to open all the windows and read a book in the living room , and not have to think about finally getting the bathroom tub re-caulked. I'll finally be able to read all the books on Amy's annual top ten list! Which I would love. :)

Time to Make the Resolutions...

It's a new year, and I'm supposed to feel refreshed. I'm supposed to want to conquer the world with feats I wasn't able to accomplish last year. However, I think I've reached the age where I know what I want to do, and I know how to get there. But getting there is getting soooooo much harder.

For instance:

• I know I want to lose 30 pounds. I've done it successfully before. Weight Watchers has an amazing program that actually works - if you're motivated. I lost 30+ pounds about seven years ago (have since gained it back). I felt amazing! But every time I tried to do the program again, I failed. I'm not sure why...
  
  
• I know I want to run the Flying Pig Half-Marathon. I trained for and run the Cincinnati Heart Mini Marathon in 2001. I felt amazing! But every time I tried to do the training program again, I failed. I'm not sure why...
  
  
• I know I want to get my entire house clean. I did it once - had to take a day off work and work my bum off, but I did it! But every time I try to get the place clean again, I get overwhelmed, distracted, and I fail. I'm not sure why...

This year, 2008, is going to be my year of trying again. I've overcome a lot of bad stuff in the past few years (a badly sprained ankle, car crashes involving deer, etc...), and I'm ready to start fresh. Will I be successful? I think so. I have such a wonderful support system in my friends and family. I have a lot of people in my life who want to see me do well, and who encourage me along the way. It's taken me this long to realize just how many amazing people I have in my life! I'm truly blessed.

So yes. I'm gonna run that half-a-piggy this year, lose the 30 pounds, and get the house clean. And when I'm done, you're all invited over for dinner! But you'll have to clean up after yourselves.