September 14, 2010 at 7:49 am
I have never been on a makeover show, and I probably never will be, but my gym bag recently leaped at the opportunity to be made over (or would have if it weren’t an inanimate object). Here is the “before” photo:
Going clockwise from the left, we’ve got a towel which should make you happy the Internet doesn’t yet have smell-o-vision. There’s also a pink water bottle, deodorant, a lock, my pace/distance tracker, and a change of clothes which includes sports socks, a sports bra, and running pants all made from sweat-wicking materials. These are the basic things I use before, during and after my workouts.
That’s the gym bag as it is now, but tomorrow you will see it after the “Plus Up Your Gym Bag” makeover it got from Kellogg’s FiberPlus bars. Or you will as soon as I go and buy stuff for the makeover. Look at me, daring to put the “dead” in deadline! (If you have any ideas for what I should buy, do comment.) You’ll also have a chance to win your own gym bag makeover valued at $75.00. Stop by tomorrow at 8am EST for the scoop.
Disclosure: The cost of the “Plus Up Your Gym Bag” makeover was covered by Kellogg’s FiberPlus.
Chocolate & Vicodin: My Quest for Relief from the Headache that Wouldn't Go Away
Earlier: Book review and interview: I’M WITH FATTY by Edward Ugel
Home: Main index
"What distinguishes us one from another is our dreams and what we do to make them come about." - Joseph Epstein
17 Comments
Jen • September 14, 2010 at 10:03 am
My guess is that one savvy item to pack in there would be a Kellogg’s FiberPlus bar.
It doesn’t look like you plan to shower at the gym with that micro-towel, so I might add:
Those single-use facial wipes (you can use them all over but this way they won’t make your face break out)
A comb or brush and maybe some hair ties
an iPod shuffle
Permalink • Reply
svb • September 14, 2010 at 10:17 am
As a fairly large woman I like to have my heart rate monitor since the equipment at the gym usually calculates calories burned for hauling just a little bit of butt around. I need the hairclip, like the first person mentioned. I have a water bottle with a freezable core so the water stays cold. I also use a chamois cloth to wipe down the equipment so I can rinse it and wring it before it goes back in my bag. I find it less smelly than the regular towel. And I second the shuffle. I usually end up bringing my iphone and being distracted by email, apps, whatever.
Permalink • Reply
Shelly • September 14, 2010 at 11:08 am
Here’s something I just read by Leo Babauta of Zen Habits. It’s just such an uncanny juxtaposition to your post.
LESS
Stop buying unnecessary things.
Toss half your stuff, learn contentedness.
Reduce half again.
List 4 essential things in your life,
stop doing non-essential things.
Do these essentials first each day, clear distractions
focus on each moment.
Let go of attachment to doing, having more.
Fall in love with less.
Permalink • Reply
Carol • September 14, 2010 at 12:01 pm
Yes, I would put some Kellogg’s items such as a Fiber One Bar or maybe some of their Protein Drinks. Also, if you are going to work, how about a hairbrush, comb and make up? I also have my I Pod in my gym bag. I also take my own shampoo, conditioner and body wash! (Travel sized of course).
Permalink • Reply
Christina • September 14, 2010 at 12:10 pm
Shoes, elastics for your hair and some music.
Permalink • Reply
Erinn • September 14, 2010 at 12:24 pm
Dry shampoo. Spray on, brush out, wicks the oily look away.
Permalink • Reply
Shelley B • September 14, 2010 at 12:50 pm
I’d add Boots No. 7 face cloths (in the blue package) – for some reason sweat burns my face and having these available to wipe it off as soon as I’m done working out really helps.
Also, get some Body Glide – I swear that stuff is a miracle – no rubbing rashes anywhere (thighs, arms – I hear it even helps for blisters, although I’ve never tried it on my feet. yet.).
Hat for after the workout, if you have to run errands and want to look slightly pulled-together (that’s the look I aim for, anyway).
Permalink • Reply
Bat • September 14, 2010 at 1:32 pm
I definitely second Dry Shampoo. It is a life saver if there is not time for a shower after a workout!!
Permalink • Reply
Lanie • September 14, 2010 at 4:42 pm
How fun! Definitely needs glitter!
Permalink • Reply
Debbi Does Dinner Healthy • September 14, 2010 at 5:37 pm
Tunes and a brush. Snacks. Chapstick. I never leave without it.
Permalink • Reply
Sarah • September 14, 2010 at 5:43 pm
i’ll agree with the ‘something to pull your hair back’ comments. mine is long enough that a rubber band works, however i like to keep the elastic headbands in there too — i use them both in an effort to keep the flyaways from flopping onto my face.
Permalink • Reply
ginny maxam • September 14, 2010 at 5:44 pm
I got to the gym about 5x a week, sometimes 6 and I usually sauna after a work out, so what is in my bag? A complete change of clothes, shoes a plastic bag for wet and sweaty clothes, Soap, comb + hairspray. a small bottle of oj (I’m diabtice and worry about low blood sugar after 90 miniutes in the gym and 20 in the sauna. and some nuts. that is it pretty simple! Towels are supplied by the gym .
Ginny M
Permalink • Reply
Amy • September 14, 2010 at 8:48 pm
i love smartwool socks for exercising, they’re seriously awesome and seriously expensive (although very hard wearing) but if someone is offering to foot the bill…and yes i hope we all appreciate the pun…they’re a gym bag must have.
Permalink • Reply
theorist • September 14, 2010 at 9:46 pm
-Some sort of MP3 player
-a bandana/headband or something to keep your hair off your face
-“shoe id” pouch so you wont have to carry your locker key (if you gym is like mine)
-a bpa free water container
-sugar free gum
-perhaps a high fiber snack (e.g., apple, kelloggs all bran drink mix)
Permalink • Reply
Jessica Hart • September 14, 2010 at 11:56 pm
A notebook to keep track of your reps, workout plan etc, is always useful!
Permalink • Reply
Natasha • September 15, 2010 at 6:37 am
I was just going over the contents of my gymbag and there is not a lot in it. I do my workouts at my lunch break from work and I know I should really beef it up a bit. Everything everyone has suggested is a good idea. The other thing I keep with me all the time is my after picture of the first time I lost weight in hopes that it will motivate me!! I am standing by a good looking Canadian Mounted Police in full uniform so that also encourages me to look at the picture often! So I would say that every gymbag needs something motivational to get you to actually go to the gym!!
Permalink • Reply
Tris • September 15, 2010 at 3:38 pm
Small card with emergency contact #’s in case your treadmill has a toyota moment or the sauna door sticks. Breath mints and a small pair of scissors to clip those pesky tags out of your new workout clothing…..
Permalink • Reply
Comments are now closed on all PastaQueen entries. The blog is an archive only so I don't have to deal with spammers. For fresh discussions please visit my new blog at JennetteFulda.com.