So I was doing some FitBit research the other day to get myself back motivated to exercise when I discovered that Tory Burch has done a collab - and this is the result.
Holy cow. Fitness just got fab. Well more fab than fitness can be. It got fashionable. It got glam. Oh I don't know. It just got a heck of a lot cooler. Look at this collab for goodness sakes.
I've long written about how fickle I am when it comes to fitness. And that if I have something new, something exciting to wear - I am more likely to go and move my body. You can only imagine my glee.
When a luxury lifestyle brand such as Tory Burch works with FitBit - I think it's time I put my pedal to the metal, and got out moving.
With three pieces to the collection: the open fretwork pendant (my favourite), the brass hinged bracelet and the silicone printed bracelet - there's definitely something to suit a range of styles. I imagine these pieces will fit seamlessly into everyday so no one need even know you're ravenously counting your steps.
Speaking of which - definitely read this piece by David Sedaris about his obsession with his FitBit. Funniest article EVER.
Shop now.
Stop the press. I went to Bikram today - for the first time in 12 years.
I might as well have never been, or even tell you that I've been before - because 12 years is a long time ago, and the only reason I am telling you, if we're going to be completely frank, is to make you think that once upon a time I may have been a bit flexible.
Way back then I was completely hooked on Bikram. But let's fast forward to this morning. Oh man. I've never loved savasana SO MUCH!
I've put together seven tips for beginners, to make it less intimidating. And to brainwash you into coming with me.
1. Wear as little clothing as possible. And make it form fitting - and if possible sweat-wicking. Most people wear hot pants, crop tops. I wore cropped tights, and slim-fitting tank top. Do not wear baggy clothes because I am telling you now, those wet clothes don't feel good swinging on your body and will distract you. And don't wear cotton. Take it from me. Baggy, cottony clothes - not your friend at Bikram.
2. Don't be afraid to sit down - or go into savasana (hellooooo savasana). No one else is focussing on your practice. You do your thing, they do theirs. And you do it at your own pace. Take a break if you feel dizzy, or if you just feel like - holy mackerel, I need to escape this hotbed of a room, and if like me, you have the flexibility of TinMan from the Wizard of Oz.
3. Speaking of which - don't leave the room. The first session is about staying in that ridiculously hot room - and reaping the health benefits. Stay there. Lie down. Kneel. Whatever you need to do. But stay in there. I had fantasies of running out and standing under the water filter - and then driving off into the sunset. But I lay down and looked right at this picture instead.
4. Take a big water bottle. And a big towel. And a little towel. You are going to need them. The water - you need for sipping on during the class. The big towel - it's going to go over your yoga mat and stop you from infesting it further with sweat, and things will be a lot less slippery. The little towel - I like to have it to wipe my hands. And my brow. And from my eyes when the sweat stings them. Am I selling this to you?
5. Don't go in thinking the room smells of roses and unicorn farts. There's one thing that doesn't smell good - communal sweat.
6. Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water the day before - not just an hour before. Drink plenty of water afterwards. And whatever you do, don't go hungover. You'll be in a world of pain already. And hungover? Whoa. Not a good combo.
7. Try to stay up the back. In your first class you don't know whether you're Arthur or Martha. Try and stay up the back. Not only will it allow the hard-core yogis to get on with their practice, but I watch what they do to fine-tune my own.
Maybe I will see you there? If I do, don't talk. No one talks in the studio. Except the teacher.
I am so ashamed people. You can beat me up and bounce me off the back of a blimp. I've still not gotten back on the applecart to exercise. And I have an unworn, brand-new-with-tags top to exercise in to prove it. Not even the lure of new exercise gear is enough to lure me.
Someone paint that thing with the pheromones of neatly carved abs, tight glutes and honed arms - and there might be some interest.
But nope. I'm still lolling about in bed in the morning. Far beyond when the sun wakes up, I'm still fighting to stay under the covers. It's warm under there. The doona is my friend, and sleep my lover. If it wasn't for work and my children requiring breakfast, lunches to be packed and help to get them off to school - well I'd be totally committed to a few jolly good in bed, long, bigger than King Kong sleep ins. They feel so good. And so foreign.
Somebody: say something. Make me do it.
Maybe that could be a new Nike slogan. Make me do it.
This is supposed to be the Winter of content.
This year I made it a priority to invest in some warmer clothes, which in turn was meant to not only make me feel warmer, but make me happier. Being so chilly makes me grumpy. And if you know me when I am cold, then you have experienced grumpy. True unbridled grumpiness.
Part of the investment in warmer clothes was to also trick myself into thinking that rising in the dark was ok! I was going to be warm! It would be fun!
Oh - how naive I was!
Getting up at 5:30am in the thick of Winter is no mean feat. Getting up at 5:30am in the thick of Winter to EXERCISE is no mean feat. Getting up to exercise at 5:30am in the thick of Winter to exercise when it's raining. AYE CARUMBA! Anyone who does this should automatically receive some kind of award. And it should be served warm.
However, I have managed to do it a few times. High five myself. I'm still moving more than I was a year ago, and I've been dreaming about working more movement into my days, I've just got to make it happen.
Pretty soon we're going on a small family holiday. I am beside myself with excitement. And as nerdy as it may be, I've already decided that I must exercise every day we're away. Even if it's just a leisurely walk. I want to keep my momentum rolling ready for my summer reveal (JUST JOKES PEOPLE - NO BIKINI SHOTS COMING YOUR WAY).
Last week I had an epiphany that having time for myself - where it was not in dark hours, where I could sit in a cafe for an hour with avocado on toast, a coffee and a magazine did majorly restorative things to my head. I never get to do that. It was good. I'm going to schedule more time to do this. I got to read an article in one sitting.
I know I'm crazy, but that was pure luxury.
