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What’s In My Gym Bag?

2018 Workout Wednesday

The year is ——-> <——- this close to being halfway over and my gym routine is not exactly routine. I’m consistently running, but not consistently hitting the gym for classes or the weights room. I’m consistently hitting the couch with my Kindle and not one bit ashamed. I’m now a more well-rounded individual with all the literature (trashy novels) and mysteries (fiction thrillers) and classics (watching the Tudors) I’m experiencing lately.

I don’t see that changing much until July after I get back from a long trip. Here is my thought process. Hang with me for a minute.

  • May is a jumble of end-of-school chaos and my workouts will consist of field days, classroom cleanup and move, outdoor events with kids, etc.
  • June is just one large workout of hiking, climbing, and running in Colorado for several weeks.
  • July will be hot-as-balls and my running will happen just at daylight before the mosquitoes make a buffet out of me.
  • Then August will arrive with back-to-school chaos and I MUST have my morning routine set in stone.

This time last year, we were still RVing it while he finished the house and there was nothing routine in my life. That will change for this school year. I have a house with all the closets and laundry luxuries I can ask. No excuses for missing early workouts seeing how my best years of my life included morning workouts before a day in the classroom.

I’m already planning out my gym bag essentials to begin in July and hopefully carry through to August. And I’m not talking about the obvious things like shoes, socks, bras, hair dryer. I’m talking about the stuff I use that I have to buy over and over because they are JUST THAT GOOD.

Besides, everybody knows I run in Saucony, I use Swiftwick socks, I bind the boobs in Target cheapos, and I use a hair dryer with a diffuser for said PITA hair.

Photo Apr 05, 9 56 09 PM (1)

This is the part of the story where I pretend I really care a lot about hairnmakeup, but in all truthfulness, I don’t care much at all. My hair is naturally curly and naturally a pain in the ass. I refuse to try to cut it into a style because been there, still laugh at the pictures to prove it. I tried growing out my bangs since nobody under 30 has bangs, but my six head refused to cooperate. EVERYONE agreed after I cut my bangs back in, that I made the right decision.

As far as makeup…..I can’t laugh hard enough at that. I teach kindergarten. My makeup is expo markers and glitter. I’m fancy like that.

However, even with all this glorious carelessness, I have to have things to get me from Grungy Bushwoman ninja to Somewhat Smells Okay teacher. That won’t happen naturally. I need things in my gym bag.

Shower gel I’m sure I’ll get laughed off this page but I don’t care. I LOVE B&BW shower gels. They suds up quickly and provide enough smell to cover up the aroma of disdain that I usually drown myself in after a workout. Nothing gets rid of negative self-talk like a bath in cucumbers. Or apples. But not pineapples because someone insists on leaving a can of pineapple spray in the teacher bathrooms. That’s just gross.Image result for bath and body works shower gel beautiful day

 Coconut oil. Plain, virgin coconut oil. The kind you have to melt before applying. This stuff is like magic for my skin. I use it for shaving (everywhere…..even there….and yep….there). In a warm shower, the razors glide more smoothly than using the fancy foamy stuff. I also use it after a shower for my moisturizing. I tried the coconut lotions and they are not the same. I get the big jar from Walmart and keep it in a small jar.  I put the jar in the shower and it warms up for better use. Great Value Organic Unrefined Virgin Coconut Oil, 14 oz

Razors. For the gym bag, I stick with the Spa Breeze things. They are very expensive, but I like my leg skin to stay attached. The coconut oil works so well, I could probably go back to cheapo disposables. I use other razors for more sensitive shaving, but I’m not doing  that kind of meticulous grooming in a place where shower shoes are required.  Image result for venus razor

Hair stuff. I can’t really recommend anything because everyone has their own hair issues. But, if you have fine, very curly, easy-to-humidify, Bozo the Clown hair, then here are my products.  Kinky Curly Knot Today, Kinky Curly Custard, Aussie Freeze.

Kinky-Curly, Knot Today, Natural Leave In / Detangler, 8 oz (236 ml)Kinky-Curly Curl Custard Gel - 8oz - image 1 of 1Aussie Instant Freeze Extreme Hold Hairspray - 10oz - image 1 of 3

Deoderant. The best I’ve ever had is Degree. Hands down.  Degree Women Shower Clean Dry Protection Antiperspirant Deodorant Stick2.6oz

Wet Wipes. These things are amazing! I use them for quick cooling body and face wipes. I think these specific cucumber ones are better at cooling. They quickly remove any mascara mistakes. They also work great for removing any face gunk before a workout since workout out and sweating face gunk everywhere is a breach of gym etiquette. And if it’s not, it should be. Gross.Image result for cooling face wipes

And  that’s a wrap FOR NOW. I’ll revisit this in September after I’ve had 3 successful months of early morning gym attendance .