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One piece of advice I gave myself a long time ago was — do as the squirrels do. Stash things away where you can find them when you need them.
Your car should have a little storage container of emergency items. Need a bandaid? Spilled and need wet wipes? Done ✓ and Done ✓ … And what about your office? Dry hands need lotion. It’s cold and you need a sweater.
Having some go-to essentials ready for use will help you take on the world!
As far as your gym bag — It doesn’t matter if you’re a newbie or the gym is your second home, it’s always good to take a look at some useful items that may make life on-the-go a little easier.
Clothes and Shoes
This one will make a lot of people say — of course!
But let me tell you… the amount of times I’ve seen people missing some important wardrobe items is high.
Here are some things you should always keep in rotation in your bag…
➤ Two sets of workout clothes. Just in case you wear one home and forget to repack.
➤ Extra socks.No one likes putting on stinky socks from the last workout!
➤ Street clothes.Now you can head straight to work or your kids' baseball game.
➤ Sweatshirt and Pants. It started raining while you were inside and now it’s chilly.
➤ Workout shoes! Maybe even two pairs. Nothing ruins a workout like not having shoes.
Having a variety of options for your pre and post workout can be a game changer when it comes to your busy schedule.
Deodorant and Odor Removers
Nothing like the wafting scent of sweat, dirt, and body odor coming from your gym bag. Gross.
Any kind of odor ball or compact scent improvement can help keep heads from turning in the locker room. Best of all — they’re generally cheap and last a long time.
Your nose, and other people, will thank you.
Speaking of your nose. No one likes when they can smell themselves. Potent and ripe = not a fun combination. Keep a stick of deodorant on hand.
It’s amazing how something so simple can make a big difference.
Towels and Shower Accessories
You just had the bestworkout. You went hard and feel pretty darn good… and sweaty.
Luckily, most gyms have showers at the ready.
If you want to leave feeling sparkly and fresh, consider packing these items…
✓ A clean towel or two
✓ A place for your wet towel to keep things from getting soggy
✓ Flip flops for the shared shower situation
✓ Soaps and a loofa
✓ Hair brush and blowdryer
✓ Makeup if you have other places to be
You’ll be all set to take on the rest of the day… without the stink.
Fitness Tracker and Headphones
Ahhh…The joys of modern technology.
If you don’t have any kind of fitness tracker, I encourage you to get one.
It makes it easier to…
➤ Monitor your progress
➤ Note changes
➤ Count your steps
➤ Measure your heart rate
➤ See how many miles you ran
➤ Time your workouts
➤ Keep an eye on your weights and reps
On top of that — Make sure to keep your headphones with you. You don’t need to listen to Mr. Grunt-master deadlifting on the other side of the room.
Turn up your favorite jams and get moving!
Water Bottle and Snacks
Hydration is key! You’ll be expelling lots of sweat when you workout.
According to U.S. News — “Exercisers should consume 17 to 20 ounces of fluid 2 to 3 hours before exercise and another 8 ounces 20 to 30 minutes before starting their workout. Then, during exercise, 7 to 10 ounces every 10 to 20 minutes. And, finally, 30 minutes following exercise, 8 last ounces.”
So keep that water bottle ready and full.
Pre or post workout snacks can be good for the body depending on your meal schedule. Having healthy, nutrient packed, ready-to-eat snacks can keep your body filled with the energy it needs for a workout or provide energy after a workout depletes the body of its fuel sources.
Pack It Up
It may seem troublesome to get all of this stuff together and keep it in rotation, but it’ll be worth it to have everything you need in one spot.
Make a list, check off what you have, and hit the gym…
You’ll be the best prepped person around!
If you would like to learn more about me, or are interested in Beachbody or Coaching, CLICK HERE to visit my website. CLICK HERE to learn more and sign up for my course, Rise & Shine.
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