But what about my @*#%&! *# purse?

There's even room for more, but here's two phones your keys
and an energy "shot" ready to go into my 5 year old SPIbelt

All packed in, and remarkably still easy to wear around the waist!

If you're new to fitness, there are all these questions...like, "'but, what do you do with your purse?"  We know; we've been there!

Last week, we encouraged y'all to find a new place for your workout--a botanical garden, a historic site, a park.  But we know you're less likely to get in the car and take a chance on a new place if you don't know what to do with all the "stuff" you normally carry about--phone, keys, incidentals.

Are we right?

Here's a solution:  there are some neat products out there that hold an AMAZING amount of "stuff" comfortably snug and secure about your waist while you run or walk.  Our SPIbelt is made of soft, stretchy fabric with a fully adjustable belt, and it is very comfortable to wear.  It "breathes" as you sweat, so it doesn't feel hot.  It also doesn't bounce as you move.  That's a big plus.

I've had the same SPIbelt for five years now, and it has never failed me.  I use it at least 3-4 times a week and it manages to fit in everything I need during my run.  (I usually just put one phone in there, and my keys, but as you can see, it can hold MUCH MUCH more than that!)  You can see more testimonials here, on their website.  I got mine at a marathon expo, but you can find them in some stores, or you can order it online.

--Beth

What if you're starting at the VERY beginning? (Two tips to keep it interesting)

Stroll down the Hummingbird and
Butterfly Trail, Chihuahuan
Desert Nature Center.
Fort Davis, Texas

Some days there's nothing harder than peeling yourself off the couch, deciding to move, then putting on shoes and lacing them up, right?  So the challenge is to make it interesting.

If you're at the very beginning of a fitness practice, and even a stroll is an effort, one part of the equation is really easy.   There are LOTS of wonderful places that are very, very interesting near your home, so plan to build them into your exercise plan. 

Tip 1:  Invite a friend, your kids, your spouse to take a stroll with you.  The company will keep you going, the conversation will distract you from your effort.  Suddenly, you're not exercising, you're socializing.  (Same thing goes with running; see our recent entry about Sarah's #3MomsRunning group!)

Tip 2:  Pick a really pretty place for your walking workout...if you're just getting started, try for an outing once a week. Botanical gardens, historic sites,short trails in urban or rural parks are great places. And many are FREE. They aren't "fitness" places per se, so if you're a little bashful about getting out among more seasoned athletes or getting lapped by youngsters wearing spandex, then a local garden or historic site may be a perfect fit for you. The places pictured here have outdoor grounds (in the case of the David Davis Mansion, there's just a large yard and a small garden) or trails of less than a mile. Sure, you can walk around your neighborhood and that's GREAT, but sometimes the distraction of nature, beauty, or history is just what you need.

So, you may not yet be up to a run or even  a jog.  But the fresh air of an outdoor stroll will invigorate, and getting out in a new place (away from your daily routine) will keep it interesting.  Schedule it on your calendar so you can look forward to it.  And pat yourself on the back for taking your new fitness practice seriously! 

Keystone Heritage Park
El Paso Desert Botanical Garden
El Paso, Texas

David Davis Mansion, Bloomington, Illinois
(yes, even a good place for a stroll in winter!)