Gym Bag Essentials For Working Out on Your Lunch Break

You guys remember when I told you I was going to kick this week right in the behind? Well I think I've done just that! I've been working out religiously both at the gym and at home, and I've also tried to get up as often as possible and take a few loops around the warehouse at work. Every little bit helps, especially when you're competing in more than one "Work Week Hustle" Fitbit challenge. 

I'm not a morning workout person, I never have been and I never will be. The problem isn't getting out of bed, it's the total feeling of being sleepy, weak and unmotivated before I've had my coffee. I much prefer to be awake for several hours before tackling any heavy lifting. I know I've mentioned this before,  but I always try to maximize every second of my lunch break. One idea I've had is to hit the gym at lunch on days when CB and I have plans in the evening. I go to Planet Fitness and there is one just minutes away from my office. 

I wish I was a Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader who could work out in the dead of Texas Summer with my hair down without getting even a bead of sweat, but that is not me. Here are a few essentials that I would pack in my gym bag for a lunch time workout! If you're a DCC, feel free to go on to the next blog post, this one isn't for you. 

1. Insulated Water Bottle 
Fill your bottle up at work before you leave and don't waste time filling it up at the gym. 

2. Fitbit || I own the Alta, it's not too expensive + BONUS: shows your text messages and phone calls
Do you have a fitbit? If not, you're doing it wrong. It is the single most motivating thing I've ever owned. Just last night I was 400 steps away from my 10k step goal and proceeded to jog around the house like a crazy person. I love this thing and would recommend it to anyone who will listen!

3. A Great Fitness App
Time is limited, so to keep yourself focused use an app while you're there. I personally use Couch to 5k (yes, still working on making it to that 5k.......) paired with Spotify.

4. Workout Headphones
Like nearly everyone on this planet, I despise the apple headphones that come with the iPhone. They fall out of my ears and I have to put the music on full blast to even be able to hear it. You don't have to spend a lot to get decent headphones for the gym. The ones I linked above were just $10, work great and won't slip out of your ears.

5. A Timed Playlist
Set your Spotify playlist to be exactly 30 minutes, that way you know when it's over, it's time to hustle back to work. Have you ever browsed the workout section on Spotify? If not, you should! My favorite playlists to workout to are Hype and Intensity... OH... and my own playlist which is always getting updated: Earn Dat Pizza.

6. Dry Shampoo
I have brown hair so it took me forever to find a travel sized Brunette dry shampoo. I finally found the one shown in the photos above at Ulta, but the full sized version is on Amazon as well.

7. Braided Hairstyle
Braids are the only way I can pull off a mid-day workout. I'll usually just pull my hair straight back into a simple pony tail braid, but sometimes I'll do a more fun crown braid like this one from Pinterest.

8. Deodorant
Obviously. You knew that one already but.... a deodorant touchup is always a good choice.

9. A Small Gym Bag
Mine just happens to make a statement perfect for lunchtime... After this we're getting PIZZA!

10. Cottonelle® CleanRipple Texture Flushable Cleansing Cloths
Cottonelle® CleanRipple Texture is a proprietary innovation on all Cottonelle® toilet paper and flushable cleansing cloths that is designed to clean better than the leading value brand. Pack these cleansing cloths in your gym back for clean confidence to be able to easily pop right back into work, feeling confident after any workout! Only Cottonelle® has CleanRipple Texture designed to clean better, so you’re clean enough to Go Commando. If you pack nothing else in your gym bag for a lunch break sweat sesh, pack Cottonelle® CleanRipple Texture!

Also, get this, Cottonelle® is giving away a trip to Wanderlust 108 in Miami on October 22nd. Wanderlust 108 is a field day for your mind, body and soul and includes activities like yoga, meditation and a 5k.

SPEAKING OF A 5k.....

I'm doing my first one ever on Saturday. It's a Strut Your Mutt 5k benefiting the SPCA and Veenie will get to run with me. Am I ready? NOPE, I am not. The bright side though is that there will be beer at the end of it and if I totally suck I can blame Veenie! 

"Ohhh, yeahhhhh. I'm going to walk with her, she really needs to take it easy after her surgery -- that surgery that she has been cleared by the vet and is completely recovered from that was well over a month ago."

BUT at the gym yesterday I did a 3min run followed by 2 minute walk combo on the treadmill and I'm proud to say I made it through! Maybe I'll do ok after all!??!?! Wish me luck....

Follow along on Snapchat to see if I live through the race to even collect my free beer!!





I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.