Archive of ‘Tuesday BLAGS’ category

I think these are resolutions?

In 2010 and 2011 I worked on elaborate “Year In Review” posts. In 2010 I had so much fun doing it; it was the best year I’ve had up until that point. I did so much more than ever before and I adored reminiscing about it this way. I had to push myself a little more last year to get the post done but it still turned out great. This year — despite getting engaged and running two sub-2:00 half marathons — no interest.

Instead, I’d like to discuss . . . I think they are resolutions? Goals? Things I’d like to do in 2013.

DSB 2013 Resolutions-ish

  • Be less of a jerk. Back in February 2010, I made a resolution to not be an asshole. I failed. I accepted my failure because at least my heart was in the right place, right? This is the variation of that resolution. In other words, be friendlier. I am not a friendly person and it never really affected me until a few months ago. Andy and I were at an Amy Schumer show and we were seated at a table with another couple. Because I automatically assume that everyone is from NYC and hates me, I just ignored them. Then they started talking to us and I still wasn’t that nice in making conversation. When Andy started engaging them in conversation, I realized they were not from New York and therefore likely did not automatically hate me, and were actually nice people. And they were, they were very nice! And then I felt like a jerk for ignoring them at first and not being super friendly until later on, thus proving the New Yorkers stereoptype I was trying to protect myself against in the first place. So, try to be nice, don’t assume everyone hates me, don’t ignore people. I still plan to be a jerk to those who deserve it.
  • Get hot for wedding. This means finding a way to get to Refine midweek while they currently lack a Union Square/downtown location. Even if I have to waste absurd amounts of time between work and class and then get home at 10pm, or if I have to wake up at some ungodly hour in the morning despite the PATH train still not being fixed after Sandy, I need to find a way to make the midweek class work – even if it’s just once a week. Alternatively, I could suck it up and stop being such a pussy about CrossFit and buy a class pack and just go there since it’s right down the block from my apartment. Speaking of CrossFit, I owe you a review of the 6-class fundamentals program + 2 regular classes Andy and I did together. I’ve got bruises on my legs, lashes on my arms and missing skin on my butt to show for it.
Dori and Andy graduating CrossFit Jersey City Fundamentals

Dori and Andy graduating the CrossFit Jersey City Fundamentals program – towards the left.

Also speaking of CrossFit, I resolve to post reviews in January for the three new studios I’ve tried recently: Work It Out, Revolve Fitness and, obviously, CrossFit Jersey City.

Did I mention “not being a jerk” extends to getting up timely reviews of places nice enough to extend a free class? I’m looking at you Work It Out and Revolve.

  • Train for a marathon like a real runner person. I trained according to the mileage on my plan last time, but this year I want to train more seriously with jargon such as “speed work” “tempo run” and “hill repeats.” Ideally I’d like a coach or some type of coaching program and I might already have something in the works. TWT kids. TWT.
  • Run a 4:15 marathon. This goes with the above but it deserves its own bullet because even if my training ends up sucking, this time is still my goal.
  • Run in the cold maybe once a week. Let’s not get crazy here, I’m thinking maybe once every other week, or once every week and a half if I can’t do every week. I bought warm weather running clothes from my favorite store Lucy that were heavily on sale, cozy and comfy. Actually, they were full price when I bought them but then they were heavily on sale less than a week later so I did a little re-buying and returning. Either way, I have cozy warm fleece lined pants, a matching jacket and matching hat. I wore them once and I’d like to see a repeat performance in 2013.
  • Suck it up and run on the treadmill. For when the cold is just too cold.
  • Wear sweats to work and shower less often. Self explanatory.
  • Do girlfriend things. Not to be confused with fiancee or wife things, both of which I will do in 2013. For some reason sometimes a girl likes me and wants to be my friend. I never understand why as I do nothing to encourage such behaviors. But I figure I might as well give in. So, hi Ashley Runningbun. You’ll probably see a little more of me in 2013. Maybe we’ll run. And drink Bloody Marys.
  • Get drunk at my wedding without getting painful hiccups. I don’t know how exactly I plan to accomplish this but it’s a goal.
  • Get a dog. So something will love me.

That’s all I’ve got this year. Do you think I will accomplish them all? I don’t.

What do you want to do in 2013?

pvBody: Workout Clothes Every Month + 20% Off

I started working out three years ago. In that time, I’ve amassed a ridiculous quantity of workout clothes. It’s partially my own fault – when I started buying them I was not yet aware of my fitness clothing preferences, needs or style. But I kept buying things. I spent a lot; I have a lot; I don’t love a lot.

And I should.

When I learned about pvBody (at Refine, actually) I knew I needed to try it.

pvBody logo

Similar to the Birchbox model, pvBody is a monthly workout clothes program. You take a quiz where you enter your preferences for color, style, favorite workout type and more. Every month, a full exercise outfit (top and bottom) gets delivered to your door for $49.95.

Not only is this far less than what you’d pay in a store (these are high quality brands), but you also get to learn about new brands you might not have known about.

At least, that’s how it worked with me.

If you’ve been reading here for awhile, you probably know I like bright colored tops and muted bottoms – so I selected those options in my quiz. When I take a class I almost always wear crops, and I am happy with my current shorts wardrobe, so I selected the crop/pants option in the quiz.

The packaging was shiny and pink and cute, for those of you who like that kind of thing. I prefer to focus on the good stuff.

The top: Electric Yoga Bolt Tank in Orange, retail price $68

The bottoms: Performance Sportswear by American Apparel Fitness Pant in Alloy, retail price $48

Total value: $116. I already won.

;

Dori trying her PV.BODY outfit

I loved the top. I don’t normally (and by normally I mean ever) choose orange for myself, and I am so glad that’s the color that arrived because it was different from the rest of my (mostly blue) workout tops. I loved the material, it was obviously extremely moisture wicking. It was long and comfortable. I did have to wear a full support sports bra underneath because the shelf bra in this shirt didn’t do much, but I didn’t mind.

The bottoms fit well and were flattering. They actually looked and felt a lot like the Lululemon Wunder Under pants.

I loved the top so much that I didn’t want to take it off, so I decided to test it out at CrossFit last night. I didn’t wear the pants because I prefer to work out in crops.

That reminds me – along with the clothes was a note from the pvBody team about how sizing can vary between suppliers, so if something arrives and doesn’t fit, you can just email them and they’ll take care of it for you.

;

Dori wearing PV.BODY shirt at CrossFit Jersey City

The shirt kept me comfortable during a very sweaty workout, and I spent a good amount of time today browsing Electric Yoga’s site. I can’t wait to do laundry so I can wear the top again. It paid for itself, really.

Here’s why pvBody was created, from their website:

Why should you pay $130 or more for yoga pants? That’s just not right! So we’ve embarked on a journey to bring you the best quality active wear that we can find at a fair price. We’ll be curating brands large and small, new and old. So enjoy the selection, we’re positive you’ll love it!

We’ve built relationships with the manufactures of the biggest names in the business – and great new ones you’ve probably never heard of – so we can bring you an amazing value. With new items arriving each month we make it easy for you to always get cute new gear.

I’m such a big fan of this service that I decided to become a pvBody ambassador. This way, we all benefit:

Edited to add: the Lululemon gift card is not applicable with this 20% off promotion.

Free shipping and easy returns seal the deal.

Now you all know what I think, so I’m curious to hear if you would ever try something like this. Why or why not?
And if you do sign up, please let me know how you like it!

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