(Attr)Active Wear

I was halfway through my college career when I picked up running. Prior to then, I thought runners were gluttons for punishment. And to be honest, although I was proud of myself after each run, the first few weeks felt like, well, punishment.

In an effort to motivate myself a bit, I decided to purchase just a couple cute running outfits, the logic being that if I spent money on this activity, I would feel at the very worst obligated and at the very best inspired to actually do the activity.

Of course the clothes weren't the only factor that has kept me running for the last nine years, but they were one of the initial motivators in the early weeks of my running experience. Much like shopping for a prom dress is half the fun of going to prom (at least, I thought so), finding fashionable and fun running clothes is part of the fun of running. This phenomena can apply to really any activity--working, walking, going to dinner. The better we look, the better we feel--and vise-versa.

My advice to any girl struggling with the motivation to workout: Buy some fun exercise clothes--clothes that you won't have any reason to wear other than to work out in. If you don't work out, you don't get to wear your fun, new clothes--and wouldn't that be a shame, all those fun, new threads (and already-spent dollar bills) sitting unworn in a dresser drawer...? Below is some inspiration--just a sampling--for your workout wear shopping spree.

Fast Fitness Tip: Have a hard time deciding what to wear for your outdoor runs? I have read that experts say you should dress as if it is 10 degree warmer outside than it actually is. For example, if it's 45, dress as you would for 55. If it's 75, dress as you would for 85. Of course, we all experience temperature differently, so you will have to experiment with what works best for you, but a general guide can be found and used as a potential starting point at http://www.superskinnyme.com/running_gear.html. 

Top Layer Mondetta wind- and water-resistant jacket. Purchased at Marshall's for $19.99-$29.99 (I think). Cool features: two small front zip-up chest pockets great for keys or phone, extra long sleeves with thumb hole; wind- and water-resistant. Under Layer Same as Top Layer pictured below Bottom Under Armour Cold Gear Compression Pants. Purchased at TJ Maxx or Marshall's for under $20 (SUCH a deal! I highly recommend those discount stores for workout wear). Shoes Nike Free Run 3+. Purchased at Dick's Sporting Goods for roughly $90. Cool features: These shoes come in lots of fun colors; super light-weight; minimalist. Caution: The size of these shoes runs large. I usually wear a size 8 or 8 1/2, but my Nike Frees are a size 9 1/2 (probably the only pair of shoes I own in that size).

Top Layer Mondetta Performance Gear (MPG) zip-up turtleneck. Purchased at either TJ Maxx or Marshall's for $14.99-$19.99. Highly recommend this item. Cool features: Small zipper pocket in back for iPod, cell phone, ID, or key. Zip-up turtleneck allows for versatility; extra long sleeves with thumb holes allow for further versatility. Lightweight. Under Layer Avia running tank. Purchased at Marshall's or Kohl's. Cool features: Fun cut-out design in the back; built-in sports bar provides excellent support and includes removable pads, pocket in back for keys, phone, iPod, etc. Bottom Fila running skirt purchased at Kohl's. Shoes Nike Free 3+.

Top Layer Fila turtleneck jacket. Purchased at Kohl's for $19.99-$29.99. Cool features: large zip-up pockets, some reflective threading for safety. Very form-fitting and flattering. Gear Eddie Bauer small hiking backpack purchase at Eddie Bauer Outlet (maybe $30-$50. I can't remember). Cool features: front mesh pocket for cell phone, wallet, ID, or credit cards; side pocket for water bottle.

Top Fila tank purchased at Kohl's. Cool features: funky strappy back, "media pockets" on both sides for iPod or cell phone, built-in sports bra, fun gold glitter (that has never come off in the wash or rubbed off on other items of clothing).

Top Fila running tank purchased at Kohl's. Cool features: supportive built-in sports bra with removable pads. Bottom Fila running skirt purchased at Kohl's. Shoes Nike Dual Fusions T2

Top Jockey tank (I think this is actually a yoga top) purchased at Kohl's, Marshall's or TJ MAxx. Cool features: light-weight; very form-fitting and elastic material Bottom Avia running skirt purchased at Kohl's. Shoes Nike Dual Fusions T2.

Top Same Fila running tank as pictured above Gear Same Eddie Bauer bag as pictured above Bottom Jockey capri yoga pants purchased at Kohl's, Marshall's, or TJ Maxx. Cool features: feminine lining Shoes NikeDual Fusions T2.

Out the Door in 24 (minutes, that is)

If you've read a few of these blog posts, you've already learned (if you didn't already know) that you don't have to get up an hour before you have to leave the house to look picture-perfect. Below is a regimen that can take you from the shower to the road in 24 minutes (at least, that's how long it took me), including hair, makeup, and getting dressed (you're on your own for the actual shower itself).

Hair
1. Wash hair the evening before and pull back in tight bun to keep it damp for the morning. Keep hair up in bun throughout your morning shower.
2. After your shower, comb hair out and blow dry with round brush. (As your hair has somewhat dried overnight, drying it should be much faster than usual.)
3. Apply Suave Dry Shampoo as directed.
4. Leave hair down or pull up in fast ponytail or messy bun (shown below is fast ponytail).
Time Spent on Hair: 8-10 minutes

Makeup:
Eyes
1. Apply Mary Kay TimeWise Age-Fighting Moisturizer and Day Solution Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 35.
2. Apply Mary Kay Silky Caramel Mineral Eye Color to eyelid, from base of lash line to bottom of eyebrow.
3. Apply Mary Kay Precious Pink Mineral Eye Color to brow bone.
4. Apply Mary Kay Iris Mineral Eye Color to the crease of eyelid.
5. To top lid only, apply Mary Kay Gel Eyeliner in Jet Black. Begin from outer eye, starting just beyond your lashes, and draw think line to the inner lid.
6. To bottom lid, apply Cover Girl pencil eyeliner in basic black.
7. Apply Mary Kay Ultimate Mascara to upper and lower lashes.
Skin
1. Apply Mary Kay Strawberry Cream Mineral Cheek Color to apples of cheeks. 
(No powder or foundation was used.)
Lips
1. Apply Mary Kay Maple Creme Lipstick.
Time Spent on Makeup: 12-14 minutes

Below, you can see the nice, natural, neutral (and FAST!) look in which the above steps result. 
(Getting dressed is up to you. It took me probably 2-4 minutes.)

No Boys Allowed: Girls-Only Races

A lot of you probably know about the women's-only gyms that have been sprouting up all over--Curves and Victory Lady Fitness, to name just two. What you may not know, is that there also several women's-only running events that tour the country. So, if you've been looking for a little more motivation to get fit or start running, look no further than your girlfriends, sisters, mothers, and other women you know. Get a group of girls together and train for one of these women-only events. The camaraderie at these events is wonderful, and some of them even support women's wellness beyond race day, acting as charity events for women's health issues such as ovarian cancer. This post will educate you about two phenomenal females-only race events.

The Pretty Muddy 5k
This race is a hilariously messy 3-mile obstacle course. I ran last year's Richmond event in Pocahontas State Park and enjoyed it so much, that months ago, I was already signed up for the next time the race comes my way (which won't take place until this coming fall). Upcoming Pretty Muddy 5ks are set to place in:
Dallas, Texas June 1
Sacramento, California June 29
Chicago, Illinois September 7
Columbus, Ohio September 14
Richmond, Virginia September 28
Atlanta, Georgia October 12
Tampa, Florida December 7
Miami, Florida December 14
Event features I enjoyed included a fun (and optional) group warm-up at the starting line, the obstacles (an inflatable slide into a mud pit, tunnels full of mud, walls to climb, a rope wall to scale, logs to lift and carry, a foam machine, a bin of inflated beach balls--just to name a few), and the post-race party that had music, vendors, etc. Plus, the T-shirt last year was REALLY cute and since all the sizes are for women, it actually FIT. Another perk is that this race is typically organized into waves, with the earliest starting maybe around 7 or 8, and the latest running into the afternoon. You can be an early bird--or not. :-)

Run Like a Girl
This event partners with The HERA Foundation to benefit ovarian cancer research. It's usually an 8k, but depending on the location, the distance varies. Usually, this is a trail run. I have participated two or three times, and really enjoyed it. I will be participating again this year.
So far, three locations and dates have been set for 2013, but according to the website, more are in the works. Here are the dates and locations that have already been determined:
Richmond, Virginia June 2
Richmond, Virginia October 13
Virginia Beach, Virginia October 20
Charlotte, North Carolina DATE TBD
Event features I enjoyed in this race were the beautiful wooded trails, the vendors, and the opportunity to support a charity. Another nice feature is the race start is not too early--9:00 AM. Finally, when they give out water at the finish line, it's usually in a really cute Run-Like-A-Girl reusable water bottle (I still have two of mine).

So, ladies, no more excuses: Get out there and run!

Healthy TV (Yes, Really)

As you might imagine, I am generally not a proponent of sitting around watching TV. If my TV is on, it's on for a purpose, like to check the weather or enjoy a movie with friends or family, or because I want some entertainment while I fold laundry or do crunches. That said, I am about to advocate just a little (good-for-you) TV in this post.

First, a question: Do you have a little free time (I know--funny, right?) this Sunday, April 21, at 7:00 PM? If you do, you might want to check out Everything Healthy TV, a web series that will air once a month. On April 21, the April edition will air, and will focus on physical fitness. There will even be a Twitter party during the airing of the show. You can check that out by visiting http://www.ehtvaprilgetfittwitter.eventbrite.com/. If you register in advance for the Twitter party, you become eligible for prizes.

In addition to Everything Healthy TV, you might want to check out Veria Living, a cable channel that airs shows about healthy cooking, healthy eating, physical fitness, general wellness, alternative lifestyles, etc. They also air exercises classes that include various types of yoga, pilates, BollyFIT (sort of  belly dancing cardio workout), etc.  One of my favorite Veria TV shows is Natural Companions, a show that features healthy ideas for our pets. (I've been slicing up fresh carrots and adding them to my dogs' meals ever since I saw my first episode of this show.) Even if you don't have cable, you can learn more on the Veria webiste.

Lastly, I would also recommend Disovery Fit and Health, another cable channel. With shows like "Hoarding: Buried Alive," "My Strange Addiction," and "Dr. G: Medical Examiner," this channel is more of a guilty pleasure for me than the other two, but it also airs shows like "Labor and Delivery" and "Total Body Sculpt with Gilad."

We all know watching TV is generally not regarded as a healthful activity, but if you're going to watch TV try out one of these three wellness-oriented channels. (And don't sit too close ;-).

Fast Fitness Tip:
Do crunches or walk up and down the stairs during commercial breaks in your favorite TV shows.

Simple, Subtle, Speedy: Daytime Makeup

I got up at 4:50 this morning. Two hours later, I left my house for work.

I spent forty-five minutes or so eating breakfast over some reading and doing a few things around the house, and forty-five minutes or so taking my dogs for a nice morning walk.

Only twenty minutes of those two hours were spent primping for the day. But I like to think I looked pretty put-together. Below are photos of the look. Below those, you can find steps to achieve it and what products were used. It's nothing fancy, just simple, natural-looking workday makeup.

Hair
*Previously washed and allowed to air dry.
1. Brush hair with round brush.
2. Apply dry shampoo as needed (see steps for this in the Dry Shampoo post from April 11).
3. Pull hair back in simple, low ponytail.
Product used: Suave Dry Shampoo

Skin
1. Wash with  Mary Kay TimeWise 3-in-1 cleanser. Pat dry with towel.
2.  Apply Mary Kay TimeWise Age-Fighting Moisturizer and Day Solution Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 35.
3. Apply Cover Girl blush in Iced Plum (510) to the apples of your cheeks. Using light sweeping motion with fingers, blend blush into skin.
*No foundation or powder was used in this look.

Lips
1. Apply Chapstick brand mint chapstick (the green tube).

Eyes
1. Apply Maybelline EyeStudio Green with Envy quartet (40), the light beige shade, to the entire lid, from lash line to brow.
2. Apply golden shade from the same quartet to the crease of the eyelid. Begin at the inner corner of the eye, and draw the eyeshadow to the edge of the brow.
3. Blend Mary Kay Silver Satin Mineral Eye Shadow into the edge of brow, where the line of gold ends or begins to fade.
4. To top and bottom eyelids, apply Cover Girl pencil eyeliner in basic black.
5. Apply Mary Kay Ultimate Mascara to upper and lower lashes.

Voila! You're out the door and in to work not only on time, but a little early.

Taking Time for your Special Someone: Date Night

I saw my husband for 45 minutes yesterday. And by "saw," I mean our time at home overlapped for 45 minutes--but he was outside working on car parts and I was inside working on my newest venture, becoming a Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultant. Aside from dinner with my parents earlier this week, we won't get any quality time together for the next five days or so. Last night, he worked late and I worked a soccer game. Tonight, he has a hockey game. Tomorrow, I work another soccer game. Friday, I volunteer at the animal shelter. Saturday, he has to work.

If you're at all like us (read: really busy)--and if you're interested in this blog, you probably are--then you know how it goes. Finding time to spend together can be challenging between work obligations, family obligations, community obligations, and--you know--getting to sleep every now and then.

That's why my husband and I instituted Date Night.

Date Night [deyt nahyt] noun
1.  a designated block of time that occurs at regular intervals, preferably on a weekend, during which spouses devote their undivided attention to each other and treat the event as if it were a rendezvous from their earliest affections.

You can design your Date Night (or Date Day) in any way that works for you and your spouse. As long as you are carving out time for each other, you're doing good for your relationship.

My husband and I have created out Date Night tradition in the following way, and it has worked really well for us:

1. We have a Date Night once a month. For busy couples, once a month can be more manageable and achievable than, say, once a week. (It's also less expensive.)

2. Date Night (or Day) must include getting out, whether to a movie, for a hike, to dinner, to lunch, for a bike ride, whatever. You have to leave the house. Together.

3. There is to be no negative conversation or complaining on Date Night. You wouldn't have dragged your spouse down with negativity and scared him or her away on your first couple of dates, so don't do it on Date Night, either. Remember back to your earliest dates with your spouse. You probably put on your best face, and put your best foot forward. Do the same thing on Date Night--even if it is the fiftieth or hundredth or thousandth Date Night.

I can't speak for my husband, but I always look forward to our Date Night, no matter what we have planned. It's an easy and fun way to make sure that, despite how busy we are, we take some time to remember why we work so well together, and how much fun we have together. When you're busy, it's easy to get bogged down making sure one of you has taken out the trash, loaded the dishwasher, mowed the lawn, bought the groceries...all the things that keep a household running. But it's important to keep your marriage running strong, too. It's just more fun that way. :-)

Cooking: Who's Got Time?

Turns out, you do! I know it sounds crazy, but you really do. You don't have to feed your family out of a box (though there's nothing wrong with it every now and again; we ate frozen lasagna out of a box last week). In fact, the above meal, a pot roast with carrots and potatoes, was an easily prepared slow cooker meal. For the recipe, read on.

When I first got married, I used to get up before 4:00 AM to complete my workout routine before leaving for work, mostly so I would have time in the afternoon or evening after work to walk my dogs and cook dinner before my husband came home.

You see, I like to have dinner on the table--or pretty darn close--as soon as my husband gets home from work. There are many reasons for this, not the least of which is the fact that, well, I'm hungry. If I were to wait for my husband to get home from work so he could cook dinner, there's a chance I'd starve to death before bedtime (a little hyperbolic, but you get the point).

So, I used to choose rising pre-4:00 AM over eating post-7:00 PM. And then this wonderful thing happened: My husband bought me a slow cooker for Christmas (or maybe it was my birthday). Might not sound like the most romantic gift in the world, but it is still one of my favorites.

I am a huge advocate of the slow cooker. It might be the greatest thing since sliced bread (or dry shampoo--see my posting from April 11). If you don't have a slow cooker, get one. If you have one, use it. It is one of the biggest time savers in my life. Partially due to my slow cooker, I have switched around my entire routine from that terrible 4:00 AM workout schedule. I now get up a little before 5:00 (which gives me time to take my dogs out for a 30ish-minute morning walk), run after work, walk my dogs (again) after work, shower after work--and still (almost always) have dinner on the table and ready to eat as soon as my husband gets home.

Here are even more time-saving tips for using the slow cooker:

1. Instead of waiting until the morning of the meal, get a little more beauty rest by chopping any vegetables the recipe calls for the night before. Cut them right up, plunk them into the slow cooker, and put the slow cooker in the fridge.

2. If possible, prep the entire meal the night before--broth, meat, vegetables--whatever the recipe calls for. That way, in the morning, all you have to do is take the slow cooker out of the fridge, put it into its warmer, and turn it on.

3. Plan ahead to utilize leftovers. For example:
Sunday night before bed--prep beef stew and put in fridge
Monday morning--take slow cooker out of fridge and turn on
Monday night--enjoy beef stew; store leftovers--still in the slow cooker--in fridge
Tuesday morning--remove slow cooker from fridge, turn slow cooker on to  "warm" setting
Tuesday night--enjoy beef stew again, and wash slow cooker so it's ready for the next meal
Right there, we have two completely hassle-free weeknight meals in a row. Voila!

The recipe pictured above is my own slightly modified version of a recipe you can find in Fix-It and Forget-It Recipes for Entertaining: Slow Cooker Favorites for All the Year Round, by Phyllis Pellman Good and Dawn J. Ranck.They also have a light edition, Fix-It and Forget-It Lightly. Below is my modified version of the recipe in the former book:

Pot Roast

4-lb. chuck roast (or any beef you can roast)
meat tenderizer
1 pkg. dry onion soup mix
1 pkg. baby carrots
3 to 4 potatoes, chunked
1 cup boiling water (or broth)

*Steps 1 and 2 can be done the night before*
1. Place roast in slow cooker. Sprinkle with meat tenderizer and onion soup mix.
2. Add carrots and potatoes around roast.
*Morning Of*
3. Pour boiling water (or broth) over vegetables.
4. Cook on high 4 to 5 hours.

Other nutritious, delicious, slow cooker meals we love:
Chicken and Dumplings
Chicken Alfredo
Beef Stew
Miriam's Chicken
Meatloaf
Roast Beef
Chili
Potato Soup
Chicken in Honey Sauce
Hearty Spaghetti Sauce

The slow cooker is a phenomenal way to prepare a tasty, nutritious, homemade meal--fast (well, slow...).

Fast Fitness Tip: Do calf lifts in the shower while you let your conditioner set.

Mirror, Mirror...

Of all my cousins, friends, and siblings of marrying age, I was the first to get married. The last time I had attended a wedding, I was still too young to wear makeup, and really didn't understand anything of the ins and outs of wedding planning or of being a bride. I spent the day of my wedding rehearsal riding around on a speed boat in the river. I spent the day of my wedding walking 3.5 miles with a friend and taking a long nap, getting up with just enough time to shower and get my hair and makeup done. Come to find out, most brides don't exactly handle their Big Day this way. Most Big Days seem to be filled with lots and lots of primping, as I have learned from my involvement with multiple weddings since my own. While every bride I have ever seen looks absolutely radiant, it's good to know that you do not have to spend hours--or even more than half an hour--in front of your mirror to apply makeup for the day (even for The Big Day).

Below are two examples of makeup that took 25 minutes or less to apply, beginning with a clean face. Featured are close-ups of the eyes (note how the color of the iris seems to change based on the shades of eye makeup applied), as well as photographs of the full face, so the entire effect can be seen. You will also be able to find a description of the products used, as well as how they were applied.

Look Number One: Natural Gray

 
After you have washed your face with Mary Kay TimeWise 3-in-1 cleanser and applied your Mary Kay TimeWise Age-Fighting Moisturizer and Day Solution Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 35...

Step One: Eyes
1. Apply Mary Kay Moonstone Mineral Eyeshadow to entire upper lid, from lash line to eyebrow.
2. Apply Mary Kay Silver Satin Mineral Eyeshadow to upper lid.
3. To top of eye only, apply Mary Kay Gel Eyeliner in Jet Black. Begin from outer eye, starting just beyond your lashes, and draw think line to the inner lid.
4. Apply Mary Kay Ultimate Mascara to upper and lower lashes.

Step Two: Skin
1. Apply Cover Girl blush in Iced Plum (510) to the apples of your cheeks. A good tip is to smile as you apply your blush; then, apply blush to the portion of your cheeks that become more prominent when you smile.
2. Set with Cover Girl Advanced Radiance pressed powder in classic beige (115).
*Colors should be customized to work with your skin tone.

Step Three: Lips
1. Apply Mary Kay Creme Lipstick in Whipped Berries.

*Note how the use of gray eye makeup here seems to make the iris appear a darker brown.

Look Number Two: Signs of Spring

After you have washed your face with Mary Kay TImeWise 3-in-1 cleanser and applied your Mary Kay TimeWise Age-Fighting Moisturizer and Day Solution Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 35...

Step One: Eyes
1. Apply Maybelline EyeStudio Green with Envy quartet (40), the light beige shade, to the entire lid, from lash line to brow.
2. Apply Mary Kay Sweet Plum Mineral Eye Shadow to the crease of the eyelid. Begin at the inner corner of the eye, and draw the eyeshadow to the edge of the brow.
3. Blend Mary Kay Silver Satin Mineral Eye Shadow into the edge of brow, where the line of Sweet Plum ends or begins to fade.
4. Apply the green shade of the Maybelline EyeStudio Green with Envy quartet (40) to the brow, just below the eyebrow, on the outer edge of the eye.
5. To top of eye only, apply Mary Kay Gel Eyeliner in Jet Black. Begin from outer eye, starting just beyond your lashes, and draw think line to the inner lid.
6. To bottom lash line only, apply Cover Girl pencil eyeliner in basic black.
7. Apply Mary Kay Ultimate Mascara to upper and lower lashes.

Step Two: Skin
1. Apply Cover Girl blush in Iced Plum (510) to the apples of your cheeks. A good tip is to smile as you apply your blush; then, apply blush to the portion of your cheeks that become more prominent when you smile.
2. Set with Cover Girl Advanced Radiance pressed powder in classic beige (115).
*Colors should be customized to work with your skin tone.

*Note how the use of this color combination seems to make the iris appear more hazel, bringing out the greens and grays of the eye, along with its browns.

Fast Fitness Tip:

To help tone and strengthen your thighs, do a wall sit while you brush your teeth each morning and/or evening.

When Do Your Work Out?: Keeping Your Cardio Commitments

**DISCLAIMER**

This post is probably really only relevant to you if you're an after-work exerciser (like I am most days, since exercising before work would mean getting up at 4:00 AM), but you may find it helpful regardless.

After a hard day on the job, finding the motivation to hit the gym or pound the pavement can be challenging, especially for us busy ladies with a million other obligations weighing on our minds. Some days, skipping that afternoon or evening workout in favor of sorting laundry, cleaning the kitchen, clipping the coupons, pulling weeds, or taking a nap might seem like a good--even a productive--idea.

It's not.

I used to subscribe to Poets and Writers magazine (lovely publication, if you're interested). In an issue a few years ago, I was reading the profile of a featured writer. I don't recall his name, but he was an avid walker. His profile included a quote that was, as best as I remember, the following:

"When I set out to take my walk, my mind is full of problems and worry. When I finish my walk, the problems are still there, but the worry is gone."

The same principle applies to all of us who find solace in walking, running, hiking, biking, weight-lifting, or even spinning away on the elliptical machine. Something about that physical exertion just helps us realize the best ways to cope with our busy schedules, and all our concerns (or maybe it's just that at the end of a run or a workout session, we don't have any energy left for worrying).

Below are a few tips to help you keep your fitness commitments and save a little time.

If you're an after-work exerciser:

1. Incorporate as many of your gym clothes into your workday wear as possible. For example, on a workout day, wear the sports bra you plan to work out in instead of your regular bra.

2. If you plan to run or walk outside on a cold day, wear your running leggings under your work pants.

3. Don't go home first. It's a trap. Change at work if you must (I do it), or in the locker room at your gym, but don't go home. Going home means putting off and possibly never getting to your workout. It means getting distracted by bills to be paid, dishes to be washed, and laundry to be folded. I personally change at work, drive home, and then get out of my car and immediately  begin my run. I don't go inside my house at all until my run is complete. In that way, I am not tempted to start on other tasks. They will still be there when I get home from my run. (Though I sometimes wish a magic fairy would have it all taken care of by the time I return.)

Fast Fitness Tip:
Whenever you walk up stairs, skip a step. Doing so helps strengthen and tone your gluteal muscles.

Baby Powder and Dry Shampoo: Two of (Wo)man's Greatest (Hair) Inventions

When I was in high school, I would get up an hour and a half before I had to leave for school. The majority of that time, I spent showering and doing my hair and makeup. And yet, before the school day was even over, my hair was not only flat, but also oily at the roots. I felt like I looked as though I hadn't showered in days, when really only seven or eight hours had elapsed since my last shower. I washed my hair every day.

When I was in college, I revised my routine: I washed my hair multiple times a day, every day. I could come home between classes, so I would wash my hair when I got up in the morning, and then wash it again in the late afternoon or evening. Everyone told me I was only contributing to my scalp's oil production, but I didn't care; at least I looked clean. People suggested I try not washing my hair for several days, hypothesizing that doing so would slow my scalp's oil production. That was not advice I was willing to take. I could only imagine how dirty my hair would look and feel by the end of even the first day of a skipped washing.

What no one told me about until my adult life was the magical power of baby powder and the existence of dry shampoo. I learned of baby powder's efficacy in oil reduction first. Of course each woman will have to experiment and find what works for her hair type, but here is what I recommend (note on my hair type: my hair is blond; very thick, but very fine; and has a tendency to get oily, though this tendency has decreased as I have gotten older (not that I'm old)):

BABY POWDER

1. To save time, wash your hair every other day or every two days. Not only does this save time, but it also saves water and shampoo/conditioner (and thus, money).

2. On the days when you do not wash your hair, pat a small amount of baby powder onto your palm. Use your fingertips to massage the baby powder into your roots. It will help absorb the oil on your scalp.

3. Style hair as you normally would.

**NOTES OF CAUTION**
1. If you have dark hair, the baby powder may be visible at your roots, and may make your hair look lighter, or even gray. The baby powder trick works better for those of us with lighter hair colors.

2. While you can apply the baby powder directly to your roots and massage it into your scalp that way, I would caution against it. This practice can result in a concentration of visible baby powder at the point of contact.

3. Be careful not use too much baby powder. If you use too much, it will be visible.

DRY SHAMPOO

1. To save time, wash your hair every other day or every two days. Not only does this save time, but it also saves water and shampoo/conditioner (and thus, money).

 **You can save even more time in the morning by showering at night. Wash your hair in the shower right before you go to bed;  go to bed with it pulled up wet in a bun to keep it moist throughout the night; and then blow-dry it and style it in the morning when you wake up!**

2. On the days when you  do not wash your hair, use dry shampoo to help absorb the naturally-occurring oils. Simply follow the directions on the bottle. You can also use dry shampoo on days you do wash your hair to add volume and bounce. In addition, dry shampoo can help make your hair more manageable for styling.

**NOTES ON DRY SHAMPOO**
I have used several brands of dry shampoo, each with its own pros and cons, but I have a few favorites. They are listed here in no particular order.

1. Bumble and Bumble
This brand might be rather pricey, but it comes in various colors, which can be really beneficial for women with darker hair. I have tried the Bumble and Bumble Blond, which actually ended up being too dark for my hair. In addition to blond, Bumble and Bumble Dry Shampoo comes in brown, red, and black.

2. Batiste
This is a very inexpensive brand, and at most stores, comes in different scents. I used and enjoyed this brand for quite a while, and I recommend it.

3. Tresemme
There are two things I really like about Tresemme's dry shampoo.  First, it smells really good. Second, and more importantly, it is not tested on animals.

4. Suave
Inexpensive and smells great. There have been multiple times when people have told me my hair smells good on a day when I have not washed it--but instead have used this dry shampoo.

5. Big Sexy Hair

Fast Fitness Tip:
If you have dogs, walk them. Not only is this a great way to bond with your dog, but it also helps you (and your pooch) get a low-intensity cardio workout. To add even more value to your stroll, add in some strength training by doing squats, lunges, or calf lifts whenever your dog stops to do his or her "business."