Tuesday's Traveler - Shopping Edition

When I'm gone for work I try to find new stores and indulge in a little retail therapy. This past time in Maine, I was a bit too tired to hunt for the new, so I indulged in the old.

I'll be sure to come back another Tuesday & share things I find while shopping, but this time, this story takes the cake.

Many people when they are away from home will search out the comforts that remind them of it. For some it is a mall, others appreciate specific stores (how I WISH there was a Nordstrom in ME), others perhaps a chain that could provide a little comfort of home.

Me?

I head straight for the bullseye.

Yes, Target is my "home away from home".

Because really, haven't you noticed that all Targets are basically the same? Same items, same brands, same layout. Well, same layout unless you hit the Target jackpot & find a SUPER Target - but I digress.

Either way, Target can help provide a little comfort.

I peruse the makeup. I check to see if there are any travel size Jergens self-tanning lotion. I poke around in the clothes for tank tops. I check out their exercise apparel; sometimes I hit the motherload, other times not so much.

This past week I decided I'd start peeking at their fall clothes. Because in New England, fall comes bursting through the doors like school kids on a mad dash out the last day of school. Which (totally off topic) is the way Summer hit us up in the South this year.

I grabbed a longish sweater which looked super soft. Something I could envision pulling on for a super early morning flight and grabbing a hoodie in case it gets cold on the plane.

I even envisioned this sweater with a pair of black leggings.

I KNOW!

But I thought I'd try it since the cardinal rule for wearing leggings is to make sure your bum would be covered and this sweater would definitely do that.

I grabbed the first pair that I saw, thinking to myself, "Fabulous! They even have them in Petite!"

Should have been my first clue.

I got into the dressing room where I pulled on the sweater and giggled a little thinking to myself that I should have grabbed a little tank to throw on over it. Whatever, I was just trying it for fit. No problem if my bra was hanging out a bit.

Then I took the leggings off the hangar.

I held them up and did the sideways head tilt while thinking to myself, "Do I want to go here? Didn't I do this in 8th grade? Hmmm....that waist looks a little, well, little."

Hmph!

First one leg, then the other went into the leggings.

I started working them up over my calves.

At this point I thought smugly to myself that they were fitting pretty well.

Should have been a SIGN when the part that is going to fit around your thighs is fitting your calves.

At my knees is where the struggle began.

I got them up above my knees, but when I looked at myself in the mirror, my face was oddly red. Like I'd been working out.

Which in hindsight is what I was doing.

Because as I stood there in all my non-tank top, bra hanging out leggings stuck above my knees glory I realized they weren't going to budge any more.

Being the person I am, I swore I was going to get them on.

I should have just taken them off.

Once up they cut off the circulation below my waist. I couldn't breathe. I looked like a sausage with a tied off middle - or really, one of those link things of sausage where my waist was the link.

I didn't understand. Why weren't they fitting? I've been working out, I'm losing weight.

With a sigh of shame I pulled them off. Only to find the tag and begin to laugh.

I laughed so hard I cried. So hard that the attendant came to find out what was going on.

I handed her the outfit still laughing as I exited the dressing area.

Why was I laughing? What had me in tears?

I had tried on kids leggings.

And managed to get them on!!

Anyone else out there had any wardrobe "malfunctions" while trying on clothes?

Happy Tuesday, y'all!!

Tuesday's Traveler

Yesterday evening I traveled to Maine for the week for work. As you may remember, I'm a frequent flyer, a road warrior of sorts, trying to stay on the fit train in hotels.

When I travel, I tend to observe much more than normal. Mr. Potts would tell you I don't miss a thing under normal circumstances.

The airport, however, can be an interesting place. Lots to observe. For someone who doesn't miss anything, it can be sensory overload.

Yesterday, thankfully, was fairly calm. Most people aren't vacationing now with the kids getting ready to go back to school.

The flight wasn't crowded, so I had an empty seat beside me. As I sat in the window seat, I had an opportunity to look at the clouds.

I've always wondered what a cloud feels like. I imagine soft & cushy, but then again, I could be remembering a toilet paper commercial.

I watched an amazing sunset. And let me tell you, sunsets from a plane knock the pants off of sunsets from the ground.

Either way, Tuesday's Traveler Tip.

Take a moment to soak in the beauty you're surrounded by. No matter where you are, enjoy it.



I wish I could take credit, but I just can't.

Tuesday's Traveler

Another week is here & I'm back in New England. I thought with the travel I've been doing it would be nice to bring back Tuesday's Traveler. I've talked about how I travel best (best being best for me) and how I stay on the diet/fit train.

Too often I've seen the worst of people when traveling: Angry travelers yelling at customer service agents when flights are delayed, irritated passengers calling a flight attendant a "Stupid Chink" (and YES, I have heard that & was shocked), self-entitled people delaying takeoff because they just don't understand that "all electronic devices need to be turned off" includes their electronic devices.

Sometimes we all need a reminder of the saying, "Honey catches more flies than vinegar."

The person on the other side of the counter is still a person

Many of us, at some point in time, have been in a customer facing role. Helping people, answering questions, working with our customers.

So why does it seem that when we're on the other side of that customer fence we suddenly lose all sense of decency & humanity?

Was it the person working at the ticketing desk's fault that weather in New England delayed or even canceled flights? Not unless they were working that secret witch doctor voodoo.

Knowing that I (nor anyone else) has any personal control over the weather keeps a scowl off of my face (sometimes I manage a smile) & a little lilt in my voice when working to get re-booked on a flight. You know, Mama always reminded me to use the honey & not the vinegar. She was always right about this.

Did the rude woman who stood in a line that wasn't really a line really need to yell at the desk agent? Not at all. Did she get helped before me? Nope. Did I yell at the agent? Nope - remember, honey. Re-booked on a flight, quick as you can, with a good seat to boot.

I bet he had a little voodoo doll under the counter for all the nasty people he was dealing with yesterday. Bet there wasn't a pin stuck in it for me!

Just because you're upset or irritated or inconvenienced, remember, the person on the other side of that counter is still a person & is doing their best to help you.

Until you call them names or yell at them. At which point the pick up the voodoo doll hidden below the counter & violently stab it with their pen.

My advice? Stay calm. Explain your situation & ask if they can help you. Say "Please" and "Thank You."

You may just find that your charm & smile could result in a better seat. Or maybe it just brings a smile to the face of the person helping you. I bet that will make you smile.

Tuesday's Traveler

The majority of my professional career has been as a frequent traveler, a Road Warrior if you will. With all the travel I've had in the past few weeks, I thought I'd bring back Tuesday's Traveler and share some travel tips with you.

Last time I shared how I managed to stay on track with eating & Weight Watchers while traveling. This time I thought I'd share some tips that will help you travel a bit easier, smarter if you will.

Booking your ticket

When booking your ticket, make sure you get the best seat in the house. Those in the know research their trips and seat maps on Seat Guru. This site allows you to plug in the information on the airline you're flying and the type of plane and pick the best seat.

If you're flying USAir on an Airbus A319, would you know that your best seat (unless you're flying first class, which let's face it - only happens if you pay for it [like whoa!] or are a frequent flyer with high status) is seat 10A or 10F? Why is that the best seat on the plane? There isn't an actual seat in front of you. That’s right, no 9A or 9F which gives you extra leg room to stretch.

Now, granted, on most major airlines you'll pay an extra bit of money ($10 - $15) for these "premium" seats (i.e. exit row) but if you're on a 3+ hour flight, would it be worth it? To me it would!

My other consideration when flying is departure times. I don’t like to deal with huge crowds if I can avoid it. My patience wears thin and instead of being gracious, I tend to snarl at people when they cut me off.

If you can pick your departure time & are not on a tight schedule, try to fly after 9am and before 3:30pm. Any business travelers will have already flown and the lines at the airport won’t be as busy.

Packing your bags

Wondering how to get by without your favorite products if you’re carrying on your luggage? The good news is that you don’t have to. Most companies produce small, travel size products now. If yours doesn’t, stop by your local drugstore and look for the small, three ounce bottles. You can fill these up with your must haves.

If you use a deep conditioner & don’t want to go without it, pick up a contact case. A “serving size” of your conditioner will fit into each pocket and you’ll be assured of not using too much.

Take a good look at what you’ve packed. Are there things that could work double duty so I have to pack less? The less I pack means more room for bringing things back. You know, like new sweaters, new skirts, new tops, new jackets…you know, shopping!

Packing less also means that your bag is easier to hoist into an overhead. I’ve seen way too many women who teeter in high heels trying to get a bag into the overhead that is clearly too heavy for them to lift. It is usually women as men are typically taller & stronger – easier for them to reach the overhead.

A Must Have

One thing I always advocate is packing a pair of slippers. They don’t have to be luxurious, any pair will do. Why slippers? Here’s the thing, ladies. We all know how clean we keep our homes – to the level we’re comfortable with. What you don’t know is how clean other people keep their homes. And hotels? Forget about it!

I won’t walk barefoot in a hotel. Ever. I used to work for a clean home company and the knowledge I gained is enough to scare you clean. Seriously. You don’t know what other people do in hotels & you don’t know the standards of cleanliness. I’ve found cracker crumbs in corners before. I don’t eat crackers.

Ever looked in a hotel bathroom? I look at the grout. They’re all tiled, but look under the sink where no one ever stands & compare the color of the grout there to that in front of the sink. I guarantee once you do you’ll line the floor with towels just like me.

Tuesday’s Traveler

I’ve been traveling so long I usually hit the highest preferred level in my frequent “traveler” programs which lends itself to an insane knowledge of how to travel smartly. I also have airport codes memorized – makes me useful in games that test your knowledge of that.

For the moment, I’m happy to be home and not in a hotel or an airport. If you have questions about traveling and how to make it easier, let me know & I’ll include them in another edition.

Tuesday's Traveler

The past two weeks have been such a whirlwind of activity - off to New England, delivering facilitated sessions, back home, off to Virginia...phew - I'm tired! There are a few things I'd like to share with you today - Tuesday's Traveler. Depending on my traveling schedule, you may see this a few times.

While I was traveling, I managed to stick with my eating ("Weight Watchers Points Counting" is what it really should be called) and exercise goals. I thought today would be a good day to share them with you - they're fairly simple & work whether you're counting points or simply keeping up with good habits.

1. Check out the hotel before you book it. See if their hotel gym or pool is something that you can use. If I have options that are within $10-$15 of each other, I try to choose the hotel that has the best cardio equipment - this would probably include free weights and a bench as well. If you don't have that option, pick one that has a decent gym/pool & pack an exercise video and exercise bands for use when you don't use the gym.
2. USE the hotel gym. This sounds simple right? You wouldn't believe the number of times I've never had a problem getting on a treadmill or elliptical as no one ever is in there. When you get back to your hotel, instead of changing & watching TV, pull out your workout gear, change & head downstairs. If you're a cardio person, you can park yourself on a treadmill, watch your favorite Food Network shows (Giada, Barefoot Contessa & the Neeley's) and feel virtuous while watching them fix something super yummy. Just make sure to concentrate on your speed/incline & mix it up.
3. If you're a member of a gym where you live, see if there is one local to where you're traveling & see what their guest policy is. I'm a member of the YMCA & I'm able to head to Y's all over the country & typically work out for free. This is especially helpful if you're a cardio class fan. You may not find Cardio Sculpt with Desiree (if you're in Charlotte & looking for a hard core workout - this is your class! [Actually, anything taught by Desiree is tough]) but you're sure to find something that will get your heart rate up & moving.
4. Check out restaurant menus online. This is a great way to plan what you're going to eat. I look at calories, fat, fiber & sodium. Sodium is a big one for me due to the fact that I swell up like a sausage. Once you plan what you're going to eat, stick with it! Don't let a waiter suck you into the specials - usually loaded with sodium, butter & fat.
   
5. Just because a restaurant has a dessert menu does not mean you need to order from it. Dessert typically = high calories & high fat. No bang for your buck. However, if you need to treat yourself after a super long week & they have your absolute favorite dish, order it, but only take a few bites & then ask to have it taken away. Same thing goes for bread on the table. Have a piece & be done or ask them not to bring it.

Following these things has really helped me stay consistent in my goals. In addition, I feel better because I'm not all bloated & tired and the exercise helps my legs feel better after flying & standing so much.

Do you have any tips for me for traveling & keeping up with my goals?