You Look Cute in Your Gym Clothes

You do!  You should put them on. Just put on the clothes, and go run. Get out of bed, put on the clothes, and go. You'll feel so great when you get back.

Happy 2013, Internets.  I, like many of you out there, am taking advantage of the new year to try and fight the fatness and live a better life.  I am not a great role model in this, but I will share what I've learned with you anyway in the event it provides some ideas and jumping off points:

Problem: I can't afford to exercise / Getting ready is too much hassle
Solution: Toe shoes!


I bought a pair of Vibram Jaya shoes on sale last year, and they've become my go-to shoes for running/jogging around my neighborhood. I love how lightweight they are and how I don't need socks. I don't miss the padding of traditional running shoes, and I do feel it extra in my calves. If you're just getting started and think a different shoe might help mix things up, I highly recommend. Great for travel, too, because they take up so little room.

I fall into the camp of: just move a little. Just start. Walking is fine. Just move.

p.s. I just noticed that these say they are suitable for "any kind of indoor activity"... haha, whoops!  I run in them outdoors and my feet are fine. But, we've already established that I don't know anything.

Problem: I want to travel but I can't afford to / I don't know where to start
Solution: The Art of Nonconformity -- Website & Travel Cartel

In February, Josh and I are going to Costa Rica for a 10 day retreat, and I paid for both our flights using miles + $90 in taxes/fees. Chris, who runs these websites, is a "travel hacker" who has visited nearly every country in the world. Last fall I used free resources on his site, the Art of Nonconformity, to rack up nearly 100,000 airline miles and points, and in January I took the splurge and signed up for his paid membership site, the Travel Cartel.  I'm hoping that Costa Rica will be a first, training wheels trip for future international travel, and I believe that my Travel Cartel membership is a good investment that will more than pay for itself.  If you're interested, try a free 14 day trial for $1 (and then it's $15/month after that).  If you sign up through this referral link, I get 500 free miles, so please use it if you want to check this out!

Problem: I know I should be saving/investing better, but I don't know how
Solution: Betterment

This is another referral link. I've had the vague sense that the money sitting in my savings account could be doing more, so I researched some online investment options and have been really happy so far with Betterment. The guy who created You Need A Budget is a big fan, which I thought was a pretty strong endorsement. If you have a little money to set aside each month, this might be a good option for you.  If you try it, please use this link so that you'll get $25 and I get $10.  It's been super fun to watch my money grow (I am a bit obsessive about it).

Problem: It's cold and I am sad.
Solution: Cats!

I admit it. When I offered to Josh that we could bring his cats here to Houston, I offered because it seemed like the right thing to do and not because I was thrilled at the prospect of having three cats in the house. For one thing: the fighting. Between us we have three grown-ass lady cats, none of which came here to make friends. For another thing: cat food and litters and smells. I knew we'd have to get super vigilant about cleaning, which is not ever my favorite thing to do.

But oh my gosh... the snuggles... I forgot about the snuggles. And the love, that sneaky, sneaky love.