In fact, some of my all-time favorite workout gear is from the Lucy line. Why? Because of the quality, style, and fit. I mean, what Fitness & Spice Girl doesn’t love black pants that don’t fade or get stretched out over time? Tank tops that whisk away sweat, hold your iPod, and don’t look like what everyone else is wearing in the gym? And cozy hoodies that help warm you up before and after your workouts? And…well, you get the idea.

If you are in need of new workout clothes, today (November 5th, 2011) is your lucky day. Lucy is turning 12 and is celebrating with a one day 25% off everything in store or online event. So run or bike to a Lucy store near you or hop online at lucy.com (and then go workout) and stock up.

Now I really must go to Lucy’s birthday party…and I’ll buy if I want to.

If you answered “yes” to any of these questions then go to Target. That’s right. Target stores (all 1700 or so of them) now carry my favorite fitness accessory, fitbook!  Swing by the fitness aisle at Target to check out fitbook, a nutrition and exercise journal and goal setting system. If you answered “no” to all of these questions then go to Target anyway, because who doesn’t love Target?

Now I really must go to the gym so I can…(wait for it)…stay on Target!

I mean, who doesn’t love a book bag packed full of fresh school supplies, a shiny Wonder Woman lunch box, and a closet full of new Jordache jeans clothes?

It almost makes me want to go back to school. I said almost.

But since I’m not in the market for school supplies, I’ll settle for a new song for my workout mix that gives me a taste of this promising time of year like this one by White Stripe’s…

Disclaimer: This video is a bit of a yawner but the song really is “delightful” as my favorite teacher, Mrs. Barger, would say. So, if you are interested in adding We Are Going To Be Friends to your playlist, too, pop over to iTunes and download it before you go to recess.

Now I really must go…to gym.

In fact, before I even hit the airport, I was taught a lesson by a fellow fitness-fanatic, my brother. I told Joe I was breaking out in hives because I wasn’t going to have access to a gym and he simply responded,

“The world is your gym.”

And you know what? He’s right.

• Stairs at the airport = A stair master
• A poolside diving board = A weight bench (perfect for step-ups, tricep dips, feet elevated pushups, and Bulgarian split squats…not to mention a little Vitamin D)
• A jungle gym = A chin up bar
• A long walk with your Dad or amazing friend Monica = Priceless

Now I really must go lace up my running shoes before I trip!

Good for you.

Now what?

Now I really must go finish my workout and run to Starbucks a victory lap!

No she didn’t.

But the girl knows her stuff so I thought I’d pass some of her ideas onto you. Fitness & Spicer’s, here are…

Tosca’s Top Tips:

• 1) Experiment with Spirulina: This nutrient-rich blue-green algae helps decrease appetite
• 2) Get A Spray Tan: A tan helps hide cellulite and a body with a bit of color to it always looks leaner
• 3) Freeze Food: I make large batches of dishes and freeze them in individual containers for on the go meals
• 4) Pre-Eat: Eat a healthy meal before meeting business associates or friends to avoid eating heavy or unhealthy foods, or avoid getting hungry. I am able to focus on conversation.
• 5) Strength Train: Muscle burns fat. And strength training not only stimulates your muscle while you’re working out, but for hours after.
• 6) Eat Regularly: Eat small meals every 2 1/2 to 3 hours to keep your metabolism going
• 7) Make Your Last Meal Three Hours Before Bedtime: Determine your hunger after dinner. If hunger sets in decide if it’s true hunger or emotional eating. If you are physically hungry, eat! Just don’t go overboard.
• 8) Straighten Out: Slouch? You’ll appear to lose at least five pounds just by correcting your posture.
• 9) Drink Plenty of Water: Drink plenty of water throughout the day. Drinking water keeps your body lean by helping nutrients flow through it and by washing away waste and free radicals.
• 10) Go Harder: Increase the intensity, not the duration, of your cardio workouts. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) shows that people who incorporate HIIT  lose twice as much weight as those who don’t.
• 11) Avoid Sugar: The average person consumes 60 pounds of sugar per year, or one pound every few days. I rank sugar’s dangerous effects up there with cocaine and heroin. All three are white powders, all give you a high and crushing lows, all are highly addictive and all destroy you.
• 12) Make Lunch a Culinary Affair: I create a fine-dining experience everywhere I go. I keep a plate, cutlery and placemats in my office and use them every day. I savor my food. I’m always satisfied at the end of the meal and I return to my desk with a clear head.
• 13) Broth is Best: If you’re out to eat and there is no healthy salad, have a broth-based soup.
• 14) Fletcherize: This is the practice of chewing each mouthful of food a minimum of 25 times. Doing this gives your body time to recognize that you are slowly becoming full and satiated.
• 15) Host a Game Night: You provide the healthy snacks and they’ll provide you a night filled with laughs.
• 16) Pack Your Lunch: Having healthy food on hand prevents you from grabbing food in a hurry
• 17) Join a Team: Join an adult sports league. You can play a wide range of sports, also opening yourself up to meeting other people who are just as interested in being fit as you are.

Now I really must go…#1!

Now I really must go…excuse me!

Now I really must go get off my comfy red chair and kick some abs!

So far I’ve managed to turn plates, coffee mugs, flower pots, wine bottles, and even this water pitcher into a chalkboard…

You’re probably wondering how you can do this, too.

I’ll tell you:

• Go to a craft store
• Grab a can of chalkboard paint
• Apply two coats of paint on just about anything
• Allow to dry for 24 hours
• Grab some chalk and write something inspirational and/or sassy

It’s so easy even a Fitness & Spice Girl can do it.

Now I really must go grab some water and then paint the town!