If you do a lot of yoga (see Chapter 16) or meditation, try a “sticky” mat,
which costs from $15 to $40. These mats are made of soft, thin plastic coated
with a sticky film that helps keep you steady during moves that require bal-
ance. Brands we like include Frelonic and Airex.Weightlifting Gloves
Lifting weights (see Chapter 11) does countless good things to your body —
shaping your muscles, boosting your strength, and thickening your bones, to
name a few — but pumping iron isn’t kind to one particular area: your palms.
After a few months of gripping dumbbells and weight machines, the skin
on your hands starts to feel like sandpaper. You can prevent major callus
buildup by wearing weightlifting gloves, sold at most sporting goods stores
for $15 to $20.Gloves not only protect your palms but also give you a better grip on the
weights. Suzanne is convinced that she can do more pull-ups while wearing
weightlifting gloves than while gripping a slippery bar with naked hands. She’s
so enamored of her gloves that she keeps them in her backpack when she
travels so that she’s all set to work out if she unexpectedly walks past a gym.
Suzanne likes gloves with Velcro wrist adjustments so that she can tighten
and loosen the gloves as needed.A Workout Log
You may think tracking your workouts in an exercise diary is obsessive; who
needs extra paperwork? But a workout log offers proof of your commitment
to exercise. Nothing is more motivating than seeing your accomplishments
on paper.Jot down as many details as you can think of without making yourself feel like
a court reporter at a deposition. (Chapter 3 lists the particulars worth noting.)
A workout diary need not be a fancy affair — a notebook from the drugstore
will suffice. Personally, we’re partial to store-bought logs designed especially
for the purpose of tracking daily workouts. They lend a sense of importance
to what you’re doing, and many are filled with good training tips and inspira-
tional quotes.You can purchase workout diaries for less than $20 at bookstores, sporting
goods stores, and the Internet. Some logs are designed for specific activities —
like walking, cycling, and weight lifting. You also can buy all-purpose logs that
provide space to track weight-training exercises, cardiovascular workouts,
stretching, and nutrition notes.