Workin' it in Vogue

Never underestimate the power of a good sports bra.

More than a month into this now, I realized that I needed new sports bras. The ones I have been using for the past five years *gasp* may have worked while I strolled along on the treadmill, but just weren’t cutting it anymore.

Prior to January, I felt sports bras, for me at least, were wholly unnecessary. I mean, really, if you had breasts sports bras are a Godsend. But baby orangutans have larger breasts than me.

I share some of the blame with my Maker on that. While, being female, I knew something was going to sprout, as a child I never really wanted them. I grew up in a household where Dolly Parton was frequently heard and seen, and her boobs scared the livin’ BeJesus out of me. I would go to bed at night, lie on my stomach, with my chest pressing down on my fisted hands hoping to stunt or prevent their growth.

Now, at age 33, I am afraid my plan worked a little too well . . . .

But I can say it does not matter how big they are, they hurt when they bounce. Even if it is just a nipple-bounce. Not a good feeling.

So off to the store I went. Just slipping a new sports bra on and seeing how it makes my arms and shoulders look, does wonders for the ego.

Now I need some new workout clothes. The clothes I have are not nearly as old as the sports bras. Maybe some of the T-shirts, like my Simmons crew team t-shirt, but ones like that hang around for sentimental value and will NEVER be tossed. Never really worn in public outside of the gym, but NEVER EVER tossed.

I am of two minds about workout attire. I think there are some rather smashing fitness clothes out there, but I hesitate to buy the matching ensembles because I feel like they are too good to sweat in. So I go about working out in clothes that are often mismatched -- whatever pair of pants and t-shirt I grab in the morning.

However, the recent sports bra acquisition makes me believe that in ainvestment in new attire might give me a little boost of inspiration when I get up in the mornings before the sun.

But then again, the sweat factor -- I would much rather sweat in $10 Hanes sweat pants, than $30 Nike or Reebok pants. However, while I may save a few bucks, the WalMart specials do make me feel like a schlump.

I’m truly torn.