For me, it’s not so much about the activity, but about shopping for the stuff for said activity

With the official start of Spring just about a week away, I’m anticipating being able to get outside and enjoy all of the Spring-like weather at some point. Unfortunately, it was a mild 16 degrees here in Illinois this morning, which is a little too chilly for me to consider it Spring. Yet. But it’s coming. By May, I fully expect temperatures to be in the sixties.

And when they are, I plan on getting out and enjoying myself.

Spring, Summer and Fall, I try to get out and get some exercise. The plan is to put one foot in front of the other and shed some winter poundage.

(And tan up the skin to a healthy glow while I’m at it.)

Of course, I’ll need some sporty new workout clothes.

And maybe some new Nikes.

And then I was thinking about a new running watch. Or pedometer. Or maybe a heart rate monitor. To track my progress, of course. And look like I know what I’m doing.

And besides, the moms that wear the running watches? Well, they just look so darn fit, don’t they?

Though the watches were tempting, I finally decided on the Nike+iPod Sport Kit.

I had never heard of it before, but what a good idea it is. It’s like a pedometer and running watch all rolled up into one little thingy that slips into your shoe. It retails for $29, which is much cheaper than any running watch and probably just a little bit more than a decent pedometer.

Check this out (from Nike’s website):
The iPod tracks your progress, providing feedback on distance, time, pace and calories burned directly through headphones
After your run, a performance summary appears on the iPod screen and can be heard through headphones.

I’m confident you don’t have to be a runner to benefit from this nifty little device. It should work just fine for a brisk walker. Or brisk-ish. Or even somebody who walks as fast as their four year old can pedal a wobbling training wheeled bike down the street.

Which isn’t very fast.

But it’s about the effort here, people. It’s about the effort.

(Or so I keep telling myself.)

And looking cute, of course.

Happy Walking! (Or Running!) (Or Giving it Your Best Effort!)