Betch In Norts

              Three years ago I developed an addiction. It all began after my freshman year of college when I arrived home for summer break and decided to make the gym my second home for the next three months. I was in desperate need of workout clothes, so I headed to a sporting goods store in town. As I walked through the doors and looked around, wondering where to begin, a flash of neon caught my eye. There are few things in this world I love more than neon, so as per usual I quickly made my way over to the source. Within thirty seconds I found myself standing in the middle of the Nike Women’s Sportswear section, and that was when I fell in love. In front of me, rows upon rows of Nike gym shorts (that I soon learned to call  “Norts” like other fanatics) of just about every color combination imaginable hung on long racks, waiting for me to make them mine. I was mesmerized, especially by the neon ones of course, as I had not realized gym clothes could be so fabulous. The first pair I grabbed was the brightest shade of neon pink I had ever seen, and I could hardly wait to put them on and hit the gym in style. Next I grabbed a lime green and neon yellow pair, then neon orange and pink, Tiffany blue, pink and black, and neon yellow and pink . . . By the time I made it to the register, I had a mountain of Norts in my arms and an ecstatic expression on my face. The cashier stared at me like I was psychotic, but I could not wipe the ecstatic expression off my face. After paying a ridiculous amount of money that I knew would get me an angry lecture from my dad later on, I sprinted out of the store, sped home, and put on the neon pink pair with one of my sorority-lettered tank tops. As I admired my stylin’ outfit in the mirror, my mom and sister walked in and spotted the extra large shopping bag on the floor. I excitedly began showing off all my fabulous new Norts like a child on Christmas morning showing off brand new toys.

“This is ridiculous!” my mom exclaimed. “No one needs this many pairs of gym shorts.”

I was shocked and hurt by her disapproval.

“These are not just gym shorts,” I told her. “They’re Norts!”

Ever since that first day I put on a pair of Norts, I have been addicted. The new color combinations and shades are endless, and there will always be another pair to buy that I do not already own. My parents, sisters, and friends have tried to “help” me end the addiction, but they’ll never be able to make it stop. So maybe they are right. Maybe I do not need any more Norts. But I want more, and I will always want more. If I enter a store that sells them, I will find them, and I will buy them simple as that. Throughout the past few years my addiction to Norts has somewhat expanded into an obsession with cute workout clothes. It is difficult for me to resist the neon glow of Lululemon. I can never resist a brightly colored workout headband or sports bra, and I love the newest trend of neon running shoes. Putting a fun, colorful outfit on to go to the gym gives me an incredible energy boost, and buying exercise clothing helps motivate me to workout.

You may be wondering, “What is the point of wearing fabulous neon outfits to exercise? Well, aside from being able to go for a run in the dark without getting hit by a car, I believe that fun, festive colors can truly boost your energy, and stylish workout clothing can inspire you to exercise harder and longer. Lilly Pulitzer once said, “Life is a party, so dress like it.” While some people may find this quote cliché or shallow, if you really take a moment to think about Pulitzer’s words, you will find they are meant to inspire us all to live it up every day and make the most of each moment. Life is short and we definitely should live it up every day. In order to feel our best and most confident, it helps to look our best, too. In a fabulous pair of Norts and matching headband, you will confidently walk into the gym like you own the place, and you will be ready to work hard. Aside from the fact that you often meet super hot guys at the gym, looking good will help boost your exertion of positive energy, and this energy will motivate you to reach your fitness goals. Someone once came up to me at the gym and told me that my brightly colored outfit was cheerful and inspiring. Not only did my outfit motivate me, but it also motivated others. So do not be afraid to be that betch in the gym looking fabulous in neon. If anyone ever tries to tell you that buying cute exercise clothing is pointless or that you do not need any more Norts, they are wrong. You can never have too many Norts.