Sleep. Read. Sweat. Shower. Work. Meet. Write. Shop. Clean. Fix. Organize. Here. There. Everywhere.

I am a recovering list-a-holic. Seriously, if I could itemize the minute details of my life purely for the satisfaction of crossing tasks off my list, I would. I do.

The to-do list is hardly fresh. Children return to school and receive agendas on their first day at class. As for me, I have been sharpening my planning skills as if training for the Organizational Olympics since the ripe age of seven, and I am as detail-oriented as they come. Come to my apartment, and witness the to-do list that is permanently fixed to my front door. (Neurotic? Guilty.) Recently my paradigms of list-making were shaken up a bit – enter the “stop doing” list.

I just finished working my way through Jim Collin’s book Good to Great, a must-read in my opinion. His research resonated with me - my eager eyes feasted on all the pretty little lists, brimming with empirical data, waiting neatly for me to absorb, page after page. I learned that “good-to-great leaders distinguish themselves by their unyielding discipline to stop doing anything and everything that doesn't fit tightly within their Hedgehog Concept. “ (Hedgehog concept? It has nothing to do with chocolates. You need to read this book and learn more.) The more I chew on this idea, the more I like it – and guess what? Out comes my red journal and POP! a new list descends the page.

1. I stop chatting online; instead I welcome friends into my home for real quality time.
2. I stop doing busy things that thwart my creativity.
3. I stop wasting time lamenting the things I do not have and think I need. I am grateful. Period.
4. I stop making the computer screen the first and last thing I see in a day.
5. I stop criticizing myself & the people in my world. I replace criticism with encouragement and praise or nothing at all.
6. I stop spending time worrying about the future. Every day has enough troubles of its own.

Streamline your life. Take inventory of all the “DO’s” in your life and see if they align with who you are and where you want to go. Make a list of “DON’Ts” and bathe in the clarity that follows. Repeat as necessary.

What’s on your list today?

Above: Lindsay keeps cool in a pair of Boogie On Shorts and a Power Y Tank.

Adding heat to certain things introduces an element of fun: popcorn kernels, a relationship, even the yoga room! My first hot yoga class was not what I expected and I felt muscles the next day I didn’t know I had. I avoided hot yoga for a few weeks, but then decided to try another class with a different style. I felt more in tune with my body and its needs, and I now have a newfound love for the heated room.

For those who haven’t tried hot yoga, here are some tips for first timers that want to give it a try.

Do your research

What are some popular hot yoga studios in your community? Ask friends that have been to a hot yoga class and see how they liked it. If you like structure and routine, Bikram may be for you. If you prefer a little more variety each class in poses and intensity, try Moksha. Many studios have a one week unlimited class pass for beginners, so don’t be afraid to ask.

What to bring

A yoga mat, water, towel, and an open mind. If you’re a quick sweat-er, join the club! Start with a regular beach or shower towel beside you, but you might find it beneficial to lay it across your whole mat. Some prefer a yogi-toes towel because they add extra grip to your hands, feet and mat.

What to wear

Comfort is key. I personally love my Cool Racerback Tank as a staple top. For bottoms, I alternate between Boogie On Shorts for a closer fit, and my Rock Out Crops for more coverage on my legs. Both items are moisture wicking and four-way stretch, perfect for a heated class. If you prefer natural fabrics, try lighter weight cottons like pima cotton.

Before class

Avoid heavy meals 2 hours before your class and try not to snack anything too big right before your class. Arrive 15-20 minutes before your first class. If you happen to catch your instructor before the class begins, let him/her know it’s your first time! Find a space either in the middle or the back of the room so you can follow along easily and have a good view of the instructor. Relax ☺

What to expect

You’ll get sweaty and hot quickly so sip water when you need to. More importantly, breathe deeply. The heat will alter your breaths so make sure this is top of mind. And never do anything you don’t feel comfortable doing. Child’s pose and savasana/corpse pose are encouraged when you need a rest.

After class

The heat from hot yoga is meant to detoxify you. Make sure to drink plenty of water after your class. Notice how you feel that evening and the following day before you attend another class.

The greatest thing about hot yoga is that anyone can try it, and anyone can do it. You don’t have to be experienced or flexible, just open to a new experience that could add a little hot fun in your life!

Our bra designer (aka Chief Ta Ta Tamer) Melissa (on the right) with MelEesa, also a lululemon designer.

In less then 3 days time, I’ll begin a 60km journey through the streets of Vancouver. I’ll be one of a couple of thousand participants in The Weekend To End Breast Cancer which benefits The BC Cancer Foundation. This is actually my third time participating, but my first time walking in Vancouver. I walked for the first time in 2005 in Toronto, and last year I took my walk to the streets of Rome, Italy – accomplishing two goals in one weekend.

This year I’m excited to walk through a city that I’ve come to call my home.

The beauty of this walk is that it’s not about the walk at all. It’s really about the journey we all embark on when we initially sign up for the walk. Since that moment, I’ve been fundraising and talking up a storm. It’s amazing to me to see my community come together to support me in achieving this goal of mine. Between word of mouth, a few emails, selling bags of candy at the office (a little known fact about lululemon’s product team is that we’ve all got a sweet tooth), and holding BBQ lunches on the rooftop for the whole Store Support Centre at lunch time. Friends and colleagues came together to help with the planning, prepping and execution, and their selfless support humbles me continuously.

Although I am still a few dollars short of reaching my minimum (mandatory) pledge of $2000 I know it will all come together in time.

If you aren't familiar with the walk, we start bright and early Saturday morning at Rocky Mountaineer Station and walk throughout the city, camping overnight on Saturday at Killarney Park. Another early rise on Sunday and we finish right back where we started. I'll be surrounded by thousands of other walkers, including survivors, supporters, women who are currently fighting, oodles of family members that are walking for someone they loved and lost, and others like me who walk simply because we can. I may not be walking with friends but I won't be walking alone.

Vancouver, when you see us walking through your neighborhood this weekend, cheer us on. We worked hard to raise an awful lot of money for the BC Cancer Foundation and would love to hear your support.

I’ll be videoing portions of my walk and will be posting a little video blog in the coming weeks, as well as tweeting along the route all day long documenting the journey.

Much love,
Your favorite Ta Ta Tamer

Melissa

You can support Melissa here: www.endcancer.ca/goto/tatatamer2009
Follow The Weekend to End Breast Cancer on twitter: http://twitter.com/Wkend2EndCancer
Follow Melissa's journey this weekend at http://twitter.com/Miss_Content