It has been an ongoing conversation between my friend Callie and I about the obsession over lululemon. We would always chuckle about the over priced yoga pants and tank tops. We would question,  if Yoga is  about  lifestyle and acceptance of self, than why are people so hell-bent on spending so much money on gym attire? It was over these conversations in which we both vowed we would never purchase anything from lululemon. We would make a point of embracing our cheap smelly sweats and keep our wallets full with money.

It was a grand idea but all of that changed when my dear friend Grace purchased hoodie. It was a reward for herself for all of her weight loss accomplishments. And she deserved it! She earned every thread of it through her dedication and hard work at each boot camp session. I admired her sweater from a far but couldn’t ever consider owning one. I had vowed, repeatedly, to Callie that I would not fall into the clutches of lululemon.

Now, my vow is a dim reminder of how promises and pacts can be broken.  It  was only yesterday as I hobbled through the mall in pain from the previous Boot Camp. And thought of Grace’s present to herself. I looked up and there was lululemon store looking at me from a distance calling my name with its serene glow. I was hesitant at first but thought to myself,”Well it doesn’t hurt to look. I’ll just look.”

I walked in, glancing at the hoodies, they all looked like a warm blankets calling my name.  I decided it wouldn’t hurt to try one on and I sifted through the sizes, the colours, and the sales lady approached to assist me.

“You should try this one on – it just came in today.”

I didn’t want to show enthusiasm. I wasn’t going to be sucked into this cult. I looked at her smiled slowly “It looks great! Thanks!” 

And with that I attempted to try on the sweater. It is at that very moment the Lulu cult had sucked me in as the sales assistant pointed out,“ You know I think you need a smaller size.”

She saw the light of joy in my eyes,  she knew, she had me hook, line, and sinker.  I glanced at myself in the mirror and couldn’t believe how well it sucked in the muffin top. I looked toned and I felt good.  My legs didn’t hurt as bad as before….This scuba hoodie seemed to make everything better.

I looked at the price, I looked at myself in the mirror, back at the price, and then to the sales lady, “I guess it wouldn’t hurt to splurge. Right?”

‘No it wouldn’t!”

I am now the owner of a lululemon Hoodie Sweater, with wallet a little lighter, my pride a little smaller, but feeling much warmer on this cold summer day.  I’ve never  loved a sweater so much! And may have sold my soul to lululemon. Now I have to figure out how to break the news to Callie…