Category: Working Out

Old Stand Bys

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Workout clothes might be my favorite topic. I wear them everyday, I take a lot of interest in them. I love trying out all the new fabrics, patterns, and silhouettes that the athletic apparel companies come out with, but there’s something to be said for the basics. I have pieces in my dresser that are a little pricey, crazy, or activity specific, but at the end of the day there is core wardrobe of basics that are durable, comfortable, affordable, and awesome for every workout.

Here are my favorites that I will buy until the companies discontinue the style:

Tops

This basic Under Armour tank. It usually comes in several colors, and I love it for anything from weights to Pilates to cardio. It stays put whether you’re upside down or right side up!

UAtank

When it comes to a tee shirt, I love this Nike option. It’s a company staple so they come out with new colors all the time, and keep the style the same. I like it because it’s not skin tight so it’s perfect for days that I’m not looking for something comfy, but a big step up from a standard cotton tee shirt.

NikeLegendT

Bottoms

I think bottoms can be a little trickier than tops because they ride up, fall down, are see through when you bend over, or just plain unflattering. These ones from Under Armour though, are the definition of basic. They work for everything from spin class, to weights, to Pilates (no zipper on the back). Every time I wear these I wish I could wear them 24/7/365 because they are that comfortable.

UAcapris

When it comes to running I have a few requirements. I need a drawstring, a pretty high rise, and a little zipper pocket on the lower back for my keys. These Nike capris meet all the requirements, and I think I usually get an even more affordable version of these from the Nike outlet.

NikeCapris

Based on my observations over time, I’ve realized you can go two directions for running shorts. You’re either a spandex person, or a Nike tempo (or other brand equivalents) person. I am a spandex person. Always. These are my go-tos from Nike. Comfortable, light, and a slightly longer inseam (5 in.) than the shorter version (3 in.) makes them age appropriate for everyone older than 17.

NikeShorts

Sports Bras

I have done extensive research in this category. This is obviously very dependent on your body type, and I require maximum support. I cannot tell you how many times I have bought a sports bra because it claims to be my size and/or be extremely high impact/high support, and they just don’t live up to any of the claims (I will not name names…). Time and time again I come back to this very basic compression bra from Nike. I have tried all the imitators, but no one does a compression bra like Nike. Plus, just like all these other basics, they often release it in several colors and patterns every season.

NikeBra

Socks

I’m pickier than you might think when it comes to socks. After trying several of the fancier brands, it turns out Champion makes my favorite in their target line. They are the perfect combination of low profile, and fluffy. Socks are a goldilocks thing for me, they’re either too thin or too thick and fluffy, but few are just right.

targetsocks

Shoes

I am a New Balance sneaker girl. I like the lightweight, basic nature of these ones that I’ve been ordering at a discount from DSW for a couple years now. When you find a shoe that works you need to stick with it!

Sneakers

What are your old stand bys, when it comes to workout gear?

Workout Wear

Sadie1 Comment

Usually I buy workout gear 24/7/365, I love it. But I realized recently that I kind of took a hiatus this past six months. I was so concentrated on buying suits and suit adjacent things for work, that workout gear took a backseat. Well, enough of that! I would much rather buy neon spandex than black wool, believe me!

Here is combination of my current favorites and wish list:

My best friend recently bought these from Athleta and I’m totally jealous:

Athleta Capris

It’s a little hard to tell but they’re call “stardust” and they basically look like purple and black leopard print. Fantastic! Apparently Athleta’s standard fabric cocktail (% spandex vs. % cotton, etc) is only one percent different than Lulu’s, so it’s basically the same quality with a more affordable price tag (I saw that tidbit in an article last month that I can’t find…).

And these look like good running/spinning capris from Under Armour:

UA capris

They have a zipper on the lower back/butt which is why I say running or spinning. Not optimal for rolling around in Pilates…

I just got this long sleeve from UA that is great for running in chilly weather:

UA long sleeve

It might be hard to tell in the photo, but it’s metallic and shiny! So that means it needed to come home with me.

When it comes to inside workouts though, I think this tank from UA needs to get into my closet:

UA mesh shirt

I have a couple other mesh tanks from UA and I love them! This looks like a slightly different cut so I need to add it to my collection.

Also I keep seeing Nike’s Dry Fit shirts like this one that look and feel really soft and stretchy, but I can’t decide if the clingy nature would be kind of unflattering when I’m at the gym (in case you didn’t know, Arlington’s Gold’s Gym is a dress to impress atmosphere):

Nike dry fit

And PS- in case you didn’t know, printed leggings are in. According to everyone. Do it.

Nike leggings

6 Month Check In

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It’s July already! Where did the time go? Since we’re just over halfway through 2013, I thought it would be a good time to check in with my New Year’s Resolutions. I’m feeling good about my progress so far:

Personal Goals

  • Graduate with my MBA – CHECK
  • Find a great full-time job- CHECK (I start today)
  • Make at least one international trip- CHECK (Milan and London)
  • Read more books (like maybe 10 for the year)- working on it, but off pace

Fitness Goals

  • Run another half marathon- CHECK (Colonial Half Marathon)
  • Push myself to run faster- I’ve been going up and down in pace, but I’m definitely faster than last year
  • Lead a successful Yorktown Victory Run (I’m the race director)- CHECK
  • Learn the Pilates Reformer- CHECK (I love it)
  • Add more variety to my fitness routine- CHECK (I’ve tried both yoga and Crossfit and hopefully I can make them regular parts of my routine)
  • Continue to make weight loss progress, and continue to stabalize my nutrional routine- I think I’m making baby steps with this (I’ve gone up and down a little because of some vacations, etc)  but I think having a full time job will help me stabilize my routine further

Cooking Goals

  • Make a successful challah bread- nope
  • Broaden my savory dish repertoire- a little bit
  • Try at least 3 new techniques like making marshmallows or risotto, or cooking with a new ingredient like tofu- CHECK on the marshmallows, and I made vegetarian dumplings with my mom
  • Cook more dinners at home rather than using places like Panera as my dinner option too often- CHECK, lately I’ve only been eating dinner out maybe twice a week tops, otherwise I make my own dinner

And let’s see how accurate my horoscope for 2013 from Yahoo was:

2013 brings you sweeping change and intensity, Virgo. The biggest transformation takes place in the realm of the mind. Communication, correspondence and courses of new study carry great importance. Saturn, the cosmic taskmaster, is spending a good chunk of time in the sector of your chart ruling the mental realms and communication. If you’re not already a powerful public speaker, teacher or writer, get ready to discover your latent potential to sway the masses with your power of speech! You’re also hungry for knowledge in 2013, and will want to strengthen your skill set and beef up your resume with even more knowledge than you possess naturally.

I can’t say this is word for word accurate, but I think it corresponds well to my transition from grad school to a new promising job. I love horoscopes!

So the moral of the story is that I need to make Challah bread, continue to improve with my weight management goals, and hit the books hard. I think I can do that in six months!