As I've fallen more in love with working out my workout wardrobe has been expanding! I used to only wear solid plain black leggings (although I still prefer black over color) with a big t-shirt and an old sports bra from high school. I hated working out so I never put any care into how I looked when I went to the gym. It's funny because now I enjoy putting a cute outfit together for class and I love complimenting girls on their flashy leggings or cool knotted sports bras while stretching before the instructor starts - side note that's also a great way to open up a convo and make friends in class :) You know how you pick out an outfit for a party and it just makes you more excited to go out? It lifts your confidence and boosts your mood! I've found that that's exactly what workout clothes do for me now. The athleisure trend is really popular so a lot of these pieces get worn outside the gym and class too (especially road trips). I used to be against spending more than $20 on anything I was going to sweat in... y'all know I stick to a strict shopping budget and have student loans that come first!! But, I think of it like this: if I'm going to invest in my health and wellness then I'm also going to invest in my self confidence and attitude! Because when I feel like I look good in a workout class then I'm going to give it my all and really get the most out of the class. I still only purchase things within reason (still no LuLu in my closet... yet) but I always wear things at least once a week since I work out 4-5 times a week. So here's my question for y'all: what is your all time favorite workout brand? I'd love to try out other companies! I definitely need some new sports bras too!
PS my friend Joselyn (the best Barre3 instructor I've ever had) Is a Carbon38 ambassador and has a code that will get you 25% off: JOSELYNGRI50
Psst this board is shoppable... just click on the photo you want to shop!
With a pretty strong workout schedule going this month I have definitely found what I like and don't like in the gear department. I've added a couple of these items to my wish list because I know they will make my life easier (resistance bands) or step up my gym swag a couple of notches (cute sports bras). I love to wear black leggings and then colorful tops with my favorite white sneakers. I've also realized the importance of having some basic things in your gym bag so you can always be prepared! If you're going to schedule out your classes and focus on what you're eating and putting into your body you should take some time to focus on how you show up to class too - in style! If you dress the part and take yourself seriously then you're more likely to stick to your goals because you believe in yourself! At least, that's what's worked for me :) Old Navy Leggings // These are easily some of the best low price but high quality leggings I've ever owned. They are so amazing that I own around 8 pairs and am always ordering more (they go on sale for under $20 pretty often)! I love the style with the mesh panels - such a cool touch. Work out clothes should be fun and these leggings definitely check that box! I've really only tried out the black color but they aren't see through and they don't show sweat. Even better is that they don't fall down!!! S'Well Water Bottle // A classic water bottle that keeps your water cold through the whole workout. The stainless steel is easy to clean and I love this stone pattern! Garmin Smart Watch // I saw this watch on Instagram and have been absolutely obsessed with it since that day - I went and tried it on at Target even!! It looks like a regular watch but it's actually a smart watch!!! It shows you your steps, tracks calories burned, workouts, etc! It does everything a "regular smart watch" does but in a fashionable way without being in your face. Obviously, this is at the top of my wish list! Carbon38 Takara Leggings // Another item at the top of my wish list... the infamous C38 Takara leggings. A cult favorite!! I own these in a silver grey and it feels like a second skin - they're so thin (not see through though) and comfortable you feel like you aren't wearing pants. I'm dying for the black pair!! Mario Badescu Facial Sprays // My skin always gets super dry after working out and the face wash at the gym isn't too great. I love to keep a hydrating and refreshing face spray in my gym bag for quick touch-ups! Especially if I'm walking home after a class my skin needs some instant moisture. Gym Bag // I found this Adidas bag on Amazon yesterday and was instantly intrigued by a couple of things. The price was so reasonable , there are tons of color options (for gals or guys too!), and lastly all of the pockets! It was 2 outsides pockets, a small interior zipper pocket for catching "small things" as it's labeled, and the best part is it has a dedicated zippered pocket for your shoes! Hello, genius! I always place my shoes on the bottom of the bag bc of the dirty soles! This eliminates all those problems. I just think this is the best workout bag on the market - for $30! Fabric Resistance Bands // Okay you're probably thinking I put this on here because they're cute. Well, yes, they're adorable but they're also fabric!! So they won't roll and won't pull at your skin. I like to travel with resistance bands so I can get a strong workout completed in my hotel room if the hotel gym is less than ideal. However, I'm one of those people that always struggles with the rubber band rolling up and moving on my legs - these solve that issue. Forever 21 Sports Bra // I like my sports bras to be cute and I don't like to spend a lot of money on them... I find that I wash my workout clothes more than anything in my closet. The majority of my sports bras (even nicer ones) don't last too long. So I opt for low budget bras in super cute colors ;) this one is only $10 Dagne Dover Pouch // The perfect, durable pouch to hold catch-alls in your gym bag! I keep extra hair ties, travel deodorant, bobby pins, makeup remover wipes, chapstick, and facial spray in mine. Under Armour Shoes // The best running shoes I have ever owned. I wear these to Blast every single time because I feel like I'm running on a cloud. They have great support for the top of your foot when you're lifting weights and doing squats too. I've worked really hard to keep them pristine white but it honestly hasn't been that difficult - the fabric used is so amazing and breaths better than any shoe I own. I can feel the breeze coming through the top of my foot - so incredible! Collagen for Her // I add a scoop of this to my shake every morning - it helps with nail and hair growth and reducing cellulite! As you get older your body makes less of this naturally... I'll take all the help I can get. Fun fact the owner is a Hokie! So she's given y'all a discount for 10% off with code JENNROG! You can get a container or individual packets if you travel a lot - so convenient!
I've clearly been sharing a LOT about my "workout journey" (ha why does that sound so silly?!) because I get a lot of the same questions via email and DM constantly! It makes me so excited that y'all are interested in these things because it's been a very new love for me. I was always very athletic in high school and college but then "adulthood" hit and... so did the weight gain! Oh well, life happens and NOW I'm doing something about it :) If you have any questions about my nutrition program shoot me an email. I'll be doing a post on that later!
Q: Where do you buy workout clothes?
My answer is probably going to surprise a lot of y’all! I would rather put my dollars towards classes versus workout gear so I love to buy it on a budget (not a surprise). My favorite leggings are Old Navy – they have the cutest styles and are amazing quality. They don’t get see through when you bend over, they’re high waisted and they don’t pill after going through the wash once. I have about three pairs with cool mesh details, some with little laces at ankles and cropped pairs for yoga too.
I also love Old navy’s workout tops; the mesh is so lightweight and the fit is a perfect combination of loose but cut to my body shape. They go on sale a lot so some I’ve been able to snag for $7 ;) Tons of cute colors and I’ve noticed some tie-back tops that are similar to LuluLemon!
My workout bras are almost always from Forever 21. I know – you’re thinking “huh, how long have those lasted you?” Y’all these bras work soooo well for me! They have a HUGE selection and you can even choose a style based on the amount of support you need. I like that they have bras that go farther down your rib cage. I love wearing those with high waisted leggings to get a “cool workout girl” look (that’s totally a thing, don't deny it). My biggest tip is to take out the pads when you wash them and toss them in the regular load – they tend to fold in half if you leave them inside and they’re easy to pop back in post dryer.
Q: What is your routine?
It’s hard to say I have a “routine” because my class schedule changes based on work. I used to be religious with my 305 classes and do Monday’s at 6:30pm and Wednesdays’ at 6:00am but life happens… I’ve learned to be flexible with my schedule and not get too addicted to one class or instructor (but I def have my favorites haha). My current routine is to workout at least 3-4 times a week (if I’m in DC for the weekend I always schedule a Saturday class too). As long as I schedule those classes a week in advance there’s no backing down. I like to mix it up so I try to do: weights at home, a 305 cardio class, a Blast DC HIIT class, and add in a Barre3 class for a week of workouts.
I will say that I never miss a Monday workout. Starting the week off on a healthy note really sets me on track for the week. Days that I don’t have classes scheduled I will try to squeeze in 30 minutes of toning. These are just quick 30 minute YouTube videos that I’ve saved over the years or that friends have sent to me. I’ve found that if I do cardio all the time I get burned out faster by the end of the week. So the YouTube workouts are yoga related or sets of arm/abs movements (gotta give my legs and knees a break).
I also try to walk home when the weather is nice – it’s about 1.5 miles for me so I pop on some music and just move my body. So crucial since I sit at a desk most days! I’m dreading the sun setting earlier because I don’t walk home when it’s dark out #safety.
Q: What’s your motivation?
If you’re new around here (hi!) you may not know this but I lost my father to cancer in January. It was a long 4 years of watching him deal with his diagnosis (stage 4 prostate cancer that spread to his bones and white blood cells) but the worst part was when his mobility dwindled. He went from a cane to a walker to not being able to move at all and I realized that I needed to be grateful for the ability to dance and run. I had the freedom to get out there and be active but I wasn’t taking care of my body. When I graduated college I was in great shape, could eat whatever I wanted, drink anything and have no hangover, and still stayed skinny. After working full time and going through a couple of personal things my body changed. I slowed down and lost a lot of muscle and began hating the way I looked – that’s a lot coming from someone who puts photos of herself on the internet! Yikes! I saw a photo of myself with my brother and sister at my dad’s service and didn’t recognize myself. That was my wake up moment. That photo is my motivation. Because I was in the lowest spot (mentally, emotionally, and physically) that I have ever been in and I made a promise to myself that night that things were going to change. For good.
Since then I’ve lost 16 lbs – but that number is shrinking :) because I’m gaining muscle!! Seeing the progress I’ve made and knowing that I’m taking care of myself... That is what motivates me nowadays. I feel better in my skin and my clothes fit like they’re supposed to. I still have parts of my body that I’m learning to love but I’m always going to be working on myself! It’s kind of fun knowing that I can change the way I feel by committing to myself.
Q: Favorite type of workout?
Y’all know I live for my ((305)) Fitness workouts! But I also love yoga, SoulCycle, barre [Barre3 specifically], and the Blast Life. Yoga and Barre are great for toning and stretching your muscles out more. I broke my tailbone in college so I tend to sit crooked and put more weight on one side of my booty – this puts a lot of pressure and pain on my lower back. Strengthening my lower back muscles is crucial for my body so that I don’t hurt myself even more. The Blast Life is similar to Orange Theory that everyone loves. It’s a combination of running intervals on a treadmill (which I loathe) and doing HIIT workouts – going back and forth between the treadmill and floor exercises helps me not die on a treadmill and it makes the class go by a lot faster!
Q: Do you like to run?
I have a love/hate relationship with running… I think if I was running in a more scenic area that it would be a great stress reliever. However, living in the city I get frustrated easily with slow walkers on the sidewalk – if I’m running this is only exasperated haha. If I’m on the beach I love to go for a run and take in my surroundings and explore! So basically, I don’t run ;)
Q: What is 305?
((305)) Fitness is the best thing that’s ever happened to me! It’s a dance class that combines choreography, HIIT [high intensity interval training], cardio, and strength training with a bit of hip hop at the end! There is an instructor, a live DJ, and lights (think colors and black lights changing with the music). It all kind of makes me feel like I’m in a music video. I danced my entire life growing up and stopped when I went to college (I wish there had been classes available!) There’s nothing more liberating than dancing while getting a great sweat in and twerking with your friends (yep – twerking). The DC studio has become my safe haven and happy place. I feel like a million bucks when I walk into that studio and begin moving across that dance floor. Nobody feels dumb, everyone is a dancing machine, and the instructors are so uplifting (hard to not feel awesome when you’re shaking your booty and the instructor yells “get it, Jenn! You go girl!”
Q: How do you stay on track?
I always set my classes a week in advance – this way I know my social schedule and my work calendar so nothing interferes with each other. I haaate getting charged for missing a class so I like to be 100% positive I’m not setting myself up for failure. I feel better when I workout and stay active so that’s been a huge driver in staying consistent.
The best part about your own individual health journey is if you “fall off the wagon” it’s so easy to get back on!! Do I have weeks where I don’t workout at all? YES. Do I eat 3 donuts in one day? YES (they were apple cider donuts hot out of the oven so #duh). All you have to do is commit to something and you can do it (also - I never forget my motivation).
Q: Do you normally lift weights?
If you put me in a weight room alone I would have absolutely NO idea what to do.. I could do a couple of reps that I’ve learned from YouTube videos but that would last me about 10 minutes. I’m working on getting better but I really value an instructor and having someone tell me what to do! I constantly screenshot things I’ve found on the internet or Pinterest. My favorite toning exercise is to do planks and chair sits!
Those were all the questions I've been getting recently. If I missed something, or you have another question, please leave a comment or reach out! I'm still learning this #FitLife (lol) every day so having accountability from y'all is amazing - I'd love to be that for you too!
