I Work Out.

Yes, the title of this post is a line from that LMFAO song that weasels its way into my subconscious and settles in for the long haul.  But, more importantly, it’s now been reclaimed as the segue into a MAH-JOR-LY exciting announcement: the bomb.com giveaway of the world’s most perfect gym bag from Kooba.  You heard right: one lucky reader will be winning this awesome tote from the super generous design geniuses over at Kooba!  All you have to do is like them on Facebook {they are trying to hit the big 6000 number for “likes”!} and leave a comment on this post telling me how you keep in shape!  A winner will be announced this upcoming Monday, 2/13!

This bag is reason enough to get my tuchus to the gym.  As I mentioned here, I’ve been on the Tracy Anderson pain train for the past few weeks.  Her mat routine is killa, and all you need is a chair, 3 lb weights, and a yoga mat.  I dress in super bright workout gear as a way to sort of peacock my way into thinking it’s a fun way to spend an hour.  Well, that’s not an entirely fair representation — I actually like working out (endorphins!) and I never feel better than just after a solid exercise sesh.  But sometimes, as I’m doing the millionth leg kick, I feel unpleasantly testy.  So I compensate with smile-inducing brights, like these sports bras ($14, Old Navy)

Now, as I believe I’ve made overly abundantly clear in past posts, I cannot live without my Nike spandex ($48, Zappos).

I own two pairs and they both have lasted for.ev.er, with multiple wears per week.  That, and they breathe — and move — and don’t cut off circulation.  This past point is particularly important because, in a random moment of 90s nostalgia, I snapped up a pair of Adidas running capris {remember when everyone and their Mom owned a pair of swishy-swashy pants with the three stripes down the sides?!  We all had them in the 90s…}.  Now, I will say that these Adidas pants come in great colors, and I also felt slightly retro-cool running around Glover Park with them on, but they were so constricting I could hardly breathe.  So.  Nike it is, for this little lady.  And Nike it is on my feet, as well — I rock out their Free Runs ($100, Zappos), which are the lightest shoe known to man.  Great for running, and I always get compliments on them.  And the colors make my heart sing.

I also use a brightly colored yoga mat ($33, Amazon) and hand-weights (Tracy claims that you should never use more than 3 lb weights when using her workout or you “just create more space for loose skin” — $12 for set, Amazon) —

Water must always be at the ready — and these Bobble water filters are incroyable ($9.99, Target):

When I’m not in my tried-and-true Nike spandex, I’m in candy-colored shorts.  How slick are these Old Navy pairs ($15, Old Navy)?!  Best colors ever!  I’d wear it with this funky giraffe-front tank ($26, Nike):

Other work-out musts?  An easy-on, loose-fit sweatshirt.  I wear one from my alma mater, UVA, but this boxy, 80s style variation caught my eye ($22, Target):

I also need peds ($10, Jack Wills).  I buy mine in bulk {literally — packs of 20} at Costco in the brightest colors I can find, because I literally run them to threads and/or lose half of them somewhere between the dirty hamper and my clean laundry basket.  I swear that I have no pair that actually matches, so I’m constantly in mis-matched peds.  No idea how this happens.  Mystery of life.

I also need waterproof mascara ($24.50, Sephora), Tarte cheek stain ($30, Sephora), and snag-free hair elastics ($3.50, Sephora):

Post work-out, I like to lounge in loose-fit sweats (on sale for $47, J. Crew) and a tissue-thin tee (I love the cheeky Rebel Yell line! — $63, Revolve):

If I’ve just completed my work at the gym, I’ll layer on a thin, breathable windbreaker (this is kids size, but what cool shades! — KWay, $45, J. Crew):

I top it all off with a loose, gauzy scarf  (still digging Virginia Johnson’s styles! — on sale for $97, Virginia Johnson):

So — who’s ready to work out?!