Let’s Get Physical

I try not to let myself get too frazzled by the calorie frenzy that is the holidays {all things in moderation!}, but the food prospect for the next few weeks, which are jam-packed with cocktail parties, cookie exchanges, teas, holiday lunches, and office parties, has led me to really ante up at the gym.  And one of the best ways to incentivize myself is to buy new workout gear, snap up loads of thick, glossy magazines, and invest in a new song-list.  At the top of my gym rat shopping list:

Fun, brightly-colored sports bras.  I normally LOVE the rainbow of brights that the C9 for Target sports bras come in, but I saw and instantly loved these neon bad boys from Victoria’s Secret ($17, Victoria’s Secret):

I’d wear these beneath my classic white tees (I buy mine in bulk — boys’ Hanes tees), and pair with my favorite Nike leggings ($35, Nike), some bold kicks (check these affordable Reeboks out! — on sale for $4o, Zappos), and — for dashing from the car to the gymeroo — a gauzy, boldly-colored scarf ($195, Virginia Johnson):

Can I just tell you, though, how much I love my Nike spandex?!  I bought my first pair just before I studied abroad in Lyon, France, during the third year of college.  That was six years ago.  I remember it well because all of the Frenchies thought I was Loosy Goosy / trying to flaunt my curves inappropriately in public, and I quickly learned that I would just need to change into them at the gym.  That original pair (essentially antiques at this point) still exists and is still featured 1-2 times a week in my workout gear rotation.  Can you believe it?!  They are the best-made article of clothing I own!  At any rate, with the above looks, I’d stuff all my gear in this canvas Anya tote (love mine — $150, Net-A-Porter):

Finish with bright peds ($15 for pack of 6, Bloomingdale’s) —

and, for outdoor exercise, some light-weight fleece gloves (on sale for $10, Old Navy):

And, though I already mentioned the Anya Hindmarch tote above, I also considered this snakeskin-print nylon tote ($190, Net-A-Porter), which I’d clearly proceed to litter with millions of hair ties and bobby pins.  I’ve heard good things about the Emi-Jay line ($12 for set of 5 in the neon colors, Emi-Jay), and I’m also inclined to support the line because it was created by two entrepreneurial teens, and they give a portion of their proceeds to charity!

I’d also stuff in an eco-friendly water-bottle.  I’m currently coveting one of these bkr bottles ($28 apiece, Bkr), which, the site reports, are “a statement against a disposable world.”  Love the colors they come in and the elegant design:

In my opinion, the easiest way to keep on top of your workout regimen is to keep a food/exercise journal.  That way, you really have to be honest with yourself and hold yourself accountable.  I use an app on my iPhone called MyFitnessPal, which permits you to input your weight, add any foods you eat, and log in the exercise you completed in a given day, and then it works out the total number of calories you ingested/burned.  However, I used to do it the old fashioned way — hand-written, in a journal like one of these Archie Grand notebooks ($10, Amazon — but see the entire collection here).   And who doesn’t like a neon pen to get the job done ($20, Sid Mashburn)?

I’m also loving/hating the bright colors that these Free City sweats ($148, Shopbop) come in.  I say “hate” because I know I will never drop $150 on a pair of sweatpants.  But I want them.  I love the cropped style.  And the color options are hizzity hot.  I’d pair with a bold but breathable parka topper for outdoor runs ($138, Athleta):

I know I featured the hot-pink-and-black shoes above, but these blue Nikes ($64, ShoeBacca) also caught my eye — and I am, after all, a fierce Nike devotee.  I currently wear their “Free Runs” ($90, Zappos), which are impossibly lightweight.  I love them for running around hilly D.C., though I’ve heard they are hell if you have ankle problems — they provide very little support.

I love Nike’s new retro styling.  So awesome.  The above pair look like they need to be worn with a vintage-style sweatshirt, like this faded Toms style ($44, Tom’s), a pair of black leggings, and a white scarf (Chan Luu’s have an ideal weight to them — $195, Chan Luu):

Balla with an athletic watch, like this golden Adidas style (on sale for $29, Adidas):

Finally, I load up my iPod with up-tempo jams.  I use the Apple shuffle mini ($49), which clips to my waistband and is all around awesomely light-weight and durable.  Plus, love the fun colors it comes in (mine is pink — duh).

I’m also constantly buying new, snazzy earbuds for it — a cheap way to make myself happy, and I somehow manage to lose them all the time.  Check these funky printed styles out at MacBeth Collection for only $14!

Currently playing on my list?

I know, it’s a random mix, but it’ll get your heart pumping.  Promise.  And when I’m in a chiller/emo mood (especially on long runs), I listen to either Etta James or Miranda Lambert’s newest record, “Four the Record,” which is absolutely phenomenal.  Her best yet.  No, really.  I die over it  I listened to it about 7 days straight on repeat at work via Spotify after it came out.  I love “Fine Tune,” and, as my little sis put it, “Same Old You” is like modern day Patsy Cline.  UH-may-zing.

When I’m on super slim-down mode {as I am for the holiday party one of my besties and I are throwing this Saturday!, to which I am wearing this dress and a pair of amazing lace-accented Louboutins I only pull out for special occasions}, I cut out most carbs and try to load up on vegetables.  For this reason, I’m intrigued by this Kale, Spinach, and Pear Smoothie bloggerina Sterling Style swears by, and may just try it tomorrow, post-work-out:

{images — and recipe — via SterlingStyle}

Who’s with me?!