You have kept your New Year’s resolution to eat healthier, exercise, and drop a few of those holiday pounds. Congratulations! Statistically speaking, you are doing better than most. So, instead of rewarding yourself with that double scoop of ice cream, why not treat yourself to some new exercise clothes to help keep up your motivation?
I often see people working out in their old baggy sweatpants and oversized T-shirts thinking that they are “hiding” those extra pounds. While I am not suggesting that you dress for a fashion show, one of the easiest ways to look slimmer and feel more confident is to invest in a few well-made, high-quality workout essentials that fit your body.
Fashion and fitness, together they help you look and feel your best
As I used to be, many of us are of the mindset that it doesn’t matter what we wear to the gym because we’re just going to be sweating in these clothes. But after investing in some better quality items, I believe you’ll discover, as I did, that what you wear does matter. You not only look better, but feel better, too.
While there are many places to buy fitness clothes, here are a few of my favorites:
Lululemon athletica (lululemon.com): I love Lululemon, so much that I actually named my dog Lulu (true story). The company carries both men’s and women’s clothes in a variety of vibrant colors, and the proprietary, moisture-wicking fabric is high quality. You can really feel (and see) the difference when you put on these clothes. There are also great features, such as thumbholes, or handcuffs, for cold days, or hidden pockets to hold money, keys, or an iPod. The clothes tend to be form fitting, but don’t let that deter you; it’s a slenderizing look!
Lucy (lucy.com): Lucy’s clothes are wonderful because they are versatile. They look just as good for running errands or having lunch with a friend as they do when exercising. For those of you who are still a little weary of wearing form-fitting clothing, Lucy is a great choice as it offers a wide variety of cuts to fit many shapes and sizes. Make sure to sign up for the mailing list because Lucy frequently offers great promotions.
Athleta (athleta.com): Athleta offers sports-specific clothing designed and tested by female athletes. You’ll find clothing for yoga, running, golf, tennis, triathlons, surfing, cycling, and more. Even though the clothes are geared toward athletes (or aspiring ones), they are still quite feminine. They also carry great clothing for the adventure traveler. While Athleta is only available on-line, the company does offer free exchanges, so you need not worry if an item doesn’t fit.
Title Nine (titlenine.com): Title Nine also offers sports-specific clothing, but tends to carry more day-to-day wear and accessories like watches, headbands, shoes, and back packs. One of Title Nine’s specialties is their sports bras. They carry a large assortment classified by level of support and designed to fit a broad range of cup sizes.
Bodywear Boutique (bodywearboutique.com): Bodywear boutique is one of my favorite websites to access small, unique, hard-to-find brands of active clothing and loungewear, such as City Lights, Green Dragon, and Hard Tail. You’re guaranteed to find something you like.
Road Runner Sports (roadrunnersports.com): No workout outfit is complete without a pair of supportive athletic shoes. High quality athletic shoes can prevent and minimize injuries. RoadRunner Sports in San Carlos has a highly trained staff that performs a foot and gait analysis in order to recommend the proper shoe for you. This is a worthwhile investment. Happy trails.
Remember, you have worked hard to get in shape, so treat yourself to something that makes you feel and look great.
Ami Jampolis, M.S. in Exercise Physiology and owner of Focus Fitness personal training in San Mateo, FFTRAINING.net, 415.250.2953.
