My Favorite Stylish Workout Leggings

I can still remember a time when yoga pants and workout leggings offered fairly limited options- basic plain black in a full or capri length only, with one particular brand leading the way which also happened to be the most expensive! Thankfully the term athleisure was coined and those days are long behind us now as we have a variety of brands, colors and patterns to choose from now when it comes to activewear. While I do love a perfect-fitting pair of simple black leggings, over the past few years I've 'upped my game' so to speak in the workout department and have opted for more interesting options such as cutouts or textures and incorporating a pop of color with my sneakers or a cute tank or zip up, making getting sweaty much more fun. I snagged this blue Nike zip-up top on sale while we were loading up on hiking gear before heading to New Zealand at Christmas and it has become one of my favorites, I'm already planning to buy it in a few more colors as it's become a layering wardrobe staple lately.

I recently purchased these Alo High Waist Moto Leggings that I've been seeing all over instagram, which are equal parts fashion and function. I love how they are stylish enough to wear with a cute sweater layered over a tank top to provide an edgy vibe but can take you straight to the gym afterwards and there is zero compromise when it comes to comfort, as they offer full stretch and they don't ride up or slide down nor are they see-through at all as some leggings can be-especially important when bending over! I'm excited that they have 7 other color choices because the white version is so pretty and perfect with spring just around the corner!

OUTFIT DETAILS:

LEGGINGS:  Alo   //   TOP: Nike  // 

 SNEAKERS: Nike (color sold out-same style here, similar color here)  

SPORTS BRA: LuLulemon    //  WATER BOTTLE:  Life Factory

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When it comes to workouts, while I do wear shorts at times; whether I'm hiking, running, doing a boot camp workout or flexing my ballet muscles in barre class, I'm almost always in a high-waisted yoga pant because they are just so comfortable and cover all the right places properly. They also come in handy when chasing little ones at the park. Lily likes it when I we take a mommy-daughter approach to climbing gyms so they come in handy for playground days too and the design looks like I put in just a little bit more effort into my overall look.

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I hope you're having a great weekend so far and are able to squeeze in a workout however you can! Sometimes all I have time for is a few sets of simple kettlebell exercises in my living room, a quick 15 minute run on the treadmill or a few multi-targeting ab moves such as planking or mountain climbers. Every little bit counts and keeps our momentum going even on the days we aren't able to get in a 'proper' workout. I don't know about you but when I take more than 2 days off to rest in between sweat sessions I personally find it to be SOOO much harder to get back at it again, it's also when I feel my muscles start to stiffen up or become less toned and firm which makes it even more challenging to find the motivation to get moving. For that reason, it's important to do something active for a minimum of 15-20 minutes every single day, even if it's as simple as a brisk walk through your neighborhood.

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I'm always on the hunt for great active wear, so I'd love to hear what your favorite leggings are! Do you have a favorite pair you can't live without? Please share with us in the comments below.

XO
Karla

Freshen Up Your Workout Wardrobe for Spring

Workout clothing can be a fashion statement for some or an afterthought for others. If we're going to invest time into building a strong, healthy body, it deserves more than a pair of baggy sweats and an old t-shirt, wouldn't you agree. Not to mention, those don't flatter and are anything but feminine. When it comes to investing money into active wear, it might as well be fun and fashionable as much as it is practical.

There is definitely a surplus of black yoga pants, shorts, capris, running leggings and the like to be had but let's face it, black (while a great staple) can get boring after a while. With this being the first week of spring, I encourage you all to add some color and style to your workouts. I know my drawers of active wear could certainly use a boost! So, I've been on the hunt for some new pieces and I've compiled my favorite pieces which include a lot of head bands that will keep hair in place and stay put. Whether you have long hair or short (I've had both), it's always a challenge. There's nothing more annoying than having to redo your hair while in the middle of  yoga class because it's turned into a hot mess as your hairband slid off during mid-downward dog. Many people find new workout gear motivates them, so if you're just beginning a new program, that's a great place to start. Whether you're a runner, tennis enthusiast, yoga devotee, Pilates enthusiast, spinning junkie or you just love a good workout with weights, you're going to want to stock up on some classy yet playful attire to keep you looking forward to your sessions.

I can admit that my go-to for bottoms in the past have almost always been black (although I do balance that out with a bright top whether it's hot pink or a bright neon yellow). My reasons were always that they don't show sweat and are slimming but there are many colors and patterns that offer those same benefits. So, I've been thinking about switching things up lately and I'm loving all the gorgeous patterns and colors I've been seeing for bottoms! Life is too short to wear boring clothes. Activewear it actually a great place fashion-wise to venture outside of your comfort zone, it's a category where you can be a little more daring and not take yourself too seriously.

Below are some of my favorite options that include bold color, pattern and design yet are completely practical and functional at the same time to get the most from your workout. You'll notice that I've included a couple black pieces because I really liked the overall design-one includes a lace look, the other has a great back. Click on any of the images and you'll be taken straight to the item source with more details.

If you've just begun working out for the first time and looking for basic, classic pieces, I wrote this article on What to Look for in Your Workout Gear.

Have you picked up any colorful pieces that you'll be wearing to the gym or outdoors soon? If you liked this post, feel free to share the love or pin the top image in this post to Pinterest.

Thanks for Reading!

XO




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