workout must-haves: modern and mixed

shirt // capris // heart rate monitor // hair ties // shoes // headphones

I don't own this shirt, but I'm dying to try it out.  Any shirt that's fast-drying, made of comfy material, and has thumb holes is priceless.  Yes to thumb holes.  Always.

I've said it before, but my heart rate monitor is so stinking awesome.  I love that it beeps whenever I'm out of my target heart rate range, and I can see how many calories I'm burning.

These capris keep calling my name.  Black and white AND flowers?  They're just too cute.  I like that they're Dri-FIT, have an adjustable drawcord, and have a hidden pocket perfect for stashing your apartment/house key when you head out for a run.  Pretty sure I need these pants in my life.

Hair ties.  Always and forever.  And it doesn't help that this cute package comes in great patterns.

I have these shoes in another color, but they are fabulous in every way possible.  I love how the material breathes and allows my feet to stay cool (I know...weird. :)), and they're the perfect fit for my feet.

Headphones.  Music.  Enough said.

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 Interested in making a few dollars here and there simply for working out, tracking your food, and eating fruits and veggies?  Then check out Pact!  After downloading the app, you connect either a credit card or PayPal account to your Pact account, and you set personal goals for your week.  For example, I set my account to read that I would workout 4 times/week and eat 20 fruits and veggies/week.  Next, you set the amount you want the app to charge you for each missed workout or missed fruit/veggie.  20 fruits and veggies at $5 per missed one is quite a bit!  However, it's super motivating because no one wants to lose money.  Last week I made $4 for completing all of my goals.  It's not a ton, but it's been adding up over the past few weeks and pretty soon I'll be able to purchase those cute black and white workout pants!

workout must-haves: colorful and carefree

shoes  // heart rate monitor // sports bra // shorts // headphones // jacket

Although I don't personally own these shoes, I know a few people who have said they only use this brand and will never, ever change that because they're comfier than Nikes.  (I haven't tried them on, therefore, I have no opinions.)

I've said it before, but my heart rate monitor is so stinking awesome.  I love that it beeps whenever I'm out of my target heart rate range, and I can see how many calories I'm burning.

Yay for Champion sports bras!  Why?  Because they're cheap, come in all colors, and comfy!  I know there are a million better quality ones out there, but if you're not wanting to drain your bank account, try this brand from Target.

I'm dreaming of these shorts being in my closet.  I've heard the material is quite breathable, and perfect for hot, humid weather.  (Yay for living by the Mississippi River.)  They come in over 50 different colors and patterns, so that's also fun.

Headphones.  Music.  Enough said.

This is one of my favorite light jackets/pullovers ever.  It's something I wear all of the time and usually throw on as soon as I get home from work.  I love how I don't get super hot in this while running, and I love the soft material.

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Do you track your food?  I've heard lots of positive and negative things about keeping a "food diary" and tracking what you eat, but I like being able to see what I've eaten.  I had been using My Fitness Pal to track exercise and food, but it just wasn't cutting it for me.  I lost interest in it quickly.  However, about a month ago, Ben discovered Lose It!, and we've really enjoyed this app.*  You can scan the bar codes on your food for easy entry, join fitness challenge groups, add your own personal recipes, track how many steps you take each day, and I simply like the overall layout better.  The free version has been great for me, but if you upgrade (I think it's $40/year), it tracks a whole lot more for you.  I've logged every single day for over a month and a half, and it motivates me to hit my calories each day without going too far over or under.

*Disclaimer:  For me, tracking my food isn't about losing weight.  It's about being able to see what I'm putting into my body, and making sure that I balance out my cookies and broccoli. :)

workout must-haves: sporty and sassy

sports bra // headphones // jacket // heart rate monitor // leggings // shoes

Three cheers for workout clothes and the magical motivation they possess!  Like most girls, I love buying new clothes and wearing them, and workout clothes are no different for me.  With the weather getting warmer and me feeling the need to get my butt into gear, I've been putting together some collages of workout attire because a) it's fun, and b) it's motivates me to workout.  I'll be posting a few collages and sweet workout apps I've found over the next little while, so follow along if you need some basic ideas.

Also, leave me a comment with awesome workout gear/clothes you've found or a song you really like working out to!

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I'll admit that I don't own this sports bra (a bit too pricy for me), but I fell in love with how comfy it was when I tried it on.  I also thought the material would be durable - something that wouldn't wear out in a few short months of use.

Headphones.  Music.  Enough said.

A great lightweight jacket for those windy days or chilly morning/evening runs!  I really like that it has pockets for my apartment key, tissues, etc., and it just so happens to be the most comfortable thing ever.

I've said it before, but my heart rate monitor is so stinking awesome.  I love that it beeps whenever I'm out of my target heart rate range, and I can see how many calories I'm burning.

These leggings!  At first I thought they were kind of crazy/hideous, but I'm secretly falling in love with them and I kiiiind of want them a lot. :)

I don't own these gray Nikes, but I've heard good things about them and their ratings on different websites are always pretty high.

workout wear wishes.

{light coral sweatshirt}

{capri pants}

{shoes designed here}

Please, please, please with a cherry on top?

A lady I work with gave me a pass to her friend's new fitness studio for a week of free classes.  You'd better believe I'm going to take advantage of that and hit up as many yoga, zumba, and stretching classes (Yes, stretching classes!) as I can!  The fact that the studio is right above a bakery might be counter-productive... 

Let's talk about this workout wear for a minute though.  I know Lululemon has had a rough week with the whole "see through yoga pants" issue, but that doesn't make me wish for that fabulous coral jacket any less.  I'll just make sure I stick with Target's workout capris. ;) Also, did you know that you can design your own pair of Nikes?  I must live under a rock, because this is news to me.  Hello, mint running shoes!  I hope to be seein' you around.