Health & Fitness

Top Fitness Gear for Women

by dietingfashion on March 1, 2023

Fitness gear is an essential component of any workout routine, whether you’re a seasoned athlete or a beginner just starting out. For women, having the right fitness gear can make all the difference in ensuring a comfortable and effective workout. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at some of the best fitness gear for women, including apparel, footwear, and accessories.

1. Athletic Leggings

Athletic leggings are a must-have for any woman who enjoys working out. They provide a comfortable and flexible fit, allowing for a full range of motion during activities such as running, yoga, or weightlifting. Look for leggings made with breathable and moisture-wicking materials, such as spandex or polyester, to help keep you cool and dry during your workout.

2. Sports Bras

Sports bras are a crucial piece of fitness gear for women. They provide support and stability for the breasts during high-impact activities, helping to prevent discomfort and even injury. Look for sports bras with adjustable straps and moisture-wicking fabrics, as well as those with varying levels of support, depending on the intensity of your workout.

3. Athletic Shoes

The right athletic shoes can make a world of difference in your workout. Look for shoes that provide the appropriate support and cushioning for your preferred activity, whether that’s running, weightlifting, or something else entirely. Additionally, make sure the shoes fit properly and are comfortable to wear for extended periods of time.

4. Water Bottles

Staying hydrated during a workout is crucial for both performance and safety. Having a reliable water bottle on hand can help ensure you’re getting the fluids you need to stay hydrated throughout your workout. Look for bottles that are durable, leak-proof, and easy to carry, whether you prefer a traditional bottle or a more modern option such as a hydration pack.

5. Headbands and Hair Ties

Keeping your hair out of your face during a workout is essential for both comfort and safety. Headbands and hair ties are simple yet effective tools for achieving this. Look for options made with non-slip materials to ensure they stay in place during even the most intense workouts.

6. Fitness Trackers

Fitness trackers are a great way to track your progress and stay motivated during your workouts. They can help you monitor everything from steps taken to calories burned to heart rate, providing valuable feedback that can help you improve your performance over time. Look for trackers with features that align with your fitness goals, such as GPS tracking, heart rate monitoring, or even sleep tracking.

In conclusion, having the right fitness gear is essential for women looking to achieve their fitness goals. Whether you prefer high-intensity activities or more low-impact options, investing in quality apparel, footwear, and accessories can help you stay comfortable, safe, and motivated throughout your workouts. So why wait? Start shopping for your ideal fitness gear today and get ready to take your workout routine to the next level!


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Athleisure Outfit from Target

by dietingfashion on April 8, 2022

 

 

Athleisure clothing are so popular right now. If we can live in these clothes, we would. (Actually we already do, but 🤷🏻‍♀️. But it’s a secret.)

Target has been stocking great athletic tops and bottoms lately. The styles and fit are geared towards people looking for budget friendly pricing.

We want to look good. Not break the bank.

Target even has athletic shoes for lifting, cross training and running. This is probably why I shop at Target at least once a week.

Note: My links may contain affiliate links which pays me a commission if you make a purchase or click the link.

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Thank You!

by dietingfashion on July 18, 2016

Advocare Spark 24 Day ChallengeI want to thank everyone who has been purchasing Advocare Spark and other Advocare products from me.

Regards,

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Post Partum » Week 18

by dietingfashion on July 7, 2013

week18

Shirt: Ann Taylor Stretch Satin Diagonal Top
Jeans: Ann Taylor Loft Maternity Straight Leg
Shoes: LC Lauren Conrad Platform High Heels (here)

At week 18, my weight decreased to 149 lbs. So far with dieting and exercise, I have lost 4 pounds. I am able to eat about 1500 calories per day. Mostly I have to cut out carbs in order to meet that goal. It’s been hard, very hard.

I exercise 5 times a week, 30 minutes cardio + 30 minutes strength training. I have been noticing that my hips and lower back ache more after I run. Unfortunately this is probably still the residual effects of childbirth. So no more running. I’ve taken up the elipitical for now. The amazing thing is that I burn more calories on the elipitical than on a treadmill. Go figure.

I never really liked the elipitical because I always felt like it does not wittle down my waist. I feel like my abs get a better workout when I run. However I was told if I want to get really good ab definition then I need to do the Stair Master. If you plug in Stair Master on My Fitness Pal, 30 minutes will burn 304 calories which kicks Elipitical and Treadmill’s butt!

Starting this week, I’ll alternate Stair Master, Treadmill and Elipitical.

Keep it up everyone! We can lose weight and shape up together!

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Maternity Exercises» Dealing with Pregnancy Pains

by dietingfashion on January 3, 2013

This pregnancy really has flown by. I’m already 32 weeks and I cannot believe I have just 8 more weeks to go! I feel like jumping for joy. Unfortunately my joints, with this pregnancy, are so painful. I can only flinch much less make it off the ground.

With my first two pregnancies, my hips would disjoint while I would walk. My doctor said this was caused by rounded ligaments – basically my hips expanding to make room for the baby. The back pain came around the mid 8th month mark and around 9 months, when the baby dropped, then came the pubic pressure.

This third pregnancy made me feel like someone threw me under the bus and made me get up and walk to the hospital. The back pain, the hip pain and the pubic pressure are all so much more intense this time and happened so much sooner. I asked my doctor “Why is this happening?” and he said “Well every pregnancy is different, but usually by the third pregnancy, your body knows what to do a lot quicker. So the back pain, hip pain and pubic pressure come a lot earlier.”

Well D-A-M-N!

No easy pregnancy for me. Luckily there are some great exercises that help loosen those maternity aches and pains.

1. Stretching
I can no longer do a split nor do I want to do a split while pregnant. I always stretch before each of my workouts and I found out that as my pregnancy grows, the longer I have to stretch. I lose flexibility and I experience tighter muscles with nerve pain.

What used to be a 15 minute or 20 minute warm up pre-pregnancy, will be 30 minutes before the workout and 15- 20 minutes after a workout.

Some great beginner stretches:
a. Leg Stretches
Sit with your legs in a as wide of a split position as you can. Twist your upper body over to one leg and lean down as far as you can. Try to reach pass your toes. Feel the stretch in your back and in the hamstrings (the pull underneath your leg). Count to 10. Repeat to the other side.

b. With your legs in a split position as wide as you can, reach forward and lean in front of you as low as you can to the ground. Feel the back stretch and inner thighs stretch. Count to 10 and reach further out. Count to 10 and reach further out again. Relax.

2. Walk with High Knee Lifts
With hands on your hips, walk around the neighborhood or backyard (or just around the house), lifting the knee higher than 90 degrees off the ground, alternating left and right. Walk for 2-3 minutes then relax. Repeat 2 more times.

The walking motion combined with the knee lifts really helps my hip pain. It also gets my heart beating and that is good cardio.

3. Squats with a Sumo Kick
This has become one of my go to exercises to deal with hip pain, back pain and nerve pain. I stand on my feet a lot because I have two active kids. It is getting harder to stand up straight (and not arch the back). It is also getting harder to bend down to pick up after them or get down on my knees to clean up a mess/spill.

By the end of the day (7PM), I am exhausted. Moreover, my hip pains are now accompanied by nerve pain that run up and down my legs and back. Any movement can cause like this electric static to my joints. Sitting down or laying down helps minimize the pain but if I try to get up then the pain returns.

Images care of Health.com

a. To squat, spread your feet about 3-4 feet apart as long as you still can maintain an equal distribution of weight in the center. Turn out your feet to help your hips turn out in the same direction. Dip, bending at the knees, making sure the knees do not bend over more than your toes. You will feel a stretch in your quads and buttocks. Rise and kick out your right leg. Squat again and then kick out your left leg. Do 12 squats alternating kicks per side (6 kicks each side).

4. Step Ups with Knee Lifts
At the gym, there are usually benches placed randomly throughout that’s probably 2 feet off the ground. You might need someone to help spot you in case you lose your balance.

Images care of WomenWorld.org

Step up with Right foot. Lift up left knee. Lower left leg to the ground (So you’re now stepping down, never touching the bench). Lower your right leg to the ground.

5. Roll Out the Foam (Or the Tennis Ball)
Muscle tension therapy is really promoted as a rehab recovery technique. It helps loosen muscle tension and stiffness by targeting knotted areas (those areas tend to be really tender and painful to the touch). Using the foam roller, you can self massage the top of the thigh, outer thigh and inner thigh by using your body weight to press down on to the foam roller to release the tight muscles.

Image care of sportsmedicine.about.com

You need to continue to apply pressure especially to areas that hurt. I know it sounds sadistic to put yourself through the pain but afterwards your muscles feel so much different. There’s an increase in range of motion and strength. In other words, if I use a foam roller twice a week, that whole week is spent with less hip pain, back pain etc.

If you do not have a foam roller handy, get a tennis ball. I like to lean my back against the wall with a tennis ball in between to massage out the lower back muscles down to the glutes and outer glutes.

When I first tried this “massaging” technique, I was blindsided by the pain. It is comparable to giving birth. The pain is excruciating. Afterwards, there’s a lot of soreness that feels like bruising. Drink lots of water afterwards.

Why then put myself through this painful exercise? Because it significantly reduces my nerve pain and my muscle stiffness. Furthermore, I feel like my legs actually have strength in them, instead of feeling brittle and writhing with pain.

Try these techniques. I do recommend consulting with a physician before starting any new workout/regimen. If you are unsure of any of these technique, please stop doing them. I found these exercises different but very helpful in my personal case. But everyone is different and you should do only the exercises you are comfortable with.

If you have any questions, please leave a comment! Thanks.

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