New Year’s Resolution: Up your fitness fashion game
December, you were so indulgent with your cookie exchanges and cocktail parties. Now, here comes January, the drill sergeant, ready to pull us up by the sports bra straps and snap us back into the gym.
If you’ve got health and fitness goals on your New Year’s resolution list, the key to following through is to set a manageable goal (i.e. unless you’re on the Biggest Loser, don’t expect to lose 20 pounds in a month). Also, block out time to spend on your goal: For example, spend a couple hours on Sunday afternoon planning and prepping healthy meals for the week and write in your planner when you’ll be working out, just like you would any other important appointment.
Another motivator? Cute workout clothes, of course! Keep a gym bag packed and ready to go with fresh workout duds so you can squeeze in a workout—whether on your lunch hour or on your way home from work.
Here are some workout wardrobe staples that will help you survive the January gym swarm.
You’ll definitely need yoga pants …
Ohm. My. Gosh. They’re not just yoga pants. They’re also grocery store pants; Saturday morning lounge around the house pants; drop the kids off at school pants; and “I wish I could wear these to work” pants. We’d say you’re getting a pretty good return on investment on a new pair of yoga pants. If you’ve got a drawer full of black and gray styles, make 2015 the year that you try out a colorful pair—like these Beyond Yoga Stripe-Hype Capri leggings in a subtle violet, $77, Nordstrom.com, or a subtle print on the waistband, like these yoga Capri pants, $15, Old Navy. Don’t want to break from the black and gray? Pull in a fun print, instead. We like the abstract print Capri leggings, $17.80, from Forever 21.
… And some workout T-shirts and tanks.
Whether you and the treadmill are about to take a 5-mile indoor run or you’re going to dance off calories in a group exercise class, a fun statement T-shirt or tank top will help you conquer the workout in style. This “No Days Off” tank, $12.90, Forever 21, seems to be a good match for your New Year’s resolution enthusiasm. We dare you to flaunt this “You Don’t Know Squat” tank, $14.94 at Old Navy, into the weight room. And a long-sleeve moto top from Gap, $44.95, has fun arrow designs and ergonomic mesh panels in sweat-prone areas and will work for indoor and outdoor workouts.
Don’t forget the winter gym commute.
Whether you’re hitting the gym first thing in the morning or after work, you’ll need a warm layer for your winter workouts. Bonus points if it’s cozy, too. We’re loving the soft Power-Down Primaloft hoodies, $98 from Athleta, made of silky soft yards that wick and dry quickly. For extra warmth, try a down bomber jacket, $71.99 on deep discount at Athleta. Keep your neck extra cozy with a neck cowl that has a cozy fleece lining, $34.95 at Gap.