As many of you know, I’ve been an avid ice dancer for several years. I started ice skating with Brooke when she was little, and as the years went by I fell in love. When I started, I learned basic jumps and spins but I switched to ice dance about eight years ago because I saw that I could still progress as a skater but would be less likely to get hurt because ice dancing does not include jumps which heighten the risk of becoming badly injured, and because several of my skating friends are well into their late 70’s and early 80’s and are still able to enjoy the sport.
It was ice skating that pulled me out of my “work out doldrums”; my former husband and I had been “gym rats” for years, but I had gotten so burned out I couldn’t abide spending any time at all in the gym lifting weights or walking on treadmills. I wanted something that had a richer and fuller purpose. For me, the only purpose was to stay slim and it seemed a so much a bitter pill that I did less and less.
You may recall I returned to fitness by walking 20 minutes (or more) per day. As time went on, I found deep enjoyment in yoga, and finally, one day, while watching my daughter skate, I got the idea that it might be fun for me to do as well. Skating lead me back to the ballet studio, and to the weight loss doctor. Having a sport I loved inspired me to want to do as much as I could to be my best.
And, now, I have found my way back to the gym for an hour or two a week. One of the things that makes the gym just a little more palatable for me is finding cute work out wear, and I’ve just purchased a few items for my collection, plus, I have a few thoughts on putting together attractive fitness looks for the “mature” woman.
I have had ups and downs with body love; and certainly as I’ve aged, I am very aware that parts of my body don’t look like they once did. Some things I choose to cover, like my tummy; it’s not as firm as it once was; it didn’t bounce back after pregnancy. And then there are my arms…the skin isn’t as taught as it once was, and I’d probably cover them if it weren’t so darn hot here. At the same time, I love the cute crop tops that are prominent on the fitness scene, so I have been working on styling them as I actually still enjoy wearing contemporary fitness wear.
A couple of thoughts on elegance and fitness wear. I tend toward a more classic, elegant style, and have found for my personal taste, I prefer a solid color legging in darker colors, for the most part. I have found that bold prints and florals, while pretty, aren’t always the most flattering for me. That said, I do like them on other people, so if you’ve found a beautiful print or floral legging, and you love them, kick my suggestions to the curb and rock what you love.
I use a capsule method for my workout wear just to keep things easy, since I am in active wear at least once a day; sometimes twice. I prefer to shop quality, though I’ve purchased $50 Champion active wear that lasted for almost 10 years, It’s just easier to be able to grab a pair of black or dark leggings and any top from my collection and be good to go.
Here are a few items I have in my rotation:
- Tank tops and t-shirts from Target. I usually get them in black or white, though if I see a print I like, I pick that up as well, so long as it looks good with black, brown or navy leggings. Some days I don’t feel like wearing a sports bra, so having some nice tshirts and tanks to add into the rotation is great. I find Target T-shirts to be a good value, and they often come in a range of colors. I buy them in my size (xs) and often a size up so I have some tunic length as well as hip length.
- As noted above, my legging collection currently consists of the color black.
- Fun sports bras and tops. I have been getting fun sports bras and tops from Athleta, Sweaty Betty and Carbon 38. I currently have two black cropped tops, one white, one multi colored, one navy with white piping and a longline black top with a subtle design I got from Marshals several years ago.
- Jackets. Jackets are my jam, specifically because they allow me to cover my stomach a bit so I can still wear a sports bra and show a little midriff but be able to cover a little at the same time too. Plus, if I’m feeling a bit self conscious about my arms, the jacket covers them, and if I am self conscious about my bum, I simply tie my jacket around my waist.
- Cardigan sweaters and tunics: I will often add a cardigan or tunic for a cute post work out look; I love being able to switch my sports bra out for a shirt, add a sweater and booties and have a street ready look.
- I look for items made of net or with net insets to cover trouble spots while still looking stylish.
Now it’s your turn, do you have any tips or tricks you use to look chic in workout clothes? How do you feel about wearing workout wear in non-workout situations? Be sure to share your thoughts in the comment section below and hop around and visit the link up!
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I prefer pretty simple, classic workout wear too. My leggings are either black, dark gray or navy. You look amazing, BTW. It’s so great that you have a form of exercise that you really enjoy doing. I’m still working on that.
I too wear dark solid colored leggings for my workouts. I take yoga and pilates classes at my local gym. Ice skating sounds like fun, I used to skate for fun in winters as a child and up to my late teen years but haven’t done it in many many years 🙁
To answer your question about how I feel in workout wear other than the gym: That’s not for me, I have to wear regular clothes to go on with my day.
Ellibelle’s Corner
I agree that cute workout wear can definitely be an incentive to get active. I bought some cute pieces from Old Navy and secondhand last year and it kept me motivated for some time. But then winter arrives here and you simply cannot go outdoors to exercise. And I just can’t tolerate a gym unfortunately. You look great in all your cute pieces. And such a wonderfully motivating post, too.
Shelbee
http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com
I do think having pretty workout clothes certainly helps and motivates, makes you feel good! I have a pair of floral leggings and also just grey and black. I workout at home, I have a space set up with equipment and my treadmill. I really like the back of your black top you are showing here.
You look fabulous! As someone who has a hate-hate relationship with exercise, I am envious of those who are able to enjoy it.
I love ice dancing, yoga, swimming and walking but I am not a fan of the gym. Going to try to do it anyway though because it is so good for the bones.
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NO wonder you look so beautiful!! Dancing will do it for sure! I want to get back into dancing…I was a ballerina until the age of 21! HOpe you’ll link up with me today on my Fabulous Fridays:) Have a great weekend xx
Have a great weekend, Lucy! I will try to get over to see you!
Not sure why today’s link party was already closed…. but I’m 71 and my “concession” to dressing my age is wearing tankinis instead of bikinis! We go to a resort between Cancun & Tulum 3x a year, and I’m in the pool most of the day for those weeks. I still wear my sundresses at night there, several inches above my knees (but my concession to dressing my age is no spaghetti straps or topless dresses)…. I should mention that I do wear a size 1, so the tankinis and sundresses in junior sizes still fit well (knocking on wood!!)….
This sounds amazing! I am a one-piece wearer, but I purchased a two-piece this year for a blog post I am working on, and I might just wear it in public.
I fall into the camp of gym-avoiders. Not sure why, but I just hate going to the gym. My daughter turned me on to an app based program called tone it up which I absolutely love. They have boatloads of short effective exercise videos that I can do at home, first thing in the morning with minimal equipment (light weights, booty bands). Also love my Saturday morning yoga class and am working on adding in walking after my TIU session each day.
I too am working out from home these days along with a 3-mile brisk walk most mornings. I am so glad you have found ways to work out–could you share the app you found? I would love to take a look and I”m sure some of the other ladies here would love it too.
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