2019 Fitness favorites

A few of my favorite fitness products for this year. 

In 2019, I feel like I stuck with my favorite fitness products. I love my R8 roller. I wore pretty similar running clothes. I tried some new types of fuel. But here are some new addition to my favorites. 

1. Lululemon Run Stuff Your Bra long, for long runs (center)

 I like the longer length of this sports bra. I think it helps with underboob chafe. It's my go-to sports bra for runs.

2. Running shorts. 

I vastly prefer running in crops, but summer runs call for shorts and this year, I wore those short tight shorts that the runners wear. And after I found the right ones, they were a joy to run in. My two favorites are Lululemon Fast and Free short 6 inch and the Oiselle pocket jogger. They don't ride up when running and aren't too short. (I should say I got a few pairs of the Lululemon shorts and one pair did ride up. The others didn't. I only have one pair of the Oiselle shorts since they keep selling out.) 

First year I was brave enough to wear TIGHT SHORT SHORTS . 

3. Lululemon Swiftly tanks

I've been a Cool Racerback person, but this year, I started liking the Swiftly because it's lightweight and great for summer running. It's lighter and breathes easier. Certain styles/colors do better with sweat than others, but this is what I reached for on runs this year. 

4. UCann

I heard a lot of about UCann this year. I tried it. It tastes super chalky (gag) but it works. I can't have a bad run with it. I don't like the texture and it makes me spit a lot but it really does great for energy. 

5. Skincare for sweaty skin (small blue bottle in photo.) 

I've been loving Fre skincare, which is for people who sweat a lot. I love their revitalize skin serum for after a run. It's exactly what my skin needs. This product line also has a face wash, and a nighttime moisturizer. I don't love the daytime moisturizer as it's basically sunscreen (and smells like sunscreen)

6. Not pictured: Favorite Cookbook
Run Fast, Cook Fast, Eat Slow. Love. Every athlete should use this cookbook. 

2016 favorite activewear/ Lululemon

These were my favorite pieces of the year—the things that I wore over and over and brought me JOY to wear. And I want more of that—clothes that I'm happy to put on in the morning, that are comfortable and make me feel like a million bucks. (And less cheap pieces that make me feel lumpy.) *Most of these aren't available anymore, so I'll link if it still is.

Fitting room. Insta love.

Business class on a plane. 

At the office trying to stay warm

1. Lululemon Down for a Run Vest
My absolute favorite piece of activewear for 2016 was my Down for a Run Vest. Because the Lulu educator old me to, I tried the inkwell vest on and LOVED it. I had no intention of buying it. But it was warm, functional and really well cut. It made me look skinny. But I did not want to pay $138 for it. So I left the store without it, only to go back a few days later and buy it. I had to have it. And I don't regret the purchase at all. I've lived in the vest since I bought it. I wear it every weekend. To work when I can get away with it. It's a great piece of clothing. It's not bulky like other vests. And it has all sorts of pockets, to stash my keys so I don't need to carry a purse. It's GREAT for traveling because it has so many pockets. This was a lifesaver for me. I bought another vest in purple, and I'd buy more if I could find more

Work clothes
This year I tried to wear Lululemon to work as much as I could and I got some great pieces

2. &Go Where-To Dress
I have this dress in black and blue. It is SO COMFORTABLE. I always get compliments when I wear the black one. It's a T-shirt dress I wear to work. When it's cooler I wear it with black tights and a black sweater. I have a boyish figure—no curves, so this style works for me. It's probably not for everyone. The blue one isn't as dressy, so I wear it on weekends.

3. &GO Til Dawn dress
Again I have this in black and a blue print. It's a fit and flare dress which looks AMAZING ON ME. I always gets compliments when I wear it. It's looks so chic. Super dressy for work. I wear the black one with a black blazer. I wear the printed one with a navy blazer and look like a boss. These dresses are well made, they have pockets, and are super comfy. In the summer, I wear these dresses once a week, since I love them so much.

4. City Trek Trouser Ponte
These are trouser pants made of a stretchy material. They're soft and comfortable and completely great for work. My one gripe is they run a little big. The 6 I have stretched out. So I got a pair of 4's in the blue. I wear these to work all the time.

After a race. Too tired to straighten my leg.

5. Lululemon Pace Rival Crop in Hounds Camo Emperor Blue Black
These have been my go-to Saturday running crop. I like the way they feel. They have plenty of pockets. They don't REALLY show sweat. They're just comfortable and I like the colors. I wear black, navy or purple tanks with this. They're also longer than my other crops, which is nice for when it's colder since I don't like to wear tights. Always crops.

I should say the first time I tried the Pace Rival crop on, I tried it on in black and found them sheer. I'd really like another pair of dark Pace Rivals.

6. Sweaty Betty Navasana Reversible 3/4 Yoga Leggings in SunsetInRio Print
I bought these reversible crops for my birthday. I love the colors. I wear these to yoga all the time.

Warehouse sale favorites
I LOVED the Lululemon warehouse sale in Atlanta. It was cool to see so much lulu in one place. The stores are so small. And I spent way too much but got some of my favorite pieces of the year there.

7. Lululemon Race to Place Hat
I picked this blue hat up because it was $4. (I bought a bunch for gifts.) I ended up wearing this hat at least once a week. (I have SO many selfies in this hat!) I hadn't been a hat person until this hat, but I wanted a hat for trail runs (so I don't have to worry about ticks or spiders falling into my hair.) I ended up wearing it on almost all my runs because it keeps sweat from getting in my eyes. It's great for the pool too.  Or just hiding a bad or dirty hair day on a grocery store run. I've since purchased more colors and become a hat person (also great because no one recognizes me when I'm shopping. An introvert's dream! Not having to talk to people I don't want to!)

8. Lululemon Mantra tote bag.
This has become my every day bag.

9. Lululemon Palm Stripe Roll Down Wunder Under Crops
$29. And I wear these once a week to yoga. They're cottony soft and I just like the way they feel.

I took this picture because I had a NEW car
and dirty trail shoes. Haha.

10. Balega run socks.
My favorite socks this year were a pair of Balega Hidden Contour run socks. Can I have five more pair? These are comfortable and have just the right amount of padding and support. They held up well in the wash and I always reached for these when they were clean.

Honorable mention: Athleta longsleeve
Super soft and warm, and I'd buy more if I could find more.


It's probably too early to tell, but I'm loving some recent purchases too

• Lululemon Fast Track Pant
It's sweatpants  that don't look frumpy. They're super comfortable and I've been living in them. GREAT for running errands. I think they are going to be my new weekend pants.

• Sit in Lotus Sweater
Super soft and something that works for work and weekends.

Family road trip. 

• Restless 1/4 zip pullover.
I got this in a  fair isle print in get and have been wear it every weekend.

Top 10 active wear purchases this year

I bought way too much active wear this year. I did focus more on good pieces that I would actually wear—and tried to buy less that I'd never wear. Here are some of my favorite purchases of 2015—based on how much I like them and how much I wear them.

1. Lululemon Run Stuff Your Bra.
This sports bra is cute, comfy and it has pockets for your phone and keys. I like to keep my iPhone with me when I run so this is perfect. I'd get three more if I could—but Lulu isn't selling them in the U.S. Every other country, but not the U.S.

Think I'm wearing Stash It crop, the Run
Stuff Your Bra and the UA tank in this photo.

2. Lululemon Stash It Crop.
I bought these in Lululemon's online warehouse sale this summer. I wear them once or twice a week because—THEY HAVE POCKETS high on the hips. I've gotten others with lower pockets and then your phone just knocks against your leg.  And when I run trails I need to keep my phone and keys on me.
I need 2 more pairs of these.

3. Werkshop dragon crops
These are my badass crops. I usually wear them to flying trapeze. They're just awesome.
(I need more Werkshop in my life in 2016. They have the best designs.) Still available. Werkshop panther is next on my list.

4. Lululemon Wunder Unders
I got a pair of plain black Wunder Unders for my birthday and I just love wearing them. They're so soft and I look forward to wearing them and always feel like a million bucks when I wear them. I have a black and regal plum print that I love and a grey jacquard pair that I wear weekly. I love these. Especially the ones that feel like cotton.

5. Lululemon neck warmers
I'm asthmatic and keeping my airways warm and happy is a big part of my life. Cold constricts my airways so I need to keep my throat warm—and my nose and mouth covered when it's especially cold. These neck warmers are amazing. They're soft and lightweight and exactly what this cold sensitive girl needs. They're like a fashionable version of a neck gaiter. They have a drawstring where you could keep it above your nose if you wanted.

Think I'm wearing it this photo. 

6. Victoria's Secret Seamless Long Sleeve Tee in green space dye.
I have a soft spot for green and I love this long sleeve T. I bought it New Year's 2015 so it barely makes the cut. I wear it all the time and would get more but I bought it on clearance and they don't make it anymore.

7. Lululemon tracker shorts
I don't like shorts. I didn't wear shorts for years because I'm WEIRD about my thighs. I have huge quads (running, barre, trampolining you name it) and most shorts make my thighs look like tree trunks. These are the shortest shorts I've found that work. And they're super soft and comfy. Even better than the Nike tempo short.

8. Lululemon Jet Crop Slim
I saw these pants in the Lululemon show room and thought I could dress these up for work. They're super soft and passable for work with heels and a flowy top. Love. I wear them on the weekend after working out. They're a dressier version of a sweatpant.
I'm not crazy about the baggy crotch, but I still tend to wear these pants ALL THE TIME. Every weekend.

9. Lululemon Cool Racer Back in Raspberry Glo Light
I wasn't originally a fan of Lulu's CRB. They just made me look like I had a muffin top. I dropped three pounds from running and the size 6 looks much better on me. This neon tank is amazing. I want to wear it all of the time. I can't wash it often enough. I know I'm super late to the neon party—but this made me like neon—for runs when the sun is setting or to just feel like an athlete. I since went out and bought more neon.

10. Under Armour Fly-By Stretch Mesh
I have a few of these because they are so awesome. The back is mesh—they're light and perfect for sweaty workouts. I like that they're long too. I wear my purple and black ones the most, but also have hot pink and probably a few more colors.

Yes, there's a lot of lululemon on here. I promised I tried other brands. These are just what I LOVE most.

Honorable mentions from other brands
• Athleta Ponte pant. Dress pants made of yoga pants material. I bought these in December and think I'll wear them a lot in the coming year.
• Glyder Cardio Freek Crop. I LOVED these for about two months and now that they're broken in, I'm not crazy about them. They showed some crotch sweat at tumbling one night and I haven't like them the same since.
Brands I tried: Rese, Beyond Yoga, Alo Yoga, Splits 59, Onzie, Trina Turk
I continue to loathe Fabletics.

Lulu honorable mentions
1) My reversible black and white stripe bikini. Someone invite me to a pool party so I can wear it.
2) Runderful half zip. I need colder weather so I can wear this again ASAP. (Love my think fast pullovers from 2014.)
3) Running socks. I've been all about fancy running socks lately.
4) 105 singlet. This top is so soft. But they stopped making it :(
5) Align pant. Super soft. Love wearing these.