Hey there! Products come and go but style is forever. All links are similar (if not better) versions of the looks modeled and updated for the 2015 holiday season. Happy gifting!
Xo,
The Mom Edit
2013 was my year of cancer, 2014 was my year of recovery, and 2015? 2015 will be my year of bad assery. My year of workout domination. My year of health. If anyone else is obsessively stalking Pinterest for workout quotes (my latest fav? “If you’re tired of starting over, stop giving up”)….here’s a gift guide for you.*
*A disclaimer for new mamas: My “baby” just turned four. This is the first year – since my oldest was born – that I feel like working out on a regular basis. That I can actually make workouts part of my life again. I haven’t worked out – with any sort of regularity – since Raines was born in 2008. If you are sitting in the midst of diapers and spit-up and stained nursing bras and are feeling bad reading this article and wondering how the hell I manage to have any time to work out….please remember this: My babies are not babies anymore. (sob!) Your time will come. Go easy on yourself – up until very recently, I was there too.
1. Lululemon Down For A Run Pullover, $168
I’m obsessed with this sweatshirt-puffer jacket hybrid. Perfect for throwing on over workout gear, but chic enough (and warm enough) to wear around the rest of the day. You’d totally rock school pick-up. The zippers on the sides let you control how fitted this piece it – unzip to hide a pooch, zip up to show off a waist. I love the teal, but this jacket is also available in black.2.
2. Alo Blossom Longline Bra, $72
It’s called a “longline bra” but I’d wear it alone. Sexy, yet functional.
3. Free People Pom Beanie, $4
A chic beanie to keep your head warm post-workout. (Yay for the faux-fur pom!)
4. Lululemon Wunder Under Pant (Hi-Rise), $98
The fabric looks super cozy, and I love that the cut is more pant-like, rather than workout tights. Exactly the kind of pant you can camouflage for all-day wear.
5. Fabletics Workout Gear, complete outfits range from $40 – $80
Fabletics works like Fabkids, or Stylemint: you basically become a member (it’s free to signup), and every month you have the chance to purchase a new workout outfit, OR choose to skip that month (and won’t be charged). Their outfits are seriously affordable and shockingly on-trend. In addition to the outfit shown, I’m also obsessed with “Blast”. I’d pick the bright blue tights, teal bra, and gray twisted shirt. (Also check out “Owyhee” – the camo workout tights are so flipping cool.)
6. ToeSox Bella Half-Toe Gripper Socks, $16
I started using these socks for Pilates and am shocked by the difference they make! Also in full toe if you get cold easily.
7. Classic Mini Ugg Boots, $134
I have these in chestnut, and they are – hands down – my most worn boot when the weather turns. Just so easy and comfy, you know? I wear them to school drop-off and pickup, and wear them to the pilates/yoga/barre studio. And….well, that’s kinda my day. Am thinking that I’d love a black pair to go with all of my workout black.
8. Jade Harmony Yoga Mat
I was sent a Jade Harmony Yoga mat while going through chemo. It’s made from natural rubber, so you don’t have to worry about toxic chemicals when you’re getting your ohms. It’s also just an all around great yoga mat.
9. emblem Fair Isle Flip Top Mitten, $57
I love adding in a bit of fair isle to sporty work-out gear.
10. Fitbit Flex
While I like the look of the Jawbone UP24
11. Tory Burch for Fitbit Leather Bracelet, $175
This product is genius. This gorgeous bracelet (available in gold or silver) can hide your Fitbit Flex in a seriously cool package.
12. S’well Crocodile 17oz Water Bottle, $35
This is easily the chicest water bottle I’ve EVAH seen.
13, 14, & 15: Studio Membership/Class Punch Card
One of the best gifts for us mamas trying to get back in shape is a punch card (or month or yearly membership) for workout classes. Here are my current favs:
Mutu Mamas – this is a complete online program to help Mamas get their bodies back. Wendy, the founder, is an alignment nerd (in the best possible way), and helps us understand why some of us (myself included) still have that hard little belly bump that won’t go away (hint: diastatis is only a symptom of a bigger problem). I find Wendy so inspiring and her private Facebook community (available to subscribers) is impressive and supportive. All of these workouts are online, and perfect for all moms whether you’ve just given birth, or are years/decades out.
Belly Pilates – There are a few Pilates studios popping up that focus on post-partum. Locally, I love Belly Pilates in Bryn Mawr. Kelly (the founder) is nothing short of a post-baby-body genius, and her classes are like rehab. I started going to Kelly after my mastectomy, and she has been a huge part of my recovery. Also? My lingering post-baby belly is almost gone.
Barre3 – a pilates/yoga/ballet hybrid. I had done Barre3 quite some time ago, but recently rediscovered because they have a new studio here on the Mainline. (They also have online workouts available, but I don’t like the online nearly as much as an in-person class.)
Most gift guides yet to come!! (Aren’t these fun?)
xo,
S
Have you tried Lithe? I’ve been going for two years. Lots of fun and really great workouts. Plus, they’ve got a Mainline studio too.
Good morning Shana! I laugh/cried at the beginning of this post. I think you have been a badass this whole time. My 2014 saw both a mastectomy and more recently a “touch up” surgery four weeks ago. (I put on work out clothes this morning to go to the gym for the first time since surgery #2) Is it alright if I join you in a year of badassery for 2015? Thanks for today’s post, perfect timing!
If you want to feel badass when working out, look no farther than Michi: http://michiny.com/ Now that’s workout where to dodge laser beams and crack safes in!
That should say “workout wear”. :O)
That is a lovely and kind disclaimer! (Says the mom to a 12 month old contemplating another munchkin while making a goal to walk once or twice a week in the name of fitness and trying not to lament how far I am from my half-marathon running days!)
And in the meantime- I have to put in a plug for workout wear as lounge wear! When I moved in with my husband, he lamented the fact that I changed out of my pretty clothes and into a giant t-shirt and scrub pants the second I walked through the door. Yoga pants and a tank top have been a spark maintaining and still comfy compromise over the years. 🙂
Yay for badassery!!! (In your case, MORE badassery — just of a new variety?) I have to second your recommendation of the Jade yoga mat. I splurged for one when I did yoga teacher training, and I am in love with it. Seems pricy, but it’s so, so worth it. And that rubber smell…especially when pregnant…mmmmmm. (Is that weird?)
A million thank-yous for the disclaimer! I’ve been feeling *terrible* that the wee babe is almost 1, and the little pram charm I bought when pregnant for my race bracelet will NOT be used, because how on earth was I ever going to have the energy to run when this tiny person doesn’t sleep?! Thank you, thank you, thank you.
You are a badass, S, now here’s to a year of health for you!!!
How are the Fabletics tights? I need a “thin enough to show any little ripple” rating, combined with a “how many miles in before I’m yanking them up” factor? Can you do me a spreadhseet? 😉
Wait, I’m intrigued…what “main bonus” does the Fitbit Flex have???
Also, have you actually subscribed to Fabletics and can thus judge the quality? I’ve seen some of the clothes on bloggers and wasn’t convinced that they were actually thick/sturdy enough for those of us that want to leave SOME things to the imagination…
She meant that you can wear your FitBit Flex inside a Tory Burch metal bangle bracelet, instead of the usual rubber activity-tracker wristband. But the Tory Burch bangle is ONLY for the FitBit Flex–make sense?
Yep, 2015 is my year for getting in shape, too. Not “back in shape” – just in shape. Helpful genes and an interest in nutrition has kept me slim through six babies – oldest is 14, youngest is 1 – but I’ve never been fit. Ever. (Muscles? What are those?) Any chance you could wangle a MuTu Mamas 15%-off coupon for us? They’ve done that for other blogs, though none I’ve seen recently.
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you… for the disclaimer, for sharing, for being the amazing you!!
No seriously, I’ve been beating myself up the last few years because I “need” to workout, I’m not happy with my “jabba the hut belly”, I’m tired of always being tired… yada-yada, but just Physically. Exhausted. trying to keep up with my 3 and 5 year old. I soooooo wanted to just give you the biggest hug after reading the first few lines of your disclaimer – Thank you!
So, I did it, I signed up for MuTu – giving it a go, wish me luck…. now where’s another cup of coffee? 😉
Girlfriend, my babies are 9 and 6 and I’m just now able to find time to exercise (and that time is only because darling hubby has taken over cooking & laundry duties)!!!! No one should feel bad for doing what needs to be done to live their life.
Sing it, Sister.
While I sit here shoving a cookie into my mouth and my 9 month old is finally taking a nap, your disclaimer is all too sweet. I am interested in the mutu workouts – has anyone tried it? Does it work?
I bought Mutu because of this post. I’m now in my sixth week and just starting to see results. While I didn’t lose any weight thanks to the holiday feasting, I did lose and inch around my belly button and I’m definitely looking better! I also can’t remember the last time I peed myself when I sneezed!
Thanks, Christy! I’m on week two – also because of this post – and it’s good to hear that I will be seeing results, even after the Christmas goodies. Right now, my core muscles are just in a constant state of complaint: “You’re not supposed to be USING us! We’re retired!” I haven’t even gotten to the workouts [shudder].
I just left a feeling-sorry-for-myself comment on TME fb page about how I’m prego, feeling gross, and probably will be fat FOREVER. Your disclaimerto new mamas made my hormonal self cry–all that to say, Thank you for remembering.
Just discovered this site. It totally screams Shana http://www.carbon38.com/