Friday Feels
We made it! Happy Friday! We’re one week into a new month and I just have to say, October has a way of bringing out the worst of me if I let it. I plan way too many things to “soak up the season,” I overanalyze our halloween costumes and most of all, I tend to leave behind the healthy eating and committed exercising in exchange for chili, pumpkin bread, apple cider doughnuts and chunky knits to hide behind.Â
This will be my first Autumn as a vegetarian and to say I’m struggling would be quite the understatement. O has been vegan for 2 years, so I have a full range of recipes in my back pocket, but I’m missing comfort foods in a big way. Instead of finding healthier, meatless alternatives, I’ve pretty much just been subbing everything out for carbs, carbs and more carbs.
O and I completed Whole 30 back in Spring and while we left with plenty of takeaways and life long changes to our diet as a family, we decided it’s time to recommit to more of a Whole 30 style diet throughout the week instead of falling into the temptations this time of year brings. I’m currently trying to figure out how to make daily exercise a non-negotiable in my routine, but until then, I know I’m more likely to slip a workout into my day if I know exactly what I’m going to wear. (I can’t be the only one motivated by activewear, right?)
I’ve learned over the past few years after ending my college volleyball career and learning for the first time how to exercise outside of a team environment that what you workout in contributes a whole lot to the workout itself.
I used to spend time at the gym adjusting my leggings, uncomfortable in my shoes, yanking headphones out of my ear and running out of water before I even walked in the door. Not anymore, friends. Not anymore.
Top: I’ve found a cropped sweatshirt is my favorite thing to workout in when temperatures drop (or anytime, really) because I personally like to wear something oversized to feel comfortable and a bit covered. Â I have this Nike one and can’t say enough good things about it. The crop is especially flattering with my other staple: the high waisted legging.
High waisted leggings: Since having kids, even if I can pretend I have ripped abs on the upper part of my stomach, the lower part of my tummy just doesn’t lie. I feel “held in,” secure and confident in high waisted leggings so I don’t have to spend a second of energy on thinking of those wobbly bits. I’ve tested many, many pairs of these and my hands-down absolute favorites are the Zella High Waisted Legging (budget friendly and insanely impressive) the Alo High Waisted Moto Legging (slight investment, worth every penny) and the Lululemon Align II Pant (also a slight investment, worth every penny.)
Nike Roshe: I have enormous feet and always have to get my sneakers from the mens section. I’m so thankful that for once, my sneakers are neutral and pretty enough that I can, and do, wear them with jeans and real clothes. It doesn’t hurt that they’re light as air while being able to withstand everything from lifting to running.
Beats wireless headphones: I was so tired of swatting my headphone wire on accident, untangling wires and forgetting my headphone adaptor (iPhone problems.) After stealing O’s for every workout, we finally decided it was time for me to get my own too. Bonus: they’re perfect for talking on the phone or listening to a podcast while doing dishes. Just me? Okay.
Hydroflask: I rave about this water bottle all the time but I’ve had it for over three years and still am just as pleased as day one. It keeps liquids cold for an unbelievable amount of time. I have the 60oz which really keeps me on track as a visual for how much water I should be drinking.
Are you like me? Do you feel the urge to indulge in all.the.things whenever October rolls around? Let me know if you’re inspired to join me in committing to a healthier autumn and winter season! I’m in Dallas for another couple weeks and plan on indulging here and there on the weekends and enjoying rest where I can get it, but I’m playing around with my schedule and planning and prepping to end up stronger at the end of the holiday season than I ever have.
