Bonus: Favorite Workout and Wellness Items

I’m incredibly grateful for the kind words, emails, and texts from what I wrote about my feelings about diet culture and finding what health means for me. Thank you. It means a lot to me to receive such kindness about such a vulnerable topic.

As a little bonus, here are the items that have made my life easier as I’ve made these changes. I’ve already made a point of oversharing about products I love (my super summer slam jam post remains my most popular post ever!) and so, again, I will engage in service journalism and tell you all the things I love.

I’ll be back once more before the end of the year to share my favorite books of the year (I’m struggling to narrow them down!) and then it’ll be back to posting once per week.

To Wear

1. Birkenstock EVA Boston Clogs: These are my favorite shoes to wear to spin and Pilates because they slip on and off easily, and as long as you don’t step directly into a puddle, they’re waterproof. They don’t get stinky and they make it easy to move out of the way when the lockers/cubbies get crowded at studios.

2. Lululemon Swiftly Tech Long-Sleeve: I am typically cold at the start of Pilates, and this is just enough of a layer to keep me warm without making me actively sweaty. I usually wear it through most of class, but it's not cumbersome if I need to take it off.

3. Bombas All-Purpose Performance Ankle Socks: My love for Bombas is well-documented (all thanks to my friend Jenn!) but these are the perfect socks for exercise. They are cushioned, they feel like a hug for your foot, and they’re short but not so short that your shoe ends up rubbing against your heel or ankle.

4. Lululemon Love Tank: This tank top meets all of my requirements for the ideal tank: it’s seamless, sweat-wicking, long, doesn’t ride up, and is loose enough that it doesn’t obstruct my movement at all.

5. TIEM Slipstream Cycling Shoe: I love these shoes because the clips are tucked up inside of the sole of the shoe, so they look like “normal” tennis shoes. More importantly, for me, they don’t have slippery clips so I don’t eat it when I am wandering around.

6. Lululemon Everyday Tote: I love this tote and I keep it ready to go for workouts so all I have to do is grab it and go. It is big enough to hold my spin shoes, which means I don’t forget them (something I’ve done a few too many times). There are enough pockets for me to store my keys, phone, and water bottle, plus an extra pair of socks for spin and grippy socks for Pilates. I occasionally grab coffee or brunch after spin on the weekends, and this is large enough to store an outfit but not so ugly that I’m ashamed to carry it into a restaurant as a purse. It’s easy to clean! Big fan.

7. Pointe Studio Happy Grip Socks: At the studio I go to, you can either take class barefoot or in grippy socks. I prefer a grippy sock because I need every possible intervention not to fall off the reformer (I’m mostly kidding). I love these — they’re simple and comfortable, and the little smiley face on them brings me joy, even when my abdominals are raging. I am also a fan of these fuzzy, longer smiley face socks for chilly mornings. If you hate joy, they also make a plain version.

8. Lululemon Align Leggings, 28’: Apparently, some people enjoy compression. I do not. I like to be comfortable, and Align leggings are perhaps the most comfortable leggings on earth. They stay up without holding me in too tightly and they are extremely cozy.

9. Lululemon Nulu Ribbed Twist-Front Headband: I have a frightening amount of curly hair that gets extremely frizzy. This headband holds it in place no matter how many presses or intervals I do in spin. It’s also not completely fugly, which is a win!

Other Things I Love:

1. Owala 40 oz. Tumbler: For the record, I was a Stanley person starting in 2021, but I have converted to Owala because they are LEAK PROOF. I carry water everywhere and I love worrying less about it spilling in my bag.

2. Ninja Creami: Okay, hear me out: I know that one-purpose gadgets are sort of silly and no one needs an ice cream maker. But I struggle to get enough protein, and the Ninja Creami allows me to take a Fairlife Core Protein Shake (with 42 grams of protein!) and using this recipe (which includes a tablespoon of pudding mix), create an item that feels dangerously close to a Wendy’s Frosty. I also highly recommend purchasing extra containers and a handheld frother so you can make a big batch of them at once and mix the pudding mix in quickly.

3. Machete Tortoise Watch Band: I love my Apple Watch, but I also like to not have it be so obvious (I realize that I’m kidding myself) and the silicone band can irritate my skin sometimes. I like this acetate tortoiseshell watch band.

4. Nugget Ice Maker: I realize this is a wild purchase, but I love ice and having it makes me 1000% more likely to drink water and stay hydrated. We all know the benefits of hydration, so I won’t bore you, but drinking water is good for literally everything! And drinking it cold, with delicious ice you can chew on is a delight.

5. Allbirds Wool Mizzles Water Repellant Shoes: Walking is an easy workout, and I walk my dogs frequently. These are comfortable and water-resistant, which is essential when you have dogs that enjoy frolicking in leaf piles and a neighborhood full of trees AND ineffective storm drains, meaning that there are large, frequent puddles.

6. Theragun Prime: I don’t know why I waited so long to purchase a massage gun, considering that I almost always have neck and back pain. I love this thing. It has varying speeds and pressures, changeable heads, and is generally the most relaxing experience. I like the fact that I can use it without help! I love it. Highly recommend.

7. LMNT Watermelon Salt Electrolytes: I get migraines occasionally, especially when I’m dehydrated, and drinking electrolytes daily helps me avoid headaches and feel good. I like this flavor and brand because it is low sugar and not gross tasting (I regret to inform you that many of the other LMNT flavors are disgusting).

8. Ouidad No-Sweat Post-Workout Mist: I am a loyal Ouidad fan and I am obsessed with this spray. I know that some folks are into dry shampoo, but my scalp hasn’t been greasy a day in its life because my hair is so thick, dry, and curly. That said, when I’m sweating regularly, my scalp can get itchy and gunky, especially because I don’t wash my hair every single day (see the dryness issue above). This mist has apple-cider vinegar that helps eliminate the sweat and any odor. Plus, it brings my curls back to life. When I use it with this frizz-fighting touch-up balm, my hair looks *nearly* normal.

9. Owala Free Sip Twist: I know, I know: another Owala. But this is my preferred water bottle during workouts. I like the smaller size, and I especially like the lid, because it protects the mouthpiece if I drop it or someone sweats near me. I don’t know why I’m like this (I do, it’s OCD).

Delicate Matters:

1. Remedy Soap: I have extremely sensitive skin, and heat and sweat can irritate it. This soap has tea tree oil and other essential oils that soothe my skin and is naturally cooling. It’s also highly effective on odors, but doesn’t burn my skin, so if I’m extra sweaty, I can let it sit under my arms for a minute and it takes care of any odor.

2. Megababe Shower Sheets: If I’m planning to run errands after spin or go from work to workout, I like to freshen up a little bit, and these Megababe wipes are my favorite. The scent is light, and it doesn’t leave a residue.

3. Naturium The Perfector Body Wash: If you have followed me for any length of time, you know I am a skincare person (find my routine here) and while I use a lot of corrective skin care on my body, I refuse to pay a lot for body wash. Sweating can lead to breakouts (at least for me!) and I’ve been using this on my back after using my normal body wash to keep my skin clear. I like it — it’s light, leaves my skin feeling soft, and works!

4. Megababe Megafresh Wipes: I hate it when I feel extra sweaty in my bathing suit areas, so these individually-wrapped wipes are a must-have, not just for workouts but in general.

5. African Net Sponge: I love exfoliating, and this net sponge makes my skin super soft. I feel extra clean when I use it, and they don’t get moldy or gross like shower poufs.

6. Megababe Bidet Bar: You can figure out what this is used for by the name and I love it. I also have an actual bidet, and it’s my favorite thing, but this soap does the job without irritation.

7. Naturium Salicyclic Acid Spray: Truly the best for body acne! Easy to spray, dries quickly, doesn’t dry out my skin. Any time I am in sweaty workout clothes for a long time, I use this ASAP.

8. Megababe Le Tush Clarifying Butt Mask: My preferred workout is spin, and that makes this product necessary.

9. Dove Antibacterial Body Wash: I realize that I have posted a bonkers amount of soap and body cleansing products, but I do love an antibacterial moment. I fear being the Stinky Teacher, so I take it seriously. This stuff smells fantastic!

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