As a single mom like myself, it can be hard to keep up with everyday life. There is a lot of multi-tasking that comes with being a single parent, which is why I love being able to simplify things. For many, two of the hardest activities to schedule are exercise and catching up with friends. We often put work and our children first and forget to take time to ourselves. The reason? Not so lofty…There seemed to be no clothing that could take me from working to working out. But I have found some fabulous solutions.
When considering why it can be so difficult to make the time to hit the gym or meet up for girl’s night, I realized that a major time consumer is the tedious getting-ready process. I want to go for a bike ride, which means that I will have to take a shower and change into a cute outfit before I can go out and socialize. Either that, or I will have to skip my workout altogether so that I can run all of my errands. How can single moms do and be it all? But wait, we can! We just need a versatile outfit that will allow the flexibility needed to stay fit, finish errands, and allow the opportunity to meet up with friends for appetizers and a drink.
Working out used to mean putting on whatever you could find that was both comfortable and sweat-worthy. Today, there are new trends and styles in activewear that provide so much more. You can actually look hot when going for a bike ride or hiking! I’m not talking about aerobic leotards and leg-warmers (although it’s okay if you are into that). I am talking about trendy, sexy activewear that allows you to look good while staying fit.
As the author of It Takes All 5: The Single Mom’s Guide to Finding the Real One, I understand the value of knowing that when you look good you feel good. Clothes can be a total confidence booster. Besides, you never know when you will run into your Real One. Anyone can see you when you’re cruising along on your bike or running on the beach. As a single mom especially, it is important to make sure you are prepared for any situation. Wearing fashion-forward activewear helps you feel confident when life throws you a curve ball such as when your Real One happens to bump into you at the gym or when your shopping for groceries.
Last month I was delighted to attend MC Long Beach’s first Cycle Chic Fashion Show. There were some great fashions on the catwalk and it got me to thinking about other active lifestyle brands I could find that are comfortable, movable, and also provide a fun, chic look. That is when I discovered an amazing brand of activewear made for women by women named after its founder and designer, Lorna Jane. The line offers bright colors and fashion-forward designs for every type of active woman. Another beautifully designed line is Lucy. Check out their explore wear Around the world pant. They are made of a lightweight washed woven fabric with tapered skinny fit, cute detail and pockets! I am also a huge fan of Zella Activewear, Nordstroms answer to lululemon, both fabulously designed and versatile brands. Top of the line fabulous! Check out European inspired Anatomie.
It’s great to look good when exercising but burning calories is key. An intermediate 20-minute bike ride to the pharmacy or bank can torch about 200 calories. I burn another 200 calories by riding 20 more minutes or so to meet my friends at the local hot spot to catch up on each other’s busy lives. After all that, I get to knock out a few more hundred calories when biking home after the long day. Without changing my outfit I can burn at least 500 calories biking from one place to another depending on how vigorously I choose to ride. How great is that?
As a single mom, it is important that I maintain an active lifestyle. Functionable fashion makes my everyday activities easier to keep up with. As I mention in my book, It Takes All 5, anything is possible if you work hard enough. Chic activewear keeps you looking good and feeling good, while also providing the versatility needed to maintain a happy, healthy life. So go for it, be confident in your fashion-forward activewear, and always put your best you out there!
