Magnolia Mamas : Women's Fitness

Showing posts with label Women's Fitness. Show all posts

Thursday, February 4, 2021

Budget Friendly Activewear We LOVE!

In 2020, we embraced the athleisure trend with open arms. In 2021, we have no plans on stopping. It just works for us. Our jobs are at home, and we wear so many hats throughout the day, we've come to value an outfit that can keep up with our lifestyle.

Trendy and affordable activewear is becoming more common, but weeding through the brands to make sure they pass the test can be tedious. Sure you look good, but then you bend over, and well...the rest is see through not for children's eyes history. And while we love a good pair of compression leggings, we also love our blood being able to circulate. Then there is our personal favorite - making sure our sports bra is supportive, but also doesn't require a Houdini like effort to get in and out of it. Or our husbands and a pair of scissors.

By the grace of the activewear gods though, we've stumbled upon a new affordable athletic wear brand that we absolutely LOVE.

SOFT AS CLOUDS ACTIVEWEAR

We were introduced to Halara a few months ago, and each tried a few pieces. OMG! When they say "soft as clouds activewear" they have the buttery goodness to back it up.

Putting on their Cloud9 leggings is like wearing a second skin. A really smooth soft, second skin that's been blessed by the wings of an angel.

Then we tried their "In My Feels" line, and found equally comfortable results!

Even better...Halara's soft, yet supportive technology doesn't stop at leggings. They have a whole line of amazing activewear pieces to ensure you're comfortable head to toe!

TRENDY + AFFORDABLE + SUSTAINABLE

One of our favorite things about the Halara brand is that they make trendy, high quality athletic wear pieces, but at super affordable price points.

We were instantly drawn to all the on trend patterns, and fun sports bra backs that look like more expensive brands, but without the expensive price tag to go with it. Everything on their website is under $50 (with a lot of items $25-$30!), and they offer free shipping for orders over $59.

Even more amazing? Their mission is to make their brand 100% sustainable. They are a brand created for women, run by women, and are committed to creating their fun activewear pieces while avoiding the fast fashion traps. They also have plans for expanding their collection to offer organic and recycled pieces.

"TAKE IT EASY, MAKE IT FUN" WITH US

Halara means "take it easy" in Greek, and this has become their company's mission statement. Well we want you to make it your mission too! We love Halara (And we know you will!!!), so we asked them for a discount code. They were happy to share with our readers!

Use code FFGGBS to snag 30% off your Halara athletic wear purchase!

We've already got another order in our carts, but you'll have to tell us what pieces you are going to try and how much you love them!

Come spend the day with us on:

Wednesday, March 18, 2020

Best At Home Work Out Resources (for Adults & Kids!)

Whew! Well this week has been a doozy. We are pretty sure if you asked us a few weeks ago if we thought kids would be out of school for weeks (months?) on end, businesses would close down, grocery stores would resemble something from the Hunger Games, and toilet paper would be the hottest commodity of 2020, we would have laughed and laughed at you.

But, thanks to Coronavirus-pacalypse times have a changed.

We have tried to keep the very best attitude about it all. And for the most part we have succeeded. Luckily, our kids seem pretty ignorant to what is going on in the world, and their concerns are mostly limited to...

"Why am I home, and still have to do work?"

"Why can't I play with my friends?"

"Why can't I go to Target/Starbucks/soccer/cheer/Taco Restaurant?"

and, my personal favorite, "What do you mean I can't have another snack?!!!!"

Carrie Beth shared on Monday her homeschool daily schedule, and we realized having some sort of routine is what is going to make us all survive this Coronavirus Quarantine party none of us wanted the invite to. But remembering to also throw in a little self-care into the mix for our mental health is also a great idea.

We have some great suggestions from Book Club for reading, but with our gyms now closed as well, we did some research on great at-home work outs. Here are some great ones we found for the whole family. Some we've already given a try - and love!

(And since we are already wearing our sweat pants all day every day, it can't hurt to throw in 20 mins of exercise a day, right?)

Peloton App - Free for 90 days! Okay, we thought this was just to use with a Peloton bike. It's not. It has tons of great workouts - yoga, strength training, running, etc.
Pure Barre Go - Free 30-45min workouts streamed Live on Facebook (but can watch/participate anytime). No equipment needed.
Zumba for Kids - Free Zumba mini-lessons geared towards kids, but great cardio moves for adults too. We did this together and it was so fun!
Bulldog Online - Free yoga classes for 60 days with code EXTEND60.
Fitness Blender on YouTube - Free and SO GOOD! This was a reader suggestion, and we can't believe it wasn't in our life before now. Hundreds of videos for all skill levels as well as time frames. There is a fun kids workout available too!
Blogilates - Free! Great pilates workouts ranging in short and long workouts. Super fun, and easy to do from home.
Core Power Yoga - Free yoga workouts.
Maggie Brinkley Workouts - 15 minute, equipment free workouts. Free on Amazon Prime video if a member or sign-up for a 30-day free trial. Also there are rent/purchase options as well.
Beach Body on Demand - This was a reader suggestion. 1,100+ videos to choose from, but with monthly membership.
GymPass - Free for 60 days. Beyond workouts they have meal plans and mental health support.
Go Noodle for Kids - Great free movement classes for kids! Our school uses these for "brain breaks", but the kids have loved doing them at home.

We would love more suggestions! If there are any that you do at-home and love, share with us! We will update this list as we find and try more!

Stay healthy friends!

Come spend the day with us on:

Friday, January 18, 2019

The BEST Leggings & Other Active Wear Favorites

This time of year our style tends to lean cozy and casual. Post holidays we try to avoid jeans or any sort of pants with a button, and not having a typical day time job, necessary business attire is a thing of the past. Our schedules are hectic, and when temps are cold we just want to be comfortable and warm.

But while we love us some yoga pants, we realize we still have the occasional situation in which we are required to be more put together than our favorite pair of joggers, that oh so soft t-shirt from Spring Break 2001, and the oversized sweatshirt from college we just can't give up.

We also tend to try to sneak in workouts throughout our day if we don't get a full gym session on the schedule. We eventually want to be able to counteract all that holiday-ing we did and hopefully get the chance to button our pants by summer time.

So like most things in life, it's all about balance.

We've found a few ways to help us be HIIT ready, comfortable, warm, AND looking stylish when necessary. It was a tough task, but we were so here for the challenge.

THE BEST LEGGINGS

First and foremost, let's chat about the best leggings ever! We've worn our fair share of leggings, but the pair we are about to share are the ones that have met all the requirements to give them top billing.

Jen found stumbled upon these leggings randomly. She was reading a women's magazine in her dentists office where they compared a list of leggings. These leggings got top billing. Above Lululemon, Athleta, and a few other big brands. Curious - because they are crazy inexpensive! - she ordered a pair.

They totally live up to the hype.

Now we both own several pairs, and we can't stop singing their praises because they are just. that. good! We've shared them on social media tons of you agree!

leggings//pullover

Why we love them...

They are buttery soft.
They aren't see through. Even squatting the most squattiest of squats, all your ladies parts are covered. Front and back. You're welcome.
They are high waisted and stay put.
They have pockets everywhere! There are two huge pockets on both legs large enough for a smart phone. There's even a waistband pocket.
They come in a ton of fun colors.

leggings

If in-between sizes we recommend sizing down. Carrie Beth doesn't like hers too tight so started with a medium. They fit, but slip down a bit. After washing and drying (which you really shouldn't do with leggings) the medium fits. Ordered a second pair in navy, size small and they fit perfect!

So do your self a favor, order a pair (or five) and join in the legging party that we've all been having.

| leggings in color "pink" | Tee | Shoes |

ACTIVE WEAR FAVORITES

Because Amazon didn't let us down with the leggings we decided to give something else a try and oh my goodness, it is AMAZING!!! This tank is made with the same quality as the leggings and has super cute and just a little sassy written all over it. It is all business in the front...

With a total party in the back!

tank

So cute we can hardly stand it. Like the leggings, this tank comes in a ton of colors and patterns and the price is amazing. There is a little variation with the pricing depending on what color you pick, but this black one was only $18!!! Hello?!? We'll definitely be ordering this in more colors.

Why we love it...

Made with really light weight and breathable fabric.
It has a built in padded shelf bra that is super supportive. You could wear another sports bra with it, but it is fine just on it's own.
It's long enough to cover the booty and thighs if you want or also looks cute slouched up or with a front tuck.
Makes us feel cute when we are working out and everyone knows that is going to make working out more fun!
Comes in a ton of fun colors and patterns.
The price can't be beat and the quality is fantastic!

After reading a bunch of reviews about sizing we realized people said that the shelf bra ran small/tight. Carrie Beth went with a medium and it fit perfectly.

Another cute top we love is this one from Old Navy. It's got a sheer striped panel on the back and can be worn knotted up or down. Sizes are limited in some colors, but on sale for $15!!!

tank//leggings//shoes//watchband

This tank from Old Navy is on sale for $7 in limited sizes. Hard to tell from this picture, but the back also has a mesh insert and cute fun straps.

One of our go-to looks is wearing all black and just throwing on a regular cardigan pre and post workout. Then you look put together when running errands, volunteering at the school or anywhere else you need to be that day.

cardigan

Like the cardigan trick, we do the same thing with cute pullovers. Our favorite is this asymmetrical quilted one. Jen has it in several colors and Carrie Beth got her blush pink one for Christmas this year.

fleece pullover//Amazon look-alike

Another athleisure look we love are these Spanx leggings, a comfy tee, and cardigan.

This outfit could take you walking with a friend for exercise, then shopping, then just throw on some booties and you could be headed out to dinner with your fam (because I totally did that last week).

leggings//tee//similar cardigan//shoes//earrings

Another inexpensive favorite is this long sleeve perforated tee. We love Walmart's Avia brand and this tee knocks it out of the park.

The material is so light and airy, and the perforated holes are so nice for airflow especially for those heavier duty workouts.

Love that this tee works great to pop over a tank or to wear by itself. We're also a huge sucker for anything with thumb holes. Anything to keep our hands warm on those long runs (and by long runs we mean brisk walks outside or sitting on the sidelines of that weekends soccer tournament).

Regardless of what is on our top or bottom, this down jacket has been a quick favorite this season. It's the jacket we grab the most no matter what the occasion. It's budget friendly price also helps. We love our Patagonia but it is a bright, fun color. We wanted a black jacket to go with everything. We also live in the South where temperatures rarely dip cold enough to justify owning a slew of expensive winter coats.

Jen gave it a test run and then Carrie Beth purchased one after her thumbs up. It's super light, but warm. It's packable - like can fit in a small purse packable! - and it just as good as quality as its more expensive counterpart. Its the best jacket and it also comes in a longer length if you want a little more coverage.

These leggings are the ones everyone raves about no matter where you are. The Lululemon Align Leggings are pricey, but they do live up to their coveted name. The suck everything in just right and stay put all day long. We like that they are on the thicker side too because they give us slightly more warmth than some less expensive leggings.

The shoes are a big time favorite. The Nike Flex are our favorite running shoes, but these slip on ones are so light! Love that they pull on so fast (you do still have to tie them), but they feel like air on your feet!

Speaking of shoes, we were both in the market for a new fun pair of running shoes and when we saw these metallic blush pink ones we were all heart eyes!!! We decided to be twins and both ordered a pair. They are on super sale and we knew we would be the perfect pair for wearing now and into spring/summer.

bronze pink shoes

We've had our eye on a few warmer weather active wear items. The perforated tee we mentioned above can take us into Spring without being too hot, but the real winner lately are these shorts!

These shorts come in with a built in liner and are available in a ton of colors. They fit just like a pair of Lululemon shorts we own - but for a fraction of the price (less than $10!). They've been great to wear for indoor workouts - everything stays put so we don't have to keep adjusting, and they are super breathable. We also love how stylish they are. They come with a fun little playful side slit, and some trendy little touches. We can't wait for the weather to warm up again, because we know these will be our go to pair!

We're always on the hunt for great active wear pieces. If we add to our finds we'll be sure to share here or on our shopping pages (Amazon and LiketoKnowit) if that is easier for you. If you have any that you love - please share! We love adding to our active wear wardrobes (because its practically our only wardrobe)!

Wednesday, October 25, 2017

Curves Strong

Thank you Curves International for sponsoring this post. Ready to get #CurvesStrong?

Just about a month ago we started our workout journey at Curves® and it has been a fun, positive, and successful month. We went into this month excited to really learn what Curves® is all about and discovered that it is so much more than just exercise.

The Workout

The workout at Curves® is set up as a circuit type of training. You alternate between cardio and hydraulic resistance machines to help keep your heart rate up. Each machines is set up strategically focusing on both upper and lower body muscles for a full body workout.

Music is playing and there is an announcement when it is time to move on to the next station. It's so easy you literally have someone telling you when to move on. We were not familiar with hydraulic machines at first and on our first attempt they seemed too easy. Then we learned that the faster you do the machine the more resistance you will receive making it great for anyone at any age or fitness level.

The other piece of the puzzle is the cardio. In between each machine are the cardio stations and there you can alter the cardio for your needs. If you really want an intense workout you can do quick high-knees running in place for 30 seconds, but if that isn't your speed you could even just march in place. It is all about what works for your fitness level!

You repeat the circuit twice and then do the pre-determined stretching and that gives you the 30 minute workout. We loved that we could get in and out in a half an hour and still feel like we got a great workout.

The Support

When we first joined Curves® we were so impressed with the amount of support we received! The women who work there are truly invested in what they do and they are so encouraging and supportive of each and every person. It doesn't matter if you are brand new or a regular, they come and check on each person, make sure they are using the machines properly and getting the most out of their workout.

We were given such great instructions and support as we made our way through the circuit the first few times that we knew exactly how each machine worked. However, we never had to feel embarrassed or nervous to ask a question if we forgot how something worked.

They do a monthly weight and measurement session which makes some of us want to cringe, but it is really fantastic if you can get past seeing the numbers. They help you to track and celebrate your progress each month which we absolutely loved!

The Community

Hands down the most amazing part of our Curves® experience was seeing and being part of the amazing community. We met women both young and old who were from all walks of life, but they are what makes Curves® way more than a workout. You may come in with a friend or you might visit alone for the first time, but we guarantee that no matter who you are you will walk out with a smile on your face and feeling like you've met a new group of friends. The 30 minutes spent in this setting were some of the most positive, uplifting, entertaining and heart-warming minutes that we spent all week long. We laughed until we cried somedays and learned something new with each visit!

We met single women, married women, widows, mothers and even young soon-to-be mothers from another country living abroad for a few years. The topics of conversations ranged from favorite football teams to meal-prep and holiday plans to fashion. It didn't matter that we were new to this group, we were part of it and it felt so welcoming. We wished that we had known about Curves® when we were brand new moms and just longing for some adult interaction because we would have gotten that and so much more at the time.

It was wonderful for us to be on this Curves® journey together because although we are best friends and talk (or text rather) on a daily basis, we don't always get to see each other all that often. This really forced us to take time out of our busy schedules to do something for ourselves. Something to take care of us and not just our kids and to spend some quality time together.

As we all know, moms just give and give and give to our families and often put ourselves last. Being a part of Curves® is the perfect way to take a little time out for yourself and become a part of this amazing community, too!

To learn more about Curves®:
Website | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter

This post was sponsored by Curves International, but, as always, all of the content, ideas and opinions are our own.

Thursday, September 28, 2017

Celebrating Our Curves!

Thank you Curves International for sponsoring this post. Ready to get #CurvesStrong?

This last year we have both been doing our best to live healthier lifestyles. We've made it a priority to focus on our fitness and eating habits because we want to be in the best health possible for our family and ourselves.

Not to mention you need a lot of condition training to keep up with our Mini Magnolias. A lot.

We want to show our children that you can be active and healthy your entire life. We want to be role models for having a great body image to our girls, and putting an emphasis on overall health. We want to be able to play and have fun with our children, grandchildren, and maybe one day great-grandchildren. To do that we know we need to be active in investing time in our health and ourselves.

All of that comes with work...but, it doesn't have to feel that way. We've found that you can have fun establishing healthy routines in your life. Doing so with some of your closest friends by your side - even better!

We are so excited to announce our latest partnership with Curves®!

WHY WE LOVE CURVES

For the next month we will both be participating at our local Curves®facility to learn more about our health, take part in some of their amazing fitness classes, and get advice from their knowledgeable staff. And we couldn't be more excited about it!

We love that Curves® facilities are owned and operated by women. From the moment you walk in the door you know that everyone there "gets it". We are all women... moms, grandmothers, friends, teachers, corporate executives, etc. We are all in the same boat - women trying to obtain or maintain healthier lifestyles. A healthier us. We love that feeling of camaraderie and support, knowing that we all have the same goal.

We love that Curves® makes it a priority to provide women with the tools to lead happier healthier lives, while understanding the immense pressures women are under. They've realized women are often on the go, and have perfected a way to provide women with quality studio fitness in just 30 minutes. Thirty! As busy moms to six children going in six different ways we totally appreciate that. Getting in a quality workout in thirty minutes or less in our world's is amazing!

JOIN THE CELEBRATION

Today Curves® 25!! Twenty-five years of providing women with healthier lifestyles one life at a time and they are celebrating in a BIG way!

Throughout the month of September Curves® has been hosting a number of special classes and giveaways to commemorate the special moment. The first 25 new members at each facility get to join for free (With annual membership. Varies at each facility, and cannot be combined with other offers.).

Today they are kicking off a huge bash, and will be celebrating around the globe with special workouts and in-club parties! Who doesn't love a good party? Non-members are also able to join in the fun at their local Curves for just twenty-five cents!

The fun doesn't stop at the workouts though. Curves® will also be hosting fun giveaways through their Facebook and Instagram feeds all day! So if you aren't able to make it to a facility today to join the party, you still get the chance to win some fun goodies!

We can't wait to get our (workout) party on! Will you be joining us today?

This post was sponsored by Curves International but the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

Magnolia Mamas

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