I thought I’d share some workout tips for not only being consistent with your regimen but also how to ensure you will see results.

We may have heard many of these tips before, but working out and staying fit requires a certain amount of discipline and of course,  desire.

I’ve been working out consistently for over 20 years and some of my top tips are:

Eating clean:  

Over the years, I’ve tried many “diets”, things like:

•  Lean protein only (i.e. chicken breasts, turkey)
• Rice cakes and white rice (which then changed to brown rice)
• Oatmeal with flax seed meal
• Egg Whites only
• Over 8 glasses of water daily
• Supplements

In some cases, I still eat this way, as in, clean, so I still will only eat chicken/turkey, Oatmeal every morning, etc.  I don’t eat rice cakes, white rice,  or bread.  I eat 1 potato a week.  So maybe I haven’t changed too much. 

Working Out:

I’m currently working out with a personal trainer as I had hit a plateau and just was not seeing the changes in my body I had wanted.  I wouldn’t recommend this regimen for newbies or anyone just getting started on a fitness routine, but I would say if you are looking to turn your workouts up a notch, take some of the information below and modify it appropriately for your routine.

The routine:

• 6 days/week
• 50 minutes of cardio each workout day
• 1 hour of a different body part for weight training

You have to ensure working out becomes a part of your lifestyle. 

 Staying motivated:

Other than seeing the results of my work, I stay motivated because I also see the positive effect my efforts can have on other people.  For example, women will comment on how they are also working to achieve results, they will share positive comments with me which keep me motivated, and because I love fashion, my workout clothes.  Long gone are the days of boring workout clothes!  I mix it up as I don’t have any one favorite brand, other than my own, Angelina.  I wear so many brands so I know what I like and what works.  Again, other than my own line, I have worn and like Bia Brazil (heavyweight supplex),  and Stella McCartney for Adidas.

Good luck and check back for more tips.

Workout clothes for Women

Some of the key features of workout clothes for women, aside from fabric and performance features, include some of the small details that most workout clothes now include – details like, inner pockets, adjustable ties, smooth waistbands, wide waistbands, length of the pant or capri…you get my drift.  Reflectivity is another critical detail, especially for runners who might be running during the early morning or evening hours.  The key is being visible while you’re out running or walking and reflectivity provides an added level of security and visibility.  You can find all of these details and more in your workout clothes for women if you’re thinking about these items during your purchase.

Workout clothes for women – Pockets

So the choice of pockets include inner or external pockets, size of pockets can all differ on workout clothes for women.  You will need to consider what you will use your pocket(s) for while working out.  Inner pockets are typically smaller and can be used for holding small items, like a key and/or your Ipod shuffle (careful with electronics while sweating, though).  External pockets can be like a ‘cargo’ pocket, or a hidden type pocket with and without a zip for secured closure.  Most inner pockets on workout clothes for women are hardly visible, they can be sewn into the waistband, on the interior front of back of the waistband and these inner pockets are usually good to hold for smaller items.

Workout clothes for women – other details

And some of the other details, like adjustable ties, contribute to the comfort of workout clothes for women, but it’s important to ensure these details are functional and comfortable.  Check out the photo of  an Angelina pant which, from the exterior you would not necessarily see the details, like inner pocket:

The best in Yoga Clothes for Women – Multi-function

Yoga Clothes for Women

Angelina offers amazing Yoga Clothes for Women

Yoga clothes for women who are doing Bikram yoga

Workout outfits which are perfect yoga clothes for women practicing Bikram yoga  or hot yoga - Bikram Yoga’s 26 posture exercises systematically move fresh, oxygenated blood to 100%  of your body, keeping all systems healthy and in top working order.  Bikram’s beginning 26 asana series is designed to scientifically warm and stretch muscles, ligaments and tendons.

Yoga Clothes for Women – all types of yoga

Whether taking Bikram, ashtanga, hatha, vinyasa flow, iyengar, the clothes you are wearing during your practice are important.  You will wash yoga clothes often and sometimes odors will tend to linger – that’s why it’s important to use the right detergent when you’re washing/caring for your yoga clothes.  Another critical component of yoga clothes for women is the peek-a-boo factor – who wants to show all the goods to the practitioner next to you?  Ensure you are comfortable bending, stretching and moving in your yoga clothes.  So when trying yoga clothes on, go ahead and bend, stretch and ensure you won’t have fall-out.

So don’t forget when checking out yoga clothes for women, check out angelinasf.com for your clothing needs.

 

Athletic Workout Clothes – History

My own “historical” perspective of how athletic workout clothes came about (or what I can remember) was seeing Richard Simmons jumping about,  Jane Fonda in a leotard, Suzanne Sommers Thighmaster and aerobics classes filled.  It was a craze.  I remember not knowing what the word “aerobics” even meant.  My first time in a gym, I wore my gymnastics outfit, barefoot and all, thinking I was going to get in a workout.  Athletic workout clothes I hadn’t a concept.  Fast forward to the present and we’ve moved from spandex and nylons into a  wide world of performance fabrics.  Now athletic workout clothes and activewear have their own areas in department and specialty stores.  Brands making and marketing athletic workout clothes are abundant, so there’s lots to choose which can make selecting what to buy difficult or overwhelming.

Athletic workout clothes – Performance fabrics

When considering athletic workout clothes, a key factor to consider is the fabric.  We probably don’t pay as much attention to the fabrics we’re using as we rely on our favorite brands to ensure the fabrics are great.  Which in most cases they are, thanks to so much research and development in fabrics.  But nevertheless, it’s a good idea to become somewhat familiar with the type of fabrics out there, so you can hone in on which fabrics you like best.  With any athletic workout clothes, you will want to use a detergent specific for workout clothes.  Many detergent brands are now carrying a product within their line specifically for athletic workout clothes.

Cotton/lycra: Cotton with a small percentage of lycra gives you the comfy cozy feel of cotton with the lycra there for fabric stretch and recovery.  Eventually, like a 100% cotton fabric, colors will start to fade over time.  You can prolong the life of color by washing in cold water and letting the garment dry naturally.

Athletic Workout clothes - Supplex

Supplex: This is a great performance fabric which doesn’t stretch, shrink or fade.  It will pull moisture away from your skin and is quick drying.  To view this all Supplex outfit, check out Angelina’s halter top and Angelina Plaid Short.

Nylon/Lycra/Spandex:  Many brands are using this combination of fabrics in their line.  Like Supplex, the blend of fabrics here combine to provide you with performance attributes like fabric recovery (will hold it’s shape over time), stretch for comfort and structure to hold you in place (of course, this depends on the fabric weight).

Nylon or Polyesters:  Properties of these fabrics can range from light weight, quick dry, and a note to consider with respect to polyesters, they can tend to hold odors so you may want to look for the words ‘antimicrobial’ will help.

Lastly, it’s important to remember what makes for your most comfortable athletic workout clothes.  Fabric, fabric properties/performance and fit should be your top priorities when selecting athletic workout clothes.  Have a great workout!

Women’s Petite Athletic Wear

Finding the right workout clothes for you, irrespective of your workout activities, can be tough.  What can be even harder is if you’re considered Petite as many manufacturers do not make Petite specific clothes. Typically, Petite is classified as women 5″3 and below.  So you have to consider what your options when it comes to workout clothes and athletic wear for Petites – you can cut the pants or hem them.  Often Petites are relegated to capri’s and shorts.  But don’t feel limited in your selection as there’s an array of amazing Petite athletic wear out there, you just have to be patient and a bit creative.  For example, capri’s and shorts are truly great option for a workout bottom.  Petite women come in all shapes and sizes. You can work it so petite athletic wear can be found by almost any brand, just look for tops which elongate and a slim fitting capri or shorts which are available in various lengths.

Petite Athletic wear  – Capris

The Angelina Scrunchie waist capri works well for the Petite woman. You can wear these capris for any workout, including running. These capris can be seen on a faithful Angelina Facebook fan, who ran America’s Finest Half Marathon in them.

Another great looking and great fitting capri is the Angelina Tie Back Capri.  Made of comfortable cotton/lycra, you can wear this to work out or just wear it out. So for example, couple this capri with sandals or wedges and you’ve put together a great outfit.

Also, a side note, in case you’re looking for a place to sign up for activities which include running events of all distances, 5k, 10k, half marathons or full marathons, and triathlons, check out Active.com.

What’s key about getting in shape or toning, aside from what you’ll actually wear, is to just get active and this site will get you involved  and motivated.  You’ll find and can connect with other people also interested in running or a ton of other activities.  So going for that first tri or your first 5k is a great achievement!

Petite Athletic wear – Shorts

Another great short to check out is the Angelina runner’s short.  It’s a 4″ inseam so not too short and not too long.  It’s made of performance Supplex, so won’t stretch, shrink or fade.  The contrast stitching is a perfect pop to make an all black short not so boring.  A great length for petites looking for Petite athletic wear.

The Alo Run Short is a more traditional all black short and again a perfect fit for women looking for petite athletic wear since the length is a bit longer and is perfect for any distance run.  This is a multi-purpose workout short and has great features like a hidden zip pocket.

Petite Athletic wear – Tops

For anyone who is petite and  also happen to have a short torso, focus on tops which hit you at the top of your hip bone. A great top that also provides low to medium support is the Angelina Halter Top. You can couple this top with the scrunchie waist capri for a perfect workout outfit.

Visit our Featured Products page for our extra special workout outfits for women.

ANGELINA YOUR ONE SOURCE FOR WORKOUT OUTFITS FOR WOMEN, WHERE FITNESS IS ALWAYS IN FASHION.

Body Angel Short

For those of you into Bikram yoga, don’t forget to wear comfortable clothing as it gets HOT!

Have a look at Body Angel’s side tie shorts for those of you who want some pizazz or check out the Angelina supplex short as well.

Hit The Beach

This sand workout will burn calories, blast fat, and get you in top shape. Do these exercises three times per week and you’ll be on your way to that beach body.

• ? Walking Lunges: 3 sets of 12 steps, down and back
• ? Squat Jumps: 3 sets of 10
• ? Backward Walking Lunges: 3 sets of 12 steps, down and back
• ? Scissor Jumps: 3 sets of 16 or 8 on each leg (To do this one, get into a lunge and then jump while switching your legs in the air.)
• ? Board Jumps: 3 sets of 10 jumps (Jump in front of you as far as you can, repeat.)
• ? Lateral Shuffle: 3 sets of down and back; make sure to face the same direction each time (Go about 10 yds or the distance of the volleyball net.)
• ? Back Pedal Runs: 3 sets of down and back, switching between facing forward and backward (Go about 10 yds or the distance of the volleyball net.)

(for more see::  http://www.seventeen.com/health/10-fun-ways-to-workout-outside)

Working indoors during the Spring and Summer months is almost torture, you know how nice it is outside but you are stuck working inside.  Then you turn around and go to the gym…indoors?

Take it outdoors!  Split your workout time half in the gym and half outdoors in nature. Here are four reasons to take your workout outdoors:
1. Exposure to Vitamin D -Stronger bones, stronger Immune system, and cancer protection.  It can be obtained from other sources, but the sun is the best source for the body.
2. More Fresh Air – There’s no way you can pass up fresh air over the smell of sweat in the gym!
3. Mental Stimulation – Running or walking outdoors is more mentally stimulating than doing it on a tread mill.  Being outdoors causes you to think about your surroundings, whereas at the gym you are apt to zone out because you don’t have to concentrate.
4. Improves your Mood – The sun not only gives you Vitamin D but endorphins help improve your mood.

Bikini Body Here I Come!!
Personal Trainer Nicole Nickols has some great tips for getting ready to look stunning in your bikini this summer.  A long workout helps you to shed those pounds faster.  Walking or running on a hilly terrain works you leg and butt muscles better than on a flat surface.  Jumping rope for 10 minutes burns the same calories and jogging for 30 minutes.
Happy working out!

Outfit-TGIF-Angelinasf.com

The Angelina ‘Danielle’ tank and the Body Angel side string tie short.  The tank is perfect for any sort of low impact workout…and for the women who are really integrating their workout clothes into their ‘going-out’ wardrobe – here ya go!  The tank is made of cotton/lycra, so you get the comfort and softness of cotton and the little bit’o lycra helps the fabric recover.

The Body Angel short comes in Small/Medium and is perfect for your next hot yoga or Bikram class.  It’s made of Supplex so it won’t stretch, shrink or fade.

Feel free to email me at sharon@angelinasf.com, if you have any questions.

Bia Brazil & Angelina

A quick video clip of Bia Brazil’s red bra top and the Angelina scrunchie waist legging.  Both are available online and in the store.

The bra top is perfect for all low impact activities, like yoga, pilates, piloxing and more.  The Angelina legging will get you through a run, gym training, as well as your low impact activities.