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Keep it Clean

Every time I drop $200 at Lululemon I promise myself that I will stick to the plan of how to take care of my gym clothes correctly. Lululemon has some of the best quality, not to mention most expensive workout out clothing around, so it is worth it to keep them smelling good as long as possible. NO dryers! Yes, it can be a pain, wet dripping clothes strewn all over the bathroom, but you will get more bang for your buck if you follow a few easy rules.

The key to keeping gym clothes fresh is to hand rinse them as soon as possible. If you let them sit wet in the hamper they will build up mold and mildew which equals- GROSS! I immediately either soak them in the sink with Woolite or throw them into the shower with me for at least a rinse with water. Always make sure you hang them to dry because that is where the real trouble can start. If you’re machine washing, always make sure to wash in cold water to save your colors and never ever dry them in a machine. Most of the materials dry quickly when hung out. The more active you are, the more wash you will probably have to do but it is better than having a stank smelling house!

My newest obsession at Lulu is ‘All Sport Bra’! Good for high intensity activity but still cute and the colors are summery and bright. I also love the ‘Ignite Bra’ for yoga and low intensity workouts. This bra is low cut and sure to catch the eye of the cutie next to you in Bikram.

Om Shanti baby!

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Sugar is the enemy

If you think you are eating too much sugar, you probably are. In this new world of “gluten free”, “dairy free”, “pescatarian-ism” and “vegan”, the biggest danger is being overlooked. Sugar is a killer! Not only is sugar bad for your waistline but it wreaks havoc on your skin.

Sugar breaks down collagen in the skin, causing sagging, wrinkles and looseness. This is called glycation. Too much sugar can also cause redness, dryness and brittle skin. This takes years to develop but glycation is always occurring as your body breaks down sugar. Think twice before you reach for that candy.

Sugar is found in everything and is most likely lurking in food and drinks that you don’t even think about. This can cause weight gain and high blood sugar levels. When grocery shopping read the ingredients, they’re provided for a reason. Stay clear of ‘hidden sugars’ such as (HFCS) or high fructose corn syrup, maltose, sucrose, fructose and glucose. Beverages are the worst when it comes to hidden sugars. Energy drinks, juice and coffee drinks can contain up to 62 grams of sugar! The recommended daily intake of sugar for women is 24 grams or 6 teaspoons and for men 36 grams or 9 teaspoons. 24-36 grams is still a lot of sugar!

You don’t have to fully cut sugar out of your diet, there are ways to slowly replace it with healthier options. When baking try replacing sugar with almond, vanilla, orange or lemon extract. Try using spices such as cinnamon and nutmeg. Unsweetened applesauce is another great substitution and its yummy!

Hopefully this didn’t scare you too much, the occasional cheat with chocolate is allowed, just all in moderation. Share your low-sugar/sugar-free recipes with us!

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Run Away from Allergies

Pollen, trees, weeds, grass and mold, OH MY! These are no friends of mine and as a runner they can be a real problem. Last year during the spring I had one of the worst allergy attacks of my life after a run in Central Park. The good news is that there are precautions and steps you can take to prevent or lessen an allergy attack when working out outside.

  • Plan your run/workout when pollen counts are lowest. The worst time to run is between 5am-10am when pollen counts are generally at their highest. Start watching the weather and track the pollen, mold and grass count in your area. Keep a chart of the numbers and when you feel good or bad. This way you will know what bothers you.
  • Try taking a Zyrtec before a long run. Zyrtec does not have any pesky side effects, like drowsiness or dryness.
  • Investing in a pair of wrap around sunglasses may be a good idea too. Glasses will keep your eyes protected.
  • Do not run on days when you feel tired. Your immune system is most likely down and you are more susceptible to allergies.
  • Do not run on windy days. The windier the air the more mold, pollen and dust is blowing around. If you must run on a windy day, definitely wear glasses and possibly a mask or a bandana around your nose and mouth.
  • After you run outside shower immediately when you get home. Wash your hair and make sure to wash your eyes and nose too. Blowing your nose helps clean out your nose.

Let us know what your tips are for running and exercising outside during allergy season. Happy trails!

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