Wedding Blog
Thanks again to everyone in the hive for your support in my journey to a healthier lifestyle! I know with the New Year, I started a workout routine and realized, oh gosh, I have no gear! I need gear! So, some of my Christmas money went towards workout gear!
First, I realized that my lame excuses for sports bras were not gonna cut it. I bought them a few years back at Lane Bryant, and during my step test, all I could feel (besides the excruciating thigh pain) were the girls bouncing.
So, I went to Target and looked, hoping for a plus sized sports bra. I didn’t see anything made for plus size, but I found this:
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They were in sizes up to XXL and on clearance for $12. So, I purchased a couple in bright colors (because hey, it’s under the clothes and bright colors make me happy), went home and tried them on. Surprisingly, this bra fit really well. (I’m a size 22, if any of the plus sized brides are wondering if this bra could possibly fit them.) So, I brought this bad boy to kickboxing last night, and for the first time in a long time, I didn’t have straps leaving red marks on my shoulders and my girls were UNDER CONTROL! I’m going to Target today to buy a couple more, since I’m working towards 4 workouts/week. I don’t want to be stuck washing bras in the middle of the workweek!
Another device that I have and absolutely LOVE is my iPod.
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I have an older nano, as pictured, and it’s so small that I barely notice it in my arm holster! I love having my play lists geared towards my workout time, complete with a couple of cool down songs.
With my nano, I am starting to use this to work towards my goal of one day running a 5K.
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This bad boy is fabulous! It’s like a pedometer with some fancy schmancy extras on it. You listen to your music and at the same time, your iPod is counting your steps and distance. You do need to calibrate it often (for running and walking), though, so it can calculate your stride distance. You can also upload your results to Nike Plus’s website, join running/walking communities, set goals and see your progress throughout your past runs. This is such a great tool (and only $30) and I can’t wait to see how my runs (right now, walk/runs) progress throughout this journey!
A (small) setback it has is that it claims that you need Nike Plus shoes. However, companies make little pockets that attach to your shoestrings to make it compatible with shoes you already own! These are like $10 or less, so they’re really reasonable!
Do you have any other gear that you recommend to those trying to start a workout regime?
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Share this post: Gearing Up!
I have the nike + and LOVE it. I hate running, but the motivation that the system gives (new personal bests, tracking calories burned, and congratulations when you finish a workout) keeps me going!
Girl! The Nike deal is awesome! And my old roommate and I figured out that you can get, for less than a dollar at Target, the little plastic pouches that purse nail kits come in, slip it under your shoelaces, and…voila! Instant Nike shoes 
Keep it up!
Go Miss BF!!!! I love target’s bra selection!
The only thing I cannot live without for my bridal workout is a book called Buff Bride — I love love love the free weight exercises that they have laid out and it has great nutrition tips.
Ok, I’m not sure if this would work for the plus size ladies, but I’ve found that the BEST SPORTS BRA EVA is Champion JogBra Action Shape Sports Bra. (Sports Authority link: http://www.sportsauthority.com/product/index.jsp?productId=215435&cp=3077569.3079702.2806304&view=all&parentPage=family) I think it comes in all sizes up to 42DD.
It’s not the most attractive looking sports bra, but I found that it really, really, really holds *the twins* in place. It does not have the racer back that most sports bras have, and I think that is part of the reason for its stability. It also has regular bra hooks in the back (double the width of a regular bra) and it has an extra snap on top of the bra hooks to keep everything closed. I abhor trying to put a sports bra on over my head– I know that it is supposed to be tight to keep everything in place, but that causes extreme twisting and pulling when I’m trying to squeeze this thing over my head and shoulders. So I love the back hooks for this sports bra- easy in and out!
I have about 8 of these and wear them every workout (I wash them in the machine and hang them to dry). I now compare my twins to those of the girls around me on the treadmills or ellipticals. My boobs are completely in place… no bouncing! I cringe when I see girls running on a treadmill and their boobies are bouncing up and down– that has to HURT and its really not good for your boobs! The tissues can actually stretch a little from all that bouncing!
*Disclaimer… it does flatten your boobs quite a bit. I’m not at the gym to look cute, so I don’t mind, but I do have a more shapely sports bra for no-impact situations, like yoga.
Also, I used to wear Nike shoes, but have since moved on to Aisics & Mizunos… both great workout shoes! I have a narrow heel and both brands fit me so well. I’m on my first pair of Mizunos (& have had many pairs of Aisics).
And last, if you lift weights, invest in a pair of workout gloves. They will save you from sore hands, pinched skin & calluses on your palms!
You go Miss Ballet Flat. I so want a Nike +, but I have a regular ipod- which doesn’t work with it. Bummer. But I do know that you don’t need Nike Shoes to use it! They just want you to buy more nike stuff.
And thanks BeachBrideT- I realized that I was THAT girl this morning at the gym. UGG. Time for new sports bras!
One note - I LOVE the target sports bras too, and I have several of the microfiber ones (red and pink, natch) and I will warn you that even after lots of washings those things BLEED - so be sure not to mix them in with other clothes that don’t wanna become pink!
Good Luck and Keep at it~ for everyone trying to get fit!
(including me, where did these extra 10lbs come from???? oh yes, that was the holidays plus my wedding and honeymoon~)
Here’s another sports bra recommendation when you have a bigger chest: moving comfort fiona. It really holds ‘em and is comfy, too. I got a few when I started running … no other bra has controlled bounce so well. Site says it goes up to 40DD. Probably more of an investment than the Target bras, though.
Title Nine’s Frog bra is my fave sports bra: http://www.titlenine.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemID=2166&itemType=PRODUCT&iMainCat=674&iSubCat=676&iProductID=2166
It’s super heavy duty and I still layer it with a bra top so that nothing moves
They also have one called The Last Resort bra which is good for bigger chests. Title Nine has some of the best sports bras around. They also have great sports clothes in general.
Way to go Miss Ballet Flat! My only recommendation would be to buy gear slowly over time. There are things, especially for running, that I see people using that my body has happily lived without, simply because I began training without them and have never needed them. It also helps me pratice DELAYED GRATIFICATION something I can use lots and lots of practice with as I continue try and improve my health and shape 
A 5K run is a really excellent goal, too! I really turned a corner in my weight loss by focusing on a 10K annual charity run/walk in my hometown. I started training right after Christmas, and did it in April. Although running goes in and out of my routine as I see fit, it was definetely a great boost in terms of creating a focus for my exercise, and for tackling the mental aspects of endurance that will help you in any fitness goals you have in the future! Hope you’ll post some pics of your progress eventually!
Yay for a healthy new lifestyle! I was just thinking to myself that I was too sleepy to work out tonight, but I will try after reading your post. Thanks for whipping me into shape!
I was boycotting sports bras for a while (I had to wear one for a week straight after a lumpectomy and never wanted to put one on again!), but I just picked one up. Mr. Taffy and I also got some new fitness dvd’s.
Junonia.com is a great site for plus size workout clothes– you might want to check them out too.
I am an UnderArmour fiend and wear it to work out all the time - I highly recommend it to anyone who sweats a lot or has sensitive skin in cotton t-shirts.
My biggest workout recommendation is to cancel your cable subscription if your gym has those personal TVs. I lost 30 lbs last year when I had to go to the gym to watch What Not to Wear and Whose Wedding is it Anyway?
I swear by Enell — they’re amazing bras. Pricy but so, so worth it. I like the fact that they’re easy to get on, also — I couldn’t imagine going back to one that I’d have to fight to get over my head.
My favorite sportsbra is from SamsClub, believe it or not! They totally keep everything from moving!
Good gear helps so much!! Try to get non-cotton, wicking stuff that helps keep you drier if possible.
Just watched this if you want some more inspiration that you can do it!!
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/22887506#28672857
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Mrs. Ballet Flat, New Orleans
Age and Occupation: 24, Geographic Information Systems Analyst
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 26, IT Analyst
Engagement Date: March 16, 2008
Wedding Date: May, 2009
Blogging Since: September 25, 2008
Venue: St. Charles Borromeo Church/Jefferson-Orleans North
About Me: I absolutely love wedding planning, spending time with Mr. Ballet Flat, various crafts, watching football, baking, pop music, bargain hunting and ice cream. My idea of a great date night is dinner and clearance shopping with Mr. Ballet Flat! I currently live below sea level in the suburbs near New Orleans, where I make maps all day, everyday for my job. I'm slowly becoming more and more obsessed with anything New Orleans related for our wedding, and I can't wait for the big day!
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