Category: Health & Fitness

and is Trunk Club better than Stitch Fix?

Hi friends! Happy Monday! How was the weekend? We went to the Zoppé circus with friends, Kyle and Meg came over for dinner, I caught a yoga class, and blasted through some book-related work stuff. I hope you had a great weekend, too!

For today’s post, I wanted to share my latest Trunk Club since I ended up loving so many new pieces. I have a new stylist named Daniel and LOVE him. I switched stylists after I was getting sent similar items and thought it would be a good chance chance to change things up. Daniel picked pieces that fit my style and paired them with a couple of newer items that I wouldn’t have tried on my own. Fun fact: if you sign up using my referral link, he’ll be your stylist, too! He sent me messages and asked questions via the app before putting my trunk together so I was very excited to see the goods in person.

Here’s what I received in my last Trunk Club:

1) This long-sleeved dress and these booties

When I pulled this dress out of the box, I instantly knew that it was a keeper. I feel like I’m always struggling to look put together during the winter months – I’m either in a sweater and jeans or bundled up to the max – and love that I could wear this with tights and booties if it’s cold and with sandals or low-top sneakers in the spring. This dress is made of beautiful lightweight fabric and fits well.

I didn’t really know what to think of the booties when I first took them out of the trunk, but when I put them on, I knew I wanted to keep them. They give a little bit of height and have a little bit of huarache-style weaving on the top. The heel is thick and feels heavy when you hold the shoe, but very light and comfortable when you’re wearing them. They’ll definitely be a staple for spring!

2) This hat, this gorgeous animal jacket, and lightweight white tank

(the jeans were from a previous Trunk)

You can add in accessories and extras to the trunk, like sunglasses, underwear, pajamas, and hats. I saw this hat and thought it would be cute for the cruise!! I like the way it looked on, but didn’t know if I’d end up wearing it much, so I sent it back. (To all of my friends out there who can regularly wear hats and rock them, I clap for you. But in my heart, I’m just not a hat person unless I’m going to Telos and haven’t washed my hair.)

The animal jacket was a no-brainer (keep, keep, keep) and the tank was the perfect everyday white satin tank. It’s extremely breezy and not too see-through. 

3) This tuxedo dress

I had no clue if I could pull this one off. It gave me Samantha from Sex and the City vibes, and also flasher vibes haha. It was super cute and I was surprised how much I actually liked it, but I didn’t see myself wearing it regularly so I sent it back. (I’d probably get some raised eyebrows at preschool drop-off.)

4) This sparkly dress

We’re planning a Vegas trip and I thought this would be cute for a dinner out! It fit well – even though the ruching on the back is a little intense – but was shedding glitter everywhere, so I sent it back. 

5) This turtleneck sweater dress

I liked the color and fit but wasn’t crazy about it, so I sent it back. 

6) I also received some Gorjana hoops, a turtleneck sweater and a moto jacket.

I didn’t end up trying the jacket since I have a similar one and skipped on the sweater because I’m ready for winter to be OVER. Bring on all of the spring and summer clothes!!

If you’re interested in trying Trunk Club, check out my full review here! [Just a heads up that none of these Trunk Club posts are sponsored! I just use it and love it, so wanted to share the goods with ya.]

Some of my favorite things about it:

– You can see all of the pieces before they’re sent and can reject pieces to be replaced by something else. For example, if I see on the app that they’re going to send a black tank top and I already own a couple, I can decline that piece and request something else in the comments, like “please send a casual dress instead.”

– If you have a Nordstrom card, the styling service is free!! Usually it’s $25, which goes towards any product you’d like to purchase.

– You can do everything through the app. I’m not a huge app person – like there are less than 10 that I really love and use frequently – and this one makes the entire process so convenient. You can message your stylist directly through the app, schedule a pickup for your Trunk, and browse outfits that your stylist puts together for you.

The most common question I receive on Instagram and in blog comments:

Is Trunk Club better than Stitch Fix?

For adult clothing, the answer is 100% yes. The quality of Stitch Fix’s clothing has really gone downhill. I also got to the point where I felt like my stylist didn’t read any of my comments. (Once I said, “Please no more tunics” and I think the algorithm thought I said, “Please send all the tunics!”) I feel like the quality for Trunk Club is so much better. We still use and love Stitch Fix for the kids’ clothes, but I got a Stitch Fix delivery for myself a couple of months ago and was extremely disappointed. 

Have you tried Trunk Club? Where do you buy or order most of your clothes? I order a lot from Nordstrom and have recently fallen in love with Everlane. If you want to try out Trunk Club, my referral link is here! You’ll get Daniel as your stylist and he’s awesome.

Thanks for stopping by the blog today and hope you have a happy Monday!
xoxo

Gina 

The post Recent Trunk Club appeared first on The Fitnessista.

Santa has the sweetest life. He does literally nothing for 364 days (I’m sorry, but we all know the elves do the grunt work and Mrs Claus is the brains of the operation), then pulls one all-nighter that basically consists of flying around the world with intermittent breaks to eat some cookies, thus cementing his place as most loved human on the planet. Honestly it’s kind of BS if you ask me.

But I’ve gone off on a tangent and should probably start again.

You may have noticed that the world has really taken its Christmas-ing up a notch in the last few days. And with only nine sleeps left until Santa come down the chimney to take all the credit deliver the pressies, what an opportunity we have to take advantage of the Christmas cheer with this very special little Christmas workout that I’ve come up with. Basically it’s a drinking game, except heaps more fun (?? maybe??) because you get to do exercises instead of shots, which means you’ll wake up with a tighter booty instead of a whopping great hangover. You’re welcome.

So here’s how it works...
There are a bunch of rules that you have to follow (below). Each rule has an exercise attached to it. Tally up your exercises throughout the day, and complete them before going to bed that night. [If you have a social event on that inhibits your abilities to safely complete your exercises at night, you can roll them over to the next day – ouch!].

The rules…

When you hear a Christmas song: 5 squats
When that Christmas song is being sung by Mariah Carey: 20 burpees
When someone tells you to have a Merry/Happy/Good Christmas: 10 lunges
When you walk past a bunch of drunk people having their Christmas party: 10 push ups
When your kid asks you how many sleeps until Santa comes: 10 tricep dips
When your kid pulls the Christmas tree over on himself: 30 mountain climbers (and maybe secure it better next time, yeah Jess?)
When you buy something online: 5 supermans
When that something is for yourself: 20 high knees (also, good on you, you deserve it)

OK so your challenge between now and Christmas Day is to implement your Christmas Workout. That’s 8 days of bonus exercise for you, Team. Think of it as my gift to you.

You’re so very welcome! xx

The post A Christmas Workout – LGF style appeared first on Lazy Girl Fitness.

You know what’s better than working out alone? Well, lots of things actually. But for the purposes of today’s post, the answer is ‘working out with a friend!’. For starters, it’s waaaay harder to skip a workout when you’ve got someone who’ll make you feel guilty about it. You’ll go harder when you’ve got someone to compete against too. Oh plus you’ve got someone to chat with about how much fun burpees are while you’re during burpees together. It’s almost too much, right?! And if none of that gets you going, then just think of the coffee you’ll get to have together afterwards.

Sold? Excellent. Now check out this super simple 20-minute bodyweight partner workout, grab a mate, and get into it!

20-minute bodyweight partner workout

45 seconds per exercise then switch with your partner (allow 15 second changeover/rest time if needed). Repeat both exercises before moving onto the next set. 

Set 1
Bodyweight squats
Walkout with push ups
Set 2
Travelling lunges
Shuttle runs
Set 3
Burpees
Bicycle abs
Set 4
Plank
Single leg hip raise (one set per leg)
Set 5
High-to-low plank
Squat jumps

If you’ve never tried a partner workout before then you’ve just gotta trust me here Team, working out with a friend is going to change your (fitness-related) life. Enjoy xx

The post 20-minute bodyweight partner workout appeared first on Lazy Girl Fitness.

Anyone else noticed that reformer Pilates studios are popping up about the place more frequently than babies in your Facebook feed recently? Don’t get me wrong, I L O V E reformer, but it can be hard to know which studios are the real deal, and which you’d be better off steering clear of. Well never fear, today I bring you three Reformer Pilates studios in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney that you need to try.

VIVE ACTIVE // Double Bay
If you’ve ever thought that Pilates was too low-energy for you, this is the studio to get into. VIVE ACTIVE has just opened in Double Bay (they have another studio in Brookvale for you Northern Beaches peeps) and their classes are filling up so fast I couldn’t get in last weekend! Think high energy Pilates with epic beats, seriously passionate trainers, and choreography that’s designed to get you the results you crave. Oh and I almost forgot the mirrored ceilings, which may sound a little rent-by-the-hour motel, but are actually ahh-mazing and very helpful for helping with form throughout the class. A beautifully designed studio and gorgeous, well-stocked change rooms are a given for the area.

What else? VIVE ACTIVE run VIVE After Dark, a free monthly wellness seminar that focuses on topics like meditation, nutrition and gut health.

Fluidform // Waterloo and Clovelly
I like to think of Fluidform as Pilates the way Joseph Pilates intended it to be. I started at the Waterloo studio when i found out I was pregnant with Alfie, and I don’t think I’ve ever had an instructor who understands the human body like Fluidform founder Kirstin King. They run group classes, but (in my opinion) the real value is in their ‘studio equipment classes’; small group sessions (maximum of four in Waterloo and three in Clovelly) that are more intimate, allowing the instructor to individualise your session for you. At Fluidform, movements are energetic and effective, but always controlled. Think full body strengthening and conditioning, helping your muscles to grow longer and leaner.

What else? Fluidform at Home is an online program that includes access to a workout library with new workouts added each month, monthly live chat with Kirsten, monthly live stream from an in-studio class and more.

One Hot Yoga // Potts Point
My love for reformer Pilates first surfaced at One Hot Yoga, about two years ago. Sure I’d dabbled before, but this was that early days of romance, can’t-get-enough-of-you, miss-you-when-you’re-gone kind of love. If you’re looking for lots of class options, experienced instructors and a beautiful studio, then this is the place for you. Class sizes are on the large side which can make it more difficult to keep on top of form, but the instructors are all friendly, so don’t be afraid to put up your hand to ask for help! And If you want something a little more personalised, they’ve recently introduced ‘studio Pilates sessions’ (which look similar to Fluidform’s offering) but I’ve never tried them so can’t comment on what they’re like!

What else? Well yoga, duh. One Hot Yoga offers a ‘One Hot Everything’ membership that gives you access to all reformer and mat Pilates group classes, plus all yoga classes.

The post 3 Reformer Pilates studios you need to try appeared first on Lazy Girl Fitness.

You’re working out on the reg, but for some reason still not seeing the results you want. Well that doesn’t seem fair, does it?

Here’s a few of the most common ways you might be sabotaging your workouts, along with some simple fixes. Recognise any of them? Yah, me too .

Always taking the most advanced option
I was in a Reformer Pilates class the other day and the instructor was giving us spring/difficulty options. Now as you know, I’ve only recently got back into the swing of exercise, so let’s just say that choosing the most difficult option would not have been a smart choice. I chose it anyway. The problem, as I was soon reminded, is that when you choose an option that’s too much of a stretch for you, you risk not going to be able to do the exercise properly. At best, this decreases the likelihood of getting results, and at worst, increases your risk of injury. Yes, I did sheepishly reduce my spring load.
The fix? Stop letting your pride get in the way, and work to a level where you can keep good form and control.

Not doing something you enjoy
I firmly believe that the best form of exercise is the exercise that you’ll actually do. Let’s be realistic; if you *hate* the gym there’s no way you’re going to keep showing up week after week. If you spend almost every moment of that yoga class wishing it was over (oh pick me, pick me!) then you’re probably better off choosing something else.
The fix? Search and ye shall find! Get out and try a bunch of different classes. Or grab your mates and head to the park, the pool, the running track. Download a workout app. Or trawl my Lazy Girl Fitness workout section. There are so many options out there, you’re bound to find something you enjoy.

Skipping the warm up
Yes yes it’s a squeeze to fit in a workout on your lunch break, I know. But spending a few minutes getting your body moving can help to get that oxygen flowing to your muscles a little faster, reduce your risk of injury and help you mentally prepare for what’s ahead.
The fix? Look it depends on the workout, but I suggest trying something simple like fast feet, side lunges or walk outs, followed by working through some of the exercises in your workout at a slow, controlled pace. Once you’re feeling warmer, try something a little high intensity, such as high knees or shuttle runs, and you’ll be ready to go!

You set unrealistic goals… or no goals at all
We all need goals to keep us motivated. Without them, you might show up, but chances are you’ll just be going through the motions. And on the flip side, if your goal is so far outside the realms of possibility that it’s unhealthy, you’ll get de-motivated pretty quickly and things will grind to a halt.
The fix: Choose a goal that is aspirational, but attainable. Then choose some mini goals that will help you get to the big goal. Measure your progress, and reward yourself when you reach a goal.

Not eating well
Running a marathon on one of the ‘2’ days of your 5:2 diet really isn’t a good idea. Likewise an intense HIIT session on a stomach full of fish and chips probably isn’t going to help you get the most out of your workout. Extreme examples, sure, but the moral is the same: if you want to make the most of your workouts, make sure you fuel your body well.
The fix? Keep your diet full of real foods – the less packaged, the better! And when it comes to pre and post-workout fuel, it will depend on when you’re working out and what sort of workout you’re doing. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach, so take a little time to figure out what works best for you and your body.

Too many high intensity workouts
God I used to be so bad at this. I was definitely in the ‘more is more’ camp, when it comes to working out… the harder and more often, the better! But here’s a newsflash younger-Jess: your body needs rest days. Without rest days, your body doesn’t actually have time to repair and re-build, which means all that hard work is going to waste!
The fix? Factor in a couple of days off each week. Use these days to get out for a nice walk, do some mindfulness, or try a gentle stretch session at home.

Make sense Team? Excellent. Now stop sabotaging your workouts, and go forth and conquer those goals!

xx

The post 6 ways you might be sabotaging your workouts appeared first on Lazy Girl Fitness.

Don’t judge me, but I’ve been known to show up late to a social occasion (ok… or not show up at all) to ensure I didn’t miss my daily exercise, whether it be Pilates, a run or a quick 20 minute workout. Yep exercise and fitness has always been a priority for me… or at least that was the case until Alfie was born. As I mentioned in this post, I expected to return to exercise a few weeks after giving birth. Oh bless me and my naivety. And then when my body finally was keen, my mind still wasn’t ready to get back on the horse (or Reformer, as it were).

Anyway, my point is that there will always be times in your life when exercise takes a back seat, whether that’s because you’ve had a baby, got too much going on at work, a hectic social calendar, or, heaven forbid, you just need a break.  And that’s ok. But when you do feel like getting back into it, there are a few ways to get yourself back on track, starting with making a plan that’s easy to stick to.

This 20 minute workout should be part of that plan. It’s designed to be done at home without weights, but you can challenge yourself by using dumbbells (or even dry goods from the pantry!) if you like.

The workout

Circuit 1:
2 sets | 45 seconds per exercise | 30 seconds rest between sets 

Hip raises
Push ups
Squat hold
High knees
Reverse crunches

Circuit 2:
2 sets | 45 seconds per exercise | 30 seconds rest between sets 

Reverse lunges
Plank
Squats
Bicycle
Step ups (use a stable chair or low table)

Time-based workouts are my go-to when I’m busy or just feeling unmotivated. They’re easier to plan my life around, plus I find it easily to mentally prepare when I know exactly how long I’ll be working out for!

Hope you enjoy this one Team, it’s good to be back.

The post The 20 minute workout that you can do anywhere appeared first on Lazy Girl Fitness.