True Life: I'm a Fitness Freak
Plus, a chia pudding recipe and a fun gym playlist
I often joke that I have an annoying habit of monetizing everything. If I have a passion, I swear to god I will turn it into a job and suck the fun out of it immediately. Painting for fun? That’s now a business. Thrifting for my own home? Now a minor retail operation and, of course, a book. One of the things I still adore that I have not attempted to turn into work, is fitness.
I very rarely talk about fitness on social media or in the newsletter but it is and always has been an enormously important part of my life. I started dancing at age 5, eventually spending nearly every weekday after school at the studio. When I graduated high school and moved to Dallas for college, I found myself incredibly bored. I missed the social aspect of dance and the endorphin rush I felt when I finished a class or mastered a particularly challenging combination.
That freshman year of college was really when my obsession with group fitness began (and, frankly, probably veered into unhealthy territory at times!). I tried yoga, pilates, kickboxing, running. Anything to try and fill the void that dance had left behind.
In the years since, I’ve become a complete group fitness slut. I have honestly tried so many classes I can’t even remember: Tracy Anderson, SoulCycle, Pure Barre, AKT, OrangeTheory, 305 Fitness… the list is endless.
OrangeTheory will have my heart forever. It is always challenging and forces you to face your biggest competitor (yourself) in the face. And AKT is the love of my life, though I typically only do that when in Atlanta, as there is no studio in Northeast Florida.
When I’m home, I keep my workouts pretty simple, generally working out four days a week and doing 30 minutes of cardio (I’ll either run intervals by using the OTF template which is posted every single day on Reddit, or I’ll do a 30-minute walk at 3.5 mph on a 12% incline). Plus, I always do about 20 minutes of weights (using an OrangeTheory or Lindsey Harrod video). I have tried workouts without weights but if I like to feel strong and I honestly see the biggest changes in my body from that rather than just doing cardio.
But when I’m in a city with great group classes, I go absolutely HAM. I have even been known to take two classes in one day: an AKT at 5 AM and an OrangeTheory in the evening (probably won’t make that mistake again and to be clear, I rushed to get a burger and fries after).
This week, I’ve rounded up my true workout essentials: the stuff I wear and love when working out, the workout videos that I think are great in a pinch—when you just wanna work out at home—a healthy post- or pre-gym recipe, and a fitness playlist, for your listening pleasure.
I have gone through four pairs of Nike Air Zooms and I love them to death. They are designed for HIIT (high intensity interval training) classes so they are excellent for OrangeTheory or any class where you’re really bouncing around or pounding the pavement.
PE Nation makes the world’s best workout leggings. They are high-rise (key when running or moving about) and quick-dry and just super comfortable.
PE Nation also makes a great sports bra, in my opinion.
An impossibly cool tee to wear to the gym.
If you live in a cooler climate, or like to layer up, this long-sleeve compression top is aces.
A classic, chic sports bra.
A great pair of biker shorts and a good sweatshirt.
I love my Nikes, but I’ve also gone through three pairs of APLs, which are wonderful. Highly recommend if you work out often.
That being said, Nike makes the best socks, hands down.
Decidedly not meant for the gym, but I couldn’t leave out this perfect tote (which would easily translate from a fitness club locker room to cocktail hour).
I love a good sweatshirt, which can top jeans just as easily as unitards (which are kind of great for yoga, pilates or just a long walk outside).
The most fun colorblock trainer sneakers.
A googly-eyed tote to shlep your odds and ends.
As far as socks go, these are pretty damn chic.
Some of My Favorite Online Workout Videos
Challenging but short full body blast
A good travel workout that you can do in a hotel room or Airbnb
Chia Pudding Recipe
Here’s the thing about chia pudding: you need to make it ahead of time. That’s because the chia combines with liquid to create a pudding consistency, but it needs to set for at least an hour. I like to mix the chia and milk the night before I make it, that way it’s ready to go in the AM.
Ingredients:
1/4 C. chia seeds
1 cup almond milk (regular milk is fine, too)
1 T. maple syrup or honey
2 T. cacao powder
1 tsp. vanilla extract
pinch of salt
toppings: sliced banana, nuts, dark cherries, cacao nibs, almond butter, etc.
Mix the chia and milk and let set for at least an hour. Once it’s thickened, throw it in a blender with all the remaining ingredients (except for the toppings—those go on top!). Blitz to combine then pour it in a bowl and top with whatever you like.
And I’ll leave you with this…