Fun Athletic Wear for 2018 Fitness Resolutions

I was at the gym yesterday &, typically, it’s not terribly crowded when I go since I tend to work out later at night. But, woah. It’s clear that a lot of people have fitness resolutions for 2018! Usually, I don’t have to wait for any machines, but last night I had to switch up the order of my workout because all of the ellipticals were taken when I first got there.

Now, I feel like I need to be honest here and admit that I don’t have the best track record in the world when it comes to going to the gym… I got a ton of exercise from the time I was a toddler up through my freshman year of high school because I was always dancing – I’m talking 7 dance classes at my studio every single week and classes and/or intensive programs over the summer. Then in high school, dance team kept me in pretty solid shape after I chose to stop taking studio classes. When I got to college, I fell out of practice with working out because I was always so busy and going to the gym wasn’t a huge priority for me at that point in my life.

Fast forward to this summer, my first one post-grad, and lots of going out with friends, eating out, more drinking than usual, and just a bit more laziness because I was FINALLY done with school. I noticed a difference in how I felt, how certain pieces of clothing in my closet fit, and also in my mood. I got to a point near the end of the summer when I realized that I wanted to get my butt back in gear and get more serious about taking care of my body. I already eat pretty healthy for the most part, but as I said, working out hadn’t been a high priority for me in recent years.

In July, I finally bit the bullet got a membership to a gym! Even though I’m still not the greatest with having a specific workout plan or schedule, I do go to the gym once a week for an hour or two and I’ve noticed a huge change in my mood on the day-of and in the days following my workout. I feel much more accomplished, I have more energy, I tend to drink more water and crave fresh fruit when I’m in snacking moods instead of junk food, and I feel healthy and refreshed in a general sense.

One thing that gives me an extra push of motivation when it’s time to go to the gym is to incorporate at least one fun or fashionable piece into my workout look. This can be anything from a cute pair of leggings to a fun graphic tee or tank top. It’s been said before that “when you look good, you feel good” and for me, feeling confident in my gym attire puts me in a positive and “ready to take on the world” mindset. I’ve compiled some pieces below that I’ve got my eye on to add to my workout wardrobe and almost everything is under $100!

Just a quick side note to say that Bowtiful Life definitely won’t be turning into a health or fitness blog any time soon… However, I’ve made a promise to myself for 2018 to let my creative juices flow and to share a bit more of my personal experiences with y’all on here while still having a fashion and lifestyle focus. This being said, today’s post combined a bit of both and I hope you guys enjoyed it!