We reached out to some of the area’s top bloggers to show you the best way to get into shape in time to wear your favorite spring trends.
The new year always starts the same: health goals and resolutions that seem to disappear by the time February shows up with its blustering winds and depressing cold weather. True fashionistas know that summer bodies are made in the winter and nothing is worse than trying on your crop tops only to find that they don’t fit. We reached out to some of the area’s top bloggers to show you the best way to get into shape in time to wear your favorite spring trends.–Angela Bobo
Michelle Marcinowski, Fifty-Two Thursdays
Q: How are fashion and fitness related?
Fashion and fitness are closely intertwined and go hand in hand to create confidence and boost self-esteem. When I work out and feel comfortable with my body, I don’t want to hide what I’ve accomplished.
Q: What is your favorite way to get fit in the area?
I was introduced to sculpt class about a year ago thanks to my friend, instructor and owner of Xtend Barre Old Town, Natalie Strahorn. I have yet to find anything that tops sculpt classes, and the studio is just too easy to get to from work or home. It has added that element of fun that my routine was missing. Her classes are still challenging and focus on neglected muscle groups that my typical work outs don’t hit.
Q: What item of clothing motivates you to workout?
I am traveling to Peru this March and wanted an updated, cute new piece for the trip. I just recently purchased this crop top from Miguelina to wear as a cover-up or just with shorts. It’s adorable, but very cropped, so I got to keep at it.
Q: Fashion or fitness goals for 2015?
My goal for 2015 is to be consistent. I need to work most on my consistency with my workout routines and my eating habits to live a healthier and more productive new year.
Natalie Pinto, The Fashionably Broke
Q: How are fashion and fitness related to you?
I think that fashion and fitness really go hand-in-hand. I believe that fashion, as well as fitness, is all about looking good, and feeling good and that’s what we strongly focus on here at The Fashionably Broke; inspiring women everywhere to look good and feel good, at any cost. Fashion and fitness are also strongly related to me because nothing gets me more motivated to go to the gym than cute, new gym clothes or sneakers.
Q: What is your favorite way to get fit in the area?
The D.C.-Metro area is full of trails that can take you anywhere. I really discovered that this summer when my boyfriend and I took up bike riding. It’s been a great way to see the area that we live in up close and personal, as well as get in a good, healthy workout and spend some quality time together, which is always a bonus. I’ve also really enjoyed taking Zumba classes at my local (Ballston) Gold’s Gym as well as Pure Barre in Clarendon.
Q: What item of clothing motivates you to workout?
I’m all about the shoes, so I love buying new sneakers to wear both inside and outside of the gym. A new pair can get me to work out almost immediately. Once I have my six-pack, you can guarantee that I’ll be the girl riding my bike in a sports bra and no shirt next summer.
Q: Fashion or fitness goals for 2015?
As I’ve gotten older, and taken on office jobs which require a lot of sitting at a desk during the day, my body started to change and it was hard for me to accept. I began buying and wearing a lot more loose-fitting clothes. Now that I’ve started to embrace my new body, and revamped my fitness routine to go along with it, one of my biggest goals for the new year is to wear more of the fitted pieces that I used to love so much. I’d also like to sign up for a long distance bike ride.
Sarah Phillips, Fifty-Two Thursdays
Q: How are fashion and fitness related?
I believe your body truly is your best accessory and have found that my involvement in fashion has been a huge motivator for me to stay in shape. Whether I am wearing a bikini on the beach or working out in my favorite fitness gear by Vimmia, to me, nothing is more fashionable than feeling confident in my own skin. So I work hard in the gym to obtain that.
Q: What is your favorite way to get fit in the area?
My fitness and health are extremely important to me so I am usually in the gym at least four to five days per week. I recently joined CrossFit South Arlington and have become completely addicted. I love CrossFit because each class is different and I am consistently challenged by the coaches and the friendly competition between athletes. I have always been a regular at the gym, but since I added CrossFit to my regimen I have seen a major improvement in my muscle tone and overall strength.
Q: What item of clothing motivates you to workout?
Bikinis and the new crop top I recently purchased from Intermix. It shows off my stomach, so before I wear it I make sure to do a few extra planks.
Q: Fashion or fitness goals for 2015?
My goals are to stay motivated and to keep my workouts consistent in the new year. I would love to stick with CrossFit and eventually enter a competition by the end of 2015.
Meaghan Moynahan, District Sparkle
Q: How are fashion and fitness related?
Trends are fun to experiment with, but I tend to live in clothing that I feel my best in, whether that’s leather pants and a comfy oversized sweater, or a shift dress and pumps. I’ve curated a closet of pieces that reflect my personality and my personal style. Part of feeling my best in my favorite pieces is feeling my best about what’s going on underneath those threads. They say that the ultimate beauty starts within, and similarly, I believe the ultimate outfit starts with what’s underneath.
Q: What is your favorite way to get fit in the area?
I recently started training with Taylor Simpson of I Like My Fitness Taylored. She’s an inspiration both personally and professionally and I dig her overall drive to just get after life. She tailors my workouts to fit around my 9-5 blog schedule and events during the week, and has a customized meal plan that’s not only helped make me a healthier version of myself, but helped me learn why it’s important to eat the new way that I do.
Q: What item of clothing motivates you to workout?
This might sound weird but funky sports bras help motivate me. I feel like I can see the main areas that I want to see the most progress on when I ditch the workout tops. Fun colors and prints on sports bras have proven to be a little motivator. I’d love to try the crop top trend with cigarette leg pants at some point.
Q: Fashion or fitness goals for 2015?
I’m gearing up for Fashion Week in February. And while it’s important to sartorially prepare for the week, for me, it’s really important to be physically prepared, as well—in the sense of being able to throw 20-hour days in heels at your body and be able to handle that for a handful of days in a row and properly fitting into all of those outfits.
Monica Lavinia, Spicy Candy D.C. Fitness Contributor
Q: How are fashion and fitness related to you?
My background and experience is in fashion, my passion is to sweat each day. I run, train and live in sportswear so I make sure it can transcend from the yoga studio to a coffee date to even a night out. Working out will never go out of style. My stylistic approach has embraced sportswear and [I] find that tights are the new denim in my closet.
Q: What is your favorite way to get fit in the area?
To run the city. Whether it be a solo long run or a group run, I always find the city inviting, fresh and inspiring. Add a Pilates class to work on my core, then a hot yoga class in the evening to relax the muscles and clear the mind. Day made.
Q: What item of clothing motivates you to workout?
New running shoes always get me on the road. Recently [I] purchased the Nike Lunarglide 6 [running shoes], that are weatherproof and reflect in the dark. As always I love accessorizing, so I add my innovative luxury tech Nike Fuel Band & GPS Watch.
Q: Fashion or fitness goals for 2015?
To empower, exude and elevate health and style by sweating every day and looking stylish [while doing it].
