I have been an active person with a need for fitness wear from a very young age. I started as a clumsy gymnast, moved on to a nervous swimmer, became an angry floor-bandy player, an unsuitable golfer and ended up as an eager casual boxer.
Nowadays, in my mid-40s after my 7th knee surgery, I find myself simply trying to become stronger and healthier with a goal of a slightly less painful body.
So what a nice surprise to be sent fitness wear from some amazing brands to help me with this. Whether you are heading to the gym, out for a brisk walk or simply lounging in your garden, I have a few items I’d like to share.
One of the brands sparked some amazing memories from my childhood. I remember clearly a navy blue worn out fleece kind of pull over with a squishy logo that I of course kept pressing on. It was from fitness wear and fashion powerhouse Helly Hansen. And they kindly sent me a set containing their Core Sweat shorts, stripy Skagen Sweater and the bounciest Ahiga Evo 5 trainers.
As much as the set goes absolutely perfectly together, all in navy or navy and white, I find myself matching them with everything! The stripy Skagen Sweater works so perfectly as an addition to a skirt, making it a nautical vintage kinda look – you don’t just have to put on fitness wear to keep fit!
The Core Sweat shorts are perfect for my days sitting in my garden, paired with a simple white shirt, and the Ahiga Evo trainers turned out to be absolute saviours when trekking over the Spanish hills. I swear I could not even notice the unevenness of the ground. And isn’t it just this we need? For our fitness wear to really work with the rest of our wardrobe.
For a gym day, I am also covered. Oner Active has quickly become a saved website for me. The sizing is wonderful, and the fabrics are just what I need. I’m a shapely woman, so I need fitness wear to be comfortable but also to hold all those lovely lady lumps in just a little bit.
I received four amazing pieces that I can alternate depending on mood and activity. And if not for the gym, simply to wear on my day off as a comfortable lounge outfit.
Now, I am a busty gal, so sports bras are a challenge, not just finding one, but if you have ever had to try one on when it’s a slightly scorching day, you will know the exact challenge I’m talking about. If not, think Houdini trying to escape a straitjacket.
Oner Active sent me their SoftMotion Scoop Back Bralette, and not only could I easily get it on, it was stretchy, supportive, allowed my boobs enough space and looked amazing. Ticking all the boxes, I’d say.
Matching that from the same collection, I paired it with the SoftMotion Skort. Same soft fabric and in such a playful style, as well as being the safety of shorts wrapped up in a lovely skirt. What’s not to like? They are also very easily worn out on a hot summer walk when you want to bring girly to the trek.
I also received two pieces of fitness wear from their Unified collection. This collection has a bit more support and sculpting properties. And sweat wicking which is a must for those active days.
The first pair I want to tell you about are the Unified Wrap Leggings, they are super easy to get on even though they have a slightly tougher fabric than SoftMotion. I have the longer length but even here you have a choice.
The second pair are the Unified Wrap Flare Bottoms, these were in my mind going to be a lounge day or yoga pant situation but now I kind of want to wear them all the time. Both of these have such a flattering fit with the wrap front, looking good and feeling comfortable.
As much as we can work on our bodies, we also have to work on our minds and mental well-being. My life has been a journey, to say the least, from the very start. And I never really, until much too recently, paid much attention to my mental wellbeing. I come from a time where we just simply sucked it up and got on with it, the “it is what it is” kind of thinking.
But after starting to write and to learn and explore wellness, mindfulness and mental wellbeing, I now know it is very important. Because our mind affects our body constantly.
So not only do I meditate and do breathing exercises, I have also started to journal a little. I want to stress that there can be a kind of pressure to do this every single day, but please listen to your mind and to what works for you.
The Resonance Co. sent me their Three Wishes Journal, which can really help you look at the positive and meaningful.
I have a way of seeing beauty in many things and moments, and I always try to be kind. But sometimes, when I have a slightly harder day, it might be tricky to do just this. In the Three Wishes Journal, you do just what the name says: you make three wishes.
– One for the World: Write down something positive you wish for the world. The world is struggling a lot right now, so this wish can be big or small.
– One for Someone else, maybe you wish something for your friend or a family member. Maybe you saw someone on your commute who you’d wish had a better day.
– One for Yourself, this is the one that requires you to look within with a kind eye. It can be a very emotional wish, or something I would wish for instance, “I wish this surgery does what we hoped it would do.”
Taking that moment to think of these wishes allows you to reflect deeper into things and thoughts, it might inspire you to do more or simply allow yourself more kindness.
Today, I wish for more kindness to spread around the world.
Today I wish my friend Helen a most marvellous day.
Today I wish I could embrace a quiet hope that my knee surgery has been successful.
And today I wish that you, who reads this, have a most amazing day.
