Sweating It: Workouts for Gym-phobic Petites

Hello again, everyone!  Sorry I haven't been able to blog lately.  Things have been absolutely crazy on my end for a few months now.  In May, I moved to a new city the day after my law school graduation. Then I started studying for the Bar Exam (which I took this week - yay!) that same weekend.  Needless to say, it has been a looooooooong stressful summer of going to bar review class, creating outlines, making flash cards, taking practice exams, and memorizing much more law than I ever thought possible!  Unfortunately, my new study schedule wreaked havoc on my regular routines.  I didn't sleep much.  I didn't eat well.  I haven't kept up with current events.  Some days I barely even saw the sun.  But one thing helped me keep my sanity this summer: Jillian Michaels' 30 Day Shred DVD!

I love, love, ♥LOVE♥ this video.  I don't know about you, but I'm not really a "gym" girl.  I like to move and be active, but the thought of running several miles on a treadmill or spinning on a bike going nowhere does not appeal to me.  I'd much rather go for a long walk, go dancing, play Lasertag or do something else that makes me sweat in a natural way.  After all, I'm not trying to lose weight, but rather just trying to look and feel as good as I can.  So I ordered this "30 Day Shred" DVD (after reading some of the nearly 2,000 FANTABULOUS reviews of it on Amazon) in an effort to squeeze a quick workout into each day.  All I have to say is -- TWO THUMBS UP!

Thanks to Jillian, I am toning and shaping up right in the comfort of my own home.  I have never sweat so hard in my life and had such a great time doing it!  Sure, you will feel at times like you want to quit, but that's when the personal trainer in Jillian really comes out.  She's right there, motivating you to keep pushing and keep going.  And when you do, it feels so good!  After doing the Level 1 workout just a few times, I could immediately see more definition in my shoulders and toning in my arms.  (I'll post pics some day so you can see for yourself.)  After 20 minutes of her signature "3 minutes Strength - 2 minutes Cardio - 1 minute Abs" circuits, you will be both exhausted and exhilarated at the same time. 

If you're like me, you can camp out in Level 1 for awhile until you feel ready to move on.  My roomie (who works out daily and is in way better shape than I) found even Level 2 to be a true challenge for her.  I haven't even looked at Level 3 yet!  But I know that if I continue to push myself each week, I'll be there in no time!  So no matter where you are with your fitness goals, I guarantee you that this video would help you keep your petite frame looking "nothing short of amazing."

Shaping Up: Workout Clothes for the Fit and Fab

Do you have a passion for health and fitness?

Do you enjoy working out and staying active?
Do you do yoga, pilates, or zumba?
Do you run, spin, or bike?

If so, then you know that petite women of every size and shape want properly fitting workout clothes.  Many of us know the frustration of sports bras that sit too low (hello, TJ Maxx clearance bras -- I'm talking to you!) or track pants that are waaaaaaay too long.  But you may not know that there are activewear styles designed with your petite frame in mind!

Now, I realize that most of us do not absolutely need petites activewear.  We can always get away with wearing shorts and a tee on the days that we plan to break a sweat.  But just because we can doesn't mean that we must!  I don't know about you, but I'm much more motivated to exercise or go to the gym if I feel good about the way I look in the process.  So that's why I suggest that we upgrade our workout wardrobes, ladies!  We petites now have more options than ever before to get fit and look fab at the same time!  So no more tripping over our pants legs.  No more rolling up the sleeves to our hoodies.  And no more shopping in the children's section for workout gear!   Here are some of the best-kept secrets for looking "nothing short of amazing" at the gym, the track, the yoga studio, and while lounging around the house...

Sweet Petites promises "the perfect petite fit" in a cute, colorful line of coordinating separates.  Bra tops, workout tanks, and jackets are available in sizes XS - L.  Matching pants are available in the sizes XS - L with  28.5" and 29.5" inseams.  The entire Sweets Petites line was designed to accommodate the unique needs of a petite wearer (e.g. shorter inseasms, shorter rises, a comfortable scaled-down waistband) who wants sexy, stylish, and flattering activewear.

Athleta is a one-stop shop for the petite sports or fitness enthusiast!  Pick your own adventure -- running, walking, hiking, exploring, tennis, golf, cycling, yoga, and more -- and you're bound to find the clothing that you need.  Whether you are looking for reflective tights for an evening run (in sizes as small as petites XXS, no less!), workout pants with a shorter inseam, or tanks and tees that come in very small sizes -- you'll find it here.  Best of all, you get free exchanges on any item at any time and for any reason! 

Lucy offers a great selection of high-performance workout pants in four different styles -- the perfect core, the hatha, the vital, and the everyday.  These pants are for the serious athlete -- offering patented moisture-wicking technology, compression, odor-control, and more!  You can order "short" pants in any style (with inseams ranging from 29.5" to 30.5" depending on the style) in sizes XS - XL.  Buyer reviews and ratings of each piece can help you determine exactly which pair is right for you.  Then you can be sure to get the perfect fit by taking advantage of the site's free shipping and free returns and exchanges on all pants!

Land's End has a great selection of high performance, *budget-friendly* petites activewear.  With sale prices beginning as low as $9.99, you can afford to stock up on a brand new workout wardrobe.  Best of all, Land's End carries specific articles of clothing -- like workout shorts, capris, skirts, and pullovers -- that I haven't found in petites lengths anywhere else.  A lot of other retailers focus only on shortening pants lengths; they don't move on to shortening skirts and shorts and all the rest.   But Land's End has gone the extra mile to make sure that every other item fits you just as well!

Finally, don't forget to check out other petite options available at:

• Old Navy (including this sports bra that seems to run quite small),
• Victoria's Secret (with lots of yoga and loungewear with shorter inseams), 
• REI (with petite pants for your next big adventure),  
• Herroom.com (with pics/suggestions of undergarments to wear while workout out), and
• Title Nine (which is "evangelical about women's participation in sports and fitness activities"). 

Still need some inspiration to get up and get moving?

• Check out an inspiring blog -- the petitEAThlete -- for a fun, motivating look at fitness, nutrition, and health from one petite gal to another! 

Weigh in, ladies!  What sports or fitness activities do you enjoy the most?