What can I say? I’m just not a follower. Yes, I wear compression socks from time to time and I barely go anywhere during the week without my Garmin vivoactive tracking my every move and alerting me to every single online interaction I can possibly have (email, Facebook, Instagram, etc.) but there are still quite a few fitness trends I refuse to follow, or that I just don’t understand.
1. ATHLEISURE
I really do not get this one. Athleisure is supposed to be highly stylish athletic outfits you can wear to the gym and then to Target lunch with your hip and stylishly chic girlfriends afterward. Now, I have no idea what you look like after your workout, but I am a sweaty, smelly, snot rocket tainted mess. I am going nowhere but to the showers after a workout.
No one I have ever seen at my gym looks like this:
I am definitely not going out in public after this, or any other workout. You are welcome.
I know this is also a trend where zero workout is being done and you’re supposed to just parade around town looking as if you could break into a workout at any moment, or just look super athletic (but not too athletic) at all times. Pffff. When I’m not training, I do not want to put on workout clothes – stylish or otherwise. Plus, if I’m going to spend upwards of $80 on pants, they are most certainly not going to be the kind you sweat in. Ever.
2. MEDITATION
Arguably, I could use a hell of a lot more of this in my life however, I just don’t see how meditating before a workout is going to help things. I like to get revved UP prior to kicking my own butt for hours on end, not relaxed. If I’m about to get on a plane, I should drink heavily meditate, if I’m doing a 30 mile bike ride followed by a 30 minute run, I’m going to blast Missy Elliott and get psyched.
In case you need 10 Missy Elliott songs to add to your playlist, Brooklyn Active Mama has your back.
Misdemeanor does not meditate.
This is not to say that I don’t have meditative moments during my activities, I just don’t make a point of doing it prior to them.
3. FOOD IN A JAR
In almost every article, feed or post about food these days I see recommendations about stuffing it into a jar and then eating out of it, at a later time. Does this sound disgusting to anyone else?
It seems to me like you have to start at the top and work your way down so you’re essentially only eating one thing at a time!? Isn’t the whole point of a salad to eat it all mixed together? I’m pretty sure whoever puts their food in a trendy jar like this just dumps it into a bowl, like the rest of us, when they actually go to eat it. Stop it.
4. BLING
I know I will get hate over this one but I will never understand running a race for the bling. And, I’m not talking about a Tiffany necklace because, of course, I’m talking about an actual medal that has a fancy design or is as big as your head or doubles as a bottle opener. Ok, that last one is pretty cool and I do have one in my kitchen, however I most certainly did not run the race because of it.
I do not understand any of this.
I absolutely love some of my race medals for what they represent but, I would donate them to a Children’s Hospital or any other charitable cause, in a heartbeat. Of course I would have to take them down from their place of high honor inside my garage.
I do have my beloved sword that I won at a local duathlon race but I had no idea that was prize. I even have video footage to prove it.
My interview is at 3:49…and was right after I crossed the finish line…
5. ONLINE FITNESS
I have tried many times to be a fan of this one but I just.can’t.do.it. I think the biggest issue is that I don’t like to workout at home. Yes, I have my bike trainer and treadmill set up but those are because I cannot bike during the winter or run in a lightening storm.
Who wants to workout at their desk? Not me.
I also just don’t like having to follow someone on the screen because I feel like I get less of a workout unless I know the routine. I would definitely like to have my IronStrength workout on the big screen but, I use a printed out paper version that I now know by heart. #OldSchool
I’m sure I’m missing out by not indulging in some of these things but it doesn’t feel like it. I wish I was that super cool, trendy mom who looks like a model after her workouts, has all her bling in decorative shadow boxes, can stop, drop and meditate like nobody’s business and eat her photograph worthy lunch out of a vintage mason jar but, it’s not happening. I can only hope to embarrass my children some day with my utter un-coolness like my mother before me.
Dream big.
[Tweet “Are you a #trendsetter when it comes to #fitness? 5 #trends I don’t follow and why! #train4life”]
What fitness trends don’t you follow?
Do you do any of these? Please explain them to me!
I for one do not get the race bling. I really could care less if there even is a medal. And I really don’t get the point of race medals for virtual races. Huh??? And meditating before a race? Hell no! However the jar thing is cool. I always shake mine up before I eat it so it does get mixed. Oats in jar? That’s good stuff!
Medals for virtual races is mind blowing. I did not know that was a thing?
And leave it to you to eat out of the jar! Whatever you’re making and however you serve it, I will eat it. Hoping to make those Morning Glory muffins today…:-)
Lol! This made me laugh on the train!! First thanks so much for your shoutout, Missy certainly does not meditate hahaha. Also I love me some bling but that is not the determining factor. With that said however, I do LOVE my collection. I look at athleisure as pieces you can wear to soccer practice or on a coffee date or to the movies — definitely not after a workout!! I’ve never done the jar thing but if anything it certainly looks pretty 🙂
So glad I could give you a laugh…and a shout out because Missy!
I know you love your collection (as I do!) but also know you do not run solely for the bling.
And thanks for the tips on Athleisure wear and how and when to wear it. You are infinitely helpful my city friend 🙂
Agree 100% on all accounts. No trendy girl
Here. Im not at all concerned with keeping up With the ‘jones.’ I do shower and change back into fitness clothes (minus the super tight sports braziere) only bcs I’m comfortable (aka plus 20 lbs) and I seriously hate clothes shopping.
Keeping it real Chris!! Thank you 🙂
Thank you for making me LAUGH OUT LOUD! You nailed it all and I agree with you 100%! 90% of my daily attire is workout gear or scrubs! I shower immediately after I undress out of both! I prefer to actually get dressed and wear a nice outfit outside of my “normal routine”. As for medals, I do not understand the bling thing. Really?! To me that just sounds pathetic. I don’t own any of my race medals; I raise awareness for my buddy who has Down Syndrome and she is the WINNER in my eyes! People are fire rent, I get it, but trendy running to say you did it is foolish to me. Mason jar foods are great for display. I’m too OCD so I’d be upset if all the layers blended before I could mix it up myself. Lol! Meditate – yep when I close my eyes to go to sleep! Thanks for your insight Allie. I can always count on you to make me laugh and learn new things! You ROCK!
^different^ not fire rent. Whoops. Haha
Thanks so much Tiffany and so glad I could give you a good laugh!! I know you run all your races for that adorable buddy of yours – let me know if you need some extra medals as I would be happy to donate 🙂
Thanks again and have a great weekend!
haha I have a draft of a similar post! I do have to admit that I’m guilty of 1 and 2 (and am actually going to an meditation class tonight ha!). The salad in a jar things I do not get – doesn’t everything et soggy?? – or the running for bling.
Oh great minds Christine!! We need to discuss these things so we can do a link-up. As for meditation – I’m all for it outside of a fitness class or before a run or race. Like I said, I could definitely use more of it in my life but RW just did this whole piece on meditation prior to running and racing and I just DO NOT get it. That said – OHMMMMMMMM.
As usual you crack me up Allie! I too am a sweaty, nasty mess after my workout, one I am done, I must shower asap to get the stink off. Most of the races that i run near me have no sweet bling to speak of and that is ok, although I do love the sweet raffles that many races up here seem to have after races. Winning a sword as a prize might be cool though and would work as a good medal hanger . . .
I never thought of the sword-as-medal hanger! That is genius. And I actually love a good race with zero frills 🙂
I appreciate a good medal, but I DETEST the word “bling.” It sends shivers down my spine. I feel gross even typing it.
I used to be a much more stylish person, and then I started teaching barre. And now I have given up completely and unless I’m in my office, I’m wearing some type of workout gear in some form, although the idea of sitting in it AFTER I work out is disgusting. I just go home, shower, and put on a new pair of yoga pants like a normal person.
As for the food-in-a-jar thing, it’s for ease of transport. I have tupperware containers that are more or less shaped like jars that I put my salads in so they don’t get soggy if I make them the night before. The layering is the key to the process, but yes, I dump it into my bowl once I get to work.
I love that typing “bling” makes you feel gross. This is why we are friends.
Tupperware salad is totally and completely normal. Plus, I have no clue how to pack a lunch for work since I haven’t worked a “real” job outside of my house in almost 10 years. Sad but true.
And, I feel like travel is your style girl and you have TONS of it!!
This cracks me up…I hate the word “bling” too 🙂
LOL yes!! Thanks Jen!
I’m actually a big fan of those mason jar salads – I’ve tried quite a few recipes and they are so convenient because they keep in the fridge for days so I can do them all on a Sunday and I have lunch for the week. Plus, they are very simple – just tip into a bowl and mix!
Interesting…but why not just use Tupperware? Unless of course you have more mason jars than tupperware, in which case that makes sense 🙂
They don’t keep as well in tupperware – there’s something about the glass that makes the salad last longer.
There is truth to that. After all, glass is from natural products, tupperware is from petroleum. There are studies about microwave heating of petroleum products that are negative in relation to food absorption.
I have ‘ZipLock’ type stackable tupperware that is convenient for the fridge, and reheating. The body is glass, the lids are plastic and seal perfectly. Still, I’m not trashing my plastic TupperWare, it’s very convenient for so much stuff.
I don’t get the MasonJar thing; it’s obviously a fad. MasonJars were for canning fruits so they wouldn’t spoil and enjoy all year out of season; I don’t think these preppies know what canning is? I’ve used MasonJars to store stuff in the fridge because I had them; but to go buy them?
Bravo to you on tackling POOP, the MasterCleanse. All should read your post and get a dose of reality! POOP rope? I had no idea!, the person who belonged to that must be dead for sure.
How much do I love this post… I just lol’d through the whole thing. The athleisure…….I pour sweat so no, it will not work…. the mason jars, the meditation, the online workouts…no, no, no…. I do like race bling. I don’t pick a race based on the medal, but I do keep my medals in a box and have been thinking about getting a medal display, but I guess that’s the RHOBH bitch side of me;)
Ok so I have no idea what RHOBH means and will have to Google it and get back to you. The rest of this comment I absolutely LOVE! 🙂
Ok, go it – Real Housewives of Beverly Hills! I’m slow but eventually I get it 🙂
hahahahahaha!!!! I LOVE that you didn’t immediately know what RHOBH was…. I forget sometimes that the rest of America leads normal lives.
Athlesuire? What ? that is a thing? oh no… I just have a few words in response to going anywhere after a work out… Boob sweat, and vagina sweat! If neither of those are an issue, somebody is blessed! I reek after a work out, and don’t want anybody to come too close… things smell. But that’s how I know it was a good work out! After a work out, I need a shower and a clean pair of jeans.
I don’t run for the bling, I run for the accomplishment. I don’t even have my medals in display anywhere, they are in a shoe box in a drawer. I read a race recap about a Nike Women’s Half Marathon, in which the participants received a Tiffany’s necklace in place of a medal, and according to the author, there was also a scavenger hunt for a pair of earrings, but the participants would have to “go find them”. That sounded a little too much. As if running a Half marathon was not a challenge enough, having to chase a pair of earrings? If I really want those earring bad enough, I can go to the store and buy them.
The Fitness trend I don’t understand is green smoothies… I don’t get idea of having a smoothie made of spinach, but that’s just me. I love spinach, and love smoothies, just not together.
Also, I noticed this one at the Hershey Half Marathon, those headbands announcing what people are running for … like ” Will run for chocolate, Will run for Wine, Will run for Ice Cream”. Maybe I’m just jealous because they never have one that says Will Run for Tacos.
I read about your sword before, and I think it’s pretty awesome! But I have to ask… where do you keep it?
You are too funny and I love all of this!
Completely agree about the hunt for a pair of earrings – WAY too much. I would feel like an idiot doing that!
As for the sword – it’s so disappointing, but I keep it leaned up against my desk. Yep. So sad, but I love seeing it while I’m writing to just remember that it actually happened 🙂 #nerd
You are already fashionable and bold to wear those bright pink shorts while running. I always feel like I’ll get booty sweat to do that. This is hilarious and I found myself nodding all the way along.
Um, I had a TON of booty sweat but I was in my basement riding the trainer bike so… 🙂 Thanks Hollie!
Yes to all of them. Athleisure makes me irrationally angry, why can’t people wear real clothes? Spandex goes on my body to workout. I feel like I am super UNtrendy…and a-okay with that.
That makes two of us!! 🙂
You’re always so funny and it makes my Fridays! I don’t comprehend athleisure or race bling either. I don’t care if a race has good bling or not – usually the no frills races are my favorites anyway.
The trend I don’t understand is race costumes. Wouldn’t those tutus and Disney princess get-ups chafe? Why put that much energy into an outfit you’re going to sweat buckets in? I don’t understand.
Oh Laura I could not agree more!! I have quite a few friends who I adore who do this and I just do not get it??? I’m sure it’s super fun on some level but I cannot see myself doing it, like ever. 🙂
I don’t get the race bling thing at all. Mine are in a box because I don’t even have anywhere to hang them. Recently, a PR guy reached out to see if I wanted to write a blog post and “3 or 4” social shares about a virtual race and my payment would be “the beautifully hand crafted virtual race medal you’ll want to display in pride of place.” Bless his little cotton socks.
Bless his little cotton socks indeed!!! OMG!!!!
Too funny, I pretty much live in my workout clothes! Actually, I usually only have 2 wardrobe speeds – in workout clothes, or dressed up in a dress! Screw jeans. Ha. And I also do online workout videos a lot, but I like to mix it up with studio and outdoor workouts too. But hey, to each his or her own right! I think I’m with you on the jar food thing though… I don’t totally get it!
I seriously admire anyone who can do those video workouts! I think the only time I was semi-successful with them was when the boys were babies and I had no option but to workout in the living room. I did P90X for about two weeks and was done…
And yes, I do have a mountain of sweats that I prefer to jeans any day of the week!
Anything perceived as trendy is revolting to me. Nothing quite exemplifies the lack of individual self expression, resourcefulness, and morality so lacking in every strata of society today. Hypocrisy masquerading as real life is everywhere to be found. Oh yes, there is no such thing as RHOBH or the Biggest Loser, it’s just smoke and mirrors!
Athleisure and Bling are merely an expression and clever disguise of the foundational issue. “Keeping up with the Jonses’ is alive and well.
Oh is it ever and I think even more so in your neck of the woods!! Keep keeping it REALLY REAL Claude!! 🙂
You are absolutely right, and why I’m so fed up with California. It’s no longer the beautiful-georgeous idyllic and friendly Hollywood I came to in 1963 when I 1st came to America. PPl here no longer understand how to get along here, everyone is buried in their smart screen.
Ugh.!, and they’re so entitled!!!!!!!!!!!
I’ll be checking your neck of the woods in the future, where life is much more sane it seems.
IN 2 weeks I’m driving a friend to NewMexico, I can’t wait to meet the PPL there (1200Miles East of SoCal:))
Apparently I am a far cry from a trendsetter! I love to wear comfortable casual clothes….but they are more like comfortable shorts and a tshirt 🙂 nothing like the above picture :). And there is NO way I could keep my workout clothes on after I workout…especially lately! I am literally dripping sweat everywhere!
Meditation…no. Food in a jar…definitely no. Internet workout….definitely no. Race medals…I can take them or leave them. I usually have no idea what they will look like until I get it so I definitely don’t pick my race for it.
I guess i just march to the beat of my own drummer hehe 🙂
Ha I loved all of this!! And I totally agree with you on all points. My medals go to my IRun4 buddy. I race to see how fast I can go. That’s my high. I don’t need medals to tell me I’m a rockstar. 😉 and holy wow—I’m a hot mess post workout as well. Like nasty funk. That’s because I’m there to actuall WORK. I suppose one fitness trend I don’t follow either would be the whole 21-Day challenges or “fixes”. I like to eat way too much. And I’ll be darned if someone’s telling me not eat my ice cream! This is life baby. You only get one shot.
OMG yes!! I should have totally included those 21 day “fixes” or fads. I’m so not into those either because I feel like they take SO much effort! Who has time for that? Probably the same people who wear athleisure 🙂
HA HA HA HA HA OMG you are hilarious!!!!!! You don’t even understand how disgusting my running clothes are. My close friend and mileage junkie Lora and I always talk about how our running stuff smells like either cat pee or semen. They’re old, and we just give zero fox about it because we do NOT go out into public after a run! We always bring a change of clothes and a lot of body spray. 😉 It’s just not healthy for the poonani either, to have sweaty spandex up against it incubating everything like a petri dish. GAHHHHH.
Great post. 🙂
I’m loving your use of “fox” and “poonani” so cracking me up and completely agree with you!! Thanks Suzy 🙂
I don’t understand the salad in the jar thing. You would still need to dump it into a bowl to eat it. So why not just make the salad in a plastic container and take that to work to eat? I guess it’s not as pretty to photograph.
http://medals4mettle.org/ Medals for Mettle is a great organization to donate race bling to.
I have all of those exact questions!!! Plus, with two seven year olds in the house, I have to chose my breakables carefully!
I love the clip of you finding out you won a sword! I’m jealous.
Have you seen the song for women who wear activewear only for being inactive? It is hilarious. Google “in my activewear” and it will come right up. I do have some comfy Athleta pants for lazy weekends, but I wouldn’t wear them to the gym. And I wouldn’t be caught dead in public in anything I work out in!
OMG I cannot wait to Google that!!!
And I do have one pair of Athleta and Lululemon pants I would never workout in. So crazy.
Thanks Dana!
OMG I LOVVVVVVVE this post!!!!!!! so much, so MUCH. i totally agree with everything. i am a sweaty, FUNKY mess after working out. not pretty. i’m not one of those gals that can go for a run, then wanna go grab casual breakfast and lattes afterwards prancing around in my running gear. i feel so gross afterwards, gimme a shower first please! and cycling? shoot, there was no way i could go anywhere after cycling. not to say i didn’t but it was never comfortable…
i don’t get food in jars. i have enough space issues with bowls, don’t limit my eating space even further please. what the heck? i like major jars for pickles and bloody mary’s (when i’m not pregnant)
bling i could care less about, i cared for a minute then i stopped when we moved twice in a year. it’s not like i forgot i raced, i don’t need proof. but i get it, everyone is different.
oh the meditation… i tried that and it was stressful so i stopped. boom. LOL
online workouts? really? i tried a few and felt like i wasted half my workout trying to figure out what the chicks wre doing. i have a Bar Method for Preggo Women DVD that i have not used – i’ve been doing my own workouts this whole pregnancy and so far i’ve been enjoying just running and spinning, and stretching on my own. i get so frantic and ADD when i have to watch something and be still for even a second.
I love that – please don’t limit my eating space – YES! I need all.the.space!
I also hate when meditation is stressful. I feel the same way which I’m pretty sure is the direct opposite of the point of it!
And yes, I think I also have the ADD issue when it comes to follow directions from the TV. I just can’t.
Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy!!
Ok so we differ greatly in the trapesing around town in workout gear. Totally guilty and I even wear it if when on a rest day. It’s just so comfy and when I have to run around at the playground and ride bikes, I’m not wearing $80 or higher jeans and boots, just not happening. I typically do go straight to an errand after sweaty workouts, but I let the sweat dry first, and THEN I go, lol. I’m with you, don’t get the jar thing either. I do do the DVD workouts, but only because I don’t have a gym anymore and it’s better than nothing!
LOL – I love that you let the sweat dry first!! And yes, I definitely wear sweats/sneakers around town but I wouldn’t call them “athleisure” or anything close to that!!