I've been in the game for a long time... and if you have followed me on social media, I have, for sure, let you know about it.
While my weight loss and fitness journey has been slow and steady, I found that this calculated time really allowed me to hone in on what works for me, what doesn't, and what/who is truly an ally in my personal mission to overall health and wellness. I have tried every fad, diet, and workout, only to realize that there is no secret recipe. Consistency is truly key, finding something you love to do to move your body is paramount, and finding a way to keep things manageable and repeatable through the ebbs and flows of life is vital.
While what works for me may not necessarily work for you in terms of fitness and regimens, one thing I am pretty confident in having curated to intentional perfection, is my gym bag. So, let me show you what works for me and why, in hopes that it may inspire you to create a spa-like experience out of your next sweat session. Who knows... and DARE I say... maybe something here will leave you WANTING to go to back to the gym...?
Let's start from the moment you get dressed to head out for your workout...
APPAREL
We all have different goals, genes, journeys and struggles in the world of fitness. So, while I know that the leggings I love may not essentially work for your shape, or my ideal sports bra may not be ideal for someone more buxom... I'll skip the brands and workout wear and give you only the 3 essentials that I know can work for all shapes, sizes and flavors of woman.
I would be remiss not to include a brand that I have loved for many years: JIV Athletics. Their patented, eco conscious, cameltoe-proof undergarments are designed around the importance to "keep your privates… private". They're breathable, wickable, tagless, roll free, and won't leave you re-adjusting through your entire workout. Since I became conscious of how many athletic wear brands use toxic fabrics and materials *down there*, it became extra important to me to find brands that either do things a little more consciously or have antimicrobial properties. JIV checks both boxes. Great for during your workout, and to toss an extra pair in your bag for after your workout, I'm a hard sell for any other brand of underwear these days.
It took me a long time to get to the point where I enjoy the gym and lifting heavy... and, in truth, I still don't love it. But I have learned to love the journey and my noticeable gain in strength over the years. What I truly could NEVER learn to love, however, is the callouses and blisters that the equipment gives me when I hit an upper body day or incorporate handheld weight to my lower and full-body days. These Alo gloves were a game-changer and they stay in my bag until wash time, so that my hands can stay delicate while I crush my next PR.
If there is one thing I cannot get enough of, it's the brand Bala. If you slapped their logo on a trashcan full of garbage, I would still want it. They literally can do no wrong, in my book. And I have been a big lover of their Bala Bangles since they offered only the 1 pound option. I will wear their range of weight-sizes on my walks with the dogs, to pilates or sculpt class, or for my at-home workouts for a little extra spice. All of their products are comfortable on grip, wear, and utility. These bangles fit so seamlessly into so many of my movement routines, that I have them in multiple colors and sizes.
NUTRITION
If you have followed me for some time, you have probably also come to know that my battle with nutrition is a long-standing one. And I am constantly learning and evolving my practices based on my lifestyle changes, my routines & any medical journal insight and research I do. The information is overwhelming! But what I have come to learn is that nutrition pre and post workout is far more important than the movement itself. Proper fuel and hydration can be paramount; and I, like anyone else, am a fan of making things easy and convenient. I try to keep at least one protein bar and a couple packs of electrolytes in my gym bag at all times. This way I can never start or end a workout without getting those vital fuel needs met.
It never ceases to amaze me the absolute sh*t ingredients that you can find in some of the protein bars out there; not to mention that some are so high in sugar and low in protein, with no fiber nor other benefits- you may as well take a bite out of your gym towel... because it probably has the same nutritional qualities.
Above any brand, for clean ingredients and intentional creation, I have to award Manski's Wellness the grand prize for their Chai Spice "Nurture" Bar. I love a brand that focuses on hormone health, with as many adversities as we already face when it comes to the ingredients in our products having a negative impact on our hormones. Her seed cycling kits and bars are a great thing to incorporate into your existing nutrition regimen.
And because I do just love a sweet treat that tricks me as a guilty pleasure when it isn't too unhealthy at all, I have to say that every flavor of Barebell's protein bars have me in an absolute chokehold. Especially the cookies and cream flavor, considering they are 20 grams of protein with no added sugar...
But I digress... Let's talk about HYDRATION. While everyone we know usually harps on us to "make sure you're drinking enough water!", I think the general population is seriously lacking when it comes to getting their share of electrolytes into their system. Electrolytes are essential for basic life function. Many studies show that they balance the amount of water in your body, balance your body's acid/base (pH) level, and move nutrients into your cells. If I am completely honest, it can actually be super hard for me to drink plain water. If it's not sparkling, or doesn't have lemon in it (you know... something *fancy*), I am LESS likely to drink it. And I was at times, like most of the population, dehydrated on a cellular level. Until, that is, I found that adding electrolytes to my water not only made me more likely to drink it, but actually made me enjoy it. But so many brands claim to be "healthy" and are full of sugar and dyes. Cure Hydration has quickly become one of my favorite brands for their plant-based, non-GMO hydration mixes. They have an amazing variety of flavors and use natural ingredients for their electrolyte properties, like coconut water and Himalayan salt. They are also less intense on the "salty" flavor and, IMO, have a better tasting variety than another brand I admittedly also like: LMNT. Use code "sylviasessions" for a 20% discount to try Cure Hydration.
BEAUTY PRODUCTS
And now for my favorite part of this conversation: the beauty products!!!
*throws confetti*
I have made it a once-a-week habit to make one of my gym sessions a spa-like experience. I may still have had to drag my a** to the gym that day, but so help me I am going to enjoy the post-workout spa regimen I have designed for myself as a sweet little treat for putting in the work and showing up. (Because I love her, duh!) So, let's start at the top.
I recently found a brand that I am loving: Nine Glow. Their serum contains nine antioxidants to protect your skin from pollutants and irritants that damage your skin’s barrier resulting in red, irritated, and dehydrated skin. When we are active, our skin can be especially vulnerable. Adding this serum into my regimen before and after my workouts, under a layer of sunscreen, has been a favorite addition to my routine.
But that leads me to the next topic: sunscreen. As a Latina, I naturally have more melanin in my skin. (Thanks, Mami.) Because of this, I have admittedly been late to the game in protecting my skin from the damage of UV radiation until recent years. (Whoops.) I now use a variety of sun protection brands and types of products depending on the activity or goal. But Supergoop has been a favorite for quite some time. I keep their smaller bottles in every bag, purse, fanny pack, etc. and their variety of products is absolutely unmatched. Other brands I have been into include Vacation, Kopari, & La Roche.
(PSA: Trader Joe's also has a sunscreen that is comparable to that name brand stuff. Shoutout to my girls Andrea and Jenea for the tip.)
And now, for the truly fun part...
While I cannot take credit for this trick that my best friend showed me a decade ago, I certainly am also not the gatekeeping type. If you can find a hair mask that you love... do yourself a favor and buy a bottle specifically for your gym bag: and leave it there. Apply said hair mask before one of your workouts, once per week (or whatever is recommended by the brand you are using), pull your hair back with a headband or into a tight little bun... and then go workout. When you are done, head to the shower and rinse. My hair LOVES this routine. It's an easy way to give yourself a spa-like treatment on your hair/scalp while you are already doing something good for the rest of your body. For years now, my favorite has been Gloss Moderne's Clean Luxury Hair Masque. They are paraben, sulfate and phthalate free; 100% vegan; cruelty free; and they have a refillable liter option for the environmentally conscious.
I also love having face wipes for immediately after my sweat sessions to remove everything from my skin before I head to the bathroom to wash my face. Sometimes we get caught up, or are rushing around, so do not take this tool lightly! Keep them in your bag or car and just make them a habit immediately after your workout; especially if you cannot wash your face right away! Après Active Beauty has me all set with their Cool + Glow Facial Towelettes. Try them out here and use "sylviasessions" for 15% off.
And when I do make it to wash my face (before reapplying my Nine Glow and sunscreen to leave the gym), I like to use a cleanser that goes on my skin DRY and rinses/lathers after application in the shower (while I will also be rinsing out my hair mask). I find that this method of dry application works well to effectively dissolve and cleanse away dirt, debris, excess oil, and makeup that may be lingering on my skin with all the sweat. My two favorites are Perricone MD ESSENTIAL FX ACYL-GLUTATHIONE CHIA CLEANSING BALM or the Origins CHECKS AND BALANCESâ„¢ MILKY OIL.
Whether you enjoy working out or not, we all have our off days where there is literally ANYTHING we would rather do than head to the gym. Incentivizing ourselves to accomplish the things we know are good for us can be an incredible way to "just do it", even on the most challenging days. What are you going to incorporate into your gym bag to make your next sweat session more enjoyable?