Fashion AND Function!

Hi Everyone!

I want to talk about fashion today! FUN!!! :D

For those who have seen me going to, at or after the gym... I do not prescribe to the idea of getting "dolled up" to train. Sure, if I am heading there after work or happen to have a full face of makeup on I'm not going to wash it off*

*side note: training in a full face of makeup is the best kind of research for me :P Tell me your eye primer will make shadow last 12hrs.... we'll see about THAT!!! ;)

Anyhoo! Back to fashion... like I said, I don't need to look pretty to train BUT what I have found as of late is that I really am seeing the value to proper, high quality training clothes!

You don't have to have lost 100+ lbs to see (or feel) the difference in training gear. I'm writing about how it helps me... take from it what you will :)

Coming from such a big weight loss, there are certain "things" that one can't control. One of those things for me is loose skin.
If you've been following my blogs, you'll know that this has always been one of my biggest fears.
I wasn't ready in the beginning to acknowledge that a large weight loss would result in loose skin... truthfully, it would've scared me off.
Instead my Coach had me focus on the things I could control... diet, exercise, water intake and taking care of my skin by moisturizing twice a day and using products like Beauty Bum to help break down cellulite.
To be honest with you, I truly believe that had my weight loss just come from diet alone, I would have a lot more skin to deal with.

So in dealing with the "skin issue" I have noticed that high impact training i.e.. running, jumping, etc can result in what I like to refer to as... reverb! lol It's my silly name for the little aftershocks that my body does during impact movements! (go ahead and laugh... its ok!!! lol) For women, think about running with no bra on..... picture it.... :s yep! pretty much the same feeling I get if I'm training in lack lustre gear!
HEY... my blog is ALL about honesty! lol

Sooooo... what's a girl to do?! FIND BETTER GEAR!!! ;)

On a recent sunny day road trip with Coach Compton I found myself finally investing in something I should have gotten a LONG time ago!...

My Lululemon Run:In the Sun crops!

Aren't they pretty?!?! And they WORK!!!

Not only do they have circle mesh in all the "right" places to keep sweaty stinky-ness at bay... they are also made of their Power Luxtreme fabric which I find helps keep me compressed in to avoid bounce but still super comfy!!!

I also bought this running shirt....

My Run:Swiftly tech long sleeve

I mainly bought it because its my fave colour blue lol and Coach laughed when I couldn't bear leaving the store without it :P 

BUT it is also super lightweight, has moisture wicking and Silverscent... which is anti-stink!!! 

And couldn't we all really use a little less stink in our lives?! ;) 

Now onto my next new fave...

My Reebok Shapewear Lux tank

This was actually something Coach had seen and hauled me in to try it on! lol

Instant LOVE... so lightweight to wear under other tanks and tee's but holy cow!!! the amount of "suck it in ability" is AH-MAZE-ING!!! :D

I have already worn it a couple of time awhile running and am happy to report that in combination with my new Lulu crops.... I am virtually "Reverb" free! ;) hahaha

So what is the whole point here? 

Just like in high fashion, the right "under garments" make the outfit... the gym is no different!

The right gear for me means less "reverb" which means less stress on my joints and to be truthful... my skin itself doesn't ache as much after training.

In the end... it's not about looking "good" at the gym (or wherever you train) it's about feeling secure in the gear you wear.... though having some style never hurt anyone ;)

Til next time...

"Held in" Hugs...

-Crystal :) xo

Arnolds Sports Festival 2012!

Hey Everyone!

Here it is... the rest of my recap from the Arnolds!

Friday Day 2 was our day to check out the expo. I was so excited to see everything and everyone!

I knew it was going to be busy there but… WOW!!! Now I'm a people watcher and one of those crazies that enjoys crowded Christmas shopping etc. so this was just plain FUN!

I was completely blown away at how diverse the crowd was! I was a little intimidated when preparing to go to the Arnolds... was I going to "fit in" or look like I don't belong there at all?! I know, it sounds crazy but those were the things that ran through my head leading up to the weekend. 
Needless to say, I was so excited to see so many different people from hard core body builder types to those that looked more like runners and yoga buffs :) 
Then there were people that looked like I used to... men and women that were overweight and much "softer". These people inspired me! Why? Because I know how terrified I was to go into a gym for the first time... let alone one of the biggest sport/fitness shows in the world!


Speaking of diversity, the booths were just as different as the crowds!!! Obviously there were amazing clothing booths and supplements but also vegan/vegetarian lines, products to organize food etc. gym bags and gear the list goes on and on! There was even a guy selling roofing supplies?! lol


If the crowd and booths weren't enough to keep me entertained I actually got to catch the pre judging for Ms.International Fitness and Figure! WOWZA!!!
These women looked incredible...It was pretty cool to see!


I even got to have my photo taken with the beautiful Ava Cowan! :D

Wow... I need a tan! lol 

Day 2 of the Arnolds ended with a trip to a local club... nothing more needs to be said about that... except I had a ton of fun dancing!  ;)

From L: Me :), Nancy Barbosa Alaimo(finally in front of the camera lol) and Lauren Fazio

just before the dancing started!!!

Day 3

I was so excited to start day 3 bright and early! It began with a trip to the host hotel to get Sandra "Coach Compton" ready for her day with BeautyFit Inc. at the LoneStar Nutrition booth!

Once again, video genius Derek was in tow, ready to capture all the action and possibly blackmail material! :P lol 

After getting Sam ready, we all headed down for breakfast with the BeautyFit team... Mr. BeautyFit himself Jimmy Mentis, Sam "Coach", John and Sophia. I honestly can't tell you enough how much I ADORE my BeautyFit family just straight up good people!


So after changing... and missing Mr.Arnold himself :(  Derek and I headed back to the expo to see the BeautyFit booth and get some video footage... at least that's what was supposed to happen! lol


We get to the the LoneStar distribution booth where BeautyFit is stationed and its a MAD HOUSE!!! Mr. BeautyFit (Jimmy Mentis) gets us behind the booth to save us from the crowd, I finally get to meet fellow "BeautyFit blogger" IFBB Pro Stephanie Billings, give Sam a hug...  and then it happens... I feel at "home"!!! I feel like I actually belong here... as part of the BeautyFit Family. 
It's so busy that I start handing out samples and catalogues and talking to people about the great products... talking to people that reminded me of "me" less than 2 yrs ago. Women were flocking to the booth to see what we were about... what made us different? 
I found myself telling my story about training with "Coach Compton" doing what she told me, the BeautyFit Values and showing my before and after photo. I was blown away by the response!
Jimmy stopped me at one point and asked what I was doing lol I thought I was in "trouble"... I said "helping" and he just laughed and told me to keep doing what I was doing :P


In the meantime... Derek and his video camera are in prime location to get kick a$$ footage for him to work his magic with! 

Me, IFBB Pro Stephanie Billings, Sandra "Coach Compton"

Derek "video genius", Sam (Sandra) and Me!

We finished up at Lone Star... got some much deserved coffee and sat down to chill with the crew!
The rest of the day was spent pretty low key... chilling at the hotel, getting Sam ready for her evening meetings, having dinner and great conversation and getting ready for the next day at the booth!!!




Day 4


The last day of the Arnolds  : (
Our day started out much the same... get Sam ready (hey, I'm a MUA... it's what I love to do!) lol
Meet the BF family for breaky and get to the expo! But this time I was prepared to represent! :)

Steph and I in BeautyFit RED!!! :)

And the weekend wouldn't be complete without...

a pic with my Coach ; )

Once again the booth was buzzing with amazing women wanting to know all about BeautyFit!

Unfortunately, like all good things, this too had to come to an end.

HOWEVER!!!

When you travel with your own movie man (i.e. Derek) you get the killer bonus of a kick a$$ video recap!!!

So... here it is! ENJOY!!!

Until Arnolds 2013... I'll be back hugs (in Arnolds voice) ;) 

-Crystal :) xo