WHIMSY

I’ve never been one of those girls that just loves to work out. I do it because, after three kids, I really have no choice! My philosophy, however, is just because I’m going to the gym to strain and sweat doesn’t mean I can’t look cute when I arrive!

Because my gym bag is a larger, even more chaotic version of my handbag, I was excited to learn about the Live Well 360 Core bag. This is a super stylish and functional bag – in fact, they bill it as the “anti-duffel bag.”

Really, this bag is incredible, offering storage compartments specially designed for shoes and sweaty clothes, a fleece lined pocket for jewelry or a watch, and a signature, inspirational liner. I think this bag can even survive my using it – it has incredible durability with a ballistic nylon exterior, a soft seatbelt webbing shoulder strap, satin nickel hardware, and seriously heavy duty zippers. Available at Live Well 360.

After my workout, I don’t like to spend a lot of time fussing around to get ready to leave (I also don’t like the showers, but that’s another story!). That’s why I love these super easy-care Kanji Shorts by Dragon Attire. Cute, easy to wash, and basically fuss-free.

Kanji actually means “Spiritual Inner Power” – something I definitely need as I’m contemplating another series of crunches! And with a price tag of only $24.95, I can afford the red pair, plus the white and the black ones, too!

Dragon Attire also makes this great little French terry, ribbed drawstring skirt. Adorable and so comfy! Besides being easy gymwear, this is also great to pull on over a bikini to walk the Boardwalk or to bike back to the house.

Dragon Attire is designed by Tori Myotoshi Eldridge, author of Empowered Living and a 5th Degree Black Belt. Tori is clearly someone who knows a thing or two about fitness!

So now I’m off to the gym. At least I’ll look good!

Susan McNeill is a wife, mother, author, entrepreneur and social activist. In addition to Style on a WHIM Susan also writes for It’s how you play the game! , Success Won’t Wait!and Susan Said What?!

Every year, thousands of men and women make a New Year’s resolution to eat healthier, exercise more and lose weight. And every year, thousands of those same people don’t keep their resolutions. Whether it’s because they don’t have the time or the motivation, there’s a reason (or an excuse!) behind it.

I’m a runner, and I’m not one of those “nothing gets in my way of running every single morning” kind of runners—it’s sometimes very hard for me to drag myself out of bed for my morning run, but I can honestly say I always have more energy, and I feel way better about myself after a workout. That’s a feeling that everyone should know and love.

That said, I found a good excuse for any stylish woman to find the motivation, and it’s not pages of health statistics or some fancy exercise gadget—it’s fashion! Yes, people…fashion.

Thanks to the folks at TerraFrog, you can look good in your yoga class or out on the track, because they make funky, fashionable and functional running tanks. The Precision Running Tank was professionally designed for high impact activities like running and kickboxing and has a built in shelf bra for maximum support. The tanks come in solid colors with contrasting prints like plaids and polka dots for a surprising twist on the basic, boring workout wear.

TerraFrog also offers warm-up and running jackets with extra long sleeves to keep your hands warm during your chilly morning runs, and they’re made of moisture-wicking fabric to keep you dry, too. If you want a full workout outfit, you can snag a pair of their running shorts or yoga capris. 

The prices on their website are in Canadian dollars, but converted to U.S. dollars, the Frog Tank is $56.71 and the jackets are $69.20. It’s money well spent if it keeps you motivated to stay healthy and active!

And if that’s not enough incentive to buy, TerraFrog is committed to finding environmentally friendly fabrics and manufacturing processes to help the planet.

Now go shopping and get to working out!

(Photos courtesy of TerraFrog)

-Keri