There’s nothing [technically] wrong with showing up at the gym in baby-vomit-stained sweatpants, sweat-stained t-shirts and retro Reeboks from your college days. It’s about exercise and getting healthy, not pretending the gym doubles as a catwalk, right? Well, here’s the ugly truth: with the abundance of modern activewear styles from compression leggings to sweat-wicking tees to high-performance sneakers that help make you faster and fitter, it might be time to upgrade your workout wardrobe with gear that assists in your exercise goals. Here are some of our favorite styles to help you get your fitness fashion back on track without supermodel standards.

Just Live Leggings

Just Live leggings are at the top of our list for a reason! Their exclusive YOLON fabric incorporates innovative technology that takes your workout routine to a whole new level. YOLON’s 24/7 Fit technology enhances blood circulation and oxygen flow, reduces muscle recovery time, eliminates nasty odor, compresses the body for a lifted and toned look, just to name a few. Wear them out for a run, during downward facing dog and even in the pool. Check out their full line of activewear by clicking the link above.

prAna

prAna’s built-to-last apparel is designed for women on the move. Whether swimming, running, climbing or stretching, prAna’s high performance line is sure to elevate your time on the yoga mat, on the trail or in the pool. Our favorite is the Gia Tank – made with UPF protection for safe and healthy outdoor exercise. Slip into any of prAna’s fitness styles for added support and style during your workout.

Shashi Socks

Keeping your tootsies dry during the sweatiest of workouts can be quite the feat, but thanks to Shashi socks, they’ll stay dry and healthy throughout the day. These performance-packed socks hone in on comfort, fitness and health, with patented technology to help reduce injuries to your skin such as blisters and can even protect against Athlete’s Foot. Shashi founder Natalie Lerch Sudit knows that feeling good during and after a workout is essential for women, and providing high-quality socks can assist in that goal. Put your little piggys in a pair of Shashi’s before your next grueling workout and feel the difference these socks can make.

Skora FIT

Meet your ultimate training partner: Skora FIT. This incredibly agile footwear boosts your workout performance unlike other trainers on the market. Designed for comfort, speed and agility, Skora FIT are sock-like thin, intended to make the shoe feel like an extension of your body. Although minimal, the cloud-like cushioning is more than enough for hitting the treadmill or pounding the pavement. With these ultra-durable and lightweight sneakers on your feet, your dogs definitely won’t be barking any time soon.

Boob

New and nursing moms rejoice – a complete activewear collection is debuting this fall and it’s nothing short of amazing. Boob, the premier maternity and nursing brand made from sustainable materials, has just announced a new clothing line for expecting moms staying active during their pregnancy and new moms wanting to get back into their pre-baby body while still nursing. Fashion meets function in this collection of hoodies, singlets, tanktops, leggings and bras with fun designs and bold colors. The Fast Food Sports Bra, the feature item in the new collection, makes nursing on-the-go easy for active moms. Don’t let motherhood stop you from achieving your fitness goals. Stay on track with activewear from Boob this upcoming season.

The post Redefining Your Workout Wardrobe appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

Pregnancy is a unique time in a woman’s life. Having another human being growing inside you can be both a delight but also bring its own challenges. Moms-to-be go through many different changes, especially when it comes to their physical bodies. Women who are pregnant experience weight gain, odd food cravings at all times of the day, hormonal changes, frequent bathroom breaks, the swelling of feet and ankles, and much more. Being pregnant can feel like a blessing as well as a curse.

It might be tempting to become careless when it comes to diet and exercise when pregnant. After all, your body is going through rapid changes and you are now eating for two (or more!). However, pregnancy is a time when diet and exercise could not be more critical. Exercise is vital for recovery and weight loss after birth and has many other benefits. Taking control of your diet during pregnancy is essential for giving your baby the right nutrients for healthy growth.

Implementing suitable exercises and diet plans can enhance you and your baby during pregnancy. Here are some ideas for both to get you started on the right path:

Exercise

For pregnant women, exercise holds many benefits. It helps you feel better and gives you more energy to make it through the day. Exercising goes a long way in preparing your body for birth and aids in maintaining your fitness level. Exercise also helps your body recover faster after the birth. Some promising studies even show that exercise can help reduce the risk of complications. Some exercises, like yoga and Pilates, help to reduce stress, increase flexibility, and reduce pain, all benefits for pregnant women.

The key to exercising during pregnancy is finding the right ones to do. Many women can continue doing the same exercises they enjoyed before becoming pregnant, but it is important to get recommendations from a health care provider. Excellent cardio exercises for pregnant women include walking, swimming, dancing, and low-impact aerobics. Weight training is also important in order to strengthen your muscles and build up stamina. A physician might also recommend what is called Kegel exercises in order to strengthen pelvic muscles and reduce incontinence.

Dieting

During pregnancy, you will probably have to make a few changes to your diet, even if you are already a healthy eater. Pregnant women need more of certain kinds of nutrients like protein, fiber, iron, calcium, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and folic acid. In order to make sure you are getting enough of the nutrients you and your baby need, it is strongly recommended to take prenatal supplements. Pregnancy does not have to lead to excessive weight gain, however. Soon-to-be moms should be consuming more calories a day than they did more becoming pregnant but only about 300 more in the second trimester and 450 more in the third trimester.

In the end, the right diet and exercise will only help you during pregnancy. Be sure to talk to your doctor about what will work for you and your baby.

The post Exercise and Dieting for Moms-To-Be appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.