If you guys haven’t been able to tell via social media as of lately, I’ve been getting progressively more into fitness and how I incorporate it into my brand/lifestyle. For the past five years, I’ve loved being active but since day one to now, I think my version of being an athlete has changed incredibly.
You’re probably wondering what do I exactly mean by that.
Well, I used to workout for the sole purpose of losing weight (although I was never overweight). I’m sure most women are like that, let’s be real with each other. Fixated on how we look and our imperfections. Eventually, I became addicted to working out and had lost so much weight that it took a toll on my mental and physical health. While it took literally three years to regain my strength and confidence, discovering what workouts work for me and how to properly fuel my body again, I now have figured out what makes me truly feel like an athlete. I’ve chosen to do activities that make me strong and confident in my body rather than weak and defeated. I switch up my workouts, I eat a variety of primarily plant-based foods and don’t fixate myself on sticking to a certain diet.
In 2016 alone, I discovered how much I love spin classes and fell deeper in love with hot yoga. Truly, the combination of the two makes me feel like I’m on top of the world. Once I started trying high intensity interval classes, yoga with weights and pilates every now and then, I immediately noticed my strength increase.
In order to feel most comfortable when working out, I always want to be prepared in the best outfit and thanks to Nike, I recently had the chance to grab some gear to do so. In celebration of their #Brahaus event which is going on this week, I headed to Nike two weeks ago to have my own custom bra fitting.
Although I absolutely am obsessed with the smaller strap Nike Pro Indy Cool Bra (shown on the left above), I ended up purchasing the Nike Pro Classic Swoosh. I love light support bras for hanging around my house or doing yoga but nothing compares to the classic feel and comfort of the medium support bras. I can do any of my favorite workouts and feel covered and secure. I never worry about having to fix myself or make sure my chest isn’t popping out when I’ve got the Classic Swoosh on.
Since I love working out in solid colors and usually all black and white (low-key makes me feel like a bad ass), I picked out these Nike Zoned Sculpt Capris that have a high waisted fit. What woman doesn’t love that? As for a top, I picked the Nike Elastika Elevate Just Do It because flowy tops are my weakness.
And for that pop of bright color to motivate me into my workouts, these Nike Free RN Flyknit are my jam. Running on the treadmill during my HIIT workouts at Studio Three or wearing them to work at Whole Foods (cause you know I do that), I feel as though I’m walking on clouds.
So I could have a chance to share the bra fitting experience and my own outfit with my friends and followers, Nike set up the Brahaus event to show off their new Nike Pro Bras (including the one I chose) in their Nike Training Club located next door to their retail store on Michigan Avenue.
On Monday night, we all came together to drink juices, take photos in a mini photobooth, grab some goodies, customize our bras after bra fittings and then had the pleasure of sweating it out for a 30 minute high intensity interval workout customized by Nike trainers, based off of the new Nike+ app.
P.s. You can book a 1:1 bra fitting session, hear about Nike+ Chicago events like Brahaus and other weekly workouts in Chi through the app!
Meeting new people, seeing old friends and coming together to celebrate each other and working hard together to get in a killer workout was an exhilarating experience to say the least. Like I mentioned before, I used to workout for the sole reason I was fixated on being a certain number/goal weight but never did it out of enjoyment.
Now I workout for the endorphin high, the feeling of pushing myself past my limits when my instructor or trainer tells me it’s “mind over matter” and “don’t think, just do it”. The wall in the Nike Training Club that says “Unlimited Chicago” is why I workout and why I love being an athlete.
To me, an #UnlimitedChicago means having the opportunity to do anything I set my mind to in this beautiful city I’ve called home for the past 3 years. Without living here, none of these amazing opportunities (and of course workouts) would be possible. There’s always someone new to meet, an upcoming restaurant to Instagram, a harder workout to try and another yoga teacher to inspire me.
And many more Nike Training Club sessions to attend 😉
With the support of Nike Pro Bra and my friends, family and followers, I feel confident and strong. What more could I ask for?
This post was in collaboration with Nike+ Chicago, Nike Training Club and Nike Women. All thoughts and opinions are my own and I fully support and love this company/brand.
Photos by Nike Chicago team and Nolis Anderson.
