The Great Sports Bra Debate

What's a perfectly average 34 B/C girl to do when she's lost about 30 pounds and her favorite Nike sports bras are no longer doing their job and are no longer available ANYWHERE?

She goes shopping, of course!

Hopefully my shopping experience (which literally took weeks, people!) will help your girls be happy and contained during your workouts, and maybe help you find a new favorite.  I should say that these opinions are all my own and I was not compensated by any companies with free swag (although if you work for Nike or Under Armour and want to hook me up, let's chat!).

As I indicated in the first paragraph up there, I have perfectly average girls, although I joke I'm more a 34 long after having children and having my weight bounce up and down so much, along with my bewbs.  Anyhoo, what did I discover while trying on at least 40 or 50 different sports bras?  Us average girls get the shaft and trying on sports bras should be an aerobic activity.  I've also decided that the only way to eliminate all movement completely is with duct tape, and frankly, the removal makes me shudder.

Let's get started, shall we?

If you are more kiwis or lemons than oranges or grapefruits, I think you can pretty much wear whatever the heck you want.  If you only want to spend $10 on a strappy little compression bra at Kohl's, then you are in luck!  If you want to spend more and get a bra with some padding and shape, you can do that too.  The possibilities are endless.  Happy shopping!

Alternatively, if you are more cantaloupes, you also have a ton of options, although they are a bit pricier (the Moving Comfort line received many recommendations when I asked my friends on twitter what they liked to wear and they had some cute styles).  But, I've also discovered that some of them aren't as cute.  That's really unfortunate.  Just because your girls are larger doesn't mean you want to wear something that looks like a bra your grandmother wore in the 50s.  I also discovered, the majority of bras for you more well endowed ladies had hooks in the back.  When I was able to find a bra in my size that had a hook, I discovered I HATED it.  Couple reasons - I have a bum shoulder, so having to reach behind myself to hook a bra that was already on was actually painful.  If I did manage to get it hooked, I didn't like the feel of the hook mechanism.  Again, this is totally a personal preference of mine, but I tended to run screaming from anything with hooks.  I also found I did not like adjustable straps or bras that looked like traditional bras.  I guess I like my sports bra to look like a racer-back sports bra.

So, did I find anything that worked for me?  I'm happy to report I did!  Here were my favorites:

Nike Swift Y Back

This bra is very similar to the favorites I had been wearing for years.  I just had to go online and order it in a smaller size (for reference, I wear a small in this bra - my old ones were a medium).  I should have just done this in the first place and saved myself the hassle.  I love that this bra has nice flat seams so it doesn't chafe, is made of the Nike Dri-FIT fabric that wicks sweat away, and has some shaping to the cups so you don't end up looking all smushed down. (The uniboob look is SO unattractive on me.)  Plus, it comes in a million different color combinations.  I have this green and yellow one, plus a blue/black combo.  Very cute.  I am extremely brand-loyal and I have to admit that probably 85% of my workout gear comes from Nike.  The Nike website has some of the colors on clearance - which I highly recommend taking advantage of as these bras aren't cheap (usually around $40 but I got mine for $32 each).  ♥ Nike.

Under Armour Endure A/B

This is a new bra to me!  It has nice, padded cups, a slight v-neck (which I lurve) and did a great job at controlling bounce.  The criss-cross straps felt very supportive and were quite comfortable.  It also did a great job wicking away sweat (I wore it for my 5 mile run on Saturday!) and I had no chafing anywhere.  I was able to find a hot pink one at my running store (SQUEEE) and then a black one at Dick's.  Online, it looks like only white and black are available, but other retailers might carry different colors.  I had only planned on keeping one of these, because they were pretty pricey (around $45 each) but I was able to use my running club discount on the pink one and had a Dick's coupon for the other, bringing them down to $40 and $35.  Score!  I'm keeping them both.  For reference, I bought a medium.  The small was very tight in the band.  This one also comes in a C cup version, which was too big on me.

Aerie Fit High Impact

There is no link to this one because I think I found the very last one ever made.  I bought it on clearance from the Aerie store at my mall for a whopping $15!  The small fit me well and was tight but not restricting.  I did notice after my run that the seams on the side left some indents, but I didn't have any chaffing.  For a bra that was originally only around $25, this was a major score.  Aerie had a huge selection of bras with the hooks in the back (which as you recall I couldn't stand), plus a ton of other medium and low-impact styles, all on clearance.  Right now, all their clearance bras are $15 and if you buy 2 or more bras (clearance included) you get an extra 25% off the entire order!  I bought my daughter one of these and a different sports bra that isn't available online.  Super cute and she loved the strappy one.  It even has a little pocket inside the cup that fits her Nano.  She is already requesting another one, but I got the last 2 extra smalls on clearance, so I told her she needed to wait until we'd earned our free bra before I'd buy her another (Aerie has a bra club-free to join-and you can earn points at American Eagle also).

Nike Airborne and Airborne 2 Long Running Bra

I picked up a couple of these tops on sale (I won't really say bra because I need to wear them with another bra underneath). I found one at my running store on sale for $30 and another at Dick's on clearance for $20 (this one might actually be the Airborne 2 which is a little more basic).  They are cut very similar to the Swift Y Back and combined with another bra, do a fantastic job of supporting the girls.  These Nike long bras range from $35-$45 depending on the features, but Nike's website has some colors on clearance for $27.  I don't feel they are supportive enough by themselves, though.  The fabrics and colors vary but pretty much all of Nike's tops are Dri-FIT and have cute little details like a loop to string your headphone cord thru.  The more expensive Airborne has the little pockets in the back to hold gu or maybe even your ipod.  Very cute.

So there you have it.  How I spent a small fortune trying to keep the girls in place.  If you've been shopping around for a new sports bra, hopefully my pain and suffering will help prevent some headaches for you. 

Some take-aways:

• Get fitted at a running store if you can.  Especially if you've recently lost weight, you may be surprised what size you actually are.  (This goes for your everyday bras too.  The girls deserve your love and support, so make sure they are wearing the right size.)
• I really do encourage you to try on everything in the store.  I honestly didn't think the Under Armour bra would work for me, but it turned out to be probably the best one.  I also went in thinking I would get a bra from Moving Comfort, and while they were fantastic bras, they didn't really work for me.
• Be prepared to spend some money.  I work out nearly every day but don't want to do laundry every day, so having multiple bras is important to me.  Maybe you can get away with 1 or 2 really good bras and use lower impact/less expensive options for lifting, yoga, etc.
• I also am very spoiled by performance fabrics.  Seriously, once you go wicking, you will never go back to cotton again. 
• Have fun and be crazy in the dressing room.  For realz.  Jump, bend, and shake what your momma gave you.  Make sure the bra does what you want it to.
• Buy workout gear that makes you feel good.  You deserve it.

Happy Shopping!

LLRB 365: 2011 Week 4

This week has been a crazy week.  I'm just glad it's over.

1-22-11

my view for 4 miles (28 laps & 112 left turns for anyone counting)

1-23-11

the only thing that makes grocery shopping bearable

(I also loved how the peppers and cup were the same color)

1-24-11

my newest iPhone app Nike Training Club - I was sore for DAYS



1-25-11

my lap warmers - heated throw and a heated kitty

1-26-11

finally got my Zumba on & tried out the game I won from Tirah

1-27-11

someone at school gave me a magnet for my 25k



1-28-11

the great sports bra debate - this may become it's own blog post

So there you have it.  A little running, a little latte-ing (it's a word, I promise), a little snuggling, some booty shaking, and a lot of bra buying.  What did you do this week?

Power of One: Week 4

I'm having a bit of a weight identity crisis as in how much should I really weigh anyway and am I where I should be.  Christy left a great comment on my True Confession post yesterday and I think she made some very valid points.  I am at a weight I was able to maintain for over 6 years and I'm actually quite a bit leaner/more muscular than I was back then, so I'm in a smaller size.  I think I need to focus more on continuing to tone up and building my running mileage back up, rather than the number on the scale.  A range of 134-138 would be great to stay in.  I spent a bit of time on twitter today chatting with a couple of my twitter buddies about how frustrated they were with the numbers they were seeing on the scale.  The same up/down that I deal with.  The same sore muscles sometimes causing a gain because they are retaining fluid.  Gaining 2 pounds in just a couple days - or losing 2 pounds in just a couple days.  Fluctuations happen and that's what I told them.  Weight training is good, even if it causes a gain one week because your muscles are a bit pissed off at you.  Drinking enough water is good.  Not drinking enough water is bad.  I need to listen to myself sometimes.  I had a good week on the scale.  I am in that range, but is that really where I want to be?  Hence, the stupid identity crisis.  Here are my stats for the week:

Weight on June 23, 2009: 165.8

Challenge Starting Weight: 138.8

Last Week's Weight: 137.8

This Week's Weight: 137.0

Change: down 1.0 

Challenge Change: down 2.0

Overall, I had a good week.  My 25k training is coming along and I've gotten in all of my required workouts this week.  I ran 4 miles on an indoor track (112 left turns) on Saturday because the temps here were below zero with windchill and it was snowing like a mo-fo.  I had my fastest 4 miles EVER.  I did feel like a bit of a shmuck seeing how many people DID run outside though.  Those people are effin NUTS, IMO, but they still went out there. 

I downloaded a new iPhone app to use for strength training: Nike Training Club.  If you don't have it, do download it.  The app is free and has tons of exercises.  I was so frigging sore yesterday from Monday's workout that I almost didn't do my training run on Tuesday.  I still did it though - 3 miles outside in the slushy snow YO!  Today, I want to cry every time I have to get up out of a chair or walk down the hall.  My legs are TOAST. 

Today I tried out the Wii Zumba game I won from Tirah.  It was really fun, but I honestly didn't feel I got much of a workout because I was trying to figure out the moves, and let's face it, my hips just don't move like that.  At least I only embarrassed my children, though.  I'm sure once I get the moves down, the sweat will happen.

So, I hope everyone else had a great week. If you lost weight this week - congratulations and good job!  If you didn't lose this week - it's ok, remember this is a marathon, not a sprint and every week you get a little stronger.  The strength might be physical.  It might be mental.  It might just be a little more knowledge about what works and what doesn't work for YOU.

True Confessions

I confess I forgot it was Tuesday!  Been busy today, so you get bullet points.

• I've been completely scale obsessed.  I'm not sure if I need to be happy with my 135-138 range or if I want to push it to get below 135.  I'm certainly in better shape at this weight than I ever have been.  This is the weight (number-wise) that I maintained for over 6 years after losing 50# with Weight Watchers.  Maybe this is where I'm meant to be.
• I've slacked on the sit-ups and push-ups, although I did download a new iPhone app (Nike Training Club) that was free and rocks.  If you have a 3GS or newer, go download it while it's still free. Apparently it doesn't work with older iPhones, but you could always try it.  This workout kicked my arse yesterday.  I haven't been sore from a workout in quite a while.
• I feel like I've been eating OK, but I haven't seen the results on the scale.  I really don't want to start counting calories again.
• I have date night tonight to go see Black Swan.  I really want popcorn, but that would royally screw me on the scale tomorrow, so I won't have any :(
• I ran outside in my neighborhood tonight.  It was slushy but the temp was around 30 so I stayed pretty warm.  All the slush is tough on the ankles, but not as tough as running the indoor track at the gym.  I ran 4 miles there on Saturday.  112 left turns really ticked off my left ITB.
• I'm currently stuffing my face with PopChips.  Right out of the bag.  Wasn't really hungry for "food-food" when I made dinner, so only had 1 buffalo chicken taco.  Now I have the munchies.
• Went out with my IRL BFF and her hubby for her 40th b-day this weekend.  I had several drinks (but stuck with rum and diet coke - 69 calories!).  I had the best sushi I've ever had and a delish "smore" creme brulee for dessert.  Oh crap.  I also had an espresso martini with the creme brulee.  In my defense, I did split the dessert with the hubby.

OK, gotta get ready for my date. 

PS-if your name is April, I will catch up with the #tworkout tomorrow.

Stylish? Who, Me? Thanks!

Last week, one of my favorite bloggers passed on a Stylish Blogger Award to me!  She @ The Thirsty Magnolia (love that blog name, btw) wrote:   "Bari, you are very motivating, on twitter and your blog, you deserve recognition, albeit free on my part!"  Awe, that is about the sweetest thing anyone has ever said!  So, thank you, She, for this little award.  (Now, as for the "stylish" part, I have to thank my blog designer, Lindsay, for the super-cute blog I'm rocking over here!)

I "met" She on twitter and she's participating over at the Sisterhood of the Shrinking Jeans with their latest challenge.  So head over to her blog and give her some love, M'kay?

Now, this award doesn't come totally free.  There are rules.  Seriously, what would life be without rules.  Rules are good!

Rule #1: give thanks.  Done - see above.

Rule #2: share some things about myself.  She shared 7 things about herself (I found out we both love mustard on our hot dogs and prefer to do the driving!).  I figured I'd stick with the idea of 7 random nuggets.

1. I've hiked a very teeny-tiny section of the North Country Trail.  I did this about 10 years ago when I was at my heaviest.  I'm thinking this summer I need to do it again.
2. I love, love, love to travel, but don't have an endless supply of cash, really don't like to fly and can't stand to be in a car for more than 6 or 7 hours.  I'm going to love it when we can just teleport ourselves a la Star Trek.
3. I have a thing for numbers, specifically palindromes, but I usually miss them by *thismuch*.  For example, I noticed yesterday that my van hit 60608 miles.  Darnit!  
4. I've been thrown from a horse.  It was between graduating from college and starting my first job, so I didn't have any health insurance.  I refused to go to the hospital, even though I probably had a couple bruised ribs.  I had trouble breathing for weeks.  Not my finest hour.  If you get seriously injured, don't be a dumb@$$ like me.
5. I went to a rave (with a much-younger friend) while we were in DC for a conference.  A rave is the only way I can describe it.  Totally gutted brownstone in Dupont Circle, devoid of any furnishings other than a bar on each level, completely packed with 20-somethings.  Did I mention I was in my early or mid 30's? Filarious.
6. I like to drink my Diet Coke straight from the can.  If I'm home, I'd rather drink it a little warm than put it in a glass with ice. 
7. I'm a certified SCUBA diver; however, I've only been on one dive trip and that was in July 2007.  I'm afraid if I strapped on a tank now, I wouldn't have a clue about what to do.  Once you are certified, you are technically certified forever and never need to renew.  That is really scary.

And now, I get to pass on this award to 7 of my favorite bloggers!  Sorry I didn't grab your buttons but I was being lazy at work and it was SO SO hard to only pick 7, because I love all of my readers/friends so much. 

1. Nancy at She's Getting Serious
2. ChristieO at Average Moms Wear Capes
3. Mel at Mel Rene
4. Monica at Monica Wants It
5. Tiffany at A Tall Drink of Life
6. Lisa at Growing up Mo'
7. AZLB at The Love Bug Adventures

OK, ladies!  It's your turn.  Grab your award, tell us a little more about yourself, and pay it forward.  MWAH!

LLRB 365: 2011 Week 3

This week is brought to you by my new favorite photo app: Instagram

1-15-11

got to meet up with Nancy and do some shopping

1-16-11

my beautiful gymnast

1-17-11

not having to drive 6 hours home at 9:30 pm - priceless



1-18-11

my winter BFF

1-19-11

met some college friends for drinks

1-20-11

my lapwarmer

1-21-11

never get between Squirt and a box - she was happier to see my CLICK arrive than I was

 



Power of One: Week Three

Well, here we are on another Wednesday where we all get to *officially* face our scale and see how our week went from a numbers standpoint.  I say this, because I'm trying REALLY hard to look past the fraking numbers on the scale.  It's really hard, people.  Especially when I am so scale-obsessed that I weigh myself nearly every day.  I know that I reached my "goal" weight of 135.8 Saturday morning.  I also knew yesterday that I had completely blown that over the weekend, despite making some pretty decent choices and getting in exercise.  A couple years ago, you would not have found me on a treadmill at a hotel, getting a run in before the group ordered dinner.  You also wouldn't have found me smuggling in Subway to a gymnastics meet.  I would have just eaten the pizza, nachos, nasty burgers, etc available at the venue.  So, all-in-all, I'd say I did pretty well this week, even if the scale didn't reflect that.  You can read more about my transgressions (and watch my girl compete) here if you are so inclined.  Here are the numbers, since I sorta need to report them:

Weight on June 23, 2009: 165.8

Challenge Starting Weight: 138.8

Last Week's Weight: 136.4

This Week's Weight: 137.8

Change: up 1.4

Challenge Change: down 1.0

Me and Nancy!

In all honestly, I'm getting sick of the up one/down one every frigging week.  I need to start looking at the non-scale victories.  I got to meet one of my favorite bloggy friends on Saturday!  Our very own Nancy, one of the newest contributors to Shrinkingjeans! We went shopping at the local outlet mall, and I scored a pair of size 6 dress pants and a sweater at the Gap for 6 bucks each. (I'm wearing them today-see!)  Seriously - that's freaking awesome!

excuse fuzzy cellphone in mirror shot

In fact, the majority of pants are now a size 6.  Why can't I be happy with that?  I just keep telling myself that it is vanity sizing, and maybe it is, but should it matter?  I'm also dealing with the fact that all of my size medium workout clothes are too big, especially the bras but we won't even talk about how THAT makes me feel.  I really don't have the cash to replace my workout clothes, but I definitely need to find some new bras.  If there are any sports bras out there that you love that fit girls in the size 34 B/C range, give me some ideas.  I don't want to just squish them down completely because I really don't rock the uniboob look, but I also don't want them bouncing all over the place.  Really, why aren't there any sports bras for us "average" sized girls?  It boggles my mind.  Speaking of my mind, my head needs to start catching up to my body, and quick, or I'm going to make myself crazy.

As for those *other* goals I wrote for the challenge, I'm doing OK.

• Drink at minimum 64 oz of water 6/7 days a week. - I did great during the week, but not so good on the weekend.  Also, spending 12 hours in the car with a full bladder is a bad thing, so I don't drink much water when I have to roadtrip. 
• Run 2-3 times a week - Yep.  I am fully into my 25k training, so running 3x a week is happening from here on out.  Speaking of which, April has a little challenge going on that I've also signed up for.  100 miles in 100 days.  She is planning on a minimum of 1 mile a day for the 100 days, but I will probably just use my training miles and spin classes when I cross train (although I'm not sure how to calculate the miles from spin since the bikes at our gym don't show miles).  
• Sign up for my 25k race - Done
• Do the Shred DVD, EA Sports Active, or some other strength/crosstraining 2-3 times a week. - fail. 
• 25 push-ups and 25 sit-ups after each run. - fail.  I'm still doing my crunches after I run, and I tried some pushups on Saturday but they left my shoulder hurting, so I think this goal gets bagged for the time being.
• Log my food on Daily Plate at least 4/7 days a week. - fail. 
• Lose at least 3 pounds to get back to 135.8 or less. - I had on Saturday, but now this is also a fail.

How did the rest of you do?  Head over to Shrinkingjeans and let us know!