Category: Fitness

Go to TJMaxx and Marshalls for Exercise Clothing!

{This is not a sponsored post, I just really love TJMaxx and Marshalls!}

Yeah, I basically said it all in the title of this post. But I really think that most people don’t realize how great the exercise clothing sections are at TJMaxx and Marshalls!

I’m coming up on 3 months of going to the gym and with my new habit I’ve been whittling down my activewear drawer. I can’t stand uncomfortable workout clothes, so if I wear an item that drives me nuts, I launder it and stick it straight in the ‘donate or sell’ pile.

I’ve noticed with going to the gym, I have different needs when it comes to my leggings.

When I run outside, I usually wear a fanny pack around my waist to hold my license, keys, phone, etc. So, it’s okay that my leggings don’t have pockets. Actually, they do have that one little credit card sized pocket in the waistband, but it’s pretty much useless.

When I go to the gym, I really need an accessible pocket in my leggings.

I like to have my phone with me for music, or texting, or making a quick note when I think of something important. If I’m on the elliptical machine, it’s fine because they usually have a cup holder I can use for my iPhone.

The problem comes when I want to jump off the elliptical and use the machines and/or free weights. I have to sit my phone down, move it to the next place, move it again… it’s an annoying juggle.

I mean, it’s not QUITE as bad as those infomercials where people can’t do normal stuff without falling over, but it’s annoying.

So, I went to TJMaxx with some very specific leggings criteria: they had to be high-waisted, capri length, and they absolutely MUST have an easy-access pocket that would fit my phone. Bonus points if they were solid black or a dark color.

I checked every single pair in my size and came across three options. They were each right around $16, so I bought all three of them and I’ve been wearing them for the past few weeks. WHAT. A. CHANGE.

Oh my gosh, just having leggings with pockets has made my life so much easier! They’re also pretty darn cute, so I don’t mind running errands on my way to or from the gym.

Anyways, I couldn’t find my exact pair on the TJMaxx website, but if you are in the market for some fitness clothing I highly recommend you check them out. I’ve been telling all my friends in person, so I figured I’d tell my online friends too!

Like what you see? Share me with your friends!

I Got Over My Mom Guilt and We Joined a Gym

So yeah. Our family totally joined a gym. Here we are on our first day…

{Look close and you can see Jack in the reflection taking the photo!}

Day 1 at our new gym! #fitmom #joulesgetsfit

A post shared by pocketfulofjoules (@pocketfulofjoules) on

My husband and I haven’t been members of a gym since before we had Jack. We had lots of excuses. A gym is too expensive. We don’t have time. I can workout at home. We like being lazy.

You know. All the normal stuff.

But my #1 reason for not joining a gym was Mom Guilt.

After having someone else care for my kid all day while I work (preschool, school, before/aftercare, etc), I didn’t want to dump my kid for someone else to care for him at night while I work out.

It sounded awfully selfish to me.

So… for 7+ years, we didn’t belong to a gym.

And then about a month ago I realized that now is the perfect time to give it a try.

Reason 1: Jack is old enough that he actually LOVES the chance to play with other kids. Especially on weekends, when we typically just do family stuff. For him to have an hour of kid play time in the Kid’s Zone at the gym is FUN and not a bummer.

Reason 2: Travis needed a change of pace. He has been doing a ‘100 pushup a day’ challenge for a couple months and enjoying it (as much as you can enjoy doing 100 pushups).  He’s also been eating healthier and was ready to take it up a notch.

Reason 3: I needed a change of pace too. I have my elliptical at home, some DVDs and I occasionally run. But it gets rather boring and repetitive.

Reason 4: It’s kind of a date night/togetherness thing for us both to go and support each other in our workouts.

Reason 5: The gym has a pool.

Reason 6: We want to show Jack that we put an importance on exercise and health.

We decided that we would join the gym and commit to going 3 – 4 days a week. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursdays will basically never work for me because my commute to work is about 1 ½ hours each way. But, on Mondays and Friday’s I work from home. So we decided that we would go to the gym as a family on Monday’s, Friday’s and at least one weekend day.

And we have!

And it’s been pretty great!

Jack’s been enjoying the Kid’s Zone. Travis and I have been breaking a sweat. And we ALL love hanging out at the pool afterwards. It’s kind of become our ‘family thing’ that we do and going to the pool on a weeknight feels like a total vacation.

So yeah, we joined a gym. Yay us.

Like what you see? Share me with your friends!

Running & Winning the Crab 5k

Okay, first of all. You all know I’m a slow runner. I didn’t win the 5k.

But.

I did win the costume contest.

This was my third year running the Crab 5k and enjoying the beer and crab festival afterwards. This year, I ran it with my brother, Jason, and his fiancé, Jaclyn. Unlike previous years, it wasn’t in the high 90’s… which was pretty great. However, it was still pretty humid. Yay Maryland.

Anyways, after our 3.1 mile run, we ate one of the best crab cake sandwiches in the land and then drank a bunch of beer/hard cider/moonshine/rum. Then, we waited and waited and waited for the costume contest.

I won it last year and they gave me $100 as my prize. So, I upped the game with a crab headband and a bunch of orange this year. They called me up on stage and… I was the only competitor in the ‘individual class’. Whatever. I’ll take the win!

However, the guy then handed me an oversize bottle of wine instead of those dollar bills… {sad trombone}

So yeah, I’m a winner. And I had a great time with my family! I probably won’t bother dressing up again next year though. For $100… heck yeah. But for a bottle of wine? I’ll pass.

Like what you see? Share me with your friends!