Sporty Mommas

Why you should splurge on a great pair of leggings!

Filed under: Fashion, Fit Moms ·

For years I had serious issues paying over $100 for a pair of leggings. I mean hey I am a mom of three kids that always seem to need new clothes, shoes, fees for sports activities and the thought of splurging on a pair of Lululemon leggings for myself was absurd. I found myself often browsing the racks of Marshalls and TJ Maxx and sometimes Macy’s looking for a pair that weren’t see through or unsupportive. I always ended up buying a few pair at a time because they were typically $29.99 or $49.99 and that seemed like a deal. But what I didn’t pay attention to was the fabric, lack of support and how I was always buying new ones because they didn’t last long. Don’t get me wrong those stores have amazing deals and I love a great deal but I needed a little more compression and support for this aging body. #almost40

Carbon38

 

One day a friend of mine told me that Lululemon was having a sale. I didn’t even know that they had sales because I never walked into one of the stores. So, I eagerly took my first trip to Lululemon at Merrick Park. As I touched and observed all of the different styles and colors, I still felt this guilt like I really should not be spending this kind of money on workout clothes. But…they were on sale so I tried on a few pair. I could not believe what I was missing all of these years. I loved the compression and the fit. It was like an instant booty lift. When I walked my thighs didn’t jiggle. OMG! I was in heaven. I will never forget that I purchased my first pair of black Lululemon leggings with a gift card from my brother. (I know crazy right I still wouldn’t spend my own money) but after wearing them a few times I told myself that I deserved to splurge every now and then. And you do too!

 

 

Lululemon

So here are a few tips to save on designer leggings. First, always check the outlet stores. They might be out of season but they still look great. Almost every department store now has an active wear section. I was amazed to see a whole section in Neiman Marcus dedicated to just active wear. Second, search online sites like RueLaLa for special sales. You can also use those Macy’s coupons for an extra 20% off on brands like Nike and Adidas in store. The brands that I currently love are Alo Yoga, Nike, Lululemon and just ordered my first pair from Carbon38. Third, just do it!!! Your body will thank you for it. If you are like me and feel guilty for buying high end workout clothes, don’t be. Just look at it this way when you look good, you feel good and everyone knows that you feel REALLY good wearing a new outfit to the gym. #killinit


Alo Yoga

 

XO,

Sharonda

Acai Berry Magic

Filed under: Fit Moms, Mom Life ·

By now you have probably seen or tried an acai’ bowl. The acai’ berry trend has been quite popular for a while now but do you know why? I remember hearing about it about 5 years ago and I tried it here and there. But, recently I have found myself craving this berry hemp acai bowl from Raw Juce. Even my hubby loves it and goes out of his way to get one. I know, crazy right? This led me to wonder what’s really in this bowl and why is it so good that I am craving it like I crave chocolate? I know it is organic, full of yummy fruits and hemp but how does this bowl benefit my health? So I did a little research and here is what I found out.


Raw Juce

Berry Hemp Bowl

 

The main ingredient is the acai so I will focus there. The acai berry is known as a superfood with anti-aging and weight loss properties. It comes from the acai palm tree and is native to South America. Most studies show that acai is richer in antioxidants than cranberries, blueberries, blackberries raspberries or strawberries. Acai is also believed to help control appetite. Hello! It can increase energy and may even help with metabolic functions. Some cosmetics and beauty products even include acai’ oil for its anti-aging benefits.  There are tons of drinks and teas available just about everywhere.

 

Raw Juce

Goji Berry Bowl

 

Here are a few reasons why you should add acai’ to your diet.

*Antioxidant

*Healthy Fat

*Dietary Fiber

*Amino Acids

*Electrolytes

*Trace Minerals

*B-Vitamins

As I approach the big 40 I am definitely here for the anti-aging benefits and it tastes so good. They say it even helps with stretch marks, dry skin and crows feet. You can make your own acai bowls, smoothies, and teas  at home . Whole Foods, Publix and most local grocery stores have a great selection of prepackaged frozen acai’ blends where you just thaw and add your favorite toppings like strawberries, bananas, blueberries, granola, hemp etc. So far I have tried the Sambazon smoothie pack and it’s great. I personally prefer to get a fresh bowl loaded with all the good stuff from Raw Juce or Grown, but this does add up. Most bowls run from $10- $14 a bowl. Besides making a gorgeous Instagram photo the Acai’ bowl is actually really good for you! Cheers to good health!

 

 

DIY Recipe

XO,

Sharonda

30 Day Challenge

Filed under: Fit Moms ·

We are 7 days into 2018 and some of us are already working hard towards those New Year’s Resolutions and some of us haven’t even gotten started yet. If you are like me, maybe you were waiting until the kids went back to school. In my last post I told you some of my secrets or let’s call them fun facts. One of the things that I struggle with is being consistent. I start off feeling all motivated and eager to get shit done and then before I know it, my mind wants to do something else. Or I get distracted with the busyness of mom life and make excuses not to finish what I started.

 

So this year I am starting a 30 day yoga challenge. I am going to call it the self love challenge.  I have taken a few classes here and there over the past few months and I have a new appreciation for the practice and challenging my mind and body to accomplish something that I have never done. I made excuses in the past because of my spinal surgery but I have learned to listen to my body and just go with the flow. I will no longer say that I am getting old or I am to busy. I am doing this for me. I will show myself some love and make the time and effort to accomplish this goal.

 

 

 

I challenge you to join me. Maybe not in yoga but in working out daily, eating healthier, painting, writing, singing, praying, or meditation…whatever it is that you feel called to do. If you have a busy schedule and can’t make a class or prep a healthy meal, there are lots of youtube tutorials to guide you. I thought that I had to physically attend a yoga or workout class for it to count. The truth is you can do it anywhere and still reap the benefits. So let’s get this party started. Let me know what your 30 day challenge is in the comments below. Tag me @sportymommas or #sportymommas so we can cheer each other on. #YOUGOTTHIS

 

XO,

Sharonda

Fashionista Friday: Red Hot

Filed under: Fashion, Fit Moms ·

This is my favorite time of the year.  The weather is slowly changing. I repeat slowly changing. The time change sucks but after a few days you get use to it. Starbucks rolls out their holiday menu and Santa’s Enchanted Forest reopens so you know Christmas is almost here. My calendar does get a little hectic these last two months of the year.  Between the kid’s sports activities, school functions and play dates, don’t forget the play dates, some days are definitely longer than others. Then there’s all of the fun holiday parties, fundraisers, and networking events. Yes, it can get a little cray cray but I love it. And yes, I get overwhelmed sometimes but I have learned that if it is not aligned with my soul to just say no.

 

 

When all of the invitations start coming in, the first question that usually pops up is what am I going to wear? I usually head to Zara. They never disappoint. Sometimes the lines can be super long but I have learned that if you go before the lunch rush, it’s not that bad. I also have noticed that the prices seem to be going up. It still isn’t as bad as some stores but be prepared. Most of the time I am in a hurry so I just buy a few different outfits and pray that at least one of them works out. (They always work out #shopaholic)

 

 

On Thursday, FemCity Miami celebrated the launch of the Fall Collective Edition at Kendra Scott in Brickell City Centre. I was feeling very festive and bold so I bought a bright red dress. Everyone loved my dress so I thought that I would share the details.  You won’t believe that it was under $30. So, if you are looking for a cute affordable outfit for an upcoming event check I highly recommend Zara! Happy Shopping!

 

 

 

XO,

Sharonda

 

P.S.

Those wheatgrass shots are helping! #fitmom

Fashionista Friday: Trending Now

Filed under: Fashion, Fit Moms ·

Every Sporty Momma loves a hot handbag and this season’s bags are cray cray! The trend seems to be the more colorful, graphic and shapely the better. Oh and top handles are like works of art. This is the time of year that I start my holiday wish list so I am spending quite a lot of time browsing the internet and window shopping to see which bag will make it to my wish list. I personally think that Gucci is leading the way with this trend. Here are a few of my favorite bags! What’s your favorite? Happy Shopping y’all! 

Got Wheatgrass?

Filed under: Fit Moms ·

It is not easy trying to keep up with the hubby, kids, work, and well life. But I have learned that if you take care of your body first, it definitely helps. This is that hectic time of the year. Yes, the holiday season has arrived. The season where we go, go, go until we get so run down that we get sick. I am always looking for supplements that will boost my immunity. Did you know that two ounces of wheatgrass is equivalent to eating 4 pounds of green vegetables? It also has more vitamin C than oranges.  Have you added wheatgrass to your weekly routine? I say weekly cause I am not going to front I haven’t used it daily just yet. I have seen some improvement with my digestion. Here are a few reasons why you should add it to your routine.

 

 

  1. Lowers blood pressure
  2. Detoxifies
  3. Increases energy
  4. Anti-Inflammatory
  5. Stimulates metabolism
  6. Immune System Booster
  7. Aids in digestion
  8. Anti-aging properties

 

Wheatgrass can be purchased at most grocery stores or your local juice bars. I love getting it already pressed at Jugo Fresh. It can run $2-$5 per shot. Some people like to juice it right at home. Whatever works best for you, I highly recommend adding it to your diet.

 

XO,

Sharonda

 

 

 

**Pictures via Pinterest

Schmidt’s Natural Deodorant

Filed under: Fit Moms ·

For the past few months I have been on a quest to improve my overall health.  You know like trying to find more natural products from healthier food options to cleaning products,  to lipstick, skin care and yes deodorant. The food thing is fairly easy. Just buy organic and well…cook more often. Skincare is pretty easy with Beautycounter and Goop. But what about deodorant? Sporty Mommas can’t walk around smelling sweaty.

A few weeks ago I was in Urban Outfitters about to check out and saw Schmidt’s deodorant. If it is at the display near the checkout line you know it must be good. I picked up the Lavender and Sage because I love lavender and the color purple. The next day I was hesitant to put it on before my workout class. So I didn’t. I actually let it sit on my bathroom counter for a week before testing it out. When I finally did, I was pleasantly surprised. I went all day without smelling myself. Lol, I know it sounds gross but y’all know how it is. A few days went buy and it worked very well but I wasn’t crazy about the scent so this time I headed to Whole Foods (well I am there like every other day) and purchased a new scent. They have several scents to choose from but the Rose and Vanilla is my favorite. It is a little sweet and smells like flowers.

Schmidt’s is perfect for busy active moms and I feel good about bringing healthier options into my home. Schmidt’s naturals are made from plants and minerals, and are free of aluminum and artificial fragrances. They even make soaps and there are unscented sticks for those of you that don’t want the extra fragrance. So if you are looking for a natural deodorant I say give Schmidt’s a try. You won’t regret it.

 

 

Fashionista Friday

Filed under: Fashion, Fit Moms ·

Omg! The hubby and I are heading to a concert next week and I am so excited. But what should I wear??? I need something cute and comfy cause I plan on dancing all night long!  Hear are a few of my favorites from Zara. Which one do you like?

 

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Breast Cancer Awareness

Filed under: Fit Moms ·

I met Cindy a few years ago through a friend actually a fellow Fem when I was trying to connect with a local breast cancer charity. We spoke for about an half hour and I knew that she was special. She shared her story of survival and the work that she continues to do in Miami and around the world for women affected by breast cancer. She is currently working on filming a documentary. We have been trying to meet in person for about two years but something always comes up. This year I made the extra effort to make sure that I could get to her annual fashion show at Bloomingdales. After attending Blogalicious yesterday and waking up feeling under the weather, I knew that I had to keep it moving and get my a$$ to Bloomingdales. I still haven’t given Cindy a hug in person because I had to rush off to my son’s basketball game (#momlife) but I am so glad that I made it to the show.

Cindy

The show wasn’t just fun it was educational. I learned that 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. I learned that dogs can get breast cancer too. Did you know that most of the funds that are raised do not actually go to treatment or research? I also learned about METAvivor . METAvivor is dedicated to the specific fight of women and men with stage 4 metastatic breast cancer. It is currently the only organization in the US dedicated to awarding annual stage 4 breast cancer research. Ironically, a friend of ours Lizzy is currently fighting metastatic breast cancer as I am learning about all of this. Lizzy is a beautiful mom of 2 that also needs our prayers and support. Her home was recently destroyed by Hurricane Irma.  Her family has set up a gofundme page to assist with their unexpected expenses.

Lizzy

Throughout the fashion show, beautiful women (all breast cancer survivors) strutted down the runway. Most were moms just like us.  Some were diagnosed as early as their late twenties. It was so amazing to see their strength and to hear some of their stories. It was inspiring to see them walk the runway with pride and radiate beauty. Watching them reminded me of my aunt Karen Pendergrass, who passed away at age 39 from breast cancer. She was a beautiful wife and mom of 2.  She is the reason why I am so passionate about fundraising and finding a cure. I know that medicines are getting better and better but I pray that one day they really find a cure.

Yamilla

Preventative Tips

  1. Annual screening begins at age 40 unless your physician recommends it sooner
  2. Regular Exercise
  3. Limit Your Alcohol Intake
  4. Eat your fruits and veggies
  5. Consider taking the Brac Analysis Test
  6. Perform monthly self exams
  7. Control your weight
  8. Quit Smoking and resort to alternatives such as Snus thailand

Tamara & I

XO,

Sharonda

P.S.

Don’t forget to schedule your mammograms!!!!!

Back at It

Filed under: Fit Moms ·

This post is going to be brief but meaningful. So you know over the summer we traveled quite a bit. Needless to say, I didn’t work out that much. I actually counted how many times I worked out in nine weeks and well there were only 10. Eight barre classes and 2 jogs at the park. I know, not my original plan but hey things happen. So on Monday I decided that I would jump back into my workout routine with a bang and I headed to barre. I put on my favorite leggings and grabbed my swell water bottle. You know when you haven’t done something in a month it is going to be challenging. The class was intense but great.  I felt all kind of pain later on in the day. I figured it was just soreness from not moving around much over the summer but after I forced my way to yoga on Tuesday, I realized it was more than your average soreness. Yes, I let the guilt of not working out much get to me and overdid it causing an injury. I pray it is not to serious and that a couple days off will work but the moral of this post is, don’t be to hard on yourself. In the end you are only hurting you. Ease back into your workouts and eating routines and be patient. Trust me or you will end up soaking in epsom salt!  Lol!

XO,

Sharonda

 

*Picture via Pinterest