My Workout Essentials

I don't need many things to workout, but there are a few items I always make sure to have available when I exercise. The first item I am never without, exercising or not, is my YETI. I have the white YETI 32oz Rambler with the straw lid and literally have it with me at all times. It keeps my water so cold and it even keeps ice frozen overnight! I also love to use it for iced lattes and smoothies.

Funny story, I actually got my YETI from the lost-and-found at work. I knew which of my nurses had left it after being in the office for a class and asked her if she wanted it back. She said no and that it was probably gross because she left coffee in it so I could have it if I wanted it. I was shocked! It was indeed quite gross, but I scrubbed it and ran it through the dishwasher a few times and it was good as new. My husband worked at Cabela's at the time and got me a straw cover and I haven't parted with it since!

The next item, or items, I always use for working out are my Nike Pegasus Running sneakers. I have worn Nike's since my days of working at Olympia Sports in high school. But I found the Pegasus' when my husband brought me to a Nike outlet for me to pick of my first pair of sneakers to wear at my first nursing job as a college graduation gift. I still have those sneakers because I'm sentimental and it was so sweet of him. I have re-purchased Nike Pegasus sneakers every couple of years since then! I will say, I was quite nervous that my feet were not going to return to their regular rather petite and narrow size, which the Pegasus' fit so well, after pregnancy, but I am so glad they did because I love these sneakers! I just got the newest ones as a birthday gift from my parents and love how light and comfortable they are. Amazon has great deals on them as well! I got the Nike Pegasus 36 and love them, my husband also has them and loves them as well!

So the next item isn't necessarily an essential for me, but my husband would certainly say otherwise for himself, and that is, Darn Tough socks. Darn Tough is a Vermont-owned company that makes super high-quality, premium merino wool socks. One of the coolest things about Darn Tough is that their socks are "guaranteed for life." That means, if you are rough enough on your socks and somehow get a hole in them, you can send them back to Darn Tough and they will replace them for free! Like most Vermonters, I have had a few pairs of Darn Tough socks over the years, but those were mainly for winter.

Last year we got to go to the Boston Marathon Expo that happens prior to the marathon every year. There are so many vendors and people so it was crazy, plus I was super pregnant, but we had a lot of fun! At the expo Darn Tough had a booth and was running a deal to buy three get one pair of socks free, so my husband and I got ourselves a pair each and got pairs for our newly engaged friends as a gift. I got the solid white Vertex No Show Tab Ultra-Light Cushion athletic socks, which I have really been liking for my workouts. But Darn Tough also has socks for hike/trek, run, athletic, snow, lifestyle, hunting, and work, so something for everyone! My husband really does wear them all the time and has actually worn through 5 pairs of them.

When I'm not wearing my darn tough socks, I love these ones from Target!

I don't wear anything fancy to work out in, but I love Old Navy's Activewear line. They have some really great options for both tops and bottoms! I especially like their high-waisted leggings post-baby.

I have shocked myself by being able to jog with more endurance than I thought I had, and because I have been jogging, I am so glad my mom got a jogging stroller for my husband. She actually got it for free from a friend at work, and it is quite old, but here is the newer version of the jogging stroller we have and have really enjoyed!

Finally, when I need weights, I use my very high-tech weights that I'm pretty sure have been hanging around my parent's house since before I was born, but they do the job! If you don't have 28+-year-old weights available to you, you can find great ones at stores like Marshalls, TJMaxx, Amazon, and Target.

Like I said, I don't need many things, and certainly nothing fancy, but they help me get the job done!