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Every Good Woman Needs A Good Sports Bra

March 8, 2012 by 16 Comments

I love my bras.

In fact you won’t catch me leaving the house without a bra unless there is a life threatening situation or I am forced to go without because I was just spray tanned. Otherwise, the girls are supported and uplifted, no matter how small they get.

Needless to say, when Under Armour asked if I wanted to review a sports bra, my answer was a solid ‘YES!’

You don’t know what you don’t know until you know.

I had no idea that I had never worn a decent sports bra until I strapped the Armour Bra on.

When you have a small chest, its easy to go for the $9.99 sales rack special that chafes, cuts off your circulation at your ribs, and keeps the girls in a approximate zone.

Good enough is no longer good enough!

The fabulous bra that just happens to match my shoes and tank perfectly arrived the day before I was due to leave for Fantasy Camp.

What better place to test it out?

Donloree Under Armour Workout outfit Figure Competitor

I am apparently 'THAT' woman...the one that even has a matching water bottle. hah!

Both the bra and I were put to the test at Fantasy Camp and we both came out victorious!

Three things I love about the Armour Bra.

1.  Specific sizing.

You can get your exact bra size. Small, medium, or large is so yesterday! I have never had a sports bra that actually fits. My sports bras usually have enough room in the front for me to store an after workout snack while I spill out the back. Being ‘odd shaped‘ is no longer a problem.

Amour Bra by Under Armour

The only problem is if you LOVE pink and you aren't a C cup...

Love this!

2.  Stretchy, but not too stretchy.

It bends and moves with you, but not too much. I was running high intensity sprints this morning and nothing moved, yet I didn’t feel restricted. There is a soft elastic on every edge that keeps the bra in place but it doesn’t chafe or make you feel the need to ‘suck it in‘ while wearing it.

Armour Bra

Everywhere there is blue on the inside there is a soft, yet firm elastic that doesn't cut your circulation off but keeps the bra in place.

The support is fabulous and just the right amount.

3.  Clasp in the back.

A cups don’t have the clasp in the back, but everything after an A cup does. I have never had a sports bra that didn’t pull over your head and fit like a tube top.

After an epic back, chest, delt, or arm day the last thing you want to do is wriggle out of a sweaty sports bra that is holding onto you for dear life. Some days I have nearly asked for help to extricate myself from my sports bra, but now I don’t have to worry!

Even on the days when I can barely move my arms, I can still get out of this bra.

armour bra

Standing there and wondering, 'How the heck am I going to get this darned thing off?' is a thing of the past!

Win!

Check it out for yourself, I am sure you’ll become a fan too.

Oh and they have free shipping going on right now for new customers. (I have no idea how long this lasts, but the code for free shipping is FV4RNKLYHJE when you check out.)

I live in Canada, so free shipping rocks my boat. That pesky border costs a lot to cross even for small packages!

What is your favourite sports bra?

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The Larabar Santa Came Today!

December 30, 2011 by 9 Comments

Around 1:30 most days you can find me running down 4 flights of stairs to get my mail. I am always excited when there is something other than bills in the stack of mail.

When I opened up the mailbox today, there was a surprise package from Larabar!  I found myself running back up the stairs in hot pursuit of some scissors to crack the box open.

Lo and behold a Christmas card and tasty treat from the company that makes ‘real food‘.

Yum! I love, love, love coffee!

The card had a very festive message.

We hope you are having a merry and bright holiday season. We also hope you are resting up and re-energizing for the New Year.

As for us, we are looking forward to kicking off 2012 with our newest flavor…Cappuccino! Its our very own house blend of dairy-free Joe.

Enjoy the Treats!

Don’t mind if I do!

When they sent me the Chocolate Chip Cherry Torte I was over the moon about the taste. Seeing how much I love coffee, I couldn’t wait until my next meal. I immediately ripped open a bar and ate half of one on the spot.

  • Taste - Smooth and refreshing, not overtly ‘coffee’. I think a dash of chocolate would be nice, but I suppose that would make it a mocha bar, now wouldn’t it?
  • Smell – Mmm! As soon as you open the wrapper you are transported to a fabulous coffee shop.
  • Texture – Smooth with a few bumps from the almonds and cashews, but it gives some crunch to the bar which is nice.
  • Nutrition – Protein 5 grams, Carbs 22 grams, Fat 10 grams, Calories 200.
  • Ingredients – Dates, almonds, cashews, coffee, and vanilla extract.

I give Cappuccino 3 out of 5 stars.

I fell in love HARD with the Chocolate Chip Cherry Torte. Let’s be honest, its hard to replace a first love. The Cappuccino bar is tasty, but it is not calling my name from the pantry. That being said, this is probably a good thing and in my world that should bump it up to 4 out of 5 stars.

Larabar is a fabulous treat made out of real food, so honestly you can’t go wrong with any of the flavors.

What’s your favorite bar? Do you eat Larabars?

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Under Armour RC Charge – Freakishly Amazing

November 10, 2011 by 12 Comments

I seriously love shoes.

When people come to my house for the first time and see my diverse shoe collection which is crammed into a over the door shoe holder thing, the usual response is an audible gasp immediately followed by, ‘Oh WOW! That’s a lot of shoes…‘.

Shoes travel life with you, showcase your sassy self, and always fit even if you dove head first into the peanut butter jar the night before.

*AHEM*

Imagine my absolute glee when the cutest running shoes on the planet showed up via FedEx!

Meet the distinctly cute Under Armour RC Charge.

I think I made some sort of high pitched 'squeee' noise when I pulled them out of the box. So cute!

As though it were a match made in heaven, they perfectly coordinate with my latest workout outfit.

Perfection! How much more coordinated can a Figure Competitor get?

Cute is good, but functional is GREAT.

I have way too many shoes that are made for ‘sitting‘, so I wanted to give these babies a good beating to make sure they are more than a ‘pretty face‘.

Its go time. Show me what you're made of.

I popped them into my Livewell360 Core bag and put them to the test twice this week.

RC Charge meet leg day and  floor hockey.

I only scored two goals. I think the cuteness distracted me.

I wanted to make sure they lived up to the hype.

“The UA Charge RC’s temperature-regulating HeatGear® upper keeps you cool, while strategic compression provides a custom fit. Underneath is a Carbon Spring Plate that enhances your stride. And, of course, all of it sits on our exclusive UA Micro G® cushioning…for more bounce.”

  • Exclusive UA Micro G® foam cushioning is light, bouncy & super-responsive.
  • Zonal UA Compression hugs the foot & promotes power.
  • Built-in Carbon Spring Plate maximizes energy return.
  • Ultra-light MPZ® toe & tongue pads protect your feet.
  • HeatGear® fabric wicks moisture for cool, dry performance.
  • Carbon & blown rubber outsole delivers cushioning, traction & durability.
  • Weight: 8.5 oz.

Honestly, they are ‘freakishly amazing’.  

Under Armour’s RC Charge is a great shoe and worth the price. This Figure Competitor gives them two thumbs up and will be rocking them every day at 6:30 am while lifting baby weights and not harming the skinny and confused man at the YMCA.

What shoes do you train in? Are the ‘freakishly amazing’ too?

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Fat Tax? Seriously?

October 2, 2011 by 10 Comments

Denmark just launched a ‘Fat Tax‘.

At first blush it sounded like a great idea to me…then I thought about it for awhile.

When I had no idea about food, a ‘Fat Tax‘ would have just screwed me up more. I had no idea why pizza was bad for me. In reality, pizza isn’t bad for you. Five slices of it with a litre of pop followed by a bowl of ice cream most days of the week is where things really go off the rails. Then the kicker is not knowing that eating that way is a problem and not having the resources you need to fix it.

Pizza

HONESTLY. One slice of this is not going to make you fat.

So now it costs MORE to live in Denmark if you eat ‘Fat Foods’.

A few questions:

  • Does the revenue from the ‘Fat Tax’ go to obesity counselling, youth fitness programs, and nutrition and wellness programs? I highly doubt it…
  • Fat is required in your diet, so does a person have a threshold of ‘Fat’ they can buy before they are taxed?
  • What’s next? Fines for going above a certain BMI when you weigh in with your doctor?
  • If you are going to have a ‘Fat Tax’, why not a ‘Skinny Tax’ for people who suffer from the other spectrum of disordered eating?

I applaud Denmark for stepping out and trying to do something about an epidemic; unfortunately they showed up to tsunami clean up with a bucket and a roll of paper towels.

tsunami

It is a full out mess and we need to do something more.

When did we stop believing that people are smart and capable and start treating them like inanimate objects?

Humans have incredible potential, but they need resources, information, and support to live up to it.

Its time to deal in the currency of empowerment rather than belittlement. 

Give a man a fish and he eats for a day. Teach a man to fish and he eats for a lifetime.

Knowing why and how changes people.

What do you think of the Fat Tax?

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Need a ‘Huzzah!’

July 10, 2011 by 5 Comments

One of those fabulous statements that makes you want to jump out of your seat and find a problem to conquer, a battle to fight, or a heavily weighted leg press to show who’s boss.

I need a Bikini Or Bust ‘Huzzah!’

It would go something like this:

Blah, blah, blahbity blah. Bikini or Bust!

I’ve been thinking and have come up with what may possibly be less than stellar ideas:

  • Just Glue It
  • I eat skinny girls for breakfast
  • Life is short.
  • Today or never. Choose today.
  • Impossible? Think again.
  • Made for this.
  • I train for life.
  • Worth it.

I need your help because I am researching some fabulous clothing to put these sayings on and perhaps you will want to wear them too. If it is left up to me the words ‘wonky’, ‘epic‘, and ‘For the love of Pete!‘ may just get mixed in.

Somehow I don’t think ‘Epic!‘ works as a slogan.

What do you think the Bikini or Bust Huzzah should be and what kind of clothes should it go on?

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Six Pack Bag?

July 2, 2011 by 9 Comments

Its summer here in Edmonton, which means I can’t just leave my food in the car for hours on end and have it not spoil. I’m enjoying my slight tan, but not having food go bad while on the run.

In the winter I can leave food in the car for hours without a worry. Heck, if I need to flash freeze something I just bring it along with me. You would be amazed at how quickly things freeze when it is -25 degrees outside.

What’s a Figure Competitor to do?

Many competitors have Six Pack Bags. Apparently they fit meals galore, keep things fresh, and the containers are even dish washer safe.

But they are also humongous, don’t match anything I own, and rather obvious.

They are BIG!

Do you have a Six Pack Bag? If so, what do you think?

Your opinion is requested!

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I’m Going For It…Now What?

January 14, 2011 by 10 Comments

When I finally decided to train for my Figure Competition I was joyous, ecstatic, overwhelmed and wanted throw up more than just a little bit.

I had no idea what I was doing. I literally spent weeks Googling things and pouring through random and oftentimes inappropriate content to try and find out how to become a Figure Competitor. No matter what you Google, once you put ‘bikini’ in the phrase you’ve got trouble on your hands!

Then I proceeded to make almost every mistake in the book.

Walking on the stage on October 16, 2010 is one of the proudest moments of my life. The obstacles I had to overcome both externally and internally to get there were not small. I am literally almost half the woman that I used to be on the outside, but at least twice the woman on the inside.

I journeyed alone for most of my training, too scared to be bold about what I was doing and who I was becoming. I let my fear of what people may think of me keep in the dark and alone. Training and competing alone is probably the hardest way to do it! We need each other, life is mean to be lived together.

So what do you want to know?

Perhaps you’ve decided in your heart that you want to compete and are experiencing the pure exhilaration and panic and don’t even know where to start. I would love to share my experience and any insight that I have gained along the way with you if it helps you not make the million mistakes I made.

Leave a comment with your question or what you are wondering about in regards to competing! It can be about anything…even the dreaded waxing!

And no…the fear of the itsy, bitsy, bedazzled bikini does not fade until the day of the event. Sorry!

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I’m Going For It…Now What?

January 14, 2011 by 10 Comments

When I finally decided to train for my Figure Competition I was joyous, ecstatic, overwhelmed and wanted throw up more than just a little bit.

I had no idea what I was doing. I literally spent weeks Googling things and pouring through random and oftentimes inappropriate content to try and find out how to become a Figure Competitor. No matter what you Google, once you put ‘bikini’ in the phrase you’ve got trouble on your hands!

Then I proceeded to make almost every mistake in the book.

Walking on the stage on October 16, 2010 is one of the proudest moments of my life. The obstacles I had to overcome both externally and internally to get there were not small. I am literally almost half the woman that I used to be on the outside, but at least twice the woman on the inside.

I journeyed alone for most of my training, too scared to be bold about what I was doing and who I was becoming. I let my fear of what people may think of me keep in the dark and alone. Training and competing alone is probably the hardest way to do it! We need each other, life is mean to be lived together.

So what do you want to know?

Perhaps you’ve decided in your heart that you want to compete and are experiencing the pure exhilaration and panic and don’t even know where to start. I would love to share my experience and any insight that I have gained along the way with you if it helps you not make the million mistakes I made.

Leave a comment with your question or what you are wondering about in regards to competing! It can be about anything…even the dreaded waxing!

And no…the fear of the itsy, bitsy, bedazzled bikini does not fade until the day of the event. Sorry!

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One Eye Open

December 21, 2010 by 4 Comments

Do you ever have mornings when only one eye opens? And no matter how hard you try, only the right one will open? It’s like you’re peeking to see if it actually is time to get up or if that annoying noise is just in your dreams.

These are the mornings when you fill the coffee pot with your eyes shut and turning on the kitchen light is a form of utter torture. Exaggerated blinking is required to help you remember how many scoops of grounds you’ve already put in your french press, although extra strong coffee is not a bad idea when you’re in such a state.

It's morning? REALLY? Oh dear gracious....!

The last thing you want to do is whip up a healthy, clean breakfast and then go tackle a strenuous workout. What you really want is for the maid to come and put away all your tupperware and make you fresh, gooey cinnamon rolls.

When both eyes finally open there is no maid to be found; just you, some epically strong coffee, and the quiet of the morning screaming back at you.

It is in this moment that you choose to whether or not to compete. You don’t just compete when you are on stage; you compete every moment of your day. You either choose to succumb to the momentary pleasure of going back to bed, eating bad foods, or not giving yourself fully to your workout or you choose to open both eyes and compete.

After today you won’t get another chance to eat healthy, give 100% effort at every exercise, or think positive and kind things about yourself. You only have today and this moment to live and live fully, so I vote that you open both eyes and go for it!

You can be your biggest support or your biggest competition; which is it going to be?

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Five Things I Never Thought I Would Care About

December 10, 2010 by 1 Comment

Being a Figure Competitor has made me care about ridiculous things. Things I never in a million years would have thought I would care about. Nonetheless, these things are now important to me. I know that they just make other people laugh at me, but I don’t care! Competing and being the healthiest and most in shape I have ever been in my life is too much fun to care what other people think!

Please tell me that I am not the only one that cares about these things.

1. Vegetables served with my side of plain, grilled chicken breast. ‘Vegetables‘ are no longer good enough…beets, carrots and potatoes are vastly different that broccoli, asparagus, and green beans. The confused looks your friends give you when you order plain lettuce with nothing on it to go with your naked chicken breast are priceless.

2. Half a millimetre. Every Monday morning I meet with Peter for my weekly arse kicking and one of the things we do is measure my fat. Let me tell you, this is not the most dignified thing I do in my week! I measure my success by millimetres now. When we first started my muffin top calliper fat squish was 46 mm. Now I am down to 9.5 mm. If I go down by even .5 of a millimetre you would have thought I just landed on the moon so great my excitement!

3. Carbs. Oh carbs how I need you, but not too many of you! Some days I have to make the decision to have peppers in my salad or put salad dressing on it. Then I squeeze my eyes shut, say a prayer, and then re-read the salad dressing label hoping in vain that some of the carbs fell of the nutritional information.  This has never happened…

4. Five AM. I *heart* 5:00 in the morning now. I never used to be a morning person. I used to sleep in until 11:00 on weekends and meander through my day in a fog after pressing snooze 12 times. Now when the alarm rings at 5:00 in the morning I hop out of bed like my arse is on fire. Why?  Breakfast. Plain and simple, I get to eat again. Do NOT get in between me and my breakfast; it will not be pretty!

5.  The schedule at conferences. Before I started competing, a coffee break at some point in the morning to re-caffeniate was sufficient. Now I have to figure out how to sneak out a meal in my purse in the middle of a session and find a place to eat it quickly before anyone notices I am missing. You just can’t break out an epic sized salad at 3:00 at a boardroom table and nonchalantly munch away, no matter how confident you are!

I am not alone in caring about these things…am I?

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