Category Archives: Fashion

Sneaks.

Posted in Fashion, Fitness by

By Emily McLaughlin

I have had my mother, father, brother, roommates, etc. ask why I have so many pairs of sneakers. My answer? They all serve a purpose. Agility drills. Linear exercises. Lateral movements. Cardio Exercise. Specialized motions need specialized shoes. If you are looking to get in shape, you must first understand the importance of proper footwear. I’m going to take you all on a journey through my closet to explain my reasoning.

Huaraches and Musiques

Dance Sneakers

Last week I took Lauren’s Zumba class at Campus Rec wearing sneakers I usually reserve for running, cardio and other gym activities I do at my own  leisure (yes, I work out when I am not teaching classes… sometimes). The problem? They made the souls of my feet hurt and my knees ache. When you are taking a dance cardio class, you need a shoe that is going to allow you to twist, turn and slide (especially in a Latin-oriented class like Zumba). Sneakers designed for running or outside activity have more tread than dance shoes. The tread keeps you from sliding and twisting which makes the workout harder to follow and replicate. The extra rubber also causes joint pain pain in the souls of your feet from improper support.

Here are solutions:

  • Dance in a pair of sneakers that are worn in-the less tread the better.
  •  Try my favorite Nikes. The Musique. The Huarache. I have both. The Musique is great for turning and has great arch support. The Huarache is stylish and amazing–they go on like slippers.
  • Buy a training sneaker. They tend to have less tread and a significant amount of support.

Running Sneakers

Okay, in all honesty, I am not much of a runner. However, I have tried to run in a few different pairs of sneakers and ASICS have to be my favorite so far. Generally, running and jogging shoes are built for forward motion—that is, they’re good for heel strike to toe-off.  They are also built with thicker cushioning that allows for shock absorption during impact.

Running shoes should be chosen based on your needs: are you looking for support, stability, motion-control or to run far? Fitness Magazine recommends shoes for every running. Check out their suggestions.

Hiking Shoes

Some beat up sneakers.

This summer I plan to do a lot of hiking (There… It is in writing… I have to go now). Last weekend I took a trip up Mount Sugarloaf in a pair of old Nikes. They were a fine choice, but I wish that I had a sneaker with a little more tread to handle the rough terrain. There was a point where we encountered a slippery slope, and my sneakers were just sliding over the mud.

The best option is to own some hiking boots—but that is if you are a regular hiker. For us occasional hikers, an old pair of sneakers that have retained some tread for traction will do.

Check out some of the photos from our hike!

Training Sneakers

I have a pair of training sneakers that I use for work (walking around the gym) and for training exercises. Training exercises take advantage of repeated movements to condition specific parts of the body. This technically pertains to anything from lateral moves in an aerobics class to high-impact cardio kick to conditioning and weightlifting.

These shoes are flexible and allow me to move around easily with still providing me with the flexibility, cushion and support I need. This combination allows me to move easily from weight lifting exercises like squats along to more flexible movements like lunges, while accommodating linear movements for warm-up such as a brief walk or light jog. The soles of training shoes usually have a very supportive heel and slight treads since they’re not intended for running on the road.

Sneakers for Leisure

You need to have sneakers to accommodate your every day activities, including leisure. I have a few other pairs of sneakers to compliment any outfit from a pair of jeans and a tee to a summer skirt. In my eyes,everyone needs a pair of Keds and Chucks.


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Sweaty Bands

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By Eliza Shirazi

My hair could literally take up the size of the Mullins Center if I really wanted it to. It is curly, big, ferocious, and AGGRESSIVE. Fran Fine from Nickelodeon’s, The Nanny, has taught me to cherish my hair and the bigger the better! But when getting a new UCard yesterday, the employee reminded me of how crazy my hair is when he said, “WOW you had a lot of hair in your last picture!!” I stood there contemplating whether that was an insult or a compliment. If my hair is an issue for my University card, then you can only imagine how it is for me during working out. Luckily I can control it for the most part, but sometimes I want to stop the class and scream UGHHH! Those fly aways, the elastic breaking, and the clips breaking are a big hassle. I am not the only one with overwhelming hair, and even for those of you who have tamed hair, it always seems to become untamable during a workout.

Also try lululemon's Slipless Headband. Find more like this at lululemon.com!

I have secretly been against the whole headband thing, just for me personally. I get headaches from them and they are always slipping off my head. Yet, I think I just converted. No, no, I am still Jewish…oy my parents would think I’m a meshuggeneh if I was swapping faiths. Anyways, I meant I am converting from hating headbands to possibly liking them. SweatyBands came along and made me tilt my head like my dog does when I tell him he is a little squish ball and I could squeeze him forever (I guess I would tilt my head if someone said that to me too). First of all, the website home screen plays a song that I used for kick, and a favorite one if I may say so myself. There are ten points right there. THEN it shows different bands with “make your own pattern.” You can even send a print from your computer that you want on your head band. You’re kidding, right? Under Armour and Nike, get in the back of the line, Sweaty Bands just earned a spot in the front. So take a chance on these headbands, or headbands like this. Might make it easier for you to work as hard as you aspire to when exercising.

Eliza Rose here telling you that conversion isn’t as bad as it seems (right Andy?), and Sweaty Bands is here to hold your hair back if you get nervous.

S-H-O-E-S. Shoes.

Posted in Fashion by

By Eliza Shirazi

5 letters. S-H-O-E-S. That is all I care about in life. Don’t give me a purse, don’t give me jeans, don’t give me shirts, I WANT SHOES. It is my open obsession and I don’t think I will ever let it go. Something about having the perfect pumps on pulls an outfit together. What you put on those tootsies is important, and sometimes it “hurts to be beautiful” with those spike heels that are hard to resist (yes, I do own these). BUT and a very big BUT, you need comfort when working out. Although the most comfortable shoes may be the ugliest, you’ve gotta sacrifice and let’s be real, no one has pretty feet besides my friend Katrina.  As I sit here with my heels thrown around my room, my big curly hair flowing in my face, and my little apartment (which is really a dorm looking over Southwest that I pretend is New York), I feel just like Carrie Bradshaw and wonder….does a sneaker have to compete with the prettiness of a heel?

Think about it: when working out, does it REALLY matter what sneakers you have? YUP, it does, but not fashion wise. Shoes are to protect, enhance, and almost go unnoticed when you are working out. Mobility is everything and you should not wear a shoe that will restrain you from getting that great sweat going. For example, Nike Shocks do not work for me. The springs in the shoes cause my lower back and knees to hurt. As much as Nike has done me good, these shoes have done me BAD. My Under Armour sneaks have been treating my hoofs right for 2 years now, we are in love! My sister introduced them to me and they fit like a GLOVE (a little rhyme for ya). I don’t need to worry about the comfort, or if they will bother me during my cardio classes. Simple, cute, and easy to manage…just how your boyfriends should be too.

Since we are all caught up in our brands and such, go ahead, pick your favorite label, but make sure you love them. I am going to lay off on more suggestions because everyone has their own preference and that is good! GO TRY ON SHOES! Me and Carrie will be really proud of you. If it takes you an hour to find the right sneakies, then so be it. Your sneakers should be an easy go to. So what if Mr. Big proposed to Carrie with a beautiful bright blue Manolo Blahnik jeweled shoe? Doesn’t mean she will never put on her comfy sneakers ever again…maybe. Anyways, Eliza Rose here telling you your sneakers may not be as pretty as heels, but hey just get “CARRIEd away” in the comfort ;)

NAPPYTABS!

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I’m sorry, I am just obsessed. Ever since my days of hip hop, Tabitha & Napolean have been my secret lovers. They can dress me (and undress me) as much as they want. NappyTabs is created and inspired by the cutest couple in the dance industry, Napolean and Tabitha…duh. Their love makes me want to die and their clothes make me want to cry. Everything from their graphic tees to their couture looks just hit the spot for me. You dancers out there have heard this “old song and dance,” but really take this moment and immerse yourself into NappyTabs. Browse through their website, try some of their items, fall. In. love. Although this is not a fitness clothing site or brand, you can wear this stuff to work out, play in, or kick back in. THAT IS THE BEST PART PEOPLE!

I am so sick of the same old workout clothes, hence the reason why I have started wearing my outspoken Nike’s to classes and dressing like I don’t give a “what what!” As much as I love the yoga pants, which I really do love them, put them aside one time and throw on some basketball shorts that are comfortable, badass, and are the cat’s meow. Try not to match and turn things around. Your pink wraps do not have to match that pink shirt. Your Nike high tops CAN be worn in class. Stop following the rules. I am all about breaking the rules with clothing. Ever since I was a little boo boo, following all the way into high school, people would say, “Eliza, you would wear that” or even better, “WTF are you wearing?” You know what you say to those people? You follow Luda and respond with: move bitch, get out the way. Quit following the norms of fashion and twist it around. NappyTabs will show you the way to this lifestyle and you can incorporate it right into your workouts. I JUST LOVE EM! AH!

A lot of people use clothing to express who they are every day; do not let working out make you back down from this. Let people inspire you, and create new, fun, and comfortable clothing for the gym. Don’t let yourself go just because you are working out, make yourself feel good. If you look good, you feel good, and that means you will perform better. Bring that fashionista out of you, whatever it may be. When you look in that mirror and see those fresh new kicks or graphic tee staring back, it will give you a boost of energy. Napolean and Tabitha will never let you down.

Eliza Rose here proposing one very big question: NappyTabs, will you marry me?

 

Shake on baby!

Posted in Fashion by

By Eliza Shirazi

Communication and Public Health, 2013

A, B, C, may not be easy as 1,2,3…

Let me propose this question to you: do you like shaking with a’s, b’s, or c’s? I am not referring to the alphabet, but want me to spell it out for you? Well, okay! BOOBS. Yup, I said it. B-O-O-B-I-E-S. They are important and need to be taken care of, especially in the field of fashion and fitness. Allow me to get a little personal; your boobs shake to and fro ESPECIALLY when they are not supported in the correct manner. Therefore, it is so uncomfortable and a bit painful to do simple jumping jacks in my class because while tata number one is hitting your face tata number two is descending from its launch. This happens to almost everyone and I just wanted to give a helping hand. Whether you are an A, B, C, D, E, or a triple Z, many prefer the proper coverage while working out. Can I get an Amen? (AMEN.)

Your chest should not stop you from getting the best work-out you strive for and you should not be embarrassed about having the wrong sports bra! I am genuinely passionate about women feeling comfortable and having the sense of freedom. While you’re jabbing and hooking no one wants their boobs stopping them from reaching their target. While you are doing crunches, no one wants their boobs stopping them from getting half way up. And when you are doing push-ups NO ONE wants 10 pounds of boob dragging them down to that dusty floor in room 215. Freedom is vital to your work out. If you feel restrained, you’re going to give up quicker. A heavy chest has the tendency to be bad for your back, and while bouncing can cause tears, stretch marks, and chaffing, it can also cause embarrassing moments. EXAMPLE:  Like me holding my little buggers during kickboxing during runs without realizing that I can’t do that because 70 people are looking at me… uhh woops! Shall we look at some solutions?

The criss-cross bra is great for a heavier chest. The straps pull tight and across which sucks them in. BUT do not make the mistake of buying a bra that has the criss cross in the back, yet a low cut in the front. Your cleavage is probably fabulous, but save it for Monkey. Try a bra with a zipper in the front that has FULL coverage like this! For those of you with a smaller chest, this is a comfortable and great fit. The next bra I will present is a little controversial in my mind. It is a good thought, but may be too much for a high cardio class. The Trenta Bra IS cute, and the chain is removable. I think I like the bra without the jewels (my mother would be so upset by this) and more into the material that is used. Spices up those shakers I suppose.

Eliza Rose here telling you that you CAN shimmy those boobs and jump around in class without feeling like an asshole.  SHAKE IT LIKE A SALT SHAKER.

Check out Bust Support for more information!

Peek-a-boo I SEE YOU!

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By Eliza Shirazi
Communication and Public Health, 2013

Okay everyone, let me begin with expressing how extremely excited I am to be writing for this blog. What a great way to be engaged in fitness in a fun way. Now let us move to the good stuff!

One word: TOOSHIES. Or maybe, buttox, ass, donk, junk in the trunk, flat pancake…whatever you want to label it everyone has got a butt. Some may love it, others may cry over it, but either way there are solutions to making it look good when working out.

The trend that has been going on for a while now is the “yoga pants” look. Slimming, tight, light weight, and basically a God send. But let’s zone in a little closer. You can do this style the right way or the wrong way. If you are going to invest in legging- like yoga pants, then treat yourself to a style that is fitting for YOU. When you squat in class no one wants to see your tooshie right through those cheap leggings. When you are walking up the stairs to get a card for my Kickboxing or Soothe and Sculpt class (M W F at 5:30 T at 2:00!) no one wants to see your crack…save it for the plumba!

lulu, love.

I have probably been a victim of this and thought, “Eh, a little crack has never hurt anyone.” Unfortunately if you are not JLo and have a bee-hind that is so perfect…it does hurt and is a little frightful for the eyes. Don’t be ashamed to throw on a pair, bend over in the mirror and make sure you are covered. Just as rapper Mystikal would say, SHAKE IT FAST but WATCH YO’ SELF! Here are some great quality yoga pants that come in many different styles. I will just start with the generic Victoria Secret look. This tight around the ankle fit is great for keeping a clean cute cut with THICK BLACK MATERIAL. No peek- a- boo tooshie here. Furthermore, there is lululemon.com which gives great quality workout clothing. This style is one of my favorites as well. It is unique with the belt look, but slimming with that dri-fit material. Although good ole lulu is a bit more expensive, it is worth it. I love lulu and lulu loves me, so let me spread that loving-love to you.

Eliza Rose here telling all of you CRACKED out women to hide that tooshie. Peek-a-boo is meant for babies and lets be real, only their tooshies are cute to look at!