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January 15, 2013

Workout Buddies FTW

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My #1 tip for staying in shape? Find a workout buddy.

Or in my case, find numerous workout buddies. 🙂 The more the merrier, as far as I’m concerned! Over the years I’ve accrued quite an arsenal of local running buddies, Matt is my usual CrossFit workout buddy, and I’m happy to have added Gena as my yoga class buddy!

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Gena and I have had two yoga + lunch dates over the past couple weeks and they’ve both been awesome. Our goal has been not only to have some fun friend time, but to get in a workout, try some fun new lunch places, and check out some new yoga studios, too!

Before I left for Florida last Friday, Gena joined me at Stroga so I could use up my very last class on the 10-class pass deal I bought ages ago from LivingSocial. I had a year to use up the pass and we took the class on the very last day my deal was valid. Just in the nick of time! 🙂 After Stroga, Gena took me to Tryst, a coffeehouse in Adams Morgan with a cool vibe and vegan-friendly menu options. I’d never been and was excited to check it out!

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Tryst was jam packed with people and we had to wait a little while before jumping on the first table that was vacant. As soon as we sat down, we ordered a big hummus platter to share. Food, please!

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We also each had a salad on the side – for me, their kale salad with cranberries and walnuts. Very tasty!

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Our next yoga date was this past weekend – which also gave me a chance to try out my new Women’s Active Compression Leggings from Old Navy!

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I introduced Gena to one of my favorite yoga classes in the area – a power yoga class at Edge Yoga taught by their owner, Mark. He’s AWESOME and the classes are insanely hard. We were both sweating bullets! And I have to say – the leggings got two big thumbs up. Really comfortable and most importantly they didn’t budge an inch all class. Nothing worse than having to pull leggings up every second when you’re working out!

After yoga, we walked over to Le Pain Quotidien in Clarendon for lunch. I enjoyed some green iced tea:

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And the two of us decided to split two different entrees. I love sharing – so much more fun than just eating one thing! We shared the vegetable quiche:

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And the lentil salad, which was fantastic (I mean… fANNEtastic, obviously).

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Next on our yoga tour of DC, Gena and I are planning to hit up Epic Yoga – it’s her new favorite in the city and I’ve been wanting to check it out for awhile now!

I also had two great running dates last week! The first one gave me a chance to try out my Women’s Active Compression Jacket from Old Navy.

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The jacket was a big win – cute, the thumbholes kept my hands warm without needing gloves, and most importantly, it didn’t ride up. I don’t think it moved at all during the whole run!

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4.5 super hilly miles – done.

The second run was on Sunday morning with my friend Ashley! This time, I tried out my final piece of Old Navy gear – the Women’s Active GoDry Running Top.

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I should probably work on a new pose… I look exactly the same in all these pictures!

Again, loved it. Really soft and comfortable and it didn’t ride up. Ashley and I had a great run – chattering on the whole time as per usual. It’s our favorite way to catch up with each other. Any time she’s in town we always opt for a run over any other sort of hang out! Might as well catch up while getting some exercise, right? 🙂

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Despite both of us being kind of tired, we managed to keep a good pace! Another benefit of not working out alone. I totally would have been walking if I were by myself!

Splits:

  • Mile 1: 8:26
  • Mile 2: 8:29
  • Mile 3: 8:14
  • Mile 4: 8:46
  • Mile 5: 8:24

Average overall pace: 8:28. Good times!

Do you use workout buddies to keep you motivated, or do you prefer sweating solo?

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This post is sponsored by Old Navy. Check out Old Navy’s Active wear in stores or at oldnavy.com #GetYourActiveON

- anne
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31 comments
  • Alison @ Health Assets
    January 15, 2013 · 10:40AM:
    I love a good fitness dates with a friend or looking forward to a gym class with my gym buddies. They make it fun and something to look forward to. But when it comes down to my regular workout routine, I am more about going solo primarily since I am trying to squeeze workouts in where I can.
    Reply
    • Anne P
      January 15, 2013 · 2:34PM:
      It's all about making it work - sometimes I have to go solo if I want to squeeze it in, too, so that only makes me appreciate the friend workout dates more!
      Reply
  • Stephanie January 15, 2013 · 11:09AM:
    Hi Anne! You have such great content on your blog - I recently discovered the Old Navy activewear myself and it's worked really well for me so far! I completely agree with you on the effectiveness of finding a workout buddy, but since I moved out of a city to the suburbs it's been really hard to find friends to exercise with. I moved back in with my parents, my guy lives in another state, and the few friends who live in the area aren't truly local (they live at least 20-30 minutes away from me, so meeting up for a weekday morning run isn't exactly feasible - the others still live in the city). I know I could plan workout dates with some of them on a less frequent basis, but I try to exercise most days out of the week. Any suggestions for how I might find a workout buddy in my area? I've found a number of your other posts super helpful so I'd love to hear your thoughts :) Thanks so much!
    Reply
    • Anne P
      January 15, 2013 · 2:33PM:
      Are there any running stores near you? They always have running groups! Another idea is to check out Meetup.com -- they have a ton of fitness groups and I bet you could find one near you! Thanks for reading - I'm glad you've found the blog helpful! :)
      Reply
  • NancyO
    January 15, 2013 · 11:23AM:
    Hi, Anne -- you should check out CorePower Yoga. I live in Denver & they're all over. They have recently expanded to DC and the east coast. They make it accessible and non-secular.. to me, it feel really welcoming, spa-like and the teachers are awesome. I love their C2 classes (a power, vinyasa style) and their Sculpt (C2 yoga with weights). You get your first week free. Check it out! It's in Bethesa MD http://www.corepoweryoga.com/yoga-studio/maryland/bethesda
    Reply
    • Anne P
      January 15, 2013 · 2:32PM:
      Sweet, thanks for the heads up! We'll add it to our list. ;)
      Reply
      • Gena
        January 15, 2013 · 5:44PM:
        I LOVE CorePower (I took it once in Portland). So yes, Anne, we should go! It's hot though.
        Reply
        • Anne P
          January 16, 2013 · 11:17AM:
          Apparently they are opening one in Gtown this spring!
          Reply
          • Katie
            January 18, 2013 · 11:48AM:
            They also have them in Minnesota! Corepower is really nice! (I love their Yoga Sculpt) Also, I think its interesting you wear your garmin outside your shirt (i prefer mine under).
            Reply
            • Anne P
              January 18, 2013 · 12:06PM:
              Most of my shirts are fitted so it won't fit under! And I like looking at it during the workout so I'd rather have it over. :)
              Reply
  • Hillary | Nutrition Nut on the Run
    January 15, 2013 · 11:39AM:
    That lentil salad does look fANNEtastic! & you look so good in the green running top. I'm think I should of gotten a bigger size in mine -- did you get a S or M?
    Reply
    • Anne P
      January 15, 2013 · 2:31PM:
      It's a small!
      Reply
  • Nicole@TheKidlessKronicles
    January 15, 2013 · 11:47AM:
    I actually DO like workout buddies. Crossfit was so much more fun when a good friend and I did it together. But I just moved and am looking for ways to meet new workout friends.
    Reply
  • Katie H.
    January 15, 2013 · 11:58AM:
    I love making workouts into social activities. However, I don't get the chance as regularly as I'd like since my regular workout time is 4:45am. Also--Old Navy workout gear is awesome! Not only is the quality great, but the prices are affordable as well. Also all of my running clothes comes from ON.
    Reply
  • Lindsay
    January 15, 2013 · 11:59AM:
    Your Old Navy clothes are the cutest! I'm digging the bright green top the most. I agree with workout partners. Whenever I can get a friend to go for a walk or a bike ride with me, I get so excited. If I have to go by myself, sometimes it doesn't happen.
    Reply
  • Maureen
    January 15, 2013 · 12:08PM:
    I definitely prefer working out with a friend or a group...it helps keep me accountable on those days where a cup of hot chocolate and a blanket sound much better!
    Reply
  • Kelly@ Leafy Not Beefy
    January 15, 2013 · 1:30PM:
    I'm really loving the looks of the ON workout clothes! My treat to myself when I hit my next weight goal is to get a few new items!
    Reply
  • Karen @ Runner Girl Eats
    January 15, 2013 · 1:34PM:
    I am in need of more workout buddies! Having someone else there is a huge motivator for me.
    Reply
  • Kris S January 15, 2013 · 3:32PM:
    I prefer working out alone for some thinking/me time, but lately I've been doing this yoga class at work with my boss and coworkers and that's been really fun :)
    Reply
  • Libby January 15, 2013 · 4:13PM:
    I love Tryst! And I also love the veggie quiche at Le Pain :)
    Reply
  • Sara@RunningInPinkProject
    January 15, 2013 · 5:01PM:
    Nothing quite like a workout buddy! I have several trips to the DC area coming up so I might check out one of these yoga places! I wonder if the "plus" size old navy items are as functional as the regular sizes. Recently, Ive been fussing on my blog that its so frustrating when you are larger and make the choice to get in shape because so many of the workout options in larger sizes are not functionally appropriate at all. Id be interested to find out! The green top is super cute btw. :)
    Reply
    • Anne P
      January 16, 2013 · 11:18AM:
      You should check out the Old Navy line and let us know - I hope they are because their stuff was really cute!
      Reply
  • Gena
    January 15, 2013 · 5:45PM:
    You are the best workout buddy ever! And future study buddy, and lunch buddy, and conversation buddy. So, the best of buddies, all around.
    Reply
    • Anne P
      January 16, 2013 · 11:17AM:
      Ditto. :) xo
      Reply
  • T.G.I.F!!! (the goal is fitness) January 15, 2013 · 8:23PM:
    I like running alone everyday because I enjoy being I'm in my own zone :-) However when I bike, I ride with a cycling partner so it's more like a race, than a workout Most sports are fun with a buddy, because I enjoy the competition! :-)
    Reply
  • Renie January 15, 2013 · 10:23PM:
    Side salad and vegetable quiche looks divine.
    Reply
  • Healthy Eater January 15, 2013 · 11:28PM:
    Love running w/buddies, esp if they are good runners and have common interests..
    Reply
  • Meaghan (DC Fit Crasher)
    January 22, 2013 · 5:26PM:
    So glad you enjoyed Stroga and Tryst (one of my all time favorite spots - the soy chai is to die for!), and have fun at Epic! I recommend the Red Sun Yoga class with Emma, it's a fun change from the normal vinyasa classes and really works up a sweat. Cheers!
    Reply
    • Anne P
      January 22, 2013 · 5:48PM:
      Nice, thanks for the tip! We'll have to meet up for a fit crash together one of these days!
      Reply
  • megan January 24, 2013 · 9:13AM:
    definitely put corepower yoga in bethesda on your must-try list. i teach there, but even if i didn't, would still consider it the best studio in the metro area. plus your first week is free, and we're opening a georgetown studio soon!
    Reply
    • Anne P
      January 24, 2013 · 10:29AM:
      Will do! I think we'll wait for the Gtown location, though!
      Reply
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anne mauney fannetastic food
Hi, I’m Anne! I'm a Washington D.C. based Registered Dietitian, mother, runner, and lover of travel, adventure, and the great outdoors. I've been blogging since 2009, sharing a mix of lifestyle content, recipes, and fitness tips. Come for the recipes – stay for the fun!
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I’m Anne, a Registered Dietitian and mother. I've been blogging since 2009 and love showing others that eating nutritious foods and staying active can actually be fun rather than overwhelming!

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