Feeling Confident While Working Out

I don't know if everyone feels this way while working out, but I feel like people are judging me - judging me for not being fit enough, judging me for not being toned enough and judging me on my workout clothes. It's difficult to take that first plunge into working out, especially if you haven't done it before or not for a while. I basically hibernate from working out over winter and resume as soon as spring is on the horizon, which means every year I have to take that daunting first step again when I know I'll feel really unfit and like I'm sweating all over the shop (well, gym). 

The first step for me in getting my confidence up is new workout gear. Sportswear has really risen in popularity over the last few years and there is so much more choice on the market than there used to be, which means that buying workout clothes actually feels like a treat and luckily it also means you can choose something you'll really feel good in. In the past I've made bad decisions when it comes to workout clothes - why I ever thought I'd wear a lycra crop top I'm not quite sure. It's easy to see super toned women on Instagram rocking crop tops and thinking that for some reason you might automatically turn into them by wearing one yourself. I can tell you that is not true.

So I've decided I need two things when it comes to sportswear. I need bright, interesting colours and patterns that will make me feel positive and motivated as well as being something that I actually like wearing. So I'm waving goodbye to my plain black leggings and becoming bolder with these leggings* from Simply Be. I'd never considered Simply Be for workout gear because I've just never seen it advertised, but they actually have absolutely loads of choice both from their own brand and various others. These leggings are Ellesse and they're so comfortable, they're high waisted so I'm not worried about them riding down and they're just so nice and colourful. Patterned workout leggings are the way forward for me because wearing these makes me feel so much more confident and motivated.

The second thing I need is the reassurance that any parts of my body that I'm not confident about are covered up i.e. my stomach and my arms so definitely no lycra crop tops thank you. That means this hoody* also from Simply Be is perfect for working out outside and as I mentioned in my last post I'm starting running again this month. As well as being a workout staple I have a feeling that this might find its way into my everyday wardrobe too especially with athleisure being everywhere at the moment and the fact that it's so comfortable, soft and also looks great - I love the overlay detail at the back.

Leggings* - Simply Be | Hoody* - Simply Be | Trainers - Primark (current)

What do you look for in sportswear? 

Amy x

Some of the items in this post were kindly sent to me by Simply Be, but all opinions are my own.