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What I Do For Exercise + Spring Workout Outfit

I often get asked about what I do to stay in shape, and that question always takes me back for a second because I’m not a naturally athletic person or someone who has exercised her whole life. It might sound odd, but I sometimes forget that I’m actually in pretty good shape!

After I turned 35, my health started going downhill and my weight started creeping up on the scale, and I decided it was time to take some drastic measures.

I started running, and soon after that I hired a personal trainer to help me with strength training workouts, and I’ve been committed to both ever since. That was almost 10 years ago!

Jo-Lynne Shane wearing a spring workout look with Nordstrom featuring Zella Fly Mode Tee, Well Played Zip Fleece Hoodie, and Piper High Waist Crop Leggings.

They say cardio helps extend your life and weight bearing activities help improve your quality of life, and I believe it’s important to do some of each.

Currently I’m lifting weights 2x a week and running 6-8 miles a week. I used to run a lot more than that, but lately it’s been all I can do to get out there for 2-3 miles 2 or 3 times a week. I’m really hoping to add on miles once the weather warms up, because that’s not enough to keep up the level of fitness I desire, and I can already tell a difference in how quickly I get winded doing ordinary activities like walking up several flights of steps.

It’s hard to stay motivated at times, especially when the weather is cold, but I’m excited about springtime approaching so it will be more comfortable to run outside.

One thing that always helps get me back on track when I’m tempted to slack off is to update my workout gear.

Jo-Lynne Shane wearing a spring workout look with Nordstrom featuring Zella Fly Mode Tee, Well Played Zip Fleece Hoodie, and Piper High Waist Crop Leggings.

Zella is one of my go-to brands for workout clothing because they have a great combination of style, quality, and value, as well as the benefit of shopping at Nordstrom with their stellar service and flexible return policy.

This is the type of outfit I normally wear for my strength training workouts, and I’ll run in this (minus the hoodie) when the weather warms up.

Jo-Lynne Shane wearing a spring workout look with Nordstrom featuring Zella Fly Mode Tee, Well Played Zip Fleece Hoodie, and Piper High Waist Crop Leggings.

I lift heavy, and when I run, I work up quite a sweat, so I need activewear that performs.

This mesh workout tee has a flattering cut and modest coverage, and the breathable mesh fabric keeps you cool and comfortable whether you’re running, lifting weights, taking a spinning class, or walking the dog in the neighborhood.

It also comes in black and grey, but I usually go for bright orange or pink because I run on the roads and I want to be sure I can be seen.

Jo-Lynne Shane wearing a spring workout look with Nordstrom featuring Zella Fly Mode Tee.

This hoodie is super lightweight and soft and so, so comfortable. It will be the perfect light layer to throw on before or after a workout when the weather starts to warm up, and it will also be nice over a tank top and jeans for casual weekend activities or sporting events this spring.

It also comes in black, green, and purple, but I thought this oatmeal/grey color worked nicely with my top and pants.

Jo-Lynne Shane wearing a spring workout look with Nordstrom featuring Zella Fly Mode Tee, Well Played Zip Fleece Hoodie, and Piper High Waist Crop Leggings.

And how fun are these pants? These are the high waist cropped leggings, and I love the white and orange piping. With a 10″ front rise, they hold everything in place, and they don’t slide down when I run.

For size reference, I have a medium in all three Zella pieces.

Jo-Lynne Shane wearing a spring workout look with Nordstrom featuring Zella Piper High Waist Crop Leggings.

Last but not least, I always take a water bottle with me to the gym, and my favorites are these S’well stainless steel water bottles. They keep your water cold for up to 12 hours, no ice required! They make great gifts, too.

When it comes to exercise, there’s no magic bullet. It’s definitely a commitment, and at the end of the day, you have to force yourself to get out there and put the time in, but it’s a lot more fun in cute workout gear!

Jo-Lynne Shane wearing a spring workout look with Nordstrom featuring Zella Fly Mode Tee, Well Played Zip Fleece Hoodie, and Piper High Waist Crop Leggings.

Zella workout tee // zip hoodie // high waist crop leggings // similar sneakers // S’well water bottles // similar cap // Ray-Ban aviators

Be sure to visit Cyndi and see the spring outfit she’s styling today!

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24 Responses

  1. Love that outfit…head to toe!  Be got a few pairs of Zella leggings that I love…might need to add that whole outfit to my collection!

  2. I’ll be going to Christiana Mall in a couple weeks, I’ll check out Zella in Nordie’s while I’m there. You’re right, sometimes a new pair of tennis shoes or a fun shirt can motivate you! 

  3. Cute outfit! You look amazing. You mention you work up quite a sweat – I do too. Do you find that the grey capris show sweat (sorry for sounding crude, but I’d be worried about looking like I peed my pants after a run). That’s why I’ve always stuck with black bottoms when I run, but curious about your experience. Thanks!

  4. Love the workout outfit! I was at Nordstroms a few weeks ago and noticed the Zella line. I hadn’t seen it before. I didn’t get anything at the time, but I liked quite a few of their things. I’ve been a regular exerciser for over 25 years, but that took a hit when I started gaining weight about 5 years ago, and then developed knee issues. Thankfully I’ve lost all that weight (and then some!), and it’s amazing how good I feel now that I’m exercising again. However, I’m an early morning exerciser and it’s sometimes hard to get out of bed, so cute workout clothes definitely add to the motivation. 🙂 🙂

    1. I’m a morning exerciser too. If it doesn’t get done before 10am, it doesn’t get done. Right now it’s super cold again… like 26 degrees at 9am. I want to cry. I can handle 26 degrees in January, but in March, it’s really losing its luster!

  5. Really liked these leggings when you showed them to us on your FB live. They look very similar in quality to the Lululemon leggings my daughter wears…but priced much better. I just can’t pay over a hundred bucks for excercise wear but these I’m willing to try 😊 thanks for sharing. 

  6. What do you consider “lifting heavy”?  I’m curious because I do Orangetheory on the weekends and have hired a trainer who gives me workouts to do at home with free weights 3 times a week. My trainer said that I should be lifting heavier weights to exhaustion and I’m trying to figure out what those weights are…

    1. See, I can’t even tell you how much weight I lift. I just do what she tells me. It is usually hard to maintain proper form and she often has to spot me. Reps are sometimes as few as 8 and sometimes as many as 15.

    2. Megan, I’m jumping in to say that “lifting heavy” is definitely different both for each movement and for how far along in your fitness journey you are. If you’re uncertain, ask your trainer. He/she should be able to help you find a range that fits their programming for you! For reference, I do some weightlifting movements at 25-35 pounds (like dumbbell snatches), and some much, much heavier (I do deadlifts at over 200 pounds and I back squat over 150 pounds). It really is a huge range depending on the movement your trainer has for you! 

  7. Love that outfit down to the water bottle. Must get one. I too slept late. Now I feel like I’m an hour behind. But a rainy day so will stay home and organize closet. Put some winter away. And thanks for info on ankle pants. Very helpful.

  8. You should do a “fight the frump” on going to the gym. I see so many “don’ts” on women of all ages, but especially in the 40’s – 50’s range. The other day I wanted to tell a lady Stop! with the 90’s baggy track pants and get some cute tights like the ones you have on in the post!

  9. I am all about Zella! I love their fit and style. This winter I started to take spin classes and bought 2 capri style leggings that I absolutely love. I wish they had more styles in their tops. Currently I was only able to get a grey top but will check out this orange one.

  10. I love your fitness wear posts, Jo-Lynne! Working out is soo important as we get (a little! ha) older! I need to try those Zella leggings. I have trouble getting tights to stay put when I’m in the gym. It’s funny that the same ones work great for long runs but perform different at CrossFit. I now have two categories of workout clothes- seems fussy, but better than losing your pants mid-WOD! HA! 

  11. Love the bright colors….
    Just came back from yoga
    So relaxing!
    But I hv to get back into 
    Weight lifting so good for us.

  12. I’ve tried to find on your website what your favorite cold weather gear to wear is.  We’ve had chilly weather in souther cal this month and I had do wear two pairs of running tights to stay warm lol.  Luckily I found something slightly warmer but it sure wouldn’t work in 26F weather like you have!  Hard to find down here and I know we are at the end of the season for warm running gear but any links or tips would be great!  

  13. I have a question about the tee is it see through and how long is it. I find a lot of the shirts i have bought to workout in, are sheer and to short and rides up, i just took 3 back to the store because of that.

  14. Cute outfit! I really like the orange on you.

    I was thinking the other day that I need to start doing some strength training. Right now I just use the elliptical a few times a month (keep falling off that exercise train lol). I am anxiously awaiting warmer weather so I can start walking again. With my bad asthma, I am forbidden from walking outside much when it’s as cold and windy as it is here. 

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