CrossFit, Daily, Fashion, FitFluential, Health, Photos, Reviews

MPG Clothing

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I know you’ve probably already seen a few of these photos that I uploaded to Instagram (@spiffykerms), but I wanted to keep my post just as enthusiastic, because I was SO EXCITED to get my Mondetta Performance Gear (MPG)! This company is Canadian and is just based out of Winnipeg. Heeeeyyyy Canada!

I had placed an order (for free, they sent it to me) and since I read reviews online that their clothes ran small, I too decided to size up on just the pants. Because who wants to have tight work out clothes and make you feel uncomfortable, and unflattering? No one does.

Unfortunately the review I read was incorrect. MPG does not run small. In fact, their clothing fits exactly the same as any other store would. I had  asked for the mediums in just the bottoms, and smalls for the rest of the tops, but my butt was totally swimming in them. They looked great if I was standing around but when I was doing front squats, burpees and a 1kilometer run at CrossFit, I kept having to yank them up and wiggle my arse to get them to sit high on my hips. Otherwise, I felt that I would’ve been butt-crack mooning everyone. Not fun :(

Of course, that’s not their issue. It’s completely my fault. I even looked at the size charts which were accurate. Ah well. Next time I’ll know what size to order.

The quality of the pieces are just incredible though. Much better than my Costco work out clothes, ha ha! I own a few lululemon pieces as well. But it’s difficult to compare the two companies. Just because Lululemon has Luon, and everyone else does not.

As soon as I got the go-ahead to pick out two outfits from MPG, I knew exactly that I wanted the Serene Jacket. It’s completely true to color online as it is in person. It’s a neon hot pink. Maybe not neon. It looked pretty bright in the natural light though, so let’s just call it neon for now.

First photo is me showing you guys that it has a sweat-zip snuck in there by the zipped pocket area, there’s two sets of zippers! Second photo is me showing the “pullover mittens” as I’d like to call it. It definitely came in handy on some outdoor runs (not long one’s) and the last photo is me showing you the backside, where you can poke your pony tail through!! Ha!

I wore this jacket the first day that I got it. I’m also wearing the Endorphin leggings here. Once I ripped open the plastic packaging the leggings came in, I wanted to check to see if they had a gusset in the leggings. Because nobody wants a camel toe, am I right? Thankfully, both pairs of them did.

A different day, wearing the Endorphin leggings. I have to hold up the back of my pants while doing our warmup runs at CrossFit, otherwise I feel I’ll lose them! Wish they had a tie-string to make them tighter. What I really like about the Endorphin leggings is that they’re long enough for my legs. A few of my crop’s from Lululemon hit right below the knee, which I think is a very unflattering length. I’d rather it hit right in the middle of my calves. I’m average height at 5’6″ but I have longer legs, I think.

I have a complaint about the Serene Jacket however. I wore it once to CrossFit for maybe 15 minutes. I then wore it again, underneath my thicker jacket while at Nuit Blanche in Toronto over the weekend. Unfortunately the fabric is prone to pilling, because look at what happened near the left pocket / my elbow area.

Pilled like mad! It also looks a little pilly on the cuffs where my thumbs go through the loops as well. For $90, I wasn’t expecting this.

I tweeted about it and received both a tweet, and an e-mail saying that this was completely out of the norm. They said that their garments have become renowned for their durability and integrity after repeated washings, which is why they were both perturbed and surprised to hear I was having problems.

I hope that they’re like that with every customer (if/when this happens to the next person) and not just because of me since I’m doing a review for them. But, either way I was glad they replied in under 12 hours and sent out a new jacket to me. That’s pretty wicked, in my mind.

I also received the Avert legging which is a long pair of leggings, that hit straight down to the ankle. I’ve always wanted a pair of leggings for the winter that completely covers my legs. Just because it’s so cold in the winter and I don’t want much skin exposes to the harsh elements. Not that I do any exercising outdoors during the winter…I just wish I didn’t order these too, in a medium. Again, too big for my little toosh. However these are much more wearable than the Endorphins, since the Avert leggins has a draw-string to tighten up the pants. So I can wear these while working out and not expose myself. haha.

I wasn’t sure about the look of the tank when I got the Rumor tank. It was my second choice, because Pax was all sold out in my size. I may have even said uh-oh when I tried it on. My boyfriend asked what was wrong and saw nothing wrong with the tank top at all. That erased all doubts I had and decided it was a nice tank! Seriously, that’s all I need man, a little positive feedback and I’m all good. What do you guys think of that one? It’s definitely much more fitted than I usually wear. But I really like it, especially since it has a zipped pocket in the back for keys or a piece of ID.

I also got a bra, which I’m not showing you. Ha ha! It’s the maneuver bra and is quite nice too, it has a bit of ruffling/sinching on the front of the bust which is cute. I wore this with a tighter tank top, so I think this one would look best with a bit bigger top, so it doesn’t look like I’m stuffing my bra with tissues ;) It had great support and also comes with some removable not-so-overly-padded cups. You know, on the days you’re feeling a bit nippy outside. Know what I’m sayin’ here ladies? ;)

My favorite MPG pieces that I got to review? Most definitely the pink Serene jacket, and the two pairs of leggings. I don’t mind hiking them up every once in a while, but the longer pair (Avert) has a draw-string, so heya, bonus there!

Which items are your fav?

You can use the coupon code spiffympg2012 which will give you 25% off your purchase. you cannot use this coupon on marked down prices. Valid until June 30,2013!

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Climbing, Contests, Daily, FitFluential, Fitness, Health, Photos, Triathlons / Duathlons

My Fitness goals

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Setting goals gives me a long term vision and short term motivation. Sounds like I know what I’m talking about, right? ha ha.

Seriously though. It focuses me in a way and helps me organize my time to make the most out of what I’m working towards. It needs to be challenging but achievable. I track my workouts whenever I do them and post my weekly workout schedule for the previous week on my blog each Monday morning.

Sometimes it’s tough. I always need to remember you’re only one workout from a good mood. I cannot stress that enough. I’ve had a few hard days, and just heading into work out and finishing it up makes me in such a better mood. Working out also keeps me much more alert and I really do have much more energy when I work out throughout the week, than on those weeks where I skip.

My favorite photo I’ve taken of the Boyfriend at one of his many races.

It doesn’t hurt that I have a boyfriend that works out (even more!) than I do – so I almost get a sense of regret if I don’t work out as often as I had planned. Seeing him strive, reach his goals through hard work really pushes me to be a better person in life. Stay motivated, and to stay on track.

I always like to keep up on my weekly fitness plan and say that I’ll go workout so many times per week, write down my workouts on my blog, so I can keep track of my workouts and what I’ve achieved that week.

I am not a professional athlete or anything, so I of course do it for the pure bliss I get from going to workout classes, or climbing.

It’s good to keep my goals realistic. For instance, instead of saying “I want to lose x-pounds by x-date” probably isn’t the best way to go about it. Instead, start thinking more along the lines of “I will run 3 times this week for x-minutes, and next week I’ll run 4 times for longer x-minutes.”

Goals that I have accomplished, which currently keeps me completely motivated is competing and doing well in climbing competitions.

This photo is a few years old since I haven’t been in a top-rop climbing competition and placing second in the Women’s division.  I have to say, I felt like I crushed it that day. I remember it so well. In fact, this photo of me was published on the front page of my local newspaper back home in Newfoundland. The first place woman who beat me, had her hand better secured on the exact same hold as me. We fell in the same spot on the 2nd route we had to climb, because we both made it to the top of this crimpy route. Man. Just typing it makes my fingertips  sweat!

One of my favorite photos of me bouldering (a different style of climbing) back in December.

Here’s a more recent photo of me, climbing a 5.10 (rating of the route) at the local climbing gym here in Ontario, that I go to.

However, I do have goals that I’m working towards getting better at my hand stand push ups, and to climb much more often than I’m doing now. I ended up taking the entire summer off. I think the last time I climbed was when I was with Stephanie. It seems way too long ago :( I’m actually thinking of recruiting some GTA bloggers to come out here and try indoor rock climbing. People like Morgan, Jess, Robyn, Angela, and Krysten! Wouldn’t that be fun!?

So, I’d love to know what some of your goals, or what goals you’ve already accomplished in your life time. Have you ever ran a marathon? Tell me about it in the comments, or share it on Under Armour’s What’s Beautiful contest for women.

Under Armour Women are encouraged to share their fitness journeys and receive free gear, and support from Under Armour along the way. Super exciting right? All ya gotta do it share some goals you’re working towards or already accomplished. So easy to enter!

The 10 women with the most awesome #WhatsBeautiful journeys will win a trip to Florida (omg I’ve never been) to the Under Armou Women’s Camp Sweat, where you will train with the BEST. AHH!!

I already know of a few people who should definitely enter. Leanne from Fresh Season, and definitely Jill from Bluegrass Belle. Whattta ya think ladies? You going to join in on the What’s Beautiful fun?

What’s Beautiful entrants are eligible to win prizes. Contest is open to residents of Canada and the USA, however you have to be older than 13 to enter.

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Daily, Fashion, FitFluential, Fitness, Health, Photos, Running, Soccer

This is My Better: My fitness journey

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I guess it’s about time I explain why I’m posting all sorts of photos of me hoisting up goodies that Sport Chek sent me, all while using the hash tag #MyBetter on twitter.

I am now part of the Sport Chek campaign called #MyBetterMVP / #MyBetter. They have contacted some Canadians and sent along an inspiration kit to help us reach our personal bests. My inspiration kit has already been featured on my instagram and twitter (@spiffykerms for both).

Sport Chek has reached out to a lot of athletes in all sorts of areas of fitness. Everyone has all sorts of goals when it comes to being healthy and fit. I’m here to help people stay inspired and motivated.

These are “my” sports: climbing, soccer, running, CrossFit, and hiking.

I’m not training for anything in particular. I am however, training to be the best person I can be. I want to stay healthy, fit, and happy. I’ve tweeted numerous times that I’ve been in cranky moods, feeling lazy or just have a headache. I head to CrossFit and after a long hard workout, I’m feeling on cloud 9 again. You never hear someone say they regret a workout, do you?

What inspired me to begin my fitness journey?

I don’t think it ever really started anywhere. I’ve always been quite active in my life, ever since I was a kid. I was involved with soccer, dance classes, my Dad teaching me baseball in the back yard. Being the only neighborhood girl, as I had all boy neighbours to play with thus me being quite a tomboy as a kid – I had to keep up with them. It wasn’t out of the ordinary that you’d see me hanging upside down from tree branches!

 Or even now, years later — just doing handstands at home.

It wasn’t until I was in my teenage years when the local climbing gym opened up, that’s when a passion started burning in me and that was when I was full-tilt doing my “hobby” which also worked out as exercising. Bonus! It was my hangout place, and I’ve met most of my long-time best friends at that climbing gym, who now read my blog on the regular since I live a 3 hour flight away.

Some amazing friendships have come out of climbing. Hi friends, you know who you are!!

Johanna and I. May 2012 at the climbing gym back home in Newfoundland.

Lori (my first climbing partner ever, circa 1995!!), me and Kerry. We always meet up for a climb when I fly home.

My bestest friend in the whole world, Trevor. Anytime I fly home, I immediately go to his house and hang out with him. He’s the funniest person on the planet. He’ll probably read this and be embarrassed (I hope not! Sorry! lol) that I’m posting a shirtless photo of him here on my blog. Here we are circa 2005-ish. Taking a break from bouldering.

I took a break from climbing for about 5 years after moving to Ontario (I’m from Newfoundland), because there wasn’t a climbing gym around me. That all changed, during summer 2011 when four local guys opened up a climbing gym here in my city.

From there I kept up soccer throughout high school, and still play now. Occasionally I throw in a random sport whenever I feel myself getting bored of my routine. I started CrossFit on a whim, because in the winter’s is when I usually slow things down a bit. My “running buddy” introduced me to CrossFit back in February 2011, and I’ve been hooked since.

I feel like if I don’t work out on a regular basis, I get in a bad mood. That doesn’t mean I work out every day though, because that too puts me in a bad mood (ha!) since I feel like I’m rushed in the evenings and feel as if I don’t have time for anything else.

I’ve recently gotten into Yoga as well. I had a two week trial membership at the local YMCA. But didn’t want to go buy a $60 month membership when I’m currently spending almost double that to attend CrossFit monthly. My local CrossFit box is now incorporating Yoga, starting in October. You betcha bottom dollar I’m excited for that to start.

I absolutely LOVE my job – it doesn’t feel like work at all. I’m a Graphic Designer/Marketing Assistant, and sit all day at my desk from Mon-Fri: 9-5, so I need some physical activity. I have tried to work out in the mornings but I’m really not a morning person, and I’m quite lethargic if I try to do so. I save my workouts for immediately after work, and then come home to make dinner, do some chores and hang out with my little family of my Triathlete boyfriend and our Pomeranian dog.

So. That my friends is #MyBetter, my fitness journey. This is just the beginning, for both you and me. Sport Chek is allowing me to host giveaways to help you reach your goals too.

A few questions:

What do you do, to stay active and lead healthy lives?

How do you stay motivated?

What do you do, to get out of a bad/cranky mood? Do you workout?

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