Wellness
How to Pack Light: 5 Tips From a Former Overpacker
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We’re right in the middle of the holidays—aka travel season. If you’re trying to figure out how to stuff ten pairs of shoes, nine sweaters, and a winter coat into a carry-on, stop right there. Here’s how to plan ahead and pack light for your next vacation.
Plan your outfits.
We all love to have options when we’re on a trip, but how often do you come home with a suitcase half-full of unworn clothes? Count the number of days you’ll be there, and pack one outfit for each day and night (and try to mix-and-match your favorite wardrobe pieces!) Plus, it’ll save you time once you get there. Instead of digging around your packed suitcase trying to decide what to wear, you’ll just pull out your planned outfit and be ready to hit the town.
1
Plan your outfits.
We all love to have options when we’re on a trip, but how often do you come home with a suitcase half-full of unworn clothes? Count the number of days you’ll be there, and pack one outfit for each day and night (and try to mix-and-match your favorite wardrobe pieces!) Plus, it’ll save you time once you get there. Instead of digging around your packed suitcase trying to decide what to wear, you’ll just pull out your planned outfit and be ready to hit the town.
Re-wear staples.
Think of items that take up the most space in your suitcase—shoes, jeans, and jackets. Luckily, these things can all be re-worn throughout your trip. Try to pack one solid coat and two pairs of shoes—a cute neutral pair to match any outfit (day or night) and some athletic sneakers for your fitness classes! Then, limit yourself to just a few pairs of jeans to wear with different tops—trust us, no one will notice.
2
Re-wear staples.
Think of items that take up the most space in your suitcase—shoes, jeans, and jackets. Luckily, these things can all be re-worn throughout your trip. Try to pack one solid coat and two pairs of shoes—a cute neutral pair to match any outfit (day or night) and some athletic sneakers for your fitness classes! Then, limit yourself to just a few pairs of jeans to wear with different tops—trust us, no one will notice.
Invest in packing cubes.
These things are lifesavers. Organizing all your items into little cubes will help keep everything compact, consolidated, and separated. Plus, you’ll make Marie Kondo proud. This pack comes with one large, one medium, and two small cubes, as well as a medium toiletry bag and TSA-approved clear bag. Everything fits neatly into your suitcase, and you’ll be able to keep everything clean by putting your shoes in their own compartment.
Photo credit: Amazon.com
3
Invest in packing cubes.
These things are lifesavers. Organizing all your items into little cubes will help keep everything compact, consolidated, and separated. Plus, you’ll make Marie Kondo proud. This pack comes with one large, one medium, and two small cubes, as well as a medium toiletry bag and TSA-approved clear bag. Everything fits neatly into your suitcase, and you’ll be able to keep everything clean by putting your shoes in their own compartment.
Photo credit: Amazon.com
Dress bulky.
Yes, it’s annoying to walk through an airport wearing hiking boots and a big puffy jacket, but it will save you so much room when packing. If you couldn’t limit yourself to one jacket and one pair of shoes (because who can?), this is how you can bring an extra of each.
4
Dress bulky.
Yes, it’s annoying to walk through an airport wearing hiking boots and a big puffy jacket, but it will save you so much room when packing. If you couldn’t limit yourself to one jacket and one pair of shoes (because who can?), this is how you can bring an extra of each.
Don’t throw in extras at the end.
You plan out all your outfits, fit everything nicely, and think, but what if I end up wanting this shirt, too? This will be your downfall. You’ll start throwing in extras left and right until your suitcase is stuffed to the brim. You’re not doing yourself any favors adding on those extra pounds and messing up your pre-planned #OOTDs. If it’s an afterthought, you probably don’t need it.
5
Don’t throw in extras at the end.
You plan out all your outfits, fit everything nicely, and think, but what if I end up wanting this shirt, too? This will be your downfall. You’ll start throwing in extras left and right until your suitcase is stuffed to the brim. You’re not doing yourself any favors adding on those extra pounds and messing up your pre-planned #OOTDs. If it’s an afterthought, you probably don’t need it.
Fitness
What Are the Benefits of an Online Gym Membership?
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That’s something I never expected to hear. Think about it: we join gyms and studios because of their equipment, instructors, space, community (and AC, of course). But who’s to say we can’t get all that—or at least most of it—with virtual and online classes, too? In this new wave of wellness, we’re all switching up our fitness routines as we switch up our everyday schedules and habits. It’s not just in-studio or at-home anymore. It’s in-studio, at-home, at the park, beach, parking lot, rooftop...virtual, hybrid, Instagram Live, online, on-demand, and so much more. As we’re adapting, adjusting, finding our groove, etc., online gym memberships enter the fray. Has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it?
So, why should we care about online gym memberships?
There are tons of benefits to an online gym membership, especially right now.
Let’s break this down:
1. Scheduling convenience
A virtual/online gym fitness membership is a monthly subscription that gives you access to tons of live stream fitness classes you can take anywhere, from studios across the globe. These fitness studios offer tons of at-home workouts, group exercise, and one-on-one training sessions to choose from, no matter your exercise program or fitness level. With so many options, it’s easy to find one that fits your schedule. Whether you want to fit in a morning flow before work, combat that afternoon slump with some cardio, squeeze in some strength training before dinner, or wind down with an evening barre class, you can pick and choose classes to fit your fitness routine.
2. Minimizing exposure to COVID-19
And because they’re online, you can take these classes from the comfort of your home (or wherever you are), thus minimizing your exposure to COVID-19 and eliminating your commute to the gym or studio. By now, many of us have our designated “workout spot,” whether it’s an actual weight room, a quick scooch of the coffee table, or a grassy area in the backyard. Maybe you’re comfortable here... maybe you’ve even learned to love it.
With an online gym membership, you can stay in your safe space/comfy workout spot. Or, you can go somewhere new (local park, beach spot, a different area of the house, you know). You can access these virtual, live stream fitness classes from any device, so you can prop up your phone, laptop, or tablet wherever you want to go, or roll out your mat in front of the big screen TV in your living room.
3. Variety
We all have our favorite, go-to workouts. But sometimes, it feels good to switch it up (especially right now). Working from home all day, many of us are craving some variety and excitement, and an online gym membership can definitely help with that. According to our recent poll about COVID’s effect on our fitness routines, 64% of you have tried new online workouts since the start of the pandemic—I know I have. Maybe it’s because trying new things is easier in the comfort of our homes, maybe we’re finally able to try some classes we normally can’t find locally, or maybe we’re all just bored out of our minds...I don’t know. But I’m excited about it.
With an online gym membership, you can get that spice you’re looking for easily. Start out your Monday by hitting some HIIT, ease your sore muscles with some Restorative Yoga, and end the week with some dance cardio to pretend you’re at the club. The world is yours.
4. Working out without a commute
My favorite part? No commute. There are literally no more excuses when it comes to skipping workouts. No traffic, no schedule conflicts, no fear of returning to the studio. You don’t even have to worry about packing a gym bag with a change of clothes and shower supplies or prepping a snack or protein shake to bring to work. Just shut your computer, throw on some leggings, and get to work.
5. Community
Community—the element of online fitness memberships we don’t often think of. When we go into studios, we understand the beauty of a fitness community. We’re greeted by our instructors, we chat with others in the class, and we all sweat together and encourage each other throughout. But working out at home is different... or is it?
We can do workouts on our own at home all we want, but we’re definitely going to miss out on the community aspect we all know and love. But, with live stream classes, we can create a different kind of community. The beauty of it? It’s not just your neighbors anymore. Anyone with an online fitness membership can join these classes, regardless of where they’re located in relation to the studio, so you can be working out alongside people from all over the world—now that’s something I can get behind.
Interested yet?