Along the way I've picked up different fitness related things that I really couldn't live without anymore. Hopefully this post will inspire you to start coming up with your own must-have collection! And if you already do, I'd love to hear about them! :)

1. Stainless steel water bottle


Ever since discovering the hazards of bisphenol A, I ditched plastic bottles. I avoid them the best I can, as BPA is used in certain plastics and it can dissolve into the water. While the research is still ongoing (mainly tested on animals) and the risks to humans isn't completely clear yet, there is evidence of BPA causing hormonal issues and danger to infants and young children. This is enough for me to steer away from plastic. And ignoring the health side, it's more environmental friendly.

2. Running shoes


Getting good running shoes was one of the most important things for me when I started getting back into running. My gym shoes just simply don't offer enough support for my ankles and lacked the grip on wet ground. Quite a lethal combination, don't you think?

3. Sports bras


A bit of a no-brainer really! I want to be as comfortable as I can when I'm exercising, and having proper support is so vital. Keeps things out of the way and they're just a million times more comfortable than a normal bra. I've actually started using a sports bra to work, I'm constantly bending over to lift things and wearing a sports bra just keeps the girls in their place. ;)

4. UP-band


While I haven't used my band for a while again, the Jawbone UP has definitely been a great investment. When I was still getting used to my own calorie burn and activity levels, being able to track it all was very valuable. Both times I've stopped using it has been because I got fed up with it getting caught on my pillow when I was trying to sleep. I like to be comfortable when I sleep and the band was having none of it!

5. Phone


Yes, as weird as this one sounds, my phone keeps me up to date with everything. I listen to music when I exercise, I track my activity and calories through various apps (I'm going to make a post about a few later on) and it's my main platform for taking pictures as well.

And my phone has definitely taken it's fair share of battering, the amount of times I've dropped it on the ground mid walk when I've been changing the song is a bit silly.


6. Foam roller


I've been all over this one lately! The benefits of using a foam roller are simply incredible - prevents injuries, helps you de-stress (I normally find myself rolling my calves for a good half an hour at least, time just flies by as I roll away while watching TV!), keeps you flexible, gets rid of muscle knots you didn't even know you had.. The list goes on! A foam roller is a very inexpensive way of keeping your muscles in good shape and it lets you get more familiar with your own body.

I ordered a few bits and pieces from Sports Direct last week and my parcel finally arrived!

I've been looking for proper running shoes for ages now and I finally found the perfect pair! I seem to be so attracted to bright colours when it comes to exercise clothes and these shoes definitely weren't an exception.

These shoes are the Adidas Kanadia 5 Ladies Trail running shoes. I was looking for "off road" shoes for a reason, as I know these shoes will travel with me to Finland (dirt roads) on a regular basis. My other pair of trainers are very slippery when the tarmac is a bit wet so that's also why I wanted shoes that will really dig into the surface - and they really didn't disappoint me! I took them for a little test run earlier today and they really are a sturdy pair of shoes so to speak. I was out for far too long though, it's never a good idea to go for a 1hr walk/run when you're wearing a brand new pair of shoes..


I was only going to buy the trainers, but then I realised that my exercise trousers won't match with the shoes! First world problems eh? But then again, I'd rather spend my money on exercise clothes than everyday clothes, I just feel far more comfortable when I don't have to wear jeans.

The trousers I bought are the same type of USA Pro trousers I've bought before, although the material seems to be a bit thinner than in the other ones. They've both got a really nice blue waistband and reflectors by the calves, and obviously they look really nice.


As I mentioned a few posts ago, I was also lacking some sort of a thin exercise jacket I could wear when it's not too cold. I found this really nice USA Pro jacket with adorable thumb holes, I think that was the main reason I bought it! :D It was warm enough in the current weather (+10, slightly windy) and I really liked the fact that it's got pockets in it. It seems like such an obvious thing to have but none of my exercise trousers actually have pockets big enough for my keys and phone!


This'll keep me going for a while! :)