That's right people, I am living the life of leisure now. No running to make me sweaty. No workouts to make my muscles twitch. I'm just cruising through life, not needing to shower twice a day thanks to all that exercise. Heck, I don't even have to change clothes three times a day! I pick an outfit and stay in it all day long. Ahhhh. It sounds good, doesn't it? Probably, if you aren't into exercising.
But you know me and you know I didn't choose this life of leisure. I'd much rather be running and working out. And you know I've been depressed about this. Which is why, when I got a sweet email from Nuu-Muu offering me an athleisure dress to try, I teared up a bit. I know, that sounds extreme, but in the email they acknowledged my plight and wanted to send me a dress anyway, to inspire restful healing.
I chose a dress, they quickly sent it to me, and when I tried it on, I felt good about myself for the first time in a long time. I realize that sounds a bit silly, but after spending more than two months laying on the couch, all of the muscle tone that I've worked so hard to achieve is gone. My body feels blobby and flabby. And I can't do anything about it right now. Plus I'd been wearing sweats and old race t-shirts during my months of agony which didn't help with my body image, but they were comfortable, so the trade-off was worth it.
I'm going on almost three weeks of feeling better thanks to the second epidural. I've started sitting outside on our patio in the morning, and I've started wearing real clothes. One morning I popped on my new Nuu-Muu dress and I have to tell you, I felt good. I actually began planning some errands. I liked how I looked and was ready to go out into the world beyond my house, looking cute in my athleisure-wear. This dress is made for running, or running errands (hey now!), or even a casual event.
Dramatic recreation (because my photographer was at work when I had my errand epiphany) of sitting in the backyard while wearing my Nuu-Muu dress.
I usually don't like wearing dresses because my knees and thighs are where a lot of my fat accumulates, and dresses end right at the knees, showcasing them like a neon sign. What I like about these dresses is that you are supposed to wear either capris or some long workout shorts underneath, which is perfect for me - my knees are covered yet I'm still able to wear a dress!
The dresses are all sleeveless but if I'm going out in public, I feel more comfortable with a shirt underneath.
And so you can judge how the dress would fit, I am 5'2" and the dress hits me right at my knees. According to the Nuu-Muu size chart, I would be a size large, which is the size I wear in most of my clothes, but I ordered an extra large because I didn't want the dress to be snug around my stomach. It hangs nicely, so I'm glad I did that.
Jeff looked at the dress and commented that the fabric looked heavy and would make me hot. Quite the opposite - it's technical fabric, but it feels silky, if that makes sense. It's thin yet it doesn't show every bump and bulge, even with a bit of spandex. And it's not see-through, even when wet.
I felt like this was the best picture of me wearing my dress but Jeff cut most of my head off. I'm including it anyway - you know what I look like!
A little more about Nuu-Muu athleisure dresses: They are made in the USA, come in sizes ranging from XS to 3XL, and they have little girl dresses as well. Nuu-Muu's goal is to empower women to love themselves into action, be it running, tennis, walking, shopping, or lunch out with friends. I appreciate their wide range of sizes and I have to say, their prints are super cute! I had a hard time choosing which dress I wanted, but I ended up with Jasmine Ruu-Muu, which has a pocket on the back of the dress that could hold a phone, keys, credit card, etc.
I have a coupon code if you're interested in purchasing a dress like I'm wearing. It comes in blue - Jasmine, or pink - Orchid. The code is FLOWERS and you will get $20 off either dress in those prints only, in any of their three styles. The code is only good for a short time - today through Sunday, so don't delay if you want a dress. Get the Jasmine and we can be twins! Or get the Orchid - it's pretty cute and is tempting me!
Here's the Orchid Ruu-Muu, doing what I do while wearing my dress.
Another shot of Orchid, doing what I wish I could do.
You're preaching to the choir! Looking good makes you feel good. It's why I like my InknBurn. I don't know that I could feel as motivated running in a pair of dingy sweat pants! The dress looks cute on you!
ReplyDeleteI think I've been running in the dark for so long that my outfits never really mattered, but being in daylight, in this dress, is really nice! I should do this more often...dress in cuter clothes.
DeleteWhat a cute dress! I love how things happen at the absolute perfect time! This dress came to you right when you needed it! And yes, I may have to check this company and product out!
ReplyDeleteIt really was the right time for that offer - and it turns out that I really love the dress, too - you and I both know sizing could go south really fast but this one was perfect.
DeleteYou look so good and happy in your new dress! I love when guys chime in on our clothes, sometimes it is comical what they have to say!
ReplyDeleteHaha, you are so right - he had no idea. I made him touch the fabric and then he saw the light!
DeleteI'm glad to hear you're feeling better physically! I've heard from retirees that they make themself get up and get dressed in real clothes every day because it makes them feel better mentally. Maybe there's something to that.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure that's correct; it probably would help when you're in a bad way, medically, too...but it's harder to make yourself dress decently in that situation.
DeleteThis helps when you work from home 100% of the time too :) I feel much better and more productive in real clothes (like jeans or leggings, nothing too fancy!) than when I work in my PJs.
DeleteYou look great in that dress! And its so good to hear that you are still feeling better with the second injection. That was really nice of that company to send you a dress!!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Debby! I really like it a lot!
DeleteThat dress looks so comfortable and you look fab in it! I love that it is made to wear capris under it - that would be great for me for running. So glad that you're feeling better and treating yourself to the things that make you happy!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Emmaclaire! I would try to run in this dress...if I ever get to run. You should try it and let me know how it goes. :)
DeleteSuper cute dress and it looks great on you.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kim! :)
DeleteI'm so glad you continue to feel better and that dress is super cute! I also don't like to wear dresses much because my legs are super pale and have lots of bumps and veins and other unattractive things. But if I could wear a pair of capris or leggings underneath the dress...well...maybe! :-)
ReplyDeleteI never thought about wearing capris under a dress - and I think you have to have the right style/fabric to do it - but YES! It's such a good alternative for those of us who want a little better coverage.
DeleteThat dress is so cute! That's so cool that they sent it to you to help you heal :) If I still worked in an office I would snatch a bunch of those up! I bet that material is perfect for the mile walk to/from the train I used to have (which made ALL of my work clothes sweaty in the summer).
ReplyDeleteIt's super cute and I'm glad it gave you a needed mental boost. I would have never thought about working out or running in a dress.
ReplyDeleteYou look great in that dress! You are right - just getting dressed and taking some self care does a lot for depression. I love how in the picture it hits mid thigh on the models, but for us shorties, it's like a full blown dress. :D
ReplyDeleteHaha, I know - I was wondering if I should shorten my dress, but when I sit down it rides up, so how do the models handle that??
DeleteYou know me. I want to look good even if I am running.
ReplyDeleteYou look great and you will run again, right?