A couple weeks ago, as I was packing for a trip to the U.P for my friend’s wedding shower, I realized how frustrating preparing for summer trips can be.  I hastily shoved my shirts, shorts, underwear and shoes in every empty crevice I could find in my already over-stuffed duffel bag.  I thought I had done a pretty good job of packing light- just one (rather enormous and bulging) bag for ALL my clothes and a separate smaller bag for all of my toiletries, plus my purse (but that doesn’t really count).  When my friend and her fiancé arrived to pick me up, their jaws about hit the floor as I stagger-stepped out of my apartment trying to carry all my “necessary stuff.”  “We both packed in one suitcase!” she said as we tried to jam my bags into the back of her car.

I figure I can’t be the ONLY one out there who packs too much.  Extra socks (in case my feet get wet), a few long sleeve tops (what if it’s cold at night?), a number of black shoes (I might not want to wear heels out!), and plenty of shirts (I don’t know if I like this shirt with these shorts!).

Saving space in your bags can be a heck of a lot easier when you bring items that can be worn more than once, or are easy enough to dress up or dress down.  Here’s how to start packing lighter this summer with a few of your favorite Jockey® items!

-Sami Seagren, Jockey.com-

Ladies, here are your styles:

1.  No Panty Line Promise® Underwear
You don’t have to pack your whole underwear drawer so you have the  “right pair of undies” for underneath every outfit!  The ultra-light, sleek and soft fabrics of our No Panty Line Promise® undies are perfect for summer.  Plus the unique seams keep them invisible underneath everything- they’ll be the perfect panties for any outfit!

2.  Capris
Our women’s capris are multi-purpose, so you don’t have to change three times a day to feel comfortable and look great!  Our capris are light and breathable and trendy so you can wear them out on your day trips.  They are comfortable enough to sleep and lounge in.  You can probably save a TON of space in your suitcase by packing your favorite Jockey® capris.

3.  Classic Lace Tank
Now there’s no excuse for taking your whole wardrobe of tops.  Our classic lace tank is perfect!  The pretty lace trim around the neckline and the wide assortment of colors make this tank easy to dress up. Now that you have more room, pair it with your favorite accessories.  And the comfort of cotton with the stretch of the ribbed knit makes it comfortable enough to dress down.  Match it up with a pair of our capris and you’re set!

4.  Activewear Jacket
Summer evenings can get cool.  Instead of filling your suitcases with long sleeve tops that you may not even wear, save room and pack one of our activewear jackets or hoodies.  All of our styles offer a flattering, feminine fit in a number of colors and fabrications.  They will be perfect for late night walks or sitting around a bonfire.

5.  Sleep Chemise
Rest comfortably on your summer trips in a Jockey® sleep chemise.  They are ultra light and comfortable, perfect for warmer temps.  Plus, they are easy to pack and will save some space since you won’t have to pack shorts and tees to sleep in every night.

Guys, here’s what you need:

1.  Jockey® Form
Our men’s Form collection is made of a lightweight and smooth microfiber fabrication, so it’s perfect for warm weather.  Plus, the quick-dry feature makes washing and drying on-the-go easy and fast.  You can pack a few pieces, wash them and re-wear them to save some room in your suitcase.

2.  Swim Trunks
Jockey® swim trunks are the must-have summer piece! You only need to pack one pair because they dry easily overnight.  Sport them at the beach or pool by day, and then throw on a t-shirt for a casual lunch (skip packing a few pairs of shorts).

3.  Classic T-shirts
The 100% cool, cotton t-shirt!  These are another space-saver because they are so multi-purpose. The perfect foundation as an undershirt or wear solo for a laid-back, casual style.  Packing made simple with our convenient t-shirt multi-packs!

4.  3D-Innovations® collection
Sometimes your getaway calls for upgraded style. The 8-way stretch of our 3D-Innovations® collection provides a move-with-you design, plus the fabric is soft and contours to your body for comfort.  The assortment of rich colors offer upscale fashion and the stay-tucked fit will make for a distraction-free vacation.

5.  Performance T-shirt
Our Performance T-shirt is the perfect travel top. It offers moisture-wicking technology that dries quickly to help you stay cool. If you’re trying to get in a weekend workout or just cruising around, this tee will keep you feeling great! Mixing and matching is made easy with our huge selection of bold colors.

Do you have other “packing light” tips?  We’d love to hear them!

Last week, I went on a run early in the morning, and five minutes into it, I looked around to see a rainbow slowly forming across an open field. I thought, How lucky am I to be running this morning as the sun comes up, the birds chirp, the sun begins to peak out from behind the clouds… I wish I could do this all day!

Fifteen minutes later, I was still running along in la la land when all of the sudden I looked down and there was a creature rearing up on its small little legs at me. I screamed, jumped higher mid-stride than I think I ever could if I tried, said some expletives, and then continued on my run (a little faster than before). What was this creature? It probably sounds like it was some big animal, but, uh, really… I think it was just a crawfish. I can’t be sure—I ran away too fast to get a closer look.

You may be wondering why I’m talking about this. (That a crawfish scared me is actually kind of embarrassing.) But, I thought it ironic that I could go from marveling at the beauty of the rainbow in the sky, my head in the clouds, to being hurled back to the ground and my heart rate going bezerk in just a few short seconds.

Well, I thought this experience was a good metaphor of how my weekend went at the big race that I’ve been training for: the MC200, a 200-mile relay race from Madison to Chicago. My ten teammates and I took turns running miles from one city to the next without stopping. That’s right, we started at 9am on Friday morning and a few lucky folks got to keep running right on through the night until the sun came up again. And yes, I did think we were a little crazy at a few points, but what’s life without a little craziness mixed in?

I had to wait for five teammates to run before I got to go out on my first leg of the race. I was on cloud nine: so excited to run, imagining my run would be like that rainbow in the sky—easily making progress across the field, no end to that onward energy in sight. I started my first leg along a bike trail; it was heavily shaded, lush and green and beautiful. This is great! I thought.

But then, that proverbial crawfish jumped out at me. Only a quarter mile down and the trees abruptly ended, leaving me with an expansive view of a wide open field and NO more trees for miles. The next several miles were run along a dirt path, through an open field in direct sunlight, in heat and humidity. To say it was difficult is an understatement. There was one point where I remember thinking, How am I ever going to finish this? Nothing I’ve done has trained me for this! And immediately following that, I responded to myself, No. EVERYthing I have done has trained me for this. Everyone is counting on me. I can finish this.

I don’t know how, in those following miles, I kept holding on to that thought. I had been looking forward to the race for six months, and dang it, I was going to finish that grueling five-and-a-half mile leg if it killed me. (And I was pretty sure it was going to, a few times.) I finished it, and miraculously I even finished it on pace & on time! Thankfully, out of the three legs of the race that I had to run, that leg was the hardest. But, everything was worth it—even the moments of self-doubt and questioning—when as a team, the eleven of us crossed the final finish line, 200 miles later, together in Chicago. (And received our sweet medals!)

I guess what I learned, looking back on the weekend, is that life is really a flip of the coin. It’s great some days, then suddenly it can be so hard that you wonder how you can keep going. Same with working out and trying to eat right. Some days it’s hard, and others it all comes naturally. You may not be able to control what side the coin lands on, but you can control your attitude and actions. And I think keeping my attitude positive and just trying when I thought I could not go a step further—well, that’s just exactly what got me across the finish line this week.

What keeps YOU going toward that finish line when you just want to stop?

Fat stats:
Starting weight: 166 pounds
Last week: 156 pounds
This week: 154.5 pounds (woohoo)
Goal weight: 145 pounds

Stay strong,
Amanda
@jockey_amanda

P.S. Thanks Jockey® for the extra support!

Sylvia F. of Yarmouth Port, Mass., called us to ask about the Jockey.com® return policy because, within days of receiving her order, Sylvia’s husband passed away. As personal shopper Lori Roysden spoke with Sylvia, she was deeply moved by the loss of a man who seemed so special.

Lori wanted to do something very special for Sylvia and her late husband, David. She looked up David’s obituary to get to know him and Sylvia a little better. Lori found out that, because of their Jewish faith, sending flowers was discouraged because people would be “sitting Shiva” at this time. Lori consulted various stores and even funeral homes to find a simple, yet deeply personal gesture: a Jewish sympathy card.

When she received the card Sylvia was so touched, she said, “Who would expect such thoughtfulness from a voice on the customer service line?”

Last week, I was having such a hard time staying motivated. I hate to admit it, but even the night that I posted about having motivation issues, I still went home and found excuses not to work out—I still had work to do, and when I finished, it was almost dark (almost), and I was hungry. By Friday, I knew I had to kick my butt into gear. I had just written about what motivates me…it was time to put those factors into action.

I got home Friday after work and downloaded some new songs onto my iPod. Then I tore the tags off of my new Jockey® outfit and suited up, laced my shoes, and out the door I went.

There’s something about new clothes that literally puts a spring in my step (or maybe it was my comfy new socks!). I was excited to try our new Jockey® crop pant, but I was a little hesitant to put on our new seamless tank. Usually, running tanks aren’t my thing—whenever I get one, whatever the brand, they fit snugly and I feel like you can see every little bump and roll, even where my belly button is. But, it was pretty hot outside, despite the unrelenting lakeshore winds, so I wanted to stay cool and not come up with some other lame excuse like, “it’s too hot to run.”

What I loved about the outfit was that it was the perfect combo—the pant waistband crosses over in the front, so the sides come up a tiny bit higher, and the middle makes a V below your belly button. So when I pulled that seamless tank on, I actually thought I kinda looked seamless—those pants camouflaged the side chub & belly flab that I am usually so self-conscious of. They’re my new favorite! (I have some other new faves I gave a try over the weekend, too—check them out here & take a peek at my biking pictures in my new gear. –>)

But more importantly than those clothes & the fact that I looked pretty good in them, if I do say so myself… I ran. It was hot, I got sweaty, and thirsty, and I probably smelled a little. BUT, I ran. I broke out of my rut. Finally!

So, my new clothes got me out the door…but it obviously takes more than just new clothes to keep me—or anyone—going. After I finished my run, I thought about how good it felt, sitting there all sweaty with my legs slightly cramped up as I drove home from my favorite lakeside path. Why does being sweaty & sore feel good? I think…for me, it was that feeling of falling off the wagon for a small amount of time, but having the strength and the drive and the faith in myself to get back up and try it again. Maybe that’s cliché, but whether you’re three or twenty-three, having the will to get your bum up outta the dirt (or off the couch) still feels great. And that’s what it’s all about.

That, and I lost TEN POUNDS since I have started all of this! I am pretty proud to hit that milestone. It makes me smile, and it makes me more motivated than ever.

That positivity is just what I need going into this weekend. My big race—a 200 mile running relay with ten other teammates—will commence in just a few days, and I will be running almost 13 miles in total, in a 24-hour period. That may not be much compared to some of my teammates (20+ miles, those crazies) but for me, it will be an accomplishment! Wish me luck… When I return next week, I’m sure I’ll have some good stories to share!

Fat stats:
Starting weight: 166 pounds
Last week: 158.5 pounds
This week: 156 pounds (-10 pounds!!!)
Goal weight: 145 pounds

Peace out pounds,
Amanda
@jockey_amanda