Ask the FBGs: How Can I Work Out Over Lunch Without Looking Like a Sweaty Mess?

Today we’re featuring a very special Ask the FBGs post because it ties in Fit Bottomed Hack Week! Ashley wanted to know how to do a lunch workout without coming back to work looking all sweaty — and we helped her out with hacks to do just that before, during and after her lunch workout! For our Ask the FBGs posts nothing is off limits, although we do prefer that it’s fitness or nutrition related, so send your undying health questions to AsktheFBGs@fitbottomedgirls.com. You just might see them posted here in the future!

Question From Ashley: How Can I Do a Lunch Workout Without Coming Back All Sweaty Looking?

Hi FBGs!

My name is Ashley, I’m 25, and I live in Tampa. I work for a non-profit that works with our local hospitals, and my office is actually right next door to one of the hospitals, Tampa General. Recently TGH completely renovated their gym and invited us to join. I actually live and work on the same street as the gym and since it was so convenient, I joined right away. I’m also lucky enough to have an office that encourages us to go work out on our lunch hour, and I even have co-workers that will join me at the gym and push me to go when I’m feeling tired. My only dilemma is that I sweat a lot! I am not one of these girls that comes out looking like I did when I went in. I like to get in for a quick 30-minute slow jog on the treadmill so I don’t get too sweaty, but still … I sweat. I was wondering if you had any tips or products to help me get back to looking (and smelling) normal after a quick lunch time sweat session. So many fitness magazines have tips for things like this, but I just feel like they aren’t realistic, so I’m looking for some real, down-to-earth girl tips!

Hope you can help!
—Ashley J.

Answer From the FBGs

Our dear fit Ashley,

Girl, we feel you on this problem! Holy cow, the sweat issue is a real one, and each of us has been faced with this problem. So, from one FBG to another (’cause, um, go you for those lunch workouts!), here are our top tips — even broken down into what we recommend doing before, during and after your workout!

Before Your Lunch Workout
1. Throw a bottle of water in the freezer.
2. Dress in work clothes that day that aren’t too tight or restrictive. Wear layers if you can!

During Your Lunch Workout
1. Have a towel to blot sweat during your workout.
2. Make sure you do a cool down. This won’t stop you from sweating entirely, but it should help cool the sweaty jets a bit.

After Your Lunch Workout
1. Take a cold shower if you can. If you don’t have time, splash cold water on yourself.
2. Get the right products. Baby wipes, face powder, deodorant, dry shampoo — these all can help you to freshen up post-workout. And if you do take a shower and can just use some de-frizzing spray on your hair and let it air dry, do that!
3. Throw on a cute wide headband. This can cover sweat-head!
4. Grab that cold bottle of water and place it on your face as needed — drink it, too!
4. If you can put a small fan in your office or cube, do it and plug it in once you get back to your desk to continue your cool down.

And our best advice? Smile! So you may still be a little sweaty and red-faced, but that’s no big deal because over your lunch you boosted your endorphins, your metabolism and your health. And guess what? That makes you a better and more productive employee on top of just feeling awesome, so go you!

—The FBGs