Street Style: Reagan Anderson

In our line of work, we hear a lot from people about how dissatisfied or frustrated they are with their routine and who are lured to looking outside themselves for answers. Not Reagan Anderson.

Reagan looked within and was ready to make a commitment to her health. Despite her truly ridiculously busy life with a more-than-full-time career, Reagan has been as consistent about her training as she has her commitment to what is right for her family.

Even with her highly demanding job, I marvel at how Reagan makes her family a top priority. When she came to FOR, she had one baby. Her goal was to get more fit and feel more energy. Many sleepless nights followed and soon after another baby joined the family. And, more sleepless nights.

Reagan’s journey with Fitness on the Run began more than three years ago. Somewhere early in her FOR time, she discovered getting to the gym was almost as difficult as it was to get a full-night’s sleep with a new baby. So, we made a decision: I would train her at her home (we live two blocks away from each other). It is convenient for both of us and we both value any time we can get outdoors.   

Soon after, her husband John joined the FOR community and is equally committed to his twice-a-week workouts.

To this day, eight months out of the year you can find Reagan and me at a neighborhood park or in her backyard.  Getting outside in the fresh air is important to her since the other ten hours of the day she can be found on an airplane, in her downtown office, or on the Hill.

Reagan makes her workouts a priority; she rarely cancels and hates to miss them unless she is traveling. Even when she is jet lagged and exhausted, we still meet, even if it is simply for a round of yoga and mobility. Reagan knows the value of those sessions and the importance of maintaining mobility and flexibility.

Not only does training outside give her a much-needed dose of Vitamin D, she can be home in the mornings to spend more time with her family.

Reagan travels – more often than not to the west coast – so she revels in every minute she can spend with John and the girls. When away from home and FOR, Reagan will try to find the closest yoga class so she can maintain her mobility and flexibility because she is well aware of the impact of airplane travel on her body and because she wants to be ready to “jump right back into” our weekly routine.

Just recently, Reagan began to wonder how she could improve her health and fitness through her food choices. She had a battle with continual reflux. She took matters into her hands and explored healthier living – with the goal of beating the reflux and illness in general.

She thought she had a healthy diet.  She learned a lot from the experience.

Reagan firmly believes the reduction in her reflux issues stem from her change in her diet. What did she do? In her own words, “I cut out carbs, dairy, caffeine (this was the big one for me), and almost all salt. I cut back on wine but couldn’t give it up completely so I reduced my sugar intake quite a bit. And I now eat kale every day.”

ABOUT YOU

How do you spend your time? I work full time in Washington, D.C., have two young daughters, and a very energetic standard poodle who keep me busy.   My job presents lots of opportunities to travel so I find myself in Los Angeles quite a bit.

Neighborhood: Rosemont

How long have you lived in Alexandria: 4 years

What is your hometown? Toledo, Ohio

What brought you to Alexandria? My husband and I moved to Rosemont four years ago from Arlington to raise our family. We haven’t looked back since.

What would surprise people about you? I am actually really shy — first child syndrome!

You’re a superhero: what’s your superpower? Ha! I would be able to get my two year old to eat something other than crackers and pineapple.

Favorite cocktail: A really good dry martini

Last book read or movie seen:  Hillbilly Elegy by J.D. Vance

Guilty Pleasure: Pinot noir

Phrase you overuse: Please (toddlers!)

Facebook or Instagram? Insta

Latest binge-watch: are you talking about television? Jk, I can sit down and watch a whole season of “Friday Night Lights”

If you only could have one for the rest of your life: wine or coffee? Wine no Q!

FASHION

Define your style in three words or less: Simple, timeless, elegant

The go-to piece in your wardrobe: Jackets

Favorite trend ever: Fur

Favorite current trend: Leather

Heels or flats? Heels

HOME

Favorite room in your home: Family room

Antiques, modern, or a mix? Mix

Last item bought for your home: I gave up caffeine a few months ago so I got my husband one of those Nespresso machines that makes single sizes of all of his favorites for Christmas.

Next planned purchase: Lighting for my dining room

Favorite way to entertain: Backyard dinner party

Clutter-free or well-lived in? A little of both — mostly clutter free but our girls’ play room is pretty well lived in.

Wallpaper — yes, totally modern or no, so dated:  Yes!!!! The amazing Christine Philp helped with my interior design and we even wallpapered closets!

FITNESS

Your go-to work-out: Fitness on the Run!

Most fun way to exercise: Outdoors whenever possible. The stairs at the Masonic Temple make an amazing cardio blast.

Group exercise or solo: Both. I train with FOR at 6am so am usually solo, but my new favorite Saturday treat is yoga with my friend Amy.

Fitness goal: My goal is to not only be healthy, strong, and energetic, but to be a good role model for my girls — moderation, exercise, and healthy eating.

Haven’t yet, but might be willing to try with coaching / encouragement: Marathon

Proudest fitness achievement: Any time I put on pre-baby clothes I am jumping for joy.

ALEXANDRIA

Favorite spot in Alexandria: My house! All of my favorite people are there.

Last purchase in Alexandria: I did almost all of my Christmas shopping in Old Town this year and was thrilled to support our great local small businesses.

Best coffee / happy hour / date night spot: My husband and I love it when we are lucky enough to get two seats at the bar at Eve — drinks or dinner — it’s wonderful. Rex is our second favorite go-to spot and we love hosting our friends there.

Favorite charity: We love our preschool so most of our efforts are currently focused there.

Favorite annual Alexandria event: The Old Town fireworks in July at Oronoco Park

• Author Details

Denise Dick

denise@fitnessontherun.net