We Talk Fitness, Fashion & Food With Bags and Bunnies

Bags and Bunnies is the fusion of fitness and fashion in one dreamy Instagram account that has been dominating our newsfeeds for some time now. Behind the motivational gym selfies, envious outfit posts and yummy food snaps is mother-of-one Dasha Gaivoronski, whose dedicated fitness routine started long before her status propelled her into the public eye.

Originally hailing from Russia, Dasha moved to Adelaide in 2013 and continued her Instagram and blog, which she had started several years earlier to document her interest in style, fitness and her pet bunny (aha! … hence the name). It wasn’t until her son turned one that the self-confessed 'gym junkie' was keen to get back into her exercise routine and as her fitness levels soared so did her following.  

Nowadays, Bags and Bunnies has evolved into one of Australia’s leading fitness motivation accounts and a home to a rabbit hole of fitness, food and wardrobe inspiration. Recently signed with the nation’s leading influencer agency, The Ministry of Talent and starting her Certificate 4 in Fitness, Dasha is one busy mum. However, she found the time to share some of her fitness inspiration with Sportitude.   

Enjoy…

Q & A to be posted in 

What is your go to gym label? 

2XU for tights, Lorna Jane for crop tops  

Can you share with us what is in your gym bag right now? 

Ohh lots of stuff. I am a personal trainer and my gym bag is always packed with my uniform polo, change of fitness clothes, another pair of sneakers, my little gym gloves and wireless headphones (cannot train without them. I forgot them home once and when it was time to train, I realized that and went straight home and came back, which takes me 40mins #musicfreak), toiletry bag, blow dryer, a few towels, homemade protein balls, protein powder, shaker and a bottle of water.

Why is sport's apparel important and how does it impact on your performance?  

When it comes to gym wear quality is paramount. No matter how great does it look if it doesn`t feel right it can easily ruin your workout. It`s okay feeling uncomfortable during exercise but only because you are pushing yourself hard and working out like a beast not because you are wearing an outfit that doesn`t fit properly.  

What are the 5 gym essentials every girl needs?  

Compression tights Proper training shoes Wireless headphones (super convenient for such HIIT and plyometrics lovers like me) Gloves Supportive sports bra  

Biggest fashion faux pas when it comes to gym wear…  Picking out a training outfit purely based on its looks and not on the way it feels  

Let’s talk fitness  

How would you describe your fitness philosophy?  

Consistent yet quick and intense workouts consisting of exercises based on the mixture of weights, plyo/aerobic, balance and body weight work 

How has your approach to fitness changed since becoming a mum?  

I became a fitness freak after having my child. Wasn`t quite fit and into the gym before so it`s like a totally new different world to me! Thanks Leon for inspiring your mum to hit the gym 

What advice do you have for other new mum’s looking to get back into a fitness routine?  

It`s easy in my opinion. Just stop making excuses and find the gym with a crèche. If you can afford a PT, find the one you like and who`s fitness style and approach sounds appealing. Or simply tackle the group classes (that`s what I did when I started)  

Can you share with us three simple exercises mums can do at home?  

My go-to bodyweight exercises targeting the whole body would be: Mountain climbers BurpeesSumo jump squats or jump lunges  

What does your average fitness routine look like?  

I`m currently training five-six times a week depending on how I feel. 

• Sunday is always a rest day 
  
• Monday is leg/glutes 
  
• Tuesday I do Body Attack class
  
• Wednesday Upper Body 
  
• Thursday either sprints which I absolutely hate J or bodyweight plyometric circuit 
  
• Friday Full Body Saturday Bodyweight HIIT   

Honestly, I don`t know what would I do without my mum! I am a single mum and I don`t have any other relatives here in Australia. My amazing mama quit her job and came over for a few months to help me out. And with her help life has become so much easier, I can work more, can travel for work and above all focus on all my current goals and dreams!  

Let’s talk food  

Describe your typical food diary in a day:  

Breakfast: either oats porridge or scrambled eggs with avocado and halloumi. And always a cup of black coffee with a dash of milk

Lunch: Super simple, either chicken or fish with veggies 

Dinner: Same as lunch 

Snacks: That`s the best meal of the day! I love my homemade protein balls, little raw sweets I always make and keep in a fridge, soft-boiled eggs, nuts, bananas 

Your fridge and pantry are never without... Eggs, chicken, avocado, bananas, raw nuts, dates and oats  

What is your go to, pre-workout fuel?  Always a banana or when I need a serious pick-me-up  I can also add a pre-workout supplement 

What is your go to post-workout fuel?  

Protein shake!  Guilty pleasure-raw sneakers slice. Totally have no self-control when it comes to raw desserts.