Carrie Underwood Says Wearing Cute Workout Clothes Gives Her a 'Little Boost' at the Gym

Gillian Telling
Updated
Carrie Underwood Says Wearing Cute Workout Clothes Gives Her a Boost at the Gym

 

Carrie Underwood is back to work!

Despite giving birth to her second son Jacob just four months ago, the singer and mom to elder son Isaiah, 4, is already back in the office designing the spring collection of workout gear for her athleisure line, CALIA by Carrie Underwood and back in fighting shape for her “Cry Pretty 260 Tour,” which kicks off in May.

While Underwood is known for regularly hitting the gym, she reveals in a new interview with PEOPLE that when she needs some extra workout motivation, she’ll wear cute items from her line to help her out.

“Putting together a fashionable but also functional outfit gives me a little boost when going to the gym—especially when I need an extra push or I’m not feeling my best,” Underwood, 36, tells PEOPLE in this week’s issue. “I try to put a cute look together with my favorite pieces—a legging with a pattern on the bottom, and cute and comfortable tank, and a zip-up hoodie to complete the outfit.”

• For more on Carrie Underwood, pick up the latest issue of PEOPLE, on stands Friday

I’m going to be honest, “bouncing back” after having Jacob has been much more difficult than after I had Isaiah and I’ve been pretty hard on myself lately. I go into the gym and I can’t run as fast or as far. I can’t lift as much weight or do as many reps as I could a year ago. I just want to feel like myself again...for my body to feel the way that I know it can. As I was working out today, I realized that for the past 11(ish) months, my body has not belonged to me. It was a perfect home for Jacob. And even now it belongs to him every time he drinks his milk. As I prepare for red carpets and for life on tour, right now I make a promise to myself to start appreciating what my body CAN do and stop focusing on what it can’t. I promise to stop analyzing every angle and every curve and every pound and every meal. I’m going to keep staying the path because it is a journey and as long as I’m always working towards my goals, one day I’ll reach them. I’m going to take it day by day, smile at the girl in the mirror, and work out because I love this body and all it has done and will continue to do! #bodyafterbaby #fitmom #healthy #staythepath @caliabycarrie

A post shared by Carrie Underwood (@carrieunderwood) on Mar 19, 2019 at 8:42am PDT

Underwood says she’s looking forward to sharing the new spring looks with everyone—and that she’s just ready for spring to arrive, period.

“Now that the weather is starting to get nicer, I’ve really enjoyed diving into our CALIA spring collection and putting together new, fun looks. We have a ton of spring pieces in this new dusty pink called Mesa Rose, and every time I wear it I think ahead to the warm weather that’s right around the corner.”

The perfect bag for on the road and on the go! @CALIAbyCarrie #StayThePath #CryPrettyTour360

A post shared by Carrie Underwood (@carrieunderwood) on Mar 29, 2019 at 8:55am PDT

The Nashville-based star adds, “[Warm weather] makes me excited for everything that’s to come over the next few months, and I get ready to start my tour in May.”

As for being hands-on when it comes to designing the collections, she says, “I love our design meetings. I went into this one reflecting on how CALIA always helps me feel energized, and I hope women feel a similar sense of rejuvenation and motivation, whether they’re concentrating on their fitness after having a baby or working toward another fitness goal. It’s designed to help women stay on the path!”