MY GYM BAG ESSENTIALS

Clockwise From Left

Cliff Bar Shot Bloks $1.99

Provides me with a quick shot of energy for a long cardio session

www.clifbar.com

Or try your local GNC/Vitamin Shoppe

 

Femme Fitale Weight Lifting Gloves $24.99

These cute gloves come in a variety of colors spotted with swarvoski crystals

http://www.femmefitalefitness.com

Evian Mineral Facial Spray $14.00 (for a package of two)

A quick spritz to the face will wake you up - My go to for my early morning gym sesh

www.sephora.com

Noxema Makeup Removal Cloths $4.49

These are fantastic for those on the go. These wipes quickly remove your makeup and will leave your skin moisturized 

Local food store/drugstore

Psssssst Dry Shampoo $4.99

I can't say enough about this 1970's barber looking product! After the gym spray dry shampoo onto your scalp for a quick refresh to your blowout. Leaves your hair voluminous and oil free!

Local food store/drugstore

BioIonic Brush Silver Classic Series$34.99

I carry one of these brushes in all my bags. This brush adds shine, minimizes breakage and works like a set of hot curlers if used in that fashion.

Try your local beauty salon, if not Amazon.com

Lululemon Gym Bags (Varies) $89.99 - $129.99

Why I love this bag? Besides the way it looks? Its functional! This bag a contains removable pouch to store your sweaty gym clothes in separately. Also has a hair tie holder so you never have to go digigng on the bottom of your bag.

http://shop.lululemon.com

Havianas Flip Flops $24.99

Perfect foot protection in the locker room and showers for your tootsies! Nothing grosses me out more than women barefoot in a locker room. The Germs!

http://us.havaianas.com   



NEW! TABATA TUESDAYS

One of my favorite workouts when I need to kill cardio, improve my endurance and speed up fat loss is the TABATA WORKOUT.

Tabata is spicier than most cardio workouts. Instead of running and biking for hours you get your complete cardio workout in just about 15 minutes (start complete stretch). To someone always on the go this is a great workout, escpecially for those who hate cardio machines at the gym.

To get the most out of this workout I suggest downloading an interval timer on your smart phone. I use Seconds Pro and customize each timer for all my tabata workouts (pretty sure it cost aroun $1.99) This workout can also be done at home using water jugs if you do not own free weights.

READY ...SET ....SWEAT!

30 second – Stationary lunge Right Leg(15lb dumbbells in each arm by your sides)

20 second rest

30 second– Stationary lunge Left  Leg(15lb dumbbells in each arm by your sides)

20 second rest

30 second – Front alternating lunges (15lb  dumbbells in each arm by your sides)

20 second rest

30 second– Back alternating lunges (15lb  dumbbells in each arm by your sides)

20 second rest

30 second – Squat with shoulder press( 15lb dumbbells)

20 second rest

30 second – Jump squats

20 second rest

30 second - Alternating side lunges on a 45 degree angle (no weights)

20 second rest

30 second – Alternating Curtsy Lunge

2 minute Rest in between & Repeat (total of 2 times)

Good Luck!



TRADITIONAL VS. TRENDY

Showdown of the Grains

Both brown rice and quinoa are nutritious, natural foods that are easy to prepare and provide you with a slew of health benefits. Although brown rice is the more known grain, most all major food stores now offer quinoa as well for around the same price of brown rice.

Why Quinoa?

Well it is a complete protein. Quinoa is gluten free, sugar free, packed with fiber, calcium and has more iron than the traditional brown rice. Quinoa offers twice as much as protein as brown rice.

Oh and most importantly, Quinoa is taste bud approved!

One of my favorite salads to make for the week is my Bean Quinoa Salad. I eat this as a side and even sometimes as my main dish. (picture of my food prep)

Meems Bean Quinoa Salad

2 Cups cooked Quinoa
1 Cup Chopped Plum tomatoes

1 Can of Organic Black Beans (rinsed)

1 Can of Organic Garbanzo Beans (rinsed)

Chopped Cilantro

Chopped Jalapeno (small)

Chopped Red Onion

Chopped Green and Red Peppers

¼ of a Cup of Flax Seeds

Drizzled with the juice of 2 fresh lemons

BEATS TO GET YOU MOVING

  Cycling is one of my favorite cardio exercises since its easy on my knees and engages my core. Within moments my heart is pumping . These are the songs that keep me fired up! 

MY TOP TEN 

1. Moves like Jagger - Maroon 5

2. Crazy in love - Beyonce

3. Clique - Kanye

4. Titanium - David Guetta

5. Give it up to me - Shakira

6. Flashback - Calvin Harris

7. Wish I didn't Miss you - Angie Stone (Hex Hector remix)

8. Pretty Girls - Wale  

9. So Good - B.o.B

10. You used to hold me - Calvin Harris

*For an intense bike experience try SoulCycle or FlyWheel located in and around NYC.

FAVE FIVE

1. Nike Sports Bras are a gym necessity for any woman! Having tried many sports bras, this is the only one Ive come across where the "girls" actually stay in place. Some bras weaken with wash and wear but NIKE's has yet to stretch out. Check out the colors they come in.......yes I have them all :)

2. Nike Pro Shorts not only feel super comfortable they do not ride up when performing workout. Plus ++++they are ridiculously cute! Nike knows how to make functional clothing that looks great on just about any shape. Priced perfectly :) 

3. Reebok Realflex Sneakers work for both my running days and my weight training days. They mold to my feet, reasonably priced and once again the colors are just as fun as Nike's sports bras. & yes I own 5 pairs :)

4. Lululemon Head Bands are the only bands that stay in place even after a summer run in NYC. They come in a variety of colors and because of the adhesive rubber on the back Ive been known to loop one around my arm and use as an iPod holder when I forget mine. A bit pricier than most brands but totally worth the splurge.

5. Lululemons Vinyasa Scarf keeps me warm, dry and stylish...highly recommended for a hip fitness chic. This scarf can take you from a yoga workout to a night out, so many ways to wear it.