Sabra spicy hummus

For all you healthy eaters and dieters I normally am not a fan of hummus but my daughter got this diet plan out of a magazine and shared it with me. Has some amazing recipes, drinks and shakes, smoothies and snacks. I have been working out a lot, back awhile ago I joined a boxing, self defense type of gym and try different things on the side like running, cycling, and yoga.

I have lost twenty pounds since last summer and now want to shed ten more pounds to be back in my skinny jeans for fall. I have a hormonal imbalance which makes me tired, bloated and I retain a lot of water. In the beginning I didn't lose weight right away but I toned up and got in better shape, eventually the weight started to come off but still holding some weight in my arms and thighs. Luckily my stomach has always been flat.

Yoga, boxing, kick boxing and doing the warm ups which have burpees, mountain climbers, push ups, squats and lunges help a lot. But now I am big into healthy eating. One snack we saw was wheat crackers or low far baked pita chips with hummus I was hesitant but I found this amazing hummus. It is spicy and really makes it taste amazing. I'm hooked. I have fresh fruit like oranges, bananas and cantaloupe in the am for breakfast with juice or a smoothie, then a salad with no dressing or light walden farms dressing for lunch, hummus as a snack and protein like chicken, fish or hard boiled eggs with steamed veggies for dinner amazing:). I was up and down with my weight but let me tell you in the passed few months twenty pounds came off and I'm back in a size 6-8. Was in a 12 for awhile then would jump down to a 8-10 then back up. I have kept it off and looking into when my girls start school working out two days a week with a personal trainer.

I considered trying Hcg again but I did that before and lost 15 lbs but was so tired eating that 700-800 calorie a day diet. I can't starve myself never had to cause I have always been thinner but I guess after turning 35 and having two kids it is much harder now.

Check your local grocery store for it, Sabra hummus I get the extra spicy and it is amazing:). Great with wheat thins or low fat pita chips with sea salt. Will post some before and after pics soon.

Tips for washing and keeping workout clothes, or gear fresh and germ free

I have been going to the gym 4-5 days a week for the past six weeks.  I have started to come up with my own routine for keeping my items fresh.  I noticed right away that my wraps for hands and boxing gloves get super sweaty and dirty.  When we are not wearing our gloves the wraps are on the floor for push ups, burpees and more, plus if you use the restroom, touch weights, medicine ball, mats etc.  I have my own mat I got from my yoga days but some days I forget it or if I keep it in my car I may ride with my friend or take hubby's truck and leave it behind, then have to use one of the gym's mats.  I always have a towel cause I sweat a lot so I use the towel to lay on top of the mat when that happens.  I also carry Lysol anti-bacterial wipes and small purse/travel size bottle of the Lysol spray so I can spray down things too.

I now own two sets of wraps for my hands, cause after the first week I was so grossed out with the smell and thoughts of what they touched that I could not see washing them daily.  At first I just would come home and hang them to dry after spraying with Febreze antibacterial fabric freshening spray.  Then I started filling the sink before I showered with very hot water and letting them soak while I showered, then ringing them out hanging to dry and spraying with Febreze, lol.  I know it sounds crazy but I have a germ a phobia and am a neat freak, a bit ocd so I am always cleaning or spraying stuff down with Lysol.  I have sprays, wipes and even industrial strength spray my husband gets from his job at the power company lol.

The boxing gloves are a entire other story lol.  They get nasty and then think about it your hands are sweating in there, then we do the same push ups, mountain climbers, burpee, crawling etc so the outsides are always on the floor.  I always notice at the gym when we are boxing how some people are pouring sweat so they will actually have sweat dripping off them onto the floor, I don't imagine they clean the floor all day after every class.  We tend to only stay in one spot for when we are boxing or kickboxing for a portion of the class, the rest of the class we are all over the room doing different exercises and drills.  I always wipe my bag with the lysol wipes, then clean the outside of my gloves with the wipes or when I get home I spray the outside and inside down, then leave them out of my gym bag somewhere they can air out.  I also have made a little air freshner for them that I place inside.  I used the Downy Unstopables that I love to use to wash my linens and workout clothes with, I placed them inside a little mesh bag that has a pull tie string and then just put them inside after I spray them down.  This keeps them smelling good and makes them feel cleaner, just smelling good helps keep your mind off the germs lol.

Below are some photos of my favorite products to use.  I love Lysol everything, and Febreze has a line of anti bacterial sprays for fabric that I find to be very good.  Both run between $5-7 depending on size and brand.  I also found the Method brand in a Lemon scent that I like a lot at Target and it's a little less expensive at $3-4 for a bottle.  I love lemon scent cause it just has that clean fresh smell.  Sometimes I need a break from floral, or perfume scents and the linen smells.  I have a sensitivity to scents and get headaches often along with skin irritation so I have to be careful what items I use.  Some of the Lysol sprays actually give me hives if they come in contact with my skin so can't spray on fabrics.  I also have to be careful what I use to wash my clothes cause Gain breaks me out in hives bad, have had to be hospitalized from having such a horrible reaction.  I use good old Tide and I have recently gotten into the little pods you throw in the wash that have everything in them.  I like them cause I don't feel like I am wasting product plus they keep my clothes fresh, clean, smelling good and white/bright.

I also have done a lot of research after talking to my primary doctor about caring for gym clothes.  She told me a lot of people that work out every other day and only do laundry once a week make the mistake of coming home from the gym then throwing their workout clothes in the hamper with their other laundry only to cause a bacteria breeding ground.  I was instantly grossed out so I asked her what should you do when you get home, I certainly am not going to waste water, time and laundry stuff to wash one outfit every day or every other day.  She told me you should always rinse your clothes with hot water, as hot as the fabric or care instructions say is okay.  Then hang them to dry and have a seperate hamper or laundry bag for the gym clothes.  I have started doing this every day when I get home since I soak and rinse my wraps.  I have a little ritual down for before and after the gym now.  

I also wash my work clothes separate load from the rest of my clothes on hot wash cold rinse unless item indicates otherwise.  I usually am a cold water only girl.  I think cold water works great, have less damage or fading to items, only time I use warm or hot water is for stain removal then for towels and bedding or rugs, stuff like that.  Below are some tips I put together from surfing the web that I found helpful along with a few of my own.

Also I highly recommend Nike Dri-fit work out clothes.  I wear other brands Nike is not the only brand I buy, I have other brands I have picked up that I thought the outfit was cute but I always wear capris, sports bra and usually a tank top or tight fighting cotton or dri-fit tee.  On cooler nights I have a nike zip up dry fit jacket that I wear, this is also good cause the gym I go to is on the upstairs level of an ice skating rink so it is always freezing when I first get there then when it is time to leave and I am soaked from sweating.  I always bring a change of shirt with me and do a quick swap in the restroom before heading out.  I have a few photos from Nike.com of some of my favorites, only a couple cause if I posted all my fav's this would be a long post lol.

Nike sports bra.  I also have Champion sports bras that are reversible, I like this cause then it's like getting two for one.  I like all my stuff to match.  I know it's the gym not a fashion show.  Trust me I don't look pretty, no makeup (cause I don't really wear makeup except special occasions), hair is a mess and in a pony tail, but I like my clothes to match.  Lol.

Nike dri-fit v-neck tee, I have a lot of these.  I got different colors and a couple with sayings on them.  I love these for either after the work out or on cooler nights here in South Florida when I don't want to wear a tank top.  Otherwise I usually always wear a tank top.

I have like eight pairs of Nike capri length bottoms, mostly black, then have a gray and pink pair.  These are by far my favorite.  They are cozy and don't leave embarrassing sweat marks that look like I peed my pants, no matter how bad I sweat.  I have a couple with the cute little cinch string on the sides too.  I also have other brands of capri's that have matching tops etc, but the Nike fit great and like I said don't show all the sweat, water marks like some regular cotton ones do.

I love these Nike cotton v-neck tees too, other then the dri-fit I also love cotton, not a fan of spandex.  I hate spandex capris or leggings for working out, I don't know if people realize it but a lot of women I have seen at the gym over the years wear these and you can see thru them.  I have seen ladies in them with no undies and you can see, well you know I don't think I have to explain.  Where I work out at now wouldn't want to be crawling on my hands and feet with butt in the air with see thru pants lol.

I have a lot of this style tank top in racer back and regular.  Love them. 

This is the same as above just the Dri-fit material which is just more shiny looking and does not show sweat and water marks like the basic cotton style does.  With a tank top I don't mind so much though

Washing tips:

What’s the best way to deodorize gym gear?

With a bit of preventive care  and the right detergent, you can cure the stench?and even keep it from festering in the first place. After a workout, give clothes a quick rinse in a sink; wring them out to remove as much water as possible, and stow them in a large plastic bag before putting them in your gym tote. Since the confined compartment of a tote can breed smelly bacteria, take the dirty clothes out as soon as you get home and wash them

according to the label directions.  Unless you wear your gym clothes home then do same thing at home, rinse them in hot water then ring them out and hang to air dry.  Then you can keep them in a laundry bag once dry, separate from other laundry to time to wash. President and founder of Clothingdoctor.com, recommends using the hottest water temperature that your gear can handle, along with an enzyme-formulated detergent, such as 2X UltraTide ($14, target.com for stores). “The active ingredients will effectively break down protein-based stains, like perspiration,” says Boorstein. If you still detect an odor, then the problem could be the clothing itself. Try wearing more-natural fabrics, such as cotton blends, whose fibers release odors more easily than synthetics do.  Hope these tips are useful for you.  I know they all helped me and are now part of my daily after gym routine.  If you have any other advice, suggestions or rituals you do please share them.  I also love to hear about products you use, work out clothes that you have found to be comfortable, affordable and like etc.   Melissa

Quick mani before gym and lucky day!

To start I won a Michael Kors jet set tote today. I was so excited entered the drawing almost two months ago when I got email to confirm prize thought it was a scam so gave po box address went to post office to mail some things and to my surprise there was a box! I would have never bought this bag myself. I like the all leather ones and so many I like this would have been on the bottom. I was happy it is not the canvas one cause I dot care for the canasta bags they tend to fade and stain easy. I am super happy it is valued at $198 and I wanted a brown bag since I just got a black python leather one.

I decided after trying the new nail colors to go with a quick mani before the gym today. I picked Zoya Aurora from the Ornate collection. What a gorgeous polish. All of the colors I have tried from this collection are gorgeous and even though they are packed with sparkle super easy to remove not like typical glitter polishes which I love but hate at the same time lol.

I was in a rush I leave in twenty for boxing class so I got dressed first except for my shoes. I applied one quick coat of Butter London Nail Foundation then two quick coats of the Zoya Aurora finished with quick dry Out the Door top coat. Nails are pretty much dry in less then a couple minutes which is a must for an always on the go mom.

This polish is so pretty pictures don't do it justice. I love purple and it is a perfect shade of purple filled with iridescent sparkles that remind me of a glitter ornament or glass ornament for the holidays. Put me in a festive mood for sure:). I will post more photos later when I have more time to snap some and also going to upload my camera shots of Christmas tree, decor and some nail polish swatches I been meaning to upload for awhile.

Have a great mid week and so happy the weekend is almost here:). Today makes three days in a row of gym I been going 3-5 days a week while I can but both daughters sports seasons start in the upcoming weeks so besides their practices I will have games also. I am planning on going to am classes and they have a morning boot camp class for two hours Monday Wednesday and Friday I have been dying to go to. For now meeting a good friend in the evenings for boxing, kickboxing and box fit classes. I'm down from a wearing a size 12-10 to a 5-7 in jeans and from a large top to medium and a few larges depends on top. Weight wise down 18 lbs from start almost six weeks ago next Monday will be six week mark. I see a huge change in my body from how defined it is, overall inches, my energy, self esteem and sleep is much easier. I love this gym and the classes highly recommend it over all other fads out there now. Swear by it, I get the best work out and I can kick some butt lol. That doesn't hurt any these days.

Off to work out enjoy photos below


Melissa

Above is a photo of the prize I won=).  I am very happy even though I would not have picked this myself but don't have.  Hubby got me the one I wanted already early Christmas gift cause Macy's had a sale.  I still love it and will be wearing it for sure.

Insanity workout

For all of you who read my blog often you know I was once into Crossfit and have since joined a kickboxing/boxing gym locally.  I love the workout and have seen some of the most amazing results in less then 5 weeks of going 3-4 days a week for one hour.  I have lost inches all over and am down 2-3 pant sizes. I love the work out, not only am I getting into the best shape yet I sleep better, have more energy, wake up feeling energetic, feel less body aches and have become all around better health wise.  I feel happy, healthy and look great.

I have a hectic schedule even though I am a stay at home mom cause my husband works a lot of hours and is not home much, so that leaves me with the bulk of not just cooking and cleaning, but running the kids to and from school, sports practices and events.  Some nights I just can't fit the gym in and have been looking for something other then my treadmill for a workout.  The treadmill is good but I have now gotten to where I want that amazing hard core workout I get at the gym.  I was contacted by someone from Beachbody.com and ended up checking into the site to see what it was all about.  They sell a lot of at home work outs like P90X and Insanity.  I am not big into DVD's and had P90X that I borrowed from a friend it wasn't for me, but the Insanity workout has a lot of the same things we do in our cardio and warm up then core training at the boxing/kickboxing classes.

I am going to look into getting this program to try for 60 days.  I think they have a 30 day free trial and if you don't like it or see results you can get a refund.  It is expensive but a 1/4 of what I paid to join the gym for 7 months.  I do like going to the gym and having that extra push so I don't give up or wimp out but now I am hooked on working out and like the way I feel.  I think this is great alternative for the nights or days I can't make it to the gym.  I will keep you posted if I end up getting this product then I will keep a log on my blog along with photos, measurements and videos.  I will also give you my review and honest truth on what I think of the product.

Check out their site here Beachbody They have a few different DVD programs to try and Insanity is just one of those.  Just from the workout I get at the gym I go to this is pretty close and it works amazing.  I am sweating within 3-5 minutes at the gym and that is warming up.  I always warm up on the treadmill or another cardio machine for 15 minutes and stretch before each class.  I think this is going to be an amazing investment for anyone looking to get into shape that doesn't have the spare time or money to join the gym.  Especially us stay at home mom's.  I know I am more determined then ever at 35 to get into the best shape ever.  I have always been skinny and small, gifted with fast metabolism but even after two kids being a size 2/3 my body was never as toned as before my second daughter except for when I worked out.

Stay posted I will have more to come on this=).  Thank you to Cara from Beachbody for contacting me so I would check this out, I hope to get to try this and have review for everyone soon.  Let me know if you are struggling to get back into shape and what you do for working out, products you have tried, what you like, what doesn't work for you etc.  Try kickboxing/boxing cardio it is amazing and life changing..

Melissa

Can't believe it

I am super happy today since starting kickboxing a month ago I really haven't weighed myself cause I like to see it in inches and clothes rather then on the scale. I go to the doctor this morning for my physical so I will see weight on her scale but I was wanting to wear a pair of skinny jeans I have in a size 5 I haven't fit in in over a year due to weight gain from medication I was taking that I have since stopped taking over the summer. They fit me and aren't even tight I am super happy and so glad I am finally getting my old body back. I was always super thin maybe a 0-3 my entire life even after one kid but the second one made life harder and turning thirty. When she was two I lost forty pounds and was back down to a size 1/2 and weighed 118 but then wanted to gain weight feeling I was too thin for my height which is 5'7 and age so I worked out and ate more got to perfect weight 124 and size 4/5. Then I had to take medicine for anxiety and depression for a year and started gaining weight. I tried dieting, crossfit and other workouts nothing worked. Dr said my thyroid was slowing down and I was worried weight would never come off but once I felt better I weaned off the medication fast and honestly feel better then I have in years.

Working out has changed how I feel and look. I love the boxing and kickboxing classes they are amazing. I am hooked and the jeans fitting this am motivated me even more:). I have run before only to stay the same size and tried all the fad diets to only lose a few pounds now eating healthy and hitting the gym 3-4 times a week alteast is showing me changes more then ever and im over the moon happy:).

Melissa

Boxing and kickboxing class

I signed up three weeks ago to start working out at a local gym. They have regular machines, weights but I signed up for the amazing classes. I have done the gym and crossfit but was looking for something with a mix of cardio and strengthening that was fun but worked out every inch of my body. I found it! Boxing/kickboxing class is amazing. They also have Mma and self defense along with boot camp classes that are similar to the crossfit workouts. I find that the boxing and kickboxing is similar to going to crossfit just with an amazing cardio warm up, full body workout punching and kicking then it is finished off with an amazing core/ab workout that I love then cool down.

I have never had more fun in a class, the hour flies by and in just three weeks of going 3-4 times a week I see amazing changes in my body that I never got with crossfit. Yes crossfit made me stronger and was for sure a amazing challenge but I actually gained weight I was building muscle but losing no fat. I am now eating healthy strictly fruit and veggies with protein. No bread, cheese or carbs. Drinking lots of water and loving my be work out. I'm already down 14 lbs and 2-3 sizes looking more tone and feeling more energetic and confident. I look forward to every class.

I can't wait to do a boot camp class they have them mon, wed and Friday am then Saturday morning also. The best part the gym opens at 5:30 am and is open till 10 pm so I have no excuse not to go also my kids can come if I have no sitter and they actually love it. My oldest has taken a couple classes and loves the machines. Haven't brought my little one cause I know she would want to participate and she is too small.

I'm so happy I have found something I love and happy to be getting into errrr shape. I always was thin of anything too thin before then gained weight after a hard rough patch after having my second child, a little post partum depression that I am happy has passed and I no longer take medicine but the medicine caused me to gain some weight and have been struggling to lose it for some time. Now that I have weaned off all my meds I am seeing big changes and all for the best:). I am happy, healthy and looking forward to a new year of promising things:). Anyways off to bed hope everyone has a great week and don't forget if you haven't already voted in the early voting don't forget to exercise our rights and participate tomorrow in voting, not happy with the choices but want to make sure I get my vote in either way. Have a good one xoxo

Meli

Fall boot finds from Marshall's!

Here are the boots I mentioned in yesterday's post about some awesome tall brown fall boots:). I went to Marshall's today and if on payday these babies are still there I may get both but alteast the heeled ones.

They were $79.99-$99.00 and they are amazing. Love them, even tried on some lower boots that I fell in love with and trying to stay away from black or ugg looking boots cause I have so many options already.

I also found this great white with black skull scarf on eBay for $5.00! I was hoping I would get one in my julep mystery box but that is another topic lol what a mess. I think they said they were sending me out a new box to replace the mess I received, I hope so or I will be canceling and done with Julep for awhile.

Enjoy my photos and love to hear comments on the boots and the scarf. Hope everyone is having a great start to their week:). I know I am and boxing tonight was exhilarating love it so much more the crossfit this is total body work out but fun and always different. I feel more sore all over then any workout and like I said they do boxing, kickboxing, cardio, abs, and all the squats, lunges and burpies etc like crossfit just feel like I am getting better cardio and fitness then it's fun always different not the same old wod routine. One of the trainers worked with Mariah Carey and J Lo he is amazing and knows his stuff but in my second week I am still so sore that everything aches but a good ache :)

Kickboxing, my new love...

I have been trying to find a workout that I love, something that works out all body parts but is intense and I get cardio at the same time.  I have done crossfit, which can be addicting but gets expensive and isn't really for losing weight.  I seem to bulk up and not lose much weight.  I have found my answer.  A girlfriend of mine took up kickboxing and asked me to join her.  At first I was like no way I am so not coordinated but I went for the free class and that is it, love it.

I have done the boxing and kick boxing, then they have self defense, cardio kickboxing it is awesome.  Each class you stretch and warm up, then do squats, lunging, burpies, use weights, box, hard core ab workout, jumping jacks, push ups everything.  The class flies by and every part of your body aches.  I am addicted.  I got my gear tonight and have signed up for 7 months instead of paying for each class, that way it isn't so expensive.  Tomorrow I am going to get my boxing gloves found some cute pink girly ones at Sports Authority and already have tons of workout clothes from my previous adventures with other work outs.

Time to get into awesome shape and learn how to kick some butt.  Lol

I will keep you all updated on my weight loss, I have already lost two sizes from walking, running and dieting with this I hope to be back to my size 2/3 where I was this time last year by Nov/Dec.  

Try it if you haven't ever done it, I swear it is amazing and I feel so good, just left a class earlier and I feel so good.  

Melissa