GLOWGA Party : Glow-in-the-dark Yoga to Celebrate 6 Months of Business

Image: Excited for the party to start! I couldn’t believe there was a line all the way down the street – ahhh!

Happy Monday morning friends!  I’m cloud 9 after celebrating 6 super successful months of business!  This past weekend, my GRIT Fitness team and I hosted a GLOWGA (glow-in-the-dark yoga) party on the 33rd floor of the W Dallas Hotel.  It was simply amazing!  Hundreds and hundreds of family, friends and studio members came out to “flow in the dark” with us.  Here are a few photos…  You can view the full album on the GRIT Fitness Facebook page.

I’ll be back tomorrow with a super sweat 20 minute Tabata workout that I did with my boyfriend last week.  Get ready to WERK friends!

xoxo, Brit

Me and a few members of my GRIT Fitness Dream Team!
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Flowing in the DARK!
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Melissa & Maria, GRIT Fitness Yoga Instructors who led the class
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Getting Ready for the Grand Opening of my New Fitness Studio – Grit Fitness!

Image: Me (center) and half of my team of fabulous fitness instructors! Photo by Sharee Antoinette Photography

Hi friends – Happy Monday!  First and foremost, my apologies for the lack of blog posts last week.  I’m not a believer in excuses, so I won’t give you any.  I’ll just do better 🙂

On a brighter note, I’m back to frequent blogging now that most of the renovation and employee on-boarding activities at my new studio, GRIT Fitness, are complete!  WOO HOO  Being a full-time entrepreneur is WAY more time consuming than working in corporate America, that’s for sure.  Nonetheless, I wouldn’t trade this life for anything.  I’m so excited to wake up everyday and get after my long to do list.  But before I get to work today, I’ll take a minute and share all of the great progress that was made last week…

Custom wall art & sound responsive lighting installed!

So one thing I’m learning a lot about is obtaining city permits.  UGH!  We finally secured our “green tag” of approval for all of the renovation work that was done in the studio so now we can “legally” open for business.  Our super cool, sound responsive DJ lights were installed last week.  Also, the custom wall art of motivational sayings were hung.  Last we set up the sound system and started blasting some music.  For the first time, I could feel the vibe I’ve been trying to create for my clients.  I can’t wait until the first class on Jan. 19, 2015!

Entry way photo wall filled will images from my classes over the past 3 years! (still missing one pic in the upper left corner. That one is coming soon)

After getting the studio’s interior set up, I started decorating the entry way.  This is a still a work in progress but here’s a sneak peak at the photo wall I’m putting together.  I got these frames at At Home (formal Garden Ridge) for only $9.99 each!  Then I took photos from my piyo and turbo kick classes over the past three years and had them blown up into black & white poster-size prints.  As time progresses, I’m going to add instagram photos from our clients when they post them with hashtag #nogritnopearl – fun huh?  Yesterday a I bought a hot pink bench and some other decor for front desk.  I’ll post pics of that once I finish 🙂

Me and my sister, Kortani our dance cardio instructor, posing for a selfie after orientation.  Hey Girl Hey!

On Friday and Saturday I hosted orientation for my fierce, fabulous crew of instructors.  Starting off, we will be a team of 10 (including me) to teach over 20 classes per week.  We went over the studio policies, “GRIT Etiquette” and had a fun photo shoot.  I’m so grateful work with such a fun, high-energy fit family.

Well, that’s the run down.  I’ll be back later this afternoon with some healthy holiday cocktail recipes.  Until then, HAPPY MONDAY!  xoxo, Brit

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Black Friday Sale! Save 40% on Dallas Grit Fitness Classes + 50% on Grit by Brit DVD

Gobble Gobble – Happy Thanksgiving!  I hope you’re enjoying some well-deserved food and fun with family and friends.  I know I said I was going to check out until Monday, but I have to make sure I share my special Black Friday sale!

As you probably know from all of my “studio renovation” blog posts, I’m so grateful for the upcoming grand opening of my new fitness studio, Dallas Grit Fitness! Starting today I’m offering an exclusive pre-sale 40% discount on class passes.  This offer is good through FRIDAY ONLY (tomorrow)! 

  • CLICK HEREto purchase your discounted 10 Class Pass for $100 (reg. $170)
  • CLICK HEREto purchase your discounted 20 Class Pass for $180 (reg. $300)

Dallas Grit Fitness will open to the public on January 19, 2015.  We offer over 20 classes per week each led by energetic, nationally certified instructors including me!  From PiYo, Turbo Kick, Dance Cardio, Power Yoga and Body Sculpt we have it all, making us Dallas’ ONLY one-stop shop for fun, fierce fitness.  Trust me, you definitely want to be a part of our “gritty” family!

I hope you take advantage of this unique opportunity to prepare for a happier, healthier 2015!

Want to learn more about Dallas Grit Fitness? Here’s a link to the studio website.

BLACK FRIDAY BONUS:  You can also grab a copy of my signature Grit by Brit Ultimate Body Burn home workout DVD for $12.50 (50% discount).  CLICK HERE to access the online store.  Enter discount code: TTTVV5E5 at checkout.  Enjoy!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!  xoxo, Brit

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Fitness Fashion Friday #3: Babelicious Bustier & Onzie Activewear Giveaway!

Image: Rockin’ my Onzie Bustier Bra Top and matching Track Leggings

Happy Fitness Fashion Friday!  We are officially at week 3 – are guys liking this new tradition?  Let me know! (Here’s links to my outfits from week 1 and week 2 in case you missed them.)Today, I wanna show off my new, super sexy activewear from Onzie.  Now let me preface this by saying that I NEVER show off my tummy when I’m working out so this was a bold move on my part.  This week I stepped out of my “gritty”  comfort zone and rocked this bustier and matching leggings to yoga class.  The top isn’t super supportive so I couldn’t wear it for a Turbo Kick or cycling workout.  I added my Vinyasa scarf from Lululemon for a little coverage before and after class.  BTW, this scarf is amazing!  You can wear it like 10 different ways, even as a vest (as I am doing below).  All in all, I felt strong and sexy in this outfit.  Better yet, on the Onzie website they put together cute outfits for styling ideas – you can check them here!

Added the Vinyasa scarf from Lululemon – wearing it as a vest! (you can wear it like 10 different ways – amazing!)

And now it’s giveaway time!  First off, the winner of last week’s GRIT tank top giveaway is Chelle!  I was very inspired by her personal definition of “grit.”  This is what “grit” means to Chelle: “GRIT is that rod of steel that runs through the backbone of every woman out there kicking butt in the world, corporate, fitness or otherwise. She may greet you with a gentle smile or look perfectly polished and pulled together even during the toughest times but the thing that keeps her going when she wants to stay in bed kicking and screaming and crying about the inevitable trials in her life is her inner GRIT.” Congrats Chelle!  Your tank top is on it’s way to you!

In fact, I was SO inspired but all of your comments, that I’m actually combining them into a cute quote printable. I’ll post it so you can each have a copy.  The energy that I feel from hearing the voices of so many powerful, positive, gritty women is absolutely amazing – thanks again for sharing you guys!

Today I’m hosting ANOTHER giveaway thanks to Onzie activewear!  In case you can’t tell, I’m an Onzie junkie.  Did you see my outfit from their Spring collection?  The wonderful folks at Onzie hooked me up with this adorable, one-size fits all, knot-back tank top from their Fall collection.  I’m feeling kind of random (and nosy) today, so I just wanna know what your weekend plans are? Football game, dinner with friends, family time, working out? To win this tank, just post a comment sharing your weekend agenda.  I’ll announce the winner next Tuesday, September 23rd.  Happy Friday!  luv, Brit

Post a comment to win this adorable Onzie knot-back tank!
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Start Stretching! My 5 Favorite Super Stretches to Increase Flexibility

Image: Me and 4 of of my favorite students after one of  my Summer PiYo classes!

Hello friends!  Hope your day is going well.  As I sit at my desk, hunched over my lap tap, the striking pain in my back inspired me to write a well-needed blog post about STRETCHING!  Back when I was getting my group fitness instructor certification with AFAA (Aerobics and Fitness Association of America) our course leaders constantly stressed the fact that there are 3, equally important, elements of physical fitness:

  1. Muscular Strength – “Your muscle’s ability to generate force against physical objects. In the fitness world, this typically refers to how much weight you can lift” – About Health
  2. Cardiovascular Endurance – “The ability of the heart to deliver oxygen to the working muscles, and the muscles ability to use that oxygen.” – Healthline
  3. Flexibility – “The ability of your joints to move through a full range of motion. Having flexibility in your muscles allows for more movement around the joints.” – About Health

If you’re like me, you often focus on the first 2 and neglect the 3rd – skip the stretching.  I have a severe “Exercise ADD” (attention deficit disorder).  I can hardly make it through a traditional yoga class without totally zoning out and I never stretch on my own, which is really bad.  HOWEVER, I can get down with more dynamic stretching (i.e. stretching with movement, like Vinyasa flow yoga and PiYo) because I find it more engaging and even break a sweat once in a while.

Flexibility is SO important not only for out fitness, but for out overall well-being.  Being flexible reduces risk of injury,  improves posture (which makes you look slimmer), minimizes muscle aches and decreases stress through relaxation.  That said, I wanted to share my 5 favorite stretches that are both effective and engaging.  Try doing each of these exercises for 2 minutes at least 3 days per week. Move through each movement dynamically, keeping your body in constant motion instead of a holding the pose and straining.  In doing so, your 10 minute stretch session will fly by! (Instructional photos from to stretchify.com)

Deep Kneeling Lunge (hips)

The hips are super strong – especially if you run often and do a lot of squats.  Also Yogis believe that emotional tension is stored in our hips.  This means that our hips are usually super tight, so we really need to focus on keeping them flexible.  I recommend this deep lunging stretch to improve hip range of motion.  Move forward and back slowly in this pose to keep it dynamic.

Hip flexor stretch from stretchify.com

Standing Hamstring Stretch (back of leg/lower back)

The hamstring and lower back muscles are directly connected so if you have lower back pain, it’s likely that you also have really tight hamstrings.  This stretch is pretty simple so shift your hips back far enough that you feel a nice stretch in the back of your leg and even a little in your booty.

Standing Hamstring Stretch for Sciatica from stretchify.com

Doorway Stretch (chest)

If you’re like me you sit at a desk all day (with horrible posture) hunched over a computer.  This means that your chest is always contracting and you back is always expanded.  Chest opening stretches help reverse that bad, hunch-back posture.  To compete this stretch just a find a doorway, put your arm up and lean forward feeling a good stretch in your chest and little bit in the front of your shoulder.

Doorway Chest Stretch from stretchify.com

Cat Stretch (back)

I don’t know why, but my back is always sore.  I think when I get stressed I hold a lot of tension in my back.  Fortunately, I find a lot of relief by kneeling on all fours and doing cat/cow stretches.  To do this stretch, alternate cat pose (shown below, rounding your back) with “cow pose” in which you push your chest and tail bone up (arch your back).

Cat stretch from stretchify.com

Head Tilt (neck)

So, I have a bad habit of hunching my shoulders up to my ears when I’m tired.  This feels good at the moment, but then I get terrible neck pain.  Simply tilting my head from side to side or downward towards my chest helps relieve tension.  For a little extra sensation, I use my hands to add some pressure.

Neck Stretch from stretchify.com

How often do you stretch?  What are your favorite stretches and why?

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Spreading #PiYo Love all over Dallas

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Hey Gang – Happy Monday!  I just wrapped up my first 4 weeks of teaching PiYo on the wetdeck at the W-Dallas Hotel.  We have gotten off to an amazing start and have generated a huge amount of Pilates/Yoga fusion energy in Dallas.  If you happen to live in Dallas or just be in town for the weekend, I really hope you stop by and sweat with me 🙂  Last week, D Magazine wrote a really cool review of the class.  Click here to read the full story.

Also, Chalene Johnson, the creator of PiYo, just launched a brand new home fitness PiYo program with Beachbody.  In case you don’t know, Beachbody also created Insanity and P90X  – 2 really great home fitness programs.  I’ve always been a fan of Chalene Johnson because she created TurboKick (and y’all know I love me some Turbo).

Anyway, I’m super excited and grateful for a successful PiYo class so far this Summer.  Here are some photos from our class last Saturday.  There’s nothing I love more than connecting with blog readers and fitness fanatics in our community, so please do join us Saturday morning and say “hi” – I’d love to meet you.  Click here for class details.

Have a wonderful week!  xoxo, Brit

piyo on the wetdeck
PiYo at W-Dallas wetdeck June 21 ,2014 Photo by: Frank Everet, W Insider

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piyo on the wetdeck 2

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PiYo at W Hotel #wetdeck is back! #WPiyo Summer 2014

2014 PIYO on the WET DeckHooray – it’s that time of year again!  I’ll start teaching PiYo classes at the W Dallas – Victory hotel on Saturday May 31, 2014.  Classes are held on the beautiful 16th floor beside the infnity pool of the W hotel. We start at 9:00am sharp each and every Saturday throughout the Summer.  BREAKING NEWS: Classes have been extended through September 20th! 

PiYo is one of my all time favorite fitness formats.  It’s a fun, effective fusion of Pilates and Yoga set to upbeat music.  If traditional yoga classes bore you, this is the class for you!  And the best part is that we can enjoy the best view in Dallas while getting our tummy toning and bun burning on.

Thanks to the W Hotel, PiYo on the #wetdeck is completely FREE and open to everybody – no sign up needed. You must bring your own yoga mat to participate. We also recommend you bring water and a towel.

If you have any questions, shoot me an email at [email protected].

pursue your dreams

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Clear Your Mind of Can’t

Happy Independence Day to my US blog followers!  I hope you enjoy  some rest, relaxation, quality time with the people you love and (of course) a good workout!  For those of you outside of the US, this blog post is also for you 🙂

On this day of freedom, remember that we are free in every capacity: emotionally, physically and spiritually!  So, relish in that fact.  Clear you mind of can’t.  Anything you want in life, anything you desire to experience, all of it, IS YOURS!  So, today, let’s accept our freedom.  Be grateful for it.  And let NOTHING hold us back from pursuing our dreams!

Let Freedom Ring!  xoxo, Brit

clear your mind

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Hottest Celebrity Bodies & Workouts

I have a love/hate relationships with celebrities.  I love the aspirational lifestyle, but hate the drama and shallowness.  However, there are a few celebrities that truly motivate me to live a healthier lifestyle because they have BOTH a killer body and an awesome work ethic – beautiful on the inside and out, just how we like ’em!

My super star intern, Kendra (follow her on Instagram @socialitedivas), did some research on my favorite celebrities and the workouts that keep their bodies smoking hot.  I’m gonna try to incorporate some of these workouts and health tips into my fitness routine.  Who knows, I may have Kelly Rowland abs by the end of the Summer – watch out now! 😉

Workout like a rock star! Lots of luv, Brit

 

Brit's Favorite Celebrity workoutsPINK

  • Kickboxing
  • Sprint Intervals
  • Eats fish and chicken with vegetables
  • Boot camp sessions
  • Snacks on Kale chips
  • Sit ups

KELLY ROWLAND

  • Eats mostly healthy which includes: fruits, vegetables, grilled fish and meat.
  • 1 hr in the gym every other day.
  • Yoga
  • Cardio few times a week
  • Biking and cross training.

TIA MOWRY

  • Cardio 3-4 times a week
  • Hiking, power walking/jogging, intervals on the treadmill, dancing, spinning.
  • Resistance training
  • Fresh fruits
  • Vegetables
  • Grains, lean cuts of meat/fish
  • Herbal teas and lots of water!

JENNIFER ANISTON

  • Loves the basic yoga pose – downward facing dog
  • Begin on a non-slip floor on your hands and knees with your knees under your hips.
  • Exhale and lift your knees away from the floor
  • Press palms into the floor and keep your head between your upper arms
  • Hold for 1 to 3 minutes then lower yourself back onto knees

JESSICA ALBA

  • Cardio & strength training
  • Use 3-pound dumbbell in each hand, step forward with one leg bend at the waist and all your arms to hang.
  • Round your arms, raise dumbbells to your sides until they’re in line with your shoulders.
  • Switch legs after 10 repetitiions aiming for three rounds of 20 repetitions each.

DEMI MOORE

  • Bikram Yoga performed in a room in at least 105 degrees.
  • Most effective  exercises for improving physical fitness
  • Make sure to check with a doctor before trying this class as it is not recommended for pregnant women and people with high blood pressure.

ZOE SALDANA

  • Squats with excercise ball and resistance band
  • Cable push-pull
  • Plank push ups
  • Walking lunges
  • Ball hams with excercise ball

JENNIFER LOPEZ

  • Standing inverted knee tuck with straight back and arabesque extend
  • Lean, tuck, kick combo.
  • Touch the ground side kick.
  • Do at least one hr every other day.

GWEN STAFANI

  • Triceps dips
  • 15 reps of dumbbell chest press
  • three minutes of cycling at a fast pace.
  • 20 reps of reverse barbell lunges
  • 12 reps of military press
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Why not have a BIG life? The World is Yours!

the world is yours

Happy Sunday guys and gals!  I don’t have much to say to today.  Just wanted to spread a little encouragement…

Life is short, but it’s also sweet.  What are you doing to make the most of this life?  What are doing to make your deepest dreams and desires come true?  Whatever you are doing…keep on fighting!  As long as you never quit, your dreams WILL become a reality. Why?  Because you are powerful beyond measure and because the world is yours!

Say it…believe it #GRIT

Be blessed!  Lots of luv, Brit

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