Better Sore Than Sorry: Activity alternatives to avoid skipping workouts

We had some crazy cold weather in Dallas this weekend – an ice storm to be exact. Consequently, many of my favorite group fitness classes were cancelled, which kind of put me in a funk. A big part of me wanted to just skip my workouts all together and curl up on my couch. Fortunately, while doing some internet browsing I came across this article, 10 Questions to Ask Yourself before You Skip Your Workout, and it became very clear to me that I needed to get my butt off of the couch and into my workout clothes. While there’s nothing wrong with resting (our bodies do need adequate recovery), I’m really glad I went ahead and got some alternative activity in. My workout schedule this weekend went like this:

Thursday = Run up and down the stairs in my house for 10 min + 50 push ups + my 10 Min Abs vol. 1
Friday = TaeBo 60 min fat blaster DVD + dancing around in my living room with ankle weights on to some of my favorite jamz
Saturday = Turbo Kick + Body Pump (my gym opened for a few hours – yay!)
Sunday = Hot Vinyasa Flow Yoga

Now that I’m getting ready to embark on my work week, I’m feeling energized and happy that I didn’t skip my sweat sessions. In fact, I think changing up my routine actually benefited my body – I’m pretty sore in areas that I don’t typically focus on.

For the Dallas readers who are still going to be stuck at home tomorrow, here’s a 15 minute workout video created by yours truly that will get you sweating 🙂 You can knock this bad boy out in your home with no equipment. The routine is designed to get your heart rate up, work all of the major muscle groups and burn 150-200 calories.

Enjoy the workout, be encouraged and have a wonderful week! xoxo, Brit

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AD-j-uHj5V4&w=420&h=315]

December 4, 2013

Brit’s Tastiest Top 5 Healthy Holiday Treats: Lower Calorie Dessert Options

I don’t know about you guys, but starting this weekend my schedule is jam-packed with holiday parties – LOVE IT! Many of the parties are “pot luck – style.” So in an effort to avoid overindulging in high calorie desserts, I’ve been researching some “Healthier Holiday Treats” that I can prepare and bring to the festivities. Below are my Top 5 Favorites! Hope you love them too. Enjoy! xoxo, Brit

1. Rocky Road Almond Butter Balls

Source: http://livglutenfree.com/recipes/rocky-road-almond-butter-balls

2. Strawberry Santa Hats

Source: http://www.snack-girl.com/snack/light-holiday-snack/

3. Maple Cinnamon Roasted Almonds

Source: http://thehonoursystem.com/2013/04/26/maple-cinnamon-roasted-almonds/

4. Sugar and Gluten Free Ginger Snaps

Source: http://realhealthyrecipes.com/2011/12/20/real-healthy-ginger-snaps/

5.Dark Chocolate Covered Peppermint

Source: http://shadandlizzie.blogspot.com/2011/12/dark-chocolate-covered-peppermint-joe.html

December 3, 2013

Give your Body Some Love on #GivingTuesday with this 3 by 3 Custom Cardio & Strength Training Circuit

Hey gang! In honor of #GivingTuesday, here’s a legit total body workout that you can do as a gift to your mind, body and soul. I designed the workout and tested it this morning – I loved it!

Note, that you will need a Bosu Ball to complete this workout. The 2nd set of exercises includes Bosu Planks and Bosu Burpees. Here are links to some instructional YouTube videos in case you’ve never done these exercises.

Bosu Plank Hold: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWmJB3g9-uQ
Bosu Burpees: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWmJB3g9-uQ

The entire circuit, including the cardio warm up, should take you about 45-50 minutes. You will be sweaty! Overall, expect to burn about 500 calories. Enjoy and let me know how it goes. Lots of luv, Brit

December 1, 2013

Cyber Monday Sale! GRIT by Brit Home Workout DVD 50% off, only $12.50 and DVD + Tank Top Gift Sets only $30

Hey Yall! Back by popular demand, I’m running my super steep Cyber Monday discount for all my blog followers for 1 day only! Starting now, and ending tomorrow night (Monday, Dec. 2nd at midnight) you can enjoy my original workout DVD for only $12.50.

In order to take advantage of the Cyber Monday Sale, follow these instructions:

Go to my DVD store: https://www.createspace.com/353954
Enter this discount code: EFG4H3UU
Purchase your DVD for 50% off, only $12.50

Here’s quick overview of what my workout video has to offer…

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fjZR1ClWFbE&w=560&h=315]

As icing on the cake, I’m also extending my Black Friday Sale! You can enjoy a gift set including my DVD + Workout Tank Top of your choice for only $30. The gift sets can be purchased at my eStore: gritbybrit-shop.com

Healthy Holidays and Happy Shopping! xoxo, Brit

December 1, 2013

Keep Your Kale Fresh: Quick and easy way to freeze Kale and keep it from going to waste

Hello my luvs! I hope you all had a wonderful holiday weekend – spending time with friends and family and eating delicious food. I certainly did. As we prepare for the week ahead, I wanted to share with you this awesome tip that my amazing Aunt (who happens to be a 6 feet tall former runway model – see photos below) shared with me during our family Turkey Day Feast…

aunt helen modeling — My stunning Aunt Helen modeling in NYC in the 70’s

aunt helen modeling 2 — More modeling pics of my Aunt Helen – a diet full of lean protein and veggies has allowed her to keep this figure for over 40 years!

As we shared our love for kale, I was complaining about not being able to keep my kale fresh and having to throw so much of it away since I travel every week for work. It’s nearly impossible to use a whole batch. HOWEVER, she showed me the cool way to store kale according to serving sizes which alleviates my problem. It goes like this:

Wash kale
Remove the large stems
Place kale in a plastic sack/bag
Separate the kale into the serving size you want with a twisty tie
Tie off each serving size
Freeze

When you are ready to eat the kale, simply break off the end piece. It’s super easy to throw the serving into your Vitamix or Blender to make a green drink or to let it thaw and cook it. Yay! Stuff like this makes me want to be a vegetarian again! I hope you enjoy this tip as much as I did.

Happy meal planning for the week!

Lots of luv, Brit

November 26, 2013

Black Friday Sale at GRIT by Brit eStore: Workout DVD + Tank Top only $30

This Friday you can purchase my ultimate fitness gift set = GRIT by Brit Ultimate Body Burn DVD + 1 Workout Tank Top for only $30.

Save 40% from the full price. The deal will begin at 6:00am CST Friday, November 29th for one day only. The deal ends at midnight. A limited supply of gift sets are available – once the inventory is gone, it’s gone for good!

Two gift set options are available:

1. DVD + Black Crop Tank Top: CLICK HERE to purchase for $30

2. DVD + Blue Racer Back Tank Top: CLICK HERE to purchase for $30

Be sure to visit my eStore first thing Black Friday morning for BIG SAVINGS. Show your #GRIT!

Happy Holidays! xoxo, Brit

November 23, 2013

Just in time for Thanksgiving: Happiness, Gratitude and GRIT

Hey gang – it’s almost Turkey Day! I know many of you are probably getting Instagram and Facebook overload from your friends sharing their “30 Days of Thanks” or whatever it’s called. While I’m sure it can be annoying, don’t “hate” too much. Turns out, drinking the gratitude Kool-Aid can do us good.

Let me digress for a bit. We’ll come back full circle. I promise.

While growing up in Texas I attended a small, Southern Baptist church and we had this ritual of giving “praise reports” during every service. At this time, members of the congregation would stand up and share something good that had happened during the week (i.e. a promotion at work, healing from a sickness, winning a big game, an exciting family vacation, etc.). We always did “praise reports” before sharing “prayer requests.” Prayer requests are unfortunate situations in which people needed prayer, support or encouragement. I always wondered why we had this practice of first giving praise before we prayed about a problem. Over the weekend, a friend shared this video with me (below). While watching it, “praise reports” started to make more sense… thankful happiness

“The Science of Happiness,” suggests that the simple of act sharing gratitude (aka sharing praise reports) is therapeutic in itself. Being grateful and expressing gratitude can actually give us the strength and perspective that we need to make it through tough times. In short, gratitude gives us GRIT. Gratitude makes us happier.

In true GRIT by Brit fashion, I also thought to myself, “Maybe expressing gratitude for 2 good arms, 2 good legs and a heart and lungs that work can be the extra push I need on days I don’t feel like working out?” haha – we shall see.

Watch this video from SoulPancake if you want to feel good, get in the Thanksgiving spirit and maybe even tear up a bit 🙂

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHv6vTKD6lg&w=560&h=315]

“Praise [gratitude] works best at the start, before the miracle, before the breakthrough, before the restoration.” – Brian Houston

November 19, 2013January 8, 2020

Sexy Chica Chest Workout for Women

I hope you guys have enjoyed the targeted workouts I’ve been posting lately. In case you missed, here are a couple from the last few weeks:

Keeping on the trend of upper body workouts for women, here’s a new chest workout I designed with the ladies in mind (although men will enjoy it as well). For best results, complete the entire circuit using 8-20 pound dumbbells, depending on your strength. You’ll notice that this workout has bench press “negatives” in it. Just perform a basic, lying dumbbell bench press but push the weights up quickly and then bring them down to starting position very slowly, controlling the resistance on the way down (count to 3 slowly to make sure you are moving at the right pace.) As always, add a little cardio and stretching to the end of the workout.

Enjoy and let me know how it goes. Lots of luv, Brit

November 17, 2013

Perfect Holiday Fitness Gift: GRIT by Brit Workout Tank Tops are now Available! Show your #GRIT

Get ready to Show Your GRIT in some of my signature GRIT Swag. Treat yourself or your friends to a tank top or DVD today! You can shop directly through my eStore: gritbybrit-shop.com

I created GRIT by Brit apparel and DVDs to help me stay connected with my virtual “fit friends.” Hopefully you will become a part of our “GRIT Gang” and enjoy these products as much as I enjoyed creating them. Tank tops and gift sets are available while the limited supply last – when they are gone, they are GONE!

Thanks for supporting my small, but growing, business – ENJOY!

Lots of luv, Brit

For questions please contact me at brit@gritbybrit.com

November 16, 2013

Sexy Shoulders Resistance Workout for Women

Happy Saturday Ladies and Gents! While I love you both equally, I designed this workout especially for the ladies. I think many of you can empathize with the how hard it is to find a challenging shoulder workout that isn’t catered towards bulking up (i.e. 4 set of 5 military press at 50 pounds). Come on, I don’t want to look like I can pick up my date, I just want to be able to rock a nice sleeveless blouse during my date. However, let me caveat my last statement by clarifying that even if we don’t want to bulk up, we must still lift a weight that challenges us. If it doesn’t challenge us, it doesn’t change us! Don’t be afraid to pick up a pair of 10-20 pound dumbbells when doing my “Sexy Shoulders” workout.

sexy shoulder workout for women

While I created this shoulder workout just for the ladies, it’s a great workout for men as well. Unlike my other arm workouts, this routine solely focuses on the shoulder muscles instead of the entire arm. It’s a great way to isolate the shoulders and really build some definition. For best results, do this workout 2 times per week along with 30 minutes of cardio for 4 weeks. Enjoy and let me know how it goes.

Lots of luv, Brit