Brit Rettig Wold – Page 41 – BRITTANI RETTIG WOLD

November 15, 2012

4 Week Shred: Alex Thrives in Week 3

looking good now — Alex at a recent event representing Sporty Afros & looking FAB!

Be sure to check out Alex’s complete 4-week GRIT by Brit Shred Plan and come back next week for her final report!

Alex’s Week 3 Update:

Scale Deception – I’ve discovered that when I don’t see the numbers change on the scale, I should also take a look at my clothes. I was amazed at the clothes and how they were fitting. I took a photo of my new pair of jeans verses my old jeggings. To see the change was amazing!
Time Off – My doctor has me reducing my stress level thus I am making sure I get my 7-8 hours of sleep each night no matter what. I am drinking a lot of tea and have found a recent new tea to help bring down stress levels and relax. Tea is great for the skin and is an easy way to drink more water.
Exercise – Even if I am not meeting the goals every day with the plan, I am making each step and min count by keeping my heart rate monitor on. I had a pretty crappy run outside last week, but what made me smile was the calories burned.
Mental & Spiritual Strength – I am feeding my spirit and mind with educational opportunities but also the word (read: The Bible). Mostly during the day I am listening to sermons and uplifting music. This is making the day go by so much faster and my mood a lot better.
Grocery Shopping – I am loving Trader Joes as I get a chance to try new foods but also save a lot of staples. Since I have a salad every day, I can pick out a variety of salad toppings and bagged lettuce at the store $1-$2 cheaper. I also keep breakfast at my office now. I brought breakfast a few weeks ago to offset the amount of growing Halloween candy.
Food and Choices – The choices are becoming easier each day. I still love my bread but I am finding alternatives. The biggest changes are in my snacking as I have decrease my nuts/granola and fruit. I only have berries for my fruit and half or small apple or banana after a workout. I also started back eating fish as I am not having enough omegas, bored and needed to change a few things in my diet. I am keeping things in check much better. Dieting sucks and I binge badly after a few weeks (or days! lol) so being realistic about my life and time has helped amazingly.

Overall, I am feeling really good about myself and my progress especially since I am a few days out from my birthday 🙂

November 13, 2012

SoulCycle: Join the cult…or maybe not?

(above) Me and my girl @marissagibbons after a ‘Sick Sunday Soul Sweat’

This past Sunday I tried out SoulCycle at NYC – Tribeca. The NYC studios held a special “Soul Service” contributing all proceeds to Hurricane Sandy relief efforts. A good sweat and a good deed made an attractive combo for Sunday Fun-day. I’m gonna get straight to the point and give you guys the “hot facts” about the “Soul Movement”…

What’s all the hype about?

All the COOL KIDS are doing it – Move over CrossFit! SoulCycle is the hottest AND most expensive fitness class on the street right now! Studios are only in New York and LA and the Soul Movement is so strong that Soul Cycle was recently acquired by Equinox. Several “A” list celebrities have joined the “cult” including but not limited to Lady Gaga and Kelly Rippa. Being a part of the Soul Cycle cult is definitely a status symbol in NYC and LA.
Spin Class + FULL BODY workout – About 30 minutes into the ride, we used light hand weights conveniently placed under our saddles and started a hardcore upper body toning circuit. SHOULDERS ON FIRE! Also throughout the class, the instructor led several moves to engage our core.

Why is it so expensive?

Not just expensive, but REALLY expensive! The classes are $32 per 45 minute session making them the most expensive group fitness classes in the United States! Here a few reason I can justify the price (in moderation):

Immaculate facility – Awesome brand with the SOUL CYCLE theme AND motivations slogans consistently portrayed.
Unique culture and fitness experience – The bikes are really close to each other and the room is pitch black lit only by candle light. They keep the music thumpin’ so you can truly “escape” during your workout.
Boring instructors are NONEXISTENT – All of the instructors are highly energetic and bring a personal enthusiasm that isn’t annoying. Very motivating leadership.
Supper friendly and knowledgeable staff – The front desk staff was super helpful especially since it was my first time. They got me a pair of spinning sneakers, set up my bike and walked me around the facility

Pros?

INSANE ENERGY! Many of the instructors have backgrounds in acting and music so they know how to pump up a crowd and stay on beat with the music – so necessary.
COMMUNITY VIBE. During the class all students moved side to side and up in down in the same direction so we look like a synchronized music video – I loved it! Even better, I got a sweet welcome tweet before the class. I can appreciate any club that shows GRIT by Brit some love – ya heard?

Cons?

As a single method gym, Soul Cycle could get boring over time. However, if you’re already a regular spin class goer, this could be a suitable alternative.
With the steep price, you may be likely to skip classes when money is tight. Consistent fitness habits are crucial!
As a certified indoor cycling instructor I noticed that the class does NOT uphold true cycle principles and form. If you are a hardcore cycling enthusiast, this workout will seem very superficial.
Cycle shoes are required. So you either have to bring your own or pay an additional $2 to rent a pair (whoa, couldn’t they include that in the $32?)

Ultimate verdict?

I had an awesome time at my Sunday Soul Session! I could see myself attending a class here and there when I need to change it up – maybe once every other week. I definitely think Soul Cycle is something you should test for yourself. If you’re a group fitness junkie, like me, you could easily be tempted to join the cult. Even if you aren’t, at least you’ll FIT IN with the “cool kids” and maybe snag a celebrity sighting 😉

(above) My boy @caseygib after our ‘Sunday Soul Session’

November 12, 2012

GRIT by Brit Ultimate Body Burn DVD on sale now!

Get your copy at AMAZON or at my eStore!

It’s launch day – YAY! The time has finally come and I’m so excited to share my passion, energy and positive fitness spirit with you in video mode! Purchase your copy of GRIT by Brit Ultimate Body Burn ASAP – it will certainly be one of the best decisions you make this year!

You must have GRIT to make it through this workout! GRIT by Brit Ultimate Body Burn is a high-intensity, total body 30 minute workout set to endorphin-pumpin’ music (fun is SO necessary). It also includes a bonus 20 minute core, booty and thigh workout! This fitness method utilizes light-medium hand weights to maximize calorie burn and guarantee intensity without building bulk. Kick Boxing, Athletic Drills, Plyometrics, Pilates, Anaerobic Intervals and Resistance training are also incorporated for a complete, exciting workout that hits every major muscle group while keeping your heart rate elevated. You can get it all – effective, fun total body fitness and time to handle your busy schedule!

There’s two ways to purchase the DVD:

My eStore : https://www.createspace.com/353954
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/GRIT-Brit-Ultimate-Body-Burn/dp/B009WSBHAI/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1351692145&sr=8-2&keywords=grit+by+brit

Have FUN, SWEAT and get FIT with

Brit & the GRIT Girlz!

You are stronger than you think you are! #GRIT

November 8, 2012

4-week SHRED: Alex kills it in Week 2!

Alex (on the left) after successfully completing Week 2

Alex has officially completed week 2 of her 4-week GRIT by Brit Shred plan. Long story short – she killed it! You probably remember that Week 1 was all about “adjustments” but week 2 was all about “achievements.” Below is her progress report; be sure check back next Thursday for her week 3 update. Lots of luv, Brit 🙂

Weight

I’ve lost a few pounds but mostly lost inches. I got into my skinny jeans and can breathe in them – yay! Even better, I went shopping for a few staple items and was so happy I could fit most of the items I picked out!

Diet

Overall, my diet was a really good last week. I stayed within my 1,600 calorie budget everyday! I also incorporated a few “tricks” to keep my eating in check. Like when I eat out, I look at the menu beforehand and plan what I’m going to order. Also drinking lots of water (sometimes 1 gallon per day) and unsweetened tea has a help me manage my diet. Last, cooking at home for the week has helped me save time and money and cut calories. Stir-fry is my default and love! (below is a pic of my favorite meal – organic (no-gmo) tofu stirfry)

Exercise

I’ve kept up with my GRIT by Brit workout plan for the most part. I missed my Saturday workout, but I actually still got some exercise in during the day by walking around and do some heavy lifting at a trade show that Sporty Afros was participating in. I kept my heart rate monitor on the entire day of the trade show and ended up burning 500 calories during the day!

November 6, 2012

Fit for Office? Election 2012 Energizer Workout!

While I actually HATE politics, I do LOVE my country! Election Day always gives me a natural feeling of US pride, gratefulness for my rights and appreciation of our history. Here’s the workout I did this morning to build on the natural energy that permeates our nation on this awesome day. Whether you’re a Democrat, Republican, Independent, etc. we are all HUMAN and our HEALTH is a universal need. So while you’re getting excited (or jaded) by this year’s election, do your body and mind some good by knocking out my 30 min “Election Energizer” workout. Go hard, get a good sweat and Viva USA!

P.S. Much love to all of my international followers as well 😉

Duration:30 minutes
Equipment: NONE, open area needed to jump around, piece of tape on the floor (or an imaginary line)
Calories Burned: 300 – 400
Focus: Maximum calorie burn, core toning, leg toning

Exercise Demonstrations for Complex Moves

Calf Jumps (continuous)

Side to Side Ski

Skater Leap

Flutter Kicks

November 1, 2012

Brit’s Booty Builder

photo(34) — The good Lord didn’t see it fit to bless Brit with a booty…but it’s all good!

So yesterday I was chatting with one of my male buddies who asked, “Brit, why are you making booty BURN workouts? I think you should make booty BUILD workouts. Honestly, I appreciate a sizable behind!”

This got me thinking, we all have different “ideal” body preferences, which is a good thing. After all, variety is the spice of life! If you are like me and not naturally blessed with a “bangin’ booty” here is a workout that can help us get some nice firm, junk in our trunks. We’ll also build lower body strength and burn a lot of calories in the process – enjoy 🙂

Workout name: Brit’s Booty Builder
Duration: 30 minutes
Focus: Gluteus maximus, hamstrings
Calories burned: 200-250
Equipment needed: 2 heavy dumbbells/hand weights
Instructions: I’ve included some vidoes below to demo the exercises that may be confusing

Hamstring Curls

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DmoRd3v-wtg]

Plyo Lunges

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OxiGxyswNsA]

Bridge Pulses
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxyPwHY9rXc]

October 29, 2012

4-week SHRED week 1 update: Alex adjusts to meet her goals!

: Alex on the right @ hair expo in Oklahoma City last weekend

In case you missed the kick off, Alex (@Alexandriawill) is my new 4-week challenge chick, CLICK HERE to check out her full 4-week GRIT by Brit SHRED plan. After 1 solid week on the plan, Alex has learned some lessons about herself, her eating habits and her fitness. Here are her thoughts:

Calorie counting is key, but too few calories are not beneficial – Really proud of myself on the calorie control because I was counting EVERYTHING I ate and if I didn’t know the calorie count, I would over estimate it. However, I realized I was not having enough calories at one point and ended up feeling a little sick. So I adjusted to ensure I got the calories my body needed while still staying in my budget.
Continuous diet adjustments are needed for success – I realized I needed to consistently eat smaller meals/snacks throughout the day instead of 3 larger meals. My eating habits are just that HABITS. On the weekends I eat 2-3 larger meals (probably 2) and 1-2 snacks where as during the week I eat much smaller meals with snacks every so hour. Since I’m working out a lot more during the week on the GRIT by Brit SHRED plan, my body wants more energy = food.
Gotta keep it together on the weekends – I realized I binge bad on the weekends, even with just 1-2 meals. Couple that with not working out and I just killed all the work I did for 5 days! I crashed and burned this past weekend with being out of town for a natural hair expo in Oklahoma City. I didn’t fully prepare as I wanted too and eating in Oklahoma City as a vegetarian on a budget was harder than I expected. I simply didn’t have time to find a Subway at 11pm when things close at 10pm. I also just went into a “screw it” moment and forgot my whole goal. I was walking around, presenting and dancing during the weekend, but overall my eating habits were very poor – time of month too! (maybe TMI, but hey, we’re family). Overall, I am proud of my progress so far and I will push even harder in week 2!

BRIT’S 2 POINTS OF ADVICE FOR ALEX

Great adjustment on the calorie intake! Remember, a calorie budget helps prevent over eating, but under eating can be counter productive to weight loss as well. When we don’t eat enough calories, our body goes into starvation mode and our metabolism slows down, thus we burn less calories at rest.
If you know it’s going to be tough to stick with the plan on the weekends, go ahead and adjust your week day diet and workout regiment to be more strict to make up for your “slacker” days. An extra 10-20 minutes of cardio and a few super lean meals will help balance things out so you can meet your goals.

photo(33) — Alex pumped up and ready to kick start the 4-week SHRED plan at Body Pump class with Brit

October 28, 2012

The ONLY way to lose weight…

Forget the B-12 injections, fad diets, miracle drinks, diet pills and quick fix workout plans. Ask anyone who has successfully lost weight AND kept it off and they will tell you that they ATE LESS and MOVED MORE. Burning more calories than you consume is the ONLY true scientific way to lose weight. In reality, this is easier said than done. So here are some helpful tips that have kept me on track during my weight management journey:

I CAN’T out exercise a bad diet – No matter how much I hit the gym, it’s simply too hard to burn off all of the calories of a bad diet. Think about it, a burger and fries could be around 2,000 calories. This means 2 hours of high intensity cardiovascular exercise to work it off. There’s simply not enough time in the day to truly burn off the calories in a bad diet.
I CAN use exercise to speed up weight loss – You must burn 3,500 calories more than you consume to legitimately lose 1 pound. So if you take on a low-calorie diet PLUS burn an extra 400-600 calories per day through an hour of exercise, you will obtain your dream body much sooner!
HOW MUCH I eat is more important than WHAT I eat – Look, you can eat too many apples and still be fat. A calorie, is a calorie is a calorie. If you eat too many calories without burning them off, you WILL gain weight. Don’t be deceived by healthy foods. Too much of ANY food will still pack on pounds.
MAKE yourself love fruits, veggies and water – No matter how much I try, I find it nearly impossible to get my body the nutrition it needs within my daily caloric budget without lots of water, fruits and veggies. No other foods are as low in calories and high in fiber and vitamins. Also, the water keeps my metabolism revved up and makes me feel full.

Keep these points in mind and you start your week. Even a small personal commitment to be more active during the day, eat less or drink more water can make a big impact on your weight management.

I love a good sweat session BUT it MUST go hand in hand with a low-calorie, nutritious diet!

What’s more difficult for you? Eating less? Or moving more?

October 25, 2012

PiYo STRENGTH: Pilates/Yoga Fusion Workout

Last Sunday I finished the course requirements and am now a certified PiYo STRENGTH Instructor – woop woop! (That’s me on the right in the back row with my hair lookin’ a mess; long day so don’t judge, hehe). In addition to teaching my weekly Turbo Kick classes, I plan to now teach a mind/body fitness format.

PiYo is short for “Pilates Yoga.” It’s a group fitness format available at most major health clubs, especially 24 Hour Fitness and women’s gyms. Long story short – get involved with PiYo. Here’s why I love it:

I have (self diagnosed) ADD – If you also have a limited attention span, you will love PiYo because it’s fast paced. Throughout the workout you flow swiftly through a variety of yoga poses and Pilates exercises which prevents boredom.
I like sweating – If I’m not drenched after a workout, I’m not convinced that the workout was productive. Because PiYo is fast paced and the moves are challenging, you start breaking a sweat within the first 10 minutes.
I dislike awkward situations – PiYo has no spiritual element, it’s solely a mind/body WORK OUT. I always feel super awkward in traditional yoga classes with serious spiritual cultures and chanting – not my thing. PiYo has a fun group atmosphere where you can let loose and truly relax.
I like to JAM – PiYo is set to music, and not spiritual chanting or anything like that. I’m talking Top 40 and R&B jamz. Not only is the music great, but there’s also a dance element to the workout so you can shake your groove thang 😉
I need to be more flexible – As you can tell, most of my workouts are high intensity interval training or long cardio sessions. However, I often skip the stretching and mind/body relaxation that my body needs. In fact, flexibility is the most overlooked element of fitness! PiYo lets me work on my flexibility without feeling like I’m wasting time.

And since you’ve been so kind and read to the end, I’ll reward you with some videos of PiYo in action – enjoy 🙂
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDdekLVTIpk&w=560&h=315]
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHULk86G-2o&w=560&h=315]

October 22, 2012

NEW 4-Week SHRED: Health & Hair with Alex!

Meet Alex, co-founder of SportyAfros.com and my newest 4 week challenge chick! Alex and I became gym buddies/good friends about a year ago and always try to inspire each other – she does a great job at this 🙂 As a triathlete and hair care guru, Alex is always looking for new ways to enhance her fitness, detox her diet and live an overall healthy lifestyle.

Scroll down to check out the fitness and nutrition plan I’ve put together for her. Also come back to track her progress each week and, even better, try the plan for yourself!

Notice that I have given Alex a sneak sample copy of my GRIT by Brit Ultimate Body Burn DVD (Have you watched the promo yet?). She will be my live “guinea pig” to show you results. Not only that, she’ll be sharing with us unique ways that she keeps her hair looking good while pumpin’ and sweatin’ on my fitness plan. Wish her the best – LET’S GO ALEX!

Alex’s Goals:

Complete the 4–week plan
Increase energy
Diet detox
Lose 10 pounds!

And here’s her GRIT by Brit plan…