Inspiration & Motivation

IDEA World Fitness Blogfest Most Memorable Moments

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I’m still riding high from attending my very 1st IDEA World Fitness Convention and Sweat Pink Blogfest. IDEA World is largest fitness conference in the world with people traveling from all over the globe to see exhibits of the latest fitness and nutrition developments, share expertise and listen to keynote speakers like Jillian Michaels, Tara Stiles, Cassey Hoe, Chalene Johnson, the list goes on and on… Simply put – it’s fitness heaven!

Fortunately, I made it back to Dallas in time to teach my beloved weekend Piyo and Turbo Kick classes before flying out again on Sunday night for my corporate career (double duty). As I reflect on my time at IDEA World, I want to share the most memorial moments that had the greatest impact on me.  In order of occurrence, here they go…

Cool California Vibes

Just arriving to Anaheim,CA and soaking up the sun and cool California vibes!

I love me some “Cali Swag.” Every time I’m on the West  Coast I feel young, cool, hip, relaxed and imaginative. Sure enough, when I arrived in Anaheim, CA last week all of those feelings rushed through my mind, body and soul. I woke up each day at IDEA World and basked in the beautiful California sunshine, cool breeze and anticipation of all of the fitness excitement that awaited me. From day 1 I felt welcome, wanted and wonderful. I love California.

Being Surrounded by Passionate People

Hanging out with other fitness bloggers, connecting with old friends and making new ones!

It was so great to run into old friends like my Harvard Business School classmate Minal Mehta, co-founder of BollyX Fitness and also make some new fitness blogger friends like Tiffany and Tasha. To be honest, I was kind of in groupie-mode the whole time because I finally got meet, in person, so many of the  bloggers that I stalk on Instagram.  “Classy” people say you should “act like you’ve been there before” but, hey, I haven’t been!  No shame in my game 🙂

Being Inspired by Jillian Michaels (surprisingly)

In awe listening to Jillian Michaels give the most inspirational keynote address EVER!

Okay so, real talk: I have never been a Jillian Michaels fan.  I appreciate hard work and brutal honesty, but I never really got on the Body Shred/Jillian/Biggest Loser bandwagon like most of America.  Wow – meeting someone face-to-face can really show you how judgmental you are.  That’s what happened to me.  I actually teared up during Jillian’s keynote address.  She’s so passionate and encouraging, not about weight loss, but about believing in yourself and having the courage and confidence to follow your dreams.  I wrote down several things she said that had a big impact on me, but the one statement that stuck the most is the quote I put on the photo I took of Jillian (above) – “Work with passion is purpose.  Work without passion is punishment.”  The moral of the story is, “Do what you love and work your butt off at it!”

PiYO Workout with Chalene Johnson

Getting an afternoon PiYo sweat session and photo op with my #1 fitness inspiration – Chalene Johnson

Simply put, Chalene is my fitness inspiration. Actually it’s a tie between her andBilly Blanks (who was also at IDEA World). I was obsessed with Tae Bo when I was 15 years old,  but Chalene is the person who impacted my new-found love for fitness instruction and blogging. 3 years ago I got my very first fitness instructor certification in Chalene’s format, Turbo Kick.  Shortly after I started this GRIT by Brit blog. Since then, group fitness instruction and blogging have been my passions, my obsessions, the things that make me smile when everything else in my life is going wrong. So meeting Chalene in person was a very special moment for me – one that I will cherish forever, for the rest of my life.

Business and Blogging Tips from Cassey Hoe @Blogilates

I felt empowered and inspired by Cassey Hoe who encouraged us to never give up on our dreams!

I totally look up to Cassey Hoe as social media guru and fitness entrepreneur.  Cassey writes one of the most well-known fitness and wellness blogs, Blogilates,  and quickly grew in popularity because of her effective and fun Pilates videos on YouTube.  Needless to say, I totally geeked out when I met her. Since started her blog she’s launched a clothing line, released several signature workout videos for her format, Pop Pilates, and done several top-tier brand partnerships.  I learned some really valuable tips for GRIT by Brit, like how I need to start writing a regular newsletter….looks like have work to do this week (P.S. Check your inbox).

Adding 3 New Headbands to My Collection

Love these wide headbands from Living One Love

In case you can’t tell from my workout photos, I have a very serious headband obsession – I own over 50!  My excuse is that I have a big forehead (aka 5 head) so I need the extra coverage – hehe.   Any way, I’m always looking for new headbands that A) don’t slip B) are wide/thick C) have cool bright patterns.  Ladies and Gentlemen I have found what I’m looking for!  I love love love these headbands from Living One Love.  I just bought 3 for now, but there will be more…trust.

Winning a Lorna Jane Gift Card (yippee!)

Flipping through the Lorna Jane activewear catalog to pick out me free pieces!

I was already familiar with Lorna Jane active wear becaue my cycling studion in Dallas, Beyond Pedaling, carries their line.   Also, they just opened a store in North Park mall.  However, I don’t own any of their stuff. After seeing the Lorna Jane exhibit at IDEA World and realizing that their stuff is really freaking cute (i.e. super bright colors and inspirational saying like “run girl run”) I can already tell that I’m gonna be a Lona Jane addict. Yay for winning Blogfest raffle for a Lorna Jane gift card!  But I already feel sorry for my bank account when the gift card runs out, eek!

So Much Free Swag

IDEA World free swag


Let’s do the list:  A cross-body Zumba bag, Zen Planner water bottle, exercise-pilates ring and DVD, tons of healthy snacks, headbands, Sweat Pink shoelaces, sunglasses, ahh the list goes on and on!  Not much to say here – the swag speaks for itself.

Leaving Inspired to Take Risks and Pursue My Dreams!

As I mentioned last week, I’ve had a pressing desire to open my own chain of fitness studios.  I want to create a place that manifests the core values of Grit by Brit .  Starting a business is risky and stressful, but it’s also so rewarding!  After my time at IDEA World, I’m convinced that being a fitness instructor is my calling.  There is nothing I’m better at and enjoying doing more than using fitness to encourage people to live their best lives.  Most importantly, I want to do it in away that’s fun and positive!  That said, I’m riding this IDEA World inspirational high to get cracking on my new fitness studio concept.  Lots of work ahead, but I’m a gritty chick and up for the challenge!   What do you love to do?  What’s your dream?

“You are worthy of happiness and you deserve to sing everyday.”

Lots of luv, Brit

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Inspiration & Motivation, Lifestyle

Push Away All Negative Vibes: 5 Tips to Maintain a Positive Mindset

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In case you haven’t noticed, I’m a pretty “smiley” person.  People always ask me, “how do you stay so positive?”  The reality is that I don’t always feel good or optimistic, but over the years I’ve started practicing some strategies to help me maintain a positive attitude.  I thought it would be a good idea to summarize my positivity pointers into 5 tips to share with you guys.  Here they go…

  1. Focus on Self-improvement – “We don’t see things as they are, we see them as we are” – Anais Nin.  I love this quote because it’s so brutally honest.  Usually if our outlook on life is negative, it’s because we have chosen to cultivate negative energy.  On the flip side, if we focus on improving ourselves (i.e. getting physically fit, growing spiritually, developing a skill, being a better a friend, etc.) we can naturally develop a more positive outlook.
  2. Avoid Negative People – I know I sound like a broken record, but negative people are like deathly toxins.  You know who I’m talking about…that one person who no matter if they won the lottery, landed a dream job or found the love of their life would still only see the downside of the situation.  Unfortunately, we can’t control other people.  We can only control ourselves.  So it’s in our best interest to identify these negative people and stay as far away from them as possible.
  3. Write down your Happy Moments – This one is simple.  Just a take moment at the end of each day and write down 3 good things that happened.  This habit has magical positivity powers!
  4. Serve Someone  – Often we can be “Debbie Downers” because we are too focused on our own lives and our own problems.  Sometimes, simply focusing all of our energy on helping someone else and understanding their needs provides an instant pick me up.  Better yet, we can help someone else while helping ourselves.  Finding a way to serve others also helps us identify our purpose in life because ultimately we are all here to help each other.  And when we feel that our lives have purpose, it’s a lot easier to be positive.
  5. Say a Motivational Morning Mantra – My late grandmother (we called her Mudear) would always says that the first 5 minutes of your day set the tone for the rest of the day.  I’m not sure that this claim is based in science, but if an old country woman says it, I believe it.  The best way to take control of your day is wake up and recite, out loud, a positive mantra.  Now a mantra is simply a positive affirmation stating something that you believe (or want to believe) to be true.  For instance ,”I am enough.” “Today is the best day of my life.” “I am loved.” You get the gist.  There’s extra power in reciting these mantras out loud rather than just thinking them in your head.  Go ahead and give it a whirl tomorrow morning 🙂

Wishing you week filled with good vibes and positive energy!  Post a comment and let us know if you are going to incorporate any of these tips into your daily routine.  xoxo, Brit

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Inspiration & Motivation

Chase Your Dreams Ignore Your Fears

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Happy Sunday!  I wanted to share a little inspiration to get your week started with a positive and optimistic outlook.  “Chasing your dream” is much easier said than done.  Especially, when you’re at a crossroads in your life and the opportunity cost of fully pursuing your dream is high.

In recent years, I’ve develop my own dream of opening fitness studio in Dallas. Each time I take a few steps forward, I take 3 or 4 steps back because my fears kick in.  I often think to myself “I won’t make as much money,” “there are too many competitors,” “can I do this all by myself?”

I found this great article on Forbes.com that really hit home and gave me a little push to quit wallowing in my fears…

The 5 Way s to Overcome the Fear of Chasing Your Dream

By Steven Berglas at Forbes (click the link to read the full article)

  1. Your fear of taking action is a result of watching yourself fail to act–not the other way around.
  2. Your fear of losing a paycheck is exaggerated.
  3. Your fear of launching a start-up stems from knowing someone whose new venture fell flatter than a crepe.
  4. You won’t sacrifice a paycheck because it would be “wrong, reckless, irresponsible, etc.”
  5. No one daydreams while watching a Super Bowl game that goes into the fourth quarter with the score tied.

I hope these 5 tips give you the same inspirational kick they gave me.  In the near future I expect that my blog posts and your comments will reflect that we finally ditched the fear and went for it!  Be on the look out.  A Grit by Brit Fitness studio could open soon near you (wink wink)!  Send me your positive vibes and I’ll send you mine.  Have a wonderful week!  xoxo, Brit

What’s your dream?  How will you more actively pursue it?

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Inspiration & Motivation, Lifestyle

10 Thoughts GRITTY People Reject

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Happy Hump Day gang!  As I sit in my home office enjoying my week of vacation, I started a stream of consciousness of thoughts/statements that I absolutely hate to hear.  So, I wanted to write a post to reject each and every one of them…

  1. My best days are behind me – Gritty people believe that the best is always yet to come.  If we can’t hope for a brighter and better future, what’s the point of working hard?  Or waking up every day?
  2. My dreams don’t matter – Our dreams are unique. They drive our passions and ultimately our purpose in life.  Gritty people value their dreams and pursue them.
  3. I’ve reached my limit – We have no limits!  We are only limited by our minds and the restrictions that we put on ourselves.  Gritty people continuously work harder, dream bigger and expect more out of life.
  4. I’m cursed – None of us are cursed!  In fact, believing that we are cursed will actually bring about bad situations.  Suffering is a fundamental part of the human experience, but in the grand scheme of things, good always outweighs bad.  Gritty people strive to stay positive!
  5. I’m not supposed to be happy – All of us are given the gift of life and have duty to live life abundantly.  That means we are supposed to experience joy, peace, service, happiness and purpose.  Why even live if we are doomed for gloom?  You are supposed to be happy – gritty people accept this truth!
  6. I’m weak – This is one of the most powerful lies that can ruin your whole life if you start to believe it.  Gritty people know that they are powerful beyond measure.  You are so much stronger than you think!
  7. This is as good as it gets – When we start to accept this thought, we are likely to settle for less than optimal circumstances.  Now I’m not saying that we should never experience bad times, but we must always believe that we can make situations better with hard work, faith and confidence.
  8. What he/she did is unforgivable – EVERYTHING is forgivable.  Gritty people understand that holding a grudge is like “drinking poison and expecting the other person to die.” – Buddha
  9. I have no control over this situation – While we can’t control all of life’s circumstances, we can always control how we respond.  Our responses to situations have so much influence on the outcomes.  Gritty people take control of their lives.
  10. I am the victim – Gritty people accept responsibility for themselves and for their happiness.  Despite wrong doings by others, gritty people refuse to be the victim.  Victims are weak.   Weak is not a good look.

I know each of you are gritty already, so help spread these powerful truths to those you love.

xoxo, Brit

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Inspiration & Motivation, Lifestyle

Be a Doer not a Dreamer

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Strength-GandhiHey gang, here’s little mid-week motivation to keep you going till the weekend.  First off, in case you don’t know what indomitable means (I didn’t) here’s the definition:

in·dom·i·ta·ble

 [in-dom-i-tuh-buhl]  Show IPA

adjective: that cannot be subdued or overcome, as persons, will, or courage; unconquerable: an indomitable warrior. (source: dictionary.com)

Remember, the happiest and most successful people don’t always have the most strength,  talent or the clearest dreams, but they do have the WILL and WORK ETHIC to succeed.  On a related note, I was super motivated by Shonda Rhimes recent commencement speech at Dartmouth University.  She kept it extra real while advising recent graduates to be “doers” and not “dreamers.”  I wanted to share the video with you as some food for thought as we wrap up the week.  Keep on fighting the good fight – you got this! xoxo, Brit

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Inspiration & Motivation

Courage to Live the Life You Want

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#SundayInspiration from Lady O - "The only courage you ever need is the courage to live the life you want." - Oprah Winfrey
#SundayInspiration from Lady O, “The only courage you ever need is the courage to live the life you want.” – Oprah Winfrey

I saw this quote on my coffee cup after my morning Starbucks run. (FYI – I’m a grande bold, black w/a little cinnamon). Obviously I like the word “courage” because it’s kinda synonymous with “grit.”  When I Googled the definition of I got, “mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty.”  Courage is required to be vulnerable, say “no”, take risks and pursue our deepest dreams.  I dig it.

However the Oprah quote on my coffee cup made me ask myself, “Am I really courageous?”  Clearly I enjoy working hard and taking on challenges, but I’m realizing that true courage may actually require scaling back in some areas and focusing on the few things I really care about. Sometimes, I give myself a false-sense of being “courageous” when I’m actually just being “busy.”   The reality is, it takes a TON of courage to acknowledge and pursue the life we really, really want.  As you start your week, I encourage you to noodle on these questions.  I am.  xoxo, Brit

What does your “dream life” look like?

In what areas do you want to be more courageous?

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Inspiration & Motivation, Just for Fun, Lifestyle

Why I Love Group Fitness…and you should too

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Circa 1990 I had my first group fitness experience which entailed me attending a Jazzercise class with my mom at our local recreation center. All I remember is the instructor yelling at my mom because I was too young to take the class. So, I sat on the sideline and moped for an hour every week. Never did I think that I’d eventually become a group fitness instructor.

3 years ago, today, I completed my first instructor certification. It was for TurboKick which remains my favorite group fitness format of all time. As you guys know, I’ve always been an athlete and active on sports teams ranging from intramural to NCAA Division 1. If you prefer to work with a personal trainer there are plenty available, for example if you’re looking for personal trainer in Melbourne, you could check out getgoingpt.com. But group fitness has allowed me to experience a different kind of passion, motivation and fun that I never experienced in team sports. So, today I wanted to do a special tribute to Group Fitness. No matter the format (e.g. Zumba, Spinning, Yoga, Pilates, Kickboxing, CrossFit, etc.) , group fitness is all good…If you’re thinking of starting up a fitness business, take a look at the revenue management system offered by TSG so that you can keep a close eye on your finances.

It feels so good to hear everyone’s experiences with fitness. One of my fitness friends told me how she was worried that she wouldn’t be able to exercise after having children but she found out about au pairs (visit Cultural Care Au Pair to find out more or to become one) and because she had room in her house she decided to host one so she was able to keep up her fitness.

Pics from some of my favorite group fitness classes across the country: Vixen Workout (Miami), TurboKick (NYC & Dallas), PiYo (Dallas W Hotel) , Les Mills Body Pump (NYC & Dallas

Here are the reasons why I love group fitness and you should too!

  • FUN – I wholeheartedly believe that the only way to commit to a regular fitness regimen is to a find a workout that’s fun for you! Group fitness has a fun factor that I can’t experience while working out alone. My advice: Find a group fitness class that you enjoy and you’ll always be fit. Fitness should be enjoyed as a hobby rather than dreaded as a chore.
  • Passion – Once you find a class that you enjoy, you’ll naturally want to get better and learn more about it. It becomes a passion. Now, I actually look forward to my workouts and want to continuously improve in them.
  • Fit Friends – I’ve met some of my best friends in group fitness classes. Knowing my”fit friends” religiously attend class helps keep me accountable for showing up.
  • Effective – Most classes are designed to deliver a comprehensive workout meaning that you’ll work all major muscles groups during a strength-focused class and/or adequately elevate your heart rate during a cardio-focused class .
  • Positive Vibes – Group fitness instructors are trained to motivate their classes. While some are better than others, it’s nice to have someone leading you through a workout and encouraging you along the way. Also, unlike sports, there’s less competition so you can focus on your workout and enjoy the process.
  • Music – Most classes are choreographed or motivated by music. Music is a natural energy booster and encourages us to work harder without realizing it. (P.S. Have you checked out my latest playlist?)
  • Save Money – While I’m a big fan of personal training, I simply can’t afford it on an ongoing basis. I’ve found that small group fitness classes such as Nike Training Club or other boot camps provide similar results at much lower price.
  • Power in Numbers – Nobody wants to be the weakest link. Being surrounded by other people who are working hard provides instant motivation to do 15 push ups when we only want to do 10.
  • Variety – Workout routines are continuously changing which is great for muscle confusion to prevent fitness complacency. When working out alone, we often stick to our usual program (30 minutes on the elliptical + some abs) which is not effective for increasing our fitness level or losing weight.

Hopefully this post inspires you to check out a group fitness class this week. If so, let me know how it goes! xoxo, Brit

 

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Dallas GRIT Fitness, Inspiration & Motivation, Lifestyle

What Motivates You? How to Set Positive and Powerful Intentions

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Often we set intentions to fix things that we think are “wrong” with ourselves (i.e. “I’m fat so I wanna lose weight” or “I don’t like my job so I want a new one”). However, I’m big believer in the Power of Positive Thinking.  This means our intentions should focus on what motivates us, not on what frustrates us. In doing so we generate natural energy and positive thinking to support our desired outcome. “We are authentically inspired by [our] goals [and] empowered to make them happen.” (Source: Oprah.com)

As you start the week answer the question, “What Motivates You?”  Use your response to set your intention for the week – I can’t wait to hear your success stories!

Lots of love and joy to you this week!  xoxo, Brit

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Inspiration & Motivation, Lifestyle

5 Tips to Ensure Good Health

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breathe-deep

I’ve been getting over a cold the past few weeks which had me feeling pretty groggy.  Thank God I don’t sick very often, but when I do I recognize a pattern of  lifestyle changes that largely contribute to my lack of health.  For instance,  I get sick when I overindulge, get stressed out or spend minimal time doing activities that energize me (like teaching fitness classes).  I saw this quote and loved it because it rings so true to my personal health.  Of course I added some “GRIT by Brit flare” and elaborated on each point with my colorful commentary.   I hope these words of wisdom keep you healthy today, tomorrow and forevermore! xoxo, Brit

1. Eat Lightly

Eating well and eating lightly are two different things.  I have several friends, including me, who overeat because we are eating “healthy” foods.  This is not a good look.  Hopefully you read the guest post I featured on Intuitive Eating.  If not, go check it out.  Bottom line is that overeating may cause temporary satisfaction but it ultimately leads to sickness, obesity and even depression.

2. Breathe Deeply

Breathing deeply requires to us to tap in to our diaphragm and “fill up our bellies” with air. I learned the technique and value of breathing deeply through my yoga practice. I find that deep breaths calm my nerves and help me process my thoughts. “Deep abdominal breathing encourages full oxygen exchange — that is, the beneficial trade of incoming oxygen for outgoing carbon dioxide. Not surprisingly, it can slow the heartbeat and lower or stabilize blood pressure.” (Source: Harvard Medical School)

3. Live Moderately

It is possible to have too much of a good thing.  As much as I love to travel and socialize, I have to be mindful of getting burnt out.  The same goes for sipping wine, shopping, investing in relationships, etc. Every few weeks it’s a good idea for me stay in, not make any plans for the weekend and just chill on my couch with a few good books.   To ensure good health, we must be mindful of aiming for moderation in all aspects of life – even the good stuff.

4. Cultivate Cheerfulness

Nothing brings about sickness more than sadness.   Go out of your way to be cheerful.  For me, the trick is to never allow myself to get really down in the dumps.  I mean, obviously life brings about some serious challenges and it’s healthy to grieve.  However, I believe in the laws of Physics.  A body in motion, stays in motion.   A mind that starts cultivating negative thoughts continues to cultivate negative thoughts.  It takes a TON of energy to perform a 180 degree turn.  It’s a lot easier to move forward in the direction you are already headed.   So make a conscious effort to cultivate cheerfulness even during tough times – Fake it till you make it!

5. Maintain An Interest In Life

I find that my interest in life diminishes when I’m feeling hopeless.  To me, being hopeful about life and being interested in life go hand in hand.  Life is crazy complex but it always works out for the good.  So stay hopeful.  Be interested in helping others, observing beauty and seeking the happy ending.  This curiosity will initiate a personal vitality and internal energy to help ensure good health.

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