Double Duty – Pursuing Fitness and Business Goals

Happy Monday everyone!  Today I’m celebrating my 30th birthday – woop woop!  I threw a massive “GRIT by Brit” themed birthday party last weekend.  Long story short, it was the best night of the my life.  DJ, dancing, cupcakes, family and friends – what more could I ask for?  I have lots of pics and stories to share with you guys so be on the lookout.  I’ll post them soon!  Here’s a sneak peak in the meanwhile…

Celebrating my 30th Birthday in Herve Leger!

In honor of my milestone birthday, I decided to use an entire week of vacation time to stay home from my corporate career and teach fitness classes all over Dallas!  If you are local to Dallas, come join me for a class!  My schedule is below.  Also, I’ve added a new Google calendar (to the right side panel) so you guys can keep up with my teaching schedule each week.  YAY!

Brit’s Group Fitness Teaching Schedule, Dallas, TX

  • Mon 7/14, 5:30pm – Indoor Cycling, 24 HF Royal
  • Mon 7/14, 7:00pm – Turbo Kick, 24 HF Mockingbird
  • Wed 7/16, 12:00pm – Indoor Cycling, 24 HR Downtown
  • Thurs 7/17, 6:30pm – Turbo Kick, 24 HF Coit/Campbell
  • Fri 7/18, 6:00am – Indoor Cycling, 24 HF Downtown
  • Sat 7/19, 9:00am – PiYo, W Dallas Hotel Wetdeck
  • Sun 7/20, 3:00pm – TurboKick, 24 HF Mesquite

Those of you who have followed my blog for a while know that fitness is not my full-time profession, but rather a passion that I pursue in conjunction with my consulting career.  While balancing the two can be challenging, I find that writing this blog and teaching fitness classes actually helps me in my corporate career.  Recently I did an interview with my alma mater, Harvard Business School, to share details of my “double duty” life.  You can read the full article here.  I hope my experiences encourage you to pursue your interests and put in the work to get everything you want out of life!  Don’t let anyone tell you it can’t be done – with hard work, faith and confidence, ALL THINGS are possible.  Have a great week.  xoxo, Brit

Do you have a passion that you wish you spent more time pursuing?  

What’s your side hustle?

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Target® C9 Activewear Review and Sexy Shoulder Workout

I’ve always been fan of “Tarjay” so when I was asked to review the new Target® C9 activewear, I gladly accepted!  Better yet when I went to purchase my gear, I stumbled upon the surprise of finding C9 activewear on sale – buy 1 piece get the 2nd half off!   There were tons of bright colors and pattern combinations so you can mix and match the tanks and shorts. I bought both the light pink and navy Sporty Layered Run Tank + Run Shorts for under $30.  This is a perfect example of why I love Target®.  The product styles are always on trend and the price is affordable.  One of the GRIT by Brit core beliefs is we do not have to be wealthy to be healthy.  To further that, we also don’t have to be wealthy to feel and look good while living a healthy lifestyle 🙂

Now, a little more about my C9 activewear…

The tank top is layered with a sports bra built-in – YES!  Not only is the design cute, but it’s also functional.  It provides good bust support and the material is light and breezy so I stayed cool while working up a sweat.  I also appreciate the vertical stripe pattern on the back which has a slimming effect (a good look).  The shorts have a wide knit waist band that’s made of this dri-fit material.  Like most running shorts, they also have built-in underwear that are made of the same dri-fit material.  I spent about 10 minutes on the rowing machine and another 15 minutes on the Stair Stepper – fortunately, the shorts didn’t ride up my thighs or annoyingly rub against my skin as I moved.

Overall, I’m very happy with my purchases.  I do wish that the shorts had the same cool multicolored design as the sports bra.  However, my friends always make fun of me for being too “matchy” so maybe it’s a good thing that the shorts are a simple navy with light pink trim.  What do you think?

Target® C9 activewear GRIT by Brit
Rockin’ Target® C9 active wear before my workout – posing pretty 🙂

Along with my product review and I want to share this workout video.  You guys know I’m always creating home workouts and on the lookout for new moves to incorporate into my routine.  This Sexy Shoulders workout definitely gets my stamp of approval.  I did the workout after my cardio and felt very toned and confident in my racer back tank top – I  encourage you to give the Sexy Shoulder Workout a whirl!

Hopefully you guys enjoy the workout AND head to Target® to get some super cute C9 activewear.  Personally, I felt good and still looked (pretty) good after finishing the Sexy Shoulder Workout – see my sweaty photos below.  Lots of luv!  xoxo, Brit

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Sweaty (but still in style) post Sexy Shoulder Workout. Top: Target® C9 Women’s Sporty Layered Run Tank; Shorts: Target® C9 Women’s Run Short with Knit Waistband

Disclosure: This post was sponsored by Target® C9 through their partnership with POPSUGAR Select. While I was compensated to write a post about Target® C9, all opinions are my own.
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Live More, Worry Less, Have #GRIT

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Hello everyone! I want to wish you a wonderful week and an even better (US) holiday ahead.  Remember to enjoy some down time with those you love and simply savor the holiday.  Of course I want you to squeeze in a workout at some point, but most importantly, take some time to unplug, relax and appreciate all the good stuff.

Last but not least, I’ve picked a winner for my 4th of July Sweaty Bands Giveaway.  Congrats Christine!  Huge shout out to you for prioritizing exercise while studying for the MCAT – phew!  I hope you make time to sleep.  In case you guys missed Christine’s workout plans, here’s what she has in store…

“This summer, I’ve been spending a lot of time studying for my mcat this coming august. Exercise had been a huge stress relief of mine, and I’ve recently gotten into running! I hope to accomplish a 5k by the end of this summer, so this 4th of July weekend will consist of running along the bayou–my goal is to do a 2.5 mile stretch in one go. I also plan on doing a bit of cross training by getting some laps in at the pool and balancing out my cardio by doing a few Pilates routines. During my study breaks, I want to try your 20 min cardio workout!” – Christine

Also, SURPRISE, I actually got an extra Sweaty Band so I picked a 2nd winner.  Congrats Tory!  You stole my heart when you mentioned Tae Bo.  I always have been and always will be a Billy Blanks fan.  Here are Tory’s workout plans for the weekend…

“I’m planning on working out indoors, because of the heat and humidity that’s forecasted for this week. Over this past weekend I brushed the dust off my old Billy Blanks Tae Bo DVDs.  They are fun and provide me with a great workout. Now that I’ve seen your ’20 Minute Cardio Workout’, planning on alternating this workout with the 30 minute, Tae Bo workouts.  For fun outdoors workouts, it’s all about the water workouts! I’m planning having some playtime with my kids to cool off and get in some laps in the pool.” – Tory

Thanks to everyone who shared their weekend workout plans.  Knowing that others will be up and active always encourages me to get moving. Have a happy 4th of July and remember show your #GRIT.  Lots of luv, Brit  


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4th of July Giveaway from Sweaty Bands & 20 Minute Cardio Workout

Hey Gang – Happy (almost) 4th of July!  In honor of the upcoming holiday I’m hosting a giveaway of 2 super cute headbands from Sweaty Bands (pictured below)!  I love Sweaty Bands because they come in TONS of bright colors and cool patterns and most importantly, they don’t slip during your workout.  To participate in the giveaway, just post a comment telling me your 4th of July weekend workout plans – be creative!  I’ll pick a winner and announce on Wednesday, July 2nd!  Also, be sure to include your email address or a way that I can contact you if you win.

2 Super Cute Sweaty Bands to be given away to 1 lucky winner!  Post your 4th of July Workout plans below to enter to win!
2 Super Cute Sweaty Bands to be given away to 1 lucky winner! Post your 4th of July Workout plans below to enter to win!

In case you’re pressed for time this weekend, here’s a quick and very effective cardio workout that you can complete in 20 minutes.  I do this workout in my hotel room all the time – it’s simple and sweaty!  Warning – there’s a lot of jumping incorporated, so if you have chronic knee pain or knee injuries, this is not your ideal workout.  For best results, move quickly from one exercise to the next and ONLY rest during the set rest times.  You can expect to burn 250-300 calories in 20 minutes or less.  Be sure to stretch after you’re finished.  If you have questions about any of the exercises, email me at [email protected].  Also, YouTube has tons of example videos to guide you.  Give my 20 Minute Cardio workout a whirl and let me know how it goes.  Also, don’t forget to share your weekend workout plans to win these adorable Sweaty Bands.  Have a great week!  xoxo, Brit

20 Minute Cardio Workout

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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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20 Day Burpee Challenge – When life knocks you down, do a burpee!

Hey Gang! I’m kicking off a new physical challenge to get in tip-top shape for the Summer.  Burpees are one of my favorite exercises – I always try to incorporate them into my Turbokick and PiYo fitness classes.  Burpees are designed to build muscular and cardio endurance, so expect to be out of breath! Not only does the mega move blast calories it also provides excellent strength training for the entire body, especially the core.  Below is a 20-day challenge that I plan to start tomorrow.  The goal is to be able to do 60 consecutive burpees by Day 20…burpee challengeIn case you’ve never done the burpee exercise before, here’s a simple info-graphic providing step by step instructions…

HowToDoBurpee

Once you’ve got the move down, join me for the challenge!  Be sure to share you progress on our Facebook page or post a comment below.   Be strong and have a wonderful week! xoxo, Brit

GRIT by Brit Burpee

 

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Be a Doer not a Dreamer

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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Courage to Live the Life You Want

#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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Why I Love Group Fitness…and you should too

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 NumbersNobody 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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Your 1 Week Summer Shape Up Workout Plan

1 Week Summer Shape Up

Happy Memorial Day friends!  Summer is my favorite season of the year.  I cannot express how much joy this season brings to me.  Yesterday my gym buddy/neighbor and I hosted a “Summer Splash” pool party – it was a blast!  Hopefully, you guys are getting ready to hit up the pool yourselves or, better yet, jet-set away to a beach vacation.  With that in mind I wanted to share my 1 Week Summer Shape Up Workout Plan:

Stick to this workout plan for 7 days and I promise you will see a shapelier you by day 7. For best results, also try to keep up with my 7 Day Diet Detox formula.  Enjoy and WORK HARD 🙂

P.S.  Here are some pics from my Summer Splash pool party yesterday – great times!

Summer Splash
Upper Left: My Dallas friends and members of my book club Top Right: Me and my lil sis and her new puppy, Lexi Bottom Left: Me, lil sis and lil bro Bottom Right: Sweet treats we enjoyed at the party!

 

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