Hey gang! So a few days ago I completed the Dr. Oz & Joe Cross 3-Day Weekend Juice Cleanse. This is the second cleanse I’ve tried this year, and overall, I had pretty positive experience. I only lost 1 pound, but I do feel cleanand lean. Here are my confessions…
For starters, this cleanse was A LOT harder than the than the Dr. Oz DRINK cleanse. During the day, I was quite hungry which kind of sucked. As I mentioned in a previous post, juice has hardly any fiber and lots of sugar which triggers hunger. Controlling my hunger during the day was really hard on the first day but got better on the 2nd day. On a positive note, it made me drink more water and realize that I don’t really need that much food to get through the day. It’s crazy how often I eat just because I’m bored, not because I’m really hungry.
On that note, the cleanse allowed for 1 solid food meal for dinner every day. The meal could only consist of fruits and veggies. Unfortunately, I tended to go to overboard on this meal (yikes). I think it was because I was hungry and eagerly anticipating real food. Needless to say, my portions got a little out of control. I probably would have had better results with the cleanse if I ate a smaller dinner and didn’t stretch out my tummy so much.
Since I was traveling for work and had to buy my juices, I had to be very conscious of choosing “good juices.” Just because a juice is “all natural” doesn’t necessarily mean it’s good for you. Also, veggie juice is MUCH healthier than fruit juice – it has more fiber and protein and less sugar. If you are interested in doing this juice cleanse, but don’t have the time to go shopping all the time, then it might be a good idea for you to check out something like this Cashcoup site. However, just make sure to double check that the juice will be okay for you and your cleanse. I had to make sure my juice purchases met my 3 criteria:
All natural
No added sugar
Fresh pressed/squeezed (not from concentrate)
Believe it or not, it’s REALLY hard to buy juice off-the-shelf meets this criteria. BUT, I did find one that passed the test and also tastes great. It’s “Sweet Greens” by Evolution fresh – I highly recommend it!
All in all, the juice cleanse was an interesting experience. Will I do it again? Probably not. But I may start substituting fresh pressed juice for a meal every now and then, as it can be a good way to slim down quickly for a big event or something. Have you a done a juice cleanse before? What was it like for you? Please do share your words of wisdom 🙂
Hope you have a great week ahead. Love you tons! xoxo, Brit
Hey Gang! We have officially reached the half way point of Summer (tear) but alas, the days are longer, the drinks are colder and the shorts are shorter – hay gurl hay! So, by popular demand I designed another booty and thighs workout – my Buns of Steel Workout.
This workout can be done in your living room and requires no equipment. You will need a yoga mat or soft surface for some of the isometric toning work at the end. When doing this workout, go HARD from start. Don’t save up. For best results, really get your heart rate up in the first 3-4 minutes. Also, keep your abs engaged and tuck your tail bone under during all of the standing exercises.
The workout takes 10 minutes and you can expect to burn 80-100 calories.
You can do the workout on your own (instructions on the left) or with me by following my video (above). Also, don’t forget to subscribe to my YouTube Station for lots of fun workouts you can do at home 🙂
Jenny is my college roommate and “Fit Sista.” For more nutrition tips, follow her blog http://cookiesmakeyoufat.blogspot.com/. Enjoy this nutritional nugget of wisdom! xoxo, Brit
Alicia and Jenny (right)
I’m very close to my little cousin, Alicia – not only is she incredibly smart – as in, Harvard Law smart – and pretty – as in, Halle Berry pretty – but we have a great deal in common, including a keen focus on healthy lifestyles. While I’m the protein powder/weight-lifting/kick-my-own-booty-in-spinning brand of healthy, Alicia is the vegetarian/Pilates/outdoor-run kind of healthy – which is fun, because we can get a different perspective on health and fitness from each other. However, the whole vegetarian thing has always made me a bit skeptical – so the other evening on Skype, I asked Alicia how she manages to get enough protein in her diet. Aside from beans (which she loves, and I hate), she told me about chia seeds – which she described as a superfood and her new go-to source for protein. Wait, a superfood that I’ve never heard of? Impossible! So immediately I did some research, and happily discovered my new favorite superfood.
So what are chia seeds? Chia seeds are born from a plant in the mint family that is native to the Aztecs and Mayans in Mexico and Guatemala. Among other things, the Aztecs were quite accomplished herbalists, and according to ancient folklore, it was chia seeds that provided strength and courage to warriors and athletes, who were said to have survived on the seeds alone for weeks at a time. It wasn’t until Wayne Coates, a marathon-runner and professor of agricultural engineering at the University of Arizona, investigated these seeds in 1991, that the rest of the modern world started becoming aware of a potential new superfood. Coates told The Huffington Post: “Chia is the highest plant source of Omega-3s. It has tons of fiber, and even a lot of antioxidants and minerals. It’s 20 percent protein — which is, compared to wheat, or even soy, incredibly high.”
So what is it that makes these little seeds a superfood?
Turns out chia is not just a plastic pet covered in grass-like fur!
Chia seeds are high in protein, calcium, and iron
As Coates said, chia seeds are also contain Omega-3 fatty acids and potassium, as well as other disease-fighting antioxidants
Chia seeds are high in fiber – making your digestive system quite happy, and leaving you feeling full and satisfied for many hours.
Chia seeds are gluten free! This is great for people like myself, who are allergic to gluten!
Additionally, one of my favorite properties of chia seeds are that they help the body retain fluids and electrolytes – meaning my body stays hydrated – as well as helping build muscle and tissue, making it popular for athletes and strength trainers. For best results, get chia in the ground form for easier and faster absorption!
So after reading all of that, you’re probably thinking what I was: “What’s the catch? They probably taste horrible or are packed with calories.” To my (pleasant) surprise – one tablespoon of chia seeds is a mere 65 calories – plus, they don’t taste like much at all, making them easy to incorporate into your daily meals. However, these little guys get stuck in your teeth, so keep the dental floss handy.
Currently, my favorite way to ingest these little super seeds is in my morning breakfast shake. With little time for a properly cooked breakfast, I’m often blending up a quick shake before/after my morning workout. If I have the time, I’ll soak one tablespoon of chia seeds in water* for 10-15 minutes – they begin to open and become gel-like, making my smoothie thicker without changing the taste at all. (*One can soak chia seeds in any kind of liquid – including any kind of milk, which will have the same effect).
I was shocked to find the incredible versatility of the chia seeds – there are many uses, including:
1) Use chia as an egg substitute
1 tablespoon of finely ground chia seeds + 3 tablespoons of water = 1 egg in a baking recipe (not, for example, in an omelet :)).
Chia Pudding
2) Make a healthy pudding for dessert
2 cups of coconut milk
1/2 cup chia seeds
2-3 tablespoons of cocoa powder (optional)
1 teaspoon of vanilla
1 tablespoon of sweetener (optional) – I would use honey!
Put everything in the blender and blend until smooth. Put in the refrigerator for 10 minutes and it will thicken nicely! As you’ve probably realized by now, the different flavor combinations are endless!
3) Thicken salad dressings and soups
Just by adding a couple of tablespoons of chia seeds (finely ground or not), will cause any dressing or soup to thicken (just let it stand for a few minutes). This also goes for things like meatballs – which can be thickened with chia seeds instead of breadcrumbs.
Chia Crackers
4) Make grain-free crackers!
There are several variations and recipes available online – I haven’t tried any of them yet, but they sound and look tasty!
5) And yes, as a Chia pet!
Want to reminisce and go back to the 1980s? Instead of buying your chia pet, just get a pot, add some dirt, sprinkle in some chia seeds, and water! Cha-cha-cha-chia! 🙂
Today is my 29th birthday – woo hoo! I’m so blessed to have completed another year of life and am grateful for good health, a great family and a hobby that brings me so much joy! In honor of my b-day, I’d decided to bring in my 29th year on a FRESH and CLEAN note. That’s right ladies and gentlemen, I’m starting a new cleanse, which was inspired by the Dr. Oz Weekend Juice Cleanse with Joe Cross. Since I had so much success with the Dr. Oz Detox Cleanse (you can CLICK HERE to read my full review) , I decided to keep the momentum going by trying another cleanse.
Unlike the Dr. Oz Detox Cleanse, this cleanse is a JUICE cleanse. That means I need a juicer, as I can’t use my blender for this cleanse. HOWEVER, today I went to Target to buy a juicer and realized they were out of price my range right now…the cheapest one I found is $79.99. What if I don’t like the cleanse? Then I’ll be stuck with a juicer that I never use.
SO, I made up my own version of the cleanse using some ready-made, all natural, no sugar added juices and I also plan to buy some fresh squeezed juices from Whole Foods or Central Market over the next 3 days. Essentially, I plan to have 4-5 servings of juice each day to replace my meals. Then for dinner I’ll have one solid meal every evening, just like the Dr. Oz cleanse. However, dinner must consist of only of fruits and vegetables. And as icing on the cake (mean joke – I know) , I’m going to make sure that my dinners are RAW! So I’ll only eat fresh, raw produce and maybe steam my veggies if I want something hot.
As a fitness professional, I wanted to share a few facts with you about Juice cleanses vs. Smoothie/drink cleanses.
Juice does not contain the skin of the fruit or vegetable
Smoothies have more fiber and tend to be more filling
Juices tend to be high in sugar and low in protein and fiber (which I’m a little nervous about)
Now let me be clear, I’m typically an “anti juice” person because I believe that juice is nature’s reward for EATING your fruits and veggies. However, there are many benefits to juicing. Just a name a couple…
Juice absorbs in the body faster, so it’s an efficient way to get vital vitamins and minerals
Juice is a tastier way to consume fruits and veggies that you don’t typically like
Juice is less likely to cause upset stomachs, like smoothies which sometimes have too much fiber
Grit by Brit WARNING – Juice cleanses tend to have very little protein. So, I’m not going to lift weights or do super high intensity workouts over the next 3 days while I’m on the cleanse, as I don’t think my body will have enough protein to repair my muscles. If you engage in high intensity workouts and weight training, like me, you may want to do the same.
This is my first time to try a juice cleanse. Hopefully, some of you decide to try it along with me! Have you done a juice cleanse before? How did it go? I’ll be back in a few days to share my results. You can follow me on Twitter and Instagram @GRITbyBrit for progress updates! Until then…
Wishing you health, happiness and BIG RESULTS! xoxo, Brit
Happy Friday! I hope you guys are looking forward to an awesome weekend. I certainly am. This is my birthday weekend – HEY! On Sunday, July 14th I will turn 29 years old…the last year of my twenties has come.
To celebrate my b-day I’m having a pool party at my parents’ house. But this isn’t your ordinary pool party. My mom ordered the most AWESOME slip-n-slide in the world (see below)! Talk about being “young at heart” 😉
So, in the spirit of growing older, wiser and more awesome, I wanted to leave you this little nugget of inspiration….
HAVE SOME FUN THIS WEEKEND! Choose to be happy! Reward yourself with some good times and positive energy. We often take ourselves so seriously that we forget to stop and enjoy this one precious life that we have. So, rest assured, I will be living it up (and working out) this weekend and I hope that you will too!
“Joy does not simply happen to us. We have to choose joy and keep choosing it every day.” –Henri Nouwen
Hey gang! Happy “Tone it up” Tuesday. Since I know you guys LOVE ab workouts, here’s a new one I designed that really focuses on the hip flexors and the lower abs. For best results, do this workout 3 times a week for 4 weeks. Let me know how it goes!
Just when I thought I’d discovered them all, I found another NYC Fitness GEM! Ladies and gentlemen I HIGHLY recommend you check out CRANK Cycling Studio on the Upper East Side. You guys know that I always keep it real and very seldom do I give raving reviews of fitness studios. But CRANK has some serious GRIT. So, I decided to put together a top 10 list of what I love about it!
Here’s why I LOVE IT…
Insane Intensity. The workout is a 45 minute studio cycling ride. As a spin instructor, I’m super critical of other spin instructors, but I have to say that the instructors at Crank are legit. All of them incorporate a solid amount of variety, intervals and resistance training into the workout to ensure the class is pushed.
Reasonably priced. Only $23 per ride – woo hoo! Those are Texas prices right there y’all. Soul Cycle is $34 per 45 minute class (to give you a relative comparison). You guys know that I’m all about accessibility. We don’t have to be wealthy to be healthy.
Cardio + Choreography. I think having rhythm is a prerequisite for all of the instructors (as it should be). I love that the class is set to music, we move to the beat of the music and the BASS had me bumpin’ the whole ride. This workout incorporates the most dance and movement that I’ve ever experienced. We were out of the saddle for about 80% of the classes and bobbin’ to the left, to right, to the front to the back – heyyy!
Cool Vibe and Decor. The studio is completely dark and lit only by small red lights. Red and black are the official studio colors. I love red because it’s strong and intense. During the class, we ride very close to each other generating lots of HEAT! By the end of the class, all of the mirrors are completely covered with sweaty fog (sounds gross, but it’s really awesome!)
Excellent Equipment. The bikes are comfortable and ride well. Each one has a magnetic charge in the wheel that helps ease each pedal stroke and ensure a smooth ride. I can tell the bikes they are well maintained. There is nothing worse than cycling on a rickety old bike. Not to mention, poor equipment increases injury risk.
Straight to the point, No fluff – Unlike some high-end fitness studios, all of the students in the class seemed like athletes. They came to work out. Not to see and be seen.
Chill Culture. On that same note, the students I interacted with were also very cool and welcoming. No snobs allowed.
New and Different. CRANK hit NYC only a few months ago, so it’s a nice fitness routine change-up. With so many fitness boutiques in Manhattan, it can be hard to keep up. But rest assured, Crank is new and it’s legit.
Super Sweet Staff. The staffed is incredibly knowledgeable about both fitness and about cycling. The manager spent some time telling me why he chose the specific bikes in the studio and about how Crank got started and continues to the grow.
HOT instructors (Exhibit A: My Ultimate Fitness Crush – Nick Oram). If you recall, we became obsessed with Nick when we discovered him at Soul Cycle a few months ago. He even topped out charts when we put out the “Official NYC Soul Cycle Instructor Ranking.” I’ve gotten to know Nick pretty well over the past few months and not only is he smokin’ hot and the fiercest fitness instructor in NYC, he’s also a very genuine accountability partner and sincerely cares about every person in his class (I’m taking regular text messages to check on his students – awe). So, while I wrote this blog post to spread my love for CRANK, I also want spread my love for NICK! You can follow Nick on Twitter @OramNick or check out his website http://nick-oram.com/
And now that I’ve told you all about Crank Cycling Studio and about my awesome instructor, Nick Oram, it’s time for you to hear from the man himself. I asked Nick a few key questions, and here’s what he had to say…
Why did you become a fitness instructor?
I loved spinning in college and it was through the love of it that I became an instructor.
What’s your favorite “get hype” line to yell to your class?
My favorite thing is to say is “Are you READY!!?”I get a big rise out of my class when I say that.
What you do recommend as the right mix of weekly cardio and resistance training/toning workouts?
I believe in keeping the body guessing, alternating days and doing intense intervals with your training
What song always get you going?
Can’t Hold US (Kaskade Remix) – Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
What do you tell yourself to stay motivated when your completely exhausted?
Mediocrity is never OK. Alway’s excellence!
What advice would you give to someone who is just starting to work out?
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!
Happy Monday! 4th of July is around the corner! As we American’s celebrate our independence, let’s not go overboard and throw our bikini bodies out of the window. Here are some 4th of July healthy BBQ tips from Darya Rose at summertomato.com. I also designed a custom workout for you to do on Independence Day. It doesn’t take too much time. So just wake up, sweat and head to your BBQ!
6 Tips for not regretting your 4th of July BBQ
1. Use small plates
Research clearly shows that people who choose smaller plates and utensils eat less without even noticing it. The difference can be as substantial as 50% fewer calories consumed, yet everyone reports the same level of fullness and satisfaction. Try borrowing a plate from the kids table or the dessert tray. 2. Eat slowly and mindfully
People who eat more slowly eat fewer calories over the course of a meal. BBQs are a perfect opportunity to pace yourself as you mix and mingle with friends and family. The more you’re chatting, the less you’re eating. 3. Eat healthiest foods first
If you are eating slowly and off small plates, you may as well fill up on the healthiest stuff first. Salads are a great place to start because watery vegetables slow digestion and have very few calories. Try to choose something with oil and protein as well, because these will help you feel full sooner. 4. Skip the chips, crackers and bread
Refined carbohydrates are the worst things you can eat because they offer little satisfaction, loads of calories and dangerous insulin spikes. BBQs are filled with wonderful food, so do yourself a favor and save your calories for the really good stuff.
You don’t have to eat your burger without a bun, but pass on the pointless chips and other snacks that lure you when you’re not thinking. If you’re feeling bored, grab a Frisbee instead. 5. Keep dessert small
The difference between a large slice of cake and a smaller slice of cake can literally be hundreds of calories. And to reiterate, sugar and refined carbohydrates are the most dangerous foods. You don’t have to pass on dessert completely, but keep your portion sizes in check for this course. 6. Think before you drink
There is a place for alcohol in a healthy lifestyle, but making smart choices can be the difference between losing or gaining weight (not to mention your self-control). One sugary margarita can have 600-800 calories. That means 3 margaritas is more food than you should be consuming in an entire day. Is that really worth it? Stick with wine or beer, drink plenty of water and remember to pace yourself.
A few months ago I wrote a blog post about an inspiring women’s conferenced I attended at my alma mater, Harvard Business School. Sheryl Sandberg, Facebook COO, was the keynote speaker and I become very moved by her advocacy for women to “Lean In.” I could relate to her stories about over coming corporate obstacles, balancing work and life and trying to build and maintain self-confidence. She even talked about the importance of maintaining her health and wellness (she was also a fitness instructor on the side, like me!). This woman has some #GRIT. Anyway, I decided to share my “Lean In” story with the global community, so I today I wanted to repost it for my GRIT by Brit readers. Hope my story inspires you and encourages you to make your dreams come true!
The only person who can hold me back from making my dreams come true, is me! Lots of luv, Brit
And here’s my story…
I drained my savings account to develop and produce an original home workout DVD. I was working crazy hours in management consulting and had recently completed my MBA, but could not ignore my deep desire to share fitness, health and wellness with others. I chose to lean in.
I realized I had unique ability to motivate and encourage others through fitness and wellness. At a very young age I began struggling with my weight. I weighed 106 pounds in the 3rd grade. However, my weight loss journey transformed my way of thinking and revealed my personal strength. My new-found mental grit positively impacted my career, relationships and my faith. I had a duty to share my weight management success story and tools for others to succeed.
First, I auditioned at a major fitness club to start teaching part-time group fitness classes. I was terrified. Completely out of my element, I had to study for fitness certifications, get my body in impeccable shape and learn to lead a class. I would have been much more comfortable in a conference room with PowerPoint slides.
I then started a fitness and wellness lifestyle blog in which I became totally immersed. After long days with my corporate clients, I would stay up late designing workouts and writing motivational messages for my blog followers.
Last, I took the big leap by draining my entire savings account, hiring a producer, and shooting a home workout DVD, staring me! While being in front of the camera was very uncomfortable, it was also amazingly exhilarating. In less than one year, I finalized the video content and packaging. The DVD was picked up by an Amazon distributor and is now for sale online to customers worldwide. In the first three months I sold over 100 copies without any paid marketing or advertising. Also, my blog grew to almost 2,000 followers. In the meanwhile, I received a promotion from Senior Consultant to Manager at my full-time consulting job—wow!
My lean in decision taught me that I’m capable of doing things far beyond my imagination. While I haven’t led a major corporation or raised millions of dollars, I have encouraged the lives of many people by simply sharing my gifts and taking a risk. The only person who can hold me back from making my dreams come true, is me.
