Cinco de Mayo Sweat Session!

Cinco de Mayo Sweat Circuit

Happy Cinco de Mayo weekend!  Before you head out to enjoy the holiday with margaritas and delicious Mexican food, be sure to get a quick sweat session in.  My “Cinco de Mayo Sweat Circuit” consists of 5 sets of 5 exercises.  Between each round, do jumping jacks or high knee run in place for 1 minute.  Altogether, the workout only takes about 10 minutes but is super effective.  Expect to burn ~200 calories.  Enjoy your holiday – fiesta fiesta!

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Aqua Studio NYC: Spinning in a swimming pool!

aqua cycling

Aqua Cycling...how cool does that sound?  I was super pumped up to hear that Aqua Studio opened earlier this month in NYC, so some friends and I checked it out.  It was definitely the “Most Interesting Workout” I’ve ever done.   Long story short – try it out to say you did it, but overall it’s not worth the money. I’m sad to confess that after my first Aqua Cycling workout, I walked right across the street to CrossFit 212 for a “real workout.”  Now let me temper my sentiments by making clear that I crave intense workouts.  If I’m not drenched in sweat by the end, I feel like I wasted my time.  If you’re like me in this regard, save your money and hit up a higher intensity class.

On a side note, word on the street is that Beyonce did Aqua Cycling to lose her baby weight.  But, let’s be real. Did you see the way she was sweating and working it out during the Super Bowl half time?  There’s NO WAY she got into that shape by casually pedaling a bicycle in a swimming pool.  I’m 100% confident that she worked her butt off to the point of complete exhaustion to get that body and those moves.  I’m just sayin…

Now that I’ve shared my colorful commentary, here’s the real deal with Aqua Cycling:

Workout Detailspicstitch(29)

  • Aqua Studio opened in NYC on April 15th – it’s located in Tribeca in a really chic, high end, boutique studio
  • 45 minute cycling workout with the bike completely submerged in water
  • No resistance on the bike, so resistance is based on how fast you pedal (the faster you pedal, the more natural resistance you feel from the water)
  • Lots of core and isometric toning exercising are incorporated throughout the workout session.  The moves are similar to water aerobics (i.e. arm strokes in the water, float on your back and do crunches)

Pros

Aqua Studio NYC

  • Low impact, so a good work out option if you have knee problems
  • Being in water naturally is therapeutic 😉
  • Instructors are really nice (not mean or too intense)
  • Music is good.  We gotta a like Drake “Started from the Bottom” jamz during my class
  • Studio is impeccable, like being at  high end spa, really nice!
  • Nice change up to your usual workout routine

Cons

  • Very expensive ($40 for single drop in class)
  • Lacking intensity – I’d estimate you only burn 300 calories in 45 minutes
  • The class choreography could use some help.  Simply doing more sprints on the bike would make the the workout more effective.  Also, we did a body weight arm circuit above the water that was super easy…kind of felt like a waste of time.

Sorry Aqua Studio NY, had a good time, but not “GRITTY” enough for me 🙁

aquacycling in action

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Best ABS Ever!

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YIO6IGNcPqM]

Sick of crunches?  Search no more.  Here’s a fun, fierce ab workout that I designed and filmed for you guys.  You need to 2 medium dumbbells to complete the workout.  It takes about 10 minutes and you can expect to burn 100 calories.  Do the workout 3-4 times per week along with some cardio to get your Six pack by Summer!

I think you’re FABULOUS!  xoxo, Brit

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GRITTY Circuit Workout – 40 minute Fat Blaster

 

Hi guys!  So, I’ve been fairly successful so far on my 5 Day FOCUS Diet.  I had one bad night (pad thai w/veggies for dinner) but other than that I’m pretty proud of my discipline to date and am feeling better all ready – yay!  How’s the plan going for youOn another note, a colleague and I have been working out together in the mornings at our hotel gym.  This morning we did an awesome HIIT workout from one of his men’s fitness magazines.  It was very GRITTY so I wanted to create a similar workout to share with you.  Now ladies, don’t be intimidated or turned off.  Just because the workout is intense and was originally designed for men doesn’t mean that it isn’t beneficial for us.  It won’t make us bulky or injure us if done properly.  GRITTY = PRETTY 🙂

Brit’s GRITTY Workout Details

  • Duration: Overall, the workout took us about 40 minutes to complete and we were DRENCHED in sweat by the end (my booty has been sore all day).
  • Calories Burned: ~400-600
  • Equipment: All you need is 2 medium to heavy dumbbells (I used 10 pounds and my male colleague used 15 pounds).
  • Style: High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT).  There are 6 circuits and each circuit includes 6 X 1 minute exercise intervals.  The workout nicely combines both strength and cardio training into combination exercises.
 

Instructional Photos

 Regular Front Squat + Side Squat

      Bent Over Row + Upright Row  

    Squat with Shoulder Press

    Single Leg Dead Lift

    Plank with hand shoulder taps  

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5 Day Diet FOCUS Plan

Hey Gang!  So I have a confession to make…

I have been eating TERRIBLY for the past 2 weeks.  Not sure what my problem is, but I’ve developed some nasty habits (i.e. adding croutons to salads, snacking on candy, too many simple carbs for breakfast – sticky buns anyone?)  The fact of the matter is, I’ve been making a lot of excuses to eat crappy food, and the excuses have got to stop – today!

While getting ready for my work week,  I put together this 5 day diet FOCUS plan.  Keep in mind that I’m a vegetarian, so if you are trying the plan for yourself and want to add some lean meat to one of the meals, by all means go for it!

Here’s my game plan for the next 5 days (Monday – Friday).  Each day, my diet will look like this:

  • Breakfast – 1 cup black coffee, 2 cups water, fresh fruit w/Greek yogurt OR w/ all natural peanut butter
  • Min morning snack – 1 serving of nuts or trail mix, 1 large glass of water
  • Lunch – Large veggie salad with oil/vinegar dressing (NO croutons, cheese, or meat), 1 large glass of water
  • Afternoon Snack – fresh fruit, 1-2 cups hot green tea
  • Dinner – 1 serving vegetarian protein (black beans, humus, lentils, etc.), 2 servings of veggies

I’ll be tweeting my progress all week, so follow me @GRITbyBrit – wish me luck and have wonderful week!

be stronger

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We can always quit…why start now?

the future

Happiest Thursday to you!  I saw this quote on Twitter, “We can always quit, why start now?”   It made me take a step back and reflect on decisions I’m currently facing in my own life.  I gotta be honest….I’m TIRED.  Work is demanding.  Traveling is draining.  In addition to that, the effort it takes to plan my workouts, blog, volunteer and consciously spend time with the people I love, leaves me with very little in my “Energy Budget” at the end of each day.  BUT I’m happy to say that even though it seems like I’m “running on empty” at least I’m still running.  And that, my friends, is a blessing!

So, I write this blog post for both selfish and selfless reasons:

  1. I hope it motivates you to keep pushing
  2. I needed to give myself a pep talk 🙂

Have a wonderful day – you got this!

Lots of luv,

Brit

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Fit in 14 Days #OperationTahiti

Brandon has officially completed his GRIT by Brit #OperationTahiti plan.  In case you missed the plan, CLICK HERE to see the details and maybe even try it for yourself.  Today, Brandon sent me his final update and on his way to TAHITI!

He did an awesome job.  In his own words, here are his results…

  • I added 4 lbs to get to 167 lbs and feel good about that weight
  • Definitely feel like my core is much tighter and cut vs. when I started
  • I’m starting to see the definition and base of strength come back into my chest, biceps, triceps and shoulders vs. when I started
  • My legs hate me right now…definitely still sore and need to do more work on my quads and hamstrings going forward
  • On the cardio front, I have definitely noticed come improvement.  However, I still need to put in some more work to get to where I want to be.  This will be a never ending battle.  Us former track sprinters always hated the distance folks, right?
In summary, this last two weeks has been awesome.  Mad props to you (Brit) for putting together a fun workout plan that got me back in the gym regularly and to be more conscious about what I ate and drank.  The plan also helped me get through a hectic period of travel, accepting an offer for a new job, and closing an offer on a new apartment in LA — it’s been a crazy two weeks, haha.  I am looking forward to keeping up this schedule and infusing it with some of my old workout routines from college.
Thanks, Brit!  Now, off to Tahiti…
-Brandon

BEFORE and AFTER

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10 Minute Legs & Thighs Workout Video: Complaining Won’t Burn Calories!

In the spirit of it being Sunday afternoon, I want to share some good old fashion inspiration.  It goes like this “Always be joyful.  Always keep praying.  No matter what happens, always be thankful.”  (1 Thes. 5:18-16) This is easier said than done, but the truth of the matter is that complaining or having a victim mentality will do us no good in life.  Life is hard.  It always will be.  We know this.  HOWEVER, when we learn to always be thankful we make ourselves STRONG enough to endure and thrive under the most trying circumstances.  This week, I challenge you to practice being joyful.  At the end of each day, think about 5 things that happened in your day that you are grateful for.  It’s amazing how practicing gratitude can totally uplift our outlook on life, energize us and give us more #GRIT.

With that in mind, here’s a new leg workout video that I made last week. It’s HARD but guess what, you CAN do it!   Be thankful for a healthy body that’s able to workout and know that complaining won’t burn calories 🙂  Make it an awesome week.  Lots of luv, Brit

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#OperationBeachBody Series Starts Now! Hardcore Leg Workout with Lavon

opbeachbod with lavon

Hey gang!  I’m starting a new series on GRIT by Brit to get you right and tight for the summer #OperationBeachBody!  Every few days I’ll feature a specially designed workout specifically made to get you ready for the beach!

Our first #OperationBeachBody workout comes from my friend, Lavon Washington!  Like me, Lavon (pictured below) is native Texan who recently moved to New York City.  His passion for fitness and wellness started by playing sports when he was really young and continued as a he was college football player.  Now, Lavon competes in body building competitions and does a little fitness modeling as a side hustle to his full time Mergers & Acquisitions career.  Above is the fierce leg workout that he did earlier this week and was kind enough to share with us.  Try it for yourself to get ready for short shorts this summer!

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Cardio + Abs = Six Pack by Summer: Free 10 Minute Workout Video!

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AD-j-uHj5V4]

Hey hey!  Here’s a new workout video I made last weekend.  It is intense!  If you want a 10 minute cardio and abs workout, search no more.   Expect to burn ~200 calories and for your abs to be on FIRE!  Below is the description of the the workout in case you want to do it on your own without watching the YouTube video.  Hope you like and hope you SWEAT!

Lots of luv, Brit 🙂

GRIT by Brit cardio abs

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