Perfect Holiday Fitness Gift: GRIT by Brit Workout Tank Tops are now Available! Show your #GRIT

GRIT-tanks-insta

Get ready to Show Your GRIT in some of my signature GRIT Swag.  Treat yourself or your friends to a tank top or DVD today!  You can shop directly through my eStore: gritbybrit-shop.com

I created GRIT by Brit apparel and DVDs to help me stay connected with my virtual “fit friends.”  Hopefully you will become a part of our “GRIT Gang” and enjoy these products as much as I enjoyed creating them.  Tank tops and gift sets are available while the limited supply last – when they are gone, they are GONE!

Thanks for supporting my small, but growing, business – ENJOY!

Lots of luv, Brit

For questions please contact me at [email protected]

Continue Reading

Fierce & Fabulous

FIERCE Brit
FIERCE Brit

Hey hey GRIT gang!  I hope you are enjoying a WONDERFUL weekend.  I was just thinking, I’m so grateful that I discovered FIERCE fitness. Now I’m not talking about casually going to the gym or a nice easy jog every once in a while,  I’m talking about sweat puddles, sucking air and shocking myself during workouts.  Not only does fierce fitness improve my physical appearance, but it also makes me fabulous!  By “fabulous,” I mean more confident, fun and optimistic about life.

If I can push through a tough workout, I can handle any curve ball that life throws my way – I’m sure of it.    It’s amazing how the self-confidence, resilience and GRIT from overcoming a physical challenge spill over into all aspects of my life.

If you have been casually going through the motions, today I challenge you to take it up a notch!  You are stronger than you think.  Be FIERCE and be FABULOUS!  Lots of luv, Brit

“It’s better to commit and go for the gold, rather just show up for practice everyday” #GRIT

FABULOUS Brit :)
FABULOUS Brit 🙂
Continue Reading

7 Days of Sweat: 1 Week Cardio Formula for a Super Slim Down

push yourself

Hey GRIT gang!  In case you’re looking to change up your cardio routine, I’m gladly sharing my cardio workout plan for the week.  I’ve recently been a little lax with my sweat sessions due to a crazy travel schedule , so this week I’m going to get my butt back in gear!

When looking to drop a few pounds, I’m firm believer in doing 1 hour of cardio per day.  So I designed this workout to include a combination of various 1 hour workouts each day of the week.  Knock out these sweat sessions along with my other healthy habits and I promise you will see slimmer you by the end of the week.

I have to be honest, my “7 Days of Sweat” are easier said than done.  PUSH YOURSELF and don’t sacrifice what you want most for what you want at this moment.  You got this!

Lots of luv,

Brit

Brit’s Skinny Week Workout Plan

Continue Reading

Buddy Boot Camp! 5 Super Effective Partner Exercises to do with your Fit Friends

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-kpxvRHar4c&w=560&h=315]

Hey GRIT Gang! I hope that all is amazing in your world.  Very sorry for my sporadic blog posting – I’ve been doing lots of traveling the past 2 weeks.  On a positive note, last weekend I went to the Bryson City, North Carolina to a enjoy a weekend “ruffing” it with some of my best friends from business school.

In the midst of hiking the Great Smoky Mountains, cooking homemade meals, sitting by the camp fire and reminiscing on the good old days, I designed this “buddy bootcamp” workout.  During our vacation, my friends and I did this super efficient HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) circuit to ensure we got some strength and anaerobic training in .  Not only is the workout effective, it’s also very fun!  So next time you are looking for some fierce, fun exercises to do with your fit friends, keep these 5 exercises in mind…

5 Super Effective Partner Exercises

Before I leave you, I encourage you to not only enjoy the workout itself, but to more importantly enjoy and love the friend that you do the workout with.  And on that note, I leave you with this quote that one of my dearest friends, Lakshmi (staring in the front row of the instructional video above) shared with me:

“A friend is one to whom one may pour out the contents of one’s heart, chaff and grain together, knowing that gentle hands will take and sift it, keep what is worth keeping, and with a breath of kindness, blow the rest away.”  – George Eliott

ENJOY!  Lots of luv, Brit

Enjoing a nice hike in Great Smoky Mountains - Nothing says true friendship like matching beanies
Enjoying a nice hike in Great Smoky Mountains – Nothing says true friendship like matching beanies
Takin' it all in - life is good!
Takin’ it all in – life is good!
A picture is worth a 1000 words #breathtaking
A picture is worth a 1000 words #breathtaking
Grateful for good times and great friends! #blessed
Grateful for good times and great friends! #blessed
I love you and hope you have a great week! -Brit :)
I love you and hope you have a great week! -Brit 🙂
Continue Reading

Babalicious Bicep Workout

Showin' of my "Babalyicous" Biceps.  Hey, no shame in my game :)
Showin’ of my “Babalyicous” Biceps. Hey, no shame in my game 🙂

What’s up GRIT GANG?!   Hope your week is off to an AWESOME start – mine certainly is.  This morning before work I did this bicep workout along with some cardio.  I figured I’d share the workout with you guys since I got some requests after posting my Triceps Workout last week.

For best results, do this workout 1-2 times per week and combine it with a tricep workout – it’s important equally work opposite muscle groups.  Use 2 medium dumbbells (about 5-10 pounds depending on your strength).  Just like the tricep workout, this routine has a LOT of reps, so you don’t have worry about bulking up.  Get ready to show off your sexy sculpted arms!  #heygurlhey

Enjoy and lots of luv, Brit

Babalicious Bicep Workout

Gym mirror #selife after finishing my Bicep workout + 20 minute jog = great combo!
Gym mirror #selfie after finishing my Bicep workout + 20 minute jog = great combo!
Continue Reading

Discipline

Hey hey Grit gang! I hope you had a good weekend. Mine weekend was okay… I had some fun times, but I’m feeling a little stressed due to work and lot’s personal things on my plate. In all honesty, today was one of those days that I really wanted to just sit at home and feel sorry for myself. In fact. I did. For a while… But then I started planning my blog posts for the next few days and perusing some blogs that I follow, and I came upon this post that gave me the “kick in the butt” that I needed.

I love that the title is simple – “Discipline.” In the end, discipline is what really matters. I have to have the discipline to get up off of my couch and not be a cry baby. I have to have the discipline to workout when I don’t feel like it. And most importantly, I have to have the discipline to CHOOSE to be happy when it would be so much easier to mope around. So, with that said, I just wanted to share this post with you as a little “Sunday inspiration.” I hope it motivates you as much as it motivated me.

Have a blessed week. Lots of luv, Brit 🙂

Continue Reading

5 Minute Ab Workout – Vol. 2

As promised, here’s another 5 minute ab/core workout for you to enjoy.  In case you missed my 5 minute Abs Vol. 1, you can CLICK HERE to check it out.  Feel free to do the workout on your own or with me in real time via my YouTube video below.  Lots of luv, Brit

5 Minute Abs
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hFndoy23OY&w=420&h=315]

Continue Reading

Reach for the Sky! 5 Tips to Live By

reach for the sky

Happy Friday everyone!  As I was sitting at my desk, unwinding from a busy week and getting ready to enjoy my weekend, I came across this blog post that truly inspired me.  I totally agree with these 5 tips (especially Tip #5).  The time is now!  Whatever dream has been sitting heavy on your heart, now is the time to pursue it!  Tomorrow isn’t promised – so get up and go for it.  Lots of luv, Brit 🙂

5 Tips to Live By

by Steven Blaser

Source: http://stevenblaser.wordpress.com/2013/10/04/5-tips-to-live-by/

Every single person you meet will have some sort of advice for you. Unfortunately, I struggle to believe most of it or find it actionable in my daily life. It is difficult to learn a new trade, to think in the clouds, and generally to run out and change my life. How can I do that in the confines of my busy life while also gaining great value out of each activity? From an economics perspective, the opportunity cost of everything we do is quite high, especially nowadays as people become busier and busier. This is why I give 5 pieces of advice that I feel can drastically change the way you think and live while barely changing anything at all.

1. Give more than you receive. To me, this one is the most important. People that give are happier, more successful, and more fun to be around. If a person asks you for advice with your trade, give it to them over dinner or a drink. No favor will go unpunished and it is more than likely this will lead to them providing you with future opportunities or just a new friend or perspective. Many people argue with me that people should do charity for the sake of helping others and not have a selfish motive. To me, it doesn’t particularly concern me either way. Most people that do charity enjoy helping others but that does not indicate that you should feel guilty getting a benefit from your charity as well.

2. Network. The saying that I have found most true in my life is that it is not what you know but who you know. Networking can be as easy as meeting new people at work or as difficult as asking your job to pay for you to attend a conference or seminar. Networking will not take too much time out of your life and can even be attached to events like going out, work functions, and dinners. Whenever you can, get a business card and a contact. Again, you never know when it will come in handy.

3. Learn the Economy – it is very sad to me how few people understanding anything about the economy. Without this understanding, it will be very easy for people to get ahead of you. I do not care if your only connection to money is the paycheck you receive because that is a direct implication on the economy and the economy will still affect you. See my post about the economic machine in 30 minutes to get a pretty comprehensive understanding. If you have other questions, let me know.

4. Read + Write – this stands by itself but the greatest business minds, scholars, political figures of our time are well read and well written. You should join these ranks. Start a blog or a journal but reading and writing will improve your analytical thinking, your knowledge, and may even get a few more people to notice your skills.

5. Act Now. Do It. There is no better time than now to get started on what you want to do. Tomorrow is far too late.

Continue Reading

New GRIT by Brit Workout Video on BOOYA Fitness

photo (4)
That’s me, front and center, delivering the GRIT by Brit workout for BOOYA Fitness

Last weekend I filmed my 2nd official GRIT by Brit workout video!  The video will drop on Thanksgiving Day as part of the launch of BOOYA Fitness.  BOOYA is an revolutionary new fitness company that provides high-end workout videos to consumers on demand.  Think NetFlix for workout videos. It features amazing fitness instructors mostly from the best boutique fitness studios in NYC.  You can check out more details on their alpha site www.booyafitness.com but be on the lookout for the Thanksgiving Day launch of their new site and new workout videos – featuring yours truly!

Personally, I decided to support BOOYA and be a featured instructor on the platform because I love the idea of being able to connect with my students outside of the group fitness classroom.  Also, the co-founder, Prita Kumar, is a fellow Harvard Business School MBA and Fitness Fanatic (like me).  Prita and I met each other over Twitter and instantly connected.  I’m so excited for her to transform the fitness industry through high-end video content.  You can learn more about her journey to starting BOOYA Fitness on this cool start up documentary, CLICK HERE to watch.

So, let me move on and tell you a little about the cool experience I had at the BOOYA shoot and what you can expect from the new and improved GRIT by Brit workout…

Headed to the studio with my cue cards in hand!
Headed to the studio with my cue cards in hand!

So if you have a copy of my DVD (if you don’t buy one on Amazon – PLEASE) you’ll notice that the workout I designed for BOOYA is very similar.  However, I really tried to take my game to the next level.  In addition to the jammin’ music, I incorporated new techniques I’ve learned to over the past year to enhance my workout.  Specifically:

  • More FUN – I incorporated some “dance-like” moves into the cardio sections and into the choreography overall
  • More FIERECE – After each cardio round I have a High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) section
  • More FITNESS – Through the workout I really focused on focus on toning the legs and core.  Also I only use of body weight resistance training – no hand weights this time

I feel a HUGE sense of accomplishment after this shoot because I can look back on my progress over the past year and see how I’ve really grown as a fitness instructor and personal coach.  It feels good knowing that I’m better able to help people reach their fitness goals.  I’m VERY confident that my new workout video will inspire and motivate tons of people to have fun, get fit and show their GRIT 😉

I'm clearly very excited to explain the GRIT by Brit workout during my BOOYA fitness interview :)
I’m clearly very excited to explain the GRIT by Brit workout during my BOOYA fitness interview 🙂

For the BOOYA shoot, I was fortunate to have a rock star group of participants, Minal and Lateefah.  Minal, is another HBS MBA / Fitness Guru – she is the founder of BollyX and did me the honor of being in my video.  “BOLLYX is a Bollywood-inspired dance-fitness program that combines dynamic choreography and intensive workouts with upbeat music from around the world.  The workouts are fun and invigorating but, more importantly, designed to drive fitness results through cardio and muscle-building exercises. ”  Lateefah, is the founder of EmpowerFit.    “Empowerfit is empowerment through fitness.”  Lateefah and I met the day of the shoot, but we instantly connected – it was like we had known each other for years.  She brings a solid dance cardio background to the video which complimented the GRIT by Brit signature moves very well.

Both of these lovely ladies ROCKED IT OUT and brought some serious energy and enthusiasm on shoot day – I’m super grateful for them both!

Lateefah, me and Minal after a successful shoot!
Lateefah, me and Minal after a successful shoot!

Overall, I cannot wait for the official video to drop on Thanksgiving Day!  I’ll keep you guys posted on the details.  In the meanwhile, keep grinding, keeping shinning and keep showing you GRIT.   I’ve got a new ab workout coming this week, so stayed tuned for that as well.  All the best to you!

Lots of luv,

Brit 🙂

Continue Reading

September Shape Up: Blake’s Week 2 in Review

Hey gang.  I hope your week is off to an excellent start.  Blake, my fit friend from binanutshell.com has officially completed Week 2 of my September Shape up plan.  Are you trying the plan for yourself?  Do it!

If you were around last week, you’ll remember that Blake got off to an amazing start losing over 2 pounds in Week 1 – woo hoo!  During Week 2, however, she’s experienced some setbacks.  BUT we are all about showing our GRIT – passion and perseverance for long-term goals.  Even though Blake had a “less than stellar” Week 2, we KNOW that she will keep on truckin’ and be successful in the end!  Here’s her update.  Wish her luck, strong to the finish! 🙂

GRIT

Blake’s Week 2 in Review

Overall, I am saddened by my progress in week 2. I was really excited to keep up with Brit’s Shape Up September, but I wasn’t able to due to health reasons.  I am just going to be upfront and say that even knowing that there are 2 weeks left in the month, week 2 was definitely the most difficult. Early in the week, I was plagued with a summer cold that left me lethargic, sneezy and coughing – which of course resulted in my not working out.

Also, I have an inordinate amount going on in my personal life – some really great things that I am not quite yet ready to share on the blog, but stay tuned for a personal life update soon!

Here is how last week panned out:

Diet

I managed to get two nights with smoothies in, one night without dinner at all, one business dinner, and two dinners out with friends. Unfortunately, most of those events were planned way before Shape Up September, so I worked around the dinners out by eating really healthy breakfasts and having a smoothie for lunch! Smoothies for the win!

Exercise

  • Monday: Brit’s GRIT Ultimate Body Burn workout video – seriously folks, if you don’t own this video, you should.  Buy it on Amazon!
  • Tuesday: Brit’s 10 minute HIIT circuit – I had a super late meeting and didn’t get home until almost 10 and was starting not to feel well
  • Wednesday: Skinnygirl Yoga at home (note to self: downward dog does not feel good with congestion)
  • Thursday – Sunday: Sick, sick, sick

Hydration

Still focusing on having a full glass of water on my desk at all times. Hooray for this. Also, I think the water was really helpful from keeping me on the healthier side of sick… since the hubs was knocked out for twice as long as I was.

Week 3 Focus

This week’s focus is definitely going to be CARDIO! I am excited to get back to working out now that I don’t feel like walking up the three flights of stairs to my bedroom is going to make me winded.

Here’s a quick cardio workout I recommend for Blake in case she is pressed for time time next week – cardio is KING (wink,wink) xoxo, Brit

15-min-cardio-fix2

Continue Reading