Spring Break Shape Up: 6 Tricks to Burn an Extra 200 Calories Per Day

February 20, 2014 No Comments

Hey gang! Spring is around the corner and I know that my inbox will be full of Spring time shape up requests. To keep us ahead of the last minute slim down dash, here’s my 6 quick and easy tricks to burn excess calories.

First, remember that in order to truly lose 1 pound of body weight, we must burn 3,500 calories more than we consume. Assuming your diet and activity remain consistent, adding these 6 tricks to your daily routine can result in losing 1 additional pound every ~18 days. Not bad huh? Also be sure to note that these estimates are based on 150-160 pound person. A lighter person will burn fewer calories and a heavier person will burn more.

Brit’s 6 Tricks

Stand up at your desk instead of sitting. Standing burns about 50 percent more calories than sitting. Standing at your desk for 30 minutes will burn about 72 calories (2X the amount burned while sitting). Standing instead of sitting for 30 minutes = 36 calories
Learn to Laugh. 15 minutes of laughter = 20 calories
Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Climbing two flights of stairs, three times per day = 30 calories
Dance in the mirror. Dancing is a fun, self-confidence boosting calorie blaster. So twerk a little something while getting dressed for work in the morning 🙂 Dancing for 10 minutes = 58 calories
Stretch in front of the TV. Doesn’t matter if you’re enjoying Scandal or the Bachelor, be sure to stretch instead of sit on the couch. 8-10 minutes of stretching = 31 calories
Choose the parking spot farthest from your building entrance. Walking for an extra 5 minutes = 25 calories

Total = 200 additional calories burned!

Home Workouts, Total Body

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

October 27, 2013 No Comments

[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

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 🙂

Just for Fun

Healthy Way to Lose 10 Pounds in 2 Weeks

August 25, 2013 8 Comments

So if you’re like me, you LOVE to workout but you also LOVE to eat. I have to admit, I’m a fat kid at heart. Luckily I’ve learned to love healthy food and control my portions (for the most part). However, there are times that I get a little side tracked and don’t monitor my calorie intake the way I should. All of sudden I begin to notice that my favorite skinny jeans are barely zipping up and that’s my reality check that I need to refocus. I put this 2 week plan together about a year ago – it’s an oldie but a goodie. It helps me when I need to regroup my wellness regimen and drop a few pounds. I love that every “rule” is a healthy action that actually does my body good! Try it for yourself and let me know how it goes! You can definitely expect to shed some weight, of course results will vary based on your body composition and your overall calorie intake. Good luck – lots of luv, Brit

For the next 14 days, do the following 5 things each day…

Cardio, Home Workouts, Total Body

Super Sweaty Dumbbell Circuit

August 13, 2013 2 Comments

Happy “Tone it up Tuesday” – here’s the workout I did before work this morning. Be ready to blast some calories and feel tight and toned! Try it for yourself and let me know how it goes! Lots of luv, Brit

Home Workouts, Legs

Reach for the Stars! Plyo Workout

June 27, 2013 2 Comments

Here’s your workout of the week! This workout is all about Plyometrics (jumping). I love jumping exercises because they really get your heart rate up and strengthen your legs. However, if you have knee problems, be careful as jumping is NOT advised for you. This workout requires no equipment so it’s great to do during commercial breaks – enjoy;)

Shoot for the moon, even if you miss you’ll land among the stars! Lots of luv, Brit

Total Body

10 Minute HIIT Workout

May 13, 2013 5 Comments

Hey gang! Hope your week is off to an EXCELLENT start. Here’s a 10 minute HIIT (high intensity interval training) workout video that I shot in Central Park NYC. The workout is intense and efficient! You need to 2 medium/heavy dumbbells (at least 8 pounds for women and 15 pounds for men). To get the most out of the workout, do NOT take breaks unless I say so! 🙂

HIIT works because it forces us to push to our highest level of perceived exertion for short periods of time. This increases our anaerobic threshold, which burns a TON of calories during and AFTER the workout. Try the workout for yourself and let me know what you think. It’s a great way to get sexy for summer! #heygurlhey #heyboyhey

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUs5sGt87RY]

Abs

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

April 9, 2013 No Comments

[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 🙂

Inspiration & Motivation

Already 3 Pounds DOWN!

January 14, 2013 1 Comment

Candace’s Week 1 Update

“Week 1 of my New Year Kick Start Plan was better than I expected, I’m down 3 lbs.! I downloaded the My Fitness Pal app, which has really helped me keep track of my calories. Packing my lunch and snacks each day was a great plan, as I can easily control what I’m consuming. Getting in 6 days of cardio workouts was tough, I only did 5 days. My goal is to definitely hit 6 days this week. Looking forward to week 2 and keeping up the progress.” – Candace

(below – Candace preparing her lunches for week 2)

Brit’s Tips for Week 2

Keep up the good work – While you should be thrilled about your quick results, don’t get complacent. Keep pushing yourself to be disciplined in your healthy eating and in maintaining your challenging workout schedule.
Stay hydrated – Completing intense cardio workouts 6 days per week means you are sweating more than usual. Dehydration will slow down your metabolism and hinder weight loss, so be sure to drink 2 liters of water per day.
Get your beauty rest – As a busy corporate woman I’m sure your days are packed full with work and working out. Be sure you are getting enough sleep at night (shoot for 8 hours) so that your body has an opportunity to recover. Sleep deprivation hinders weight loss as well.

Inspiration & Motivation, Lifestyle

Brit’s 5 Favorite (Fit) Things

October 1, 2012 5 Comments

If not for these 5 things, I’d have a very hard time living a healthy and lively lifestyle. Here’s why I love them and why you should love them too – enjoy!

Starbucks Venti iced green tea “Straight Up” (no sweetener no added water) – When I’m hungry (or bored) this is my #1 go to. It’s filling, hydrating, taste great, loaded with antioxidants and serves as a natural metabolism booster. Also, by ordering it “straight up” I consume ZERO calories!
Pedometer – If you remember my Pedometer Diary post a few months back, I tested this thing out just for fun, but I find that it really helps me stay more active during the day. I tend to get up from my desk and walk around every hour or so. I also intentionally park far away from my office building to meet my step goal.
Daily Devotions – Fitness isn’t only limited to our bodies, it extends to our minds and souls. That said, I carry a really small daily devotional handbook that I got as a high school graduation gift. It’s nice and concise and organized by “life topic.” I find that just taking 5-10 minutes each day to a read a few lines and give thanks to God really helps keep me in a positive mindset and grateful spirit.
Apples – Because I travel every week for work, my stomach situation gets a little “off track” if you will. Apples are a super fiber source, easy to carry, keep my breath fresh and most importantly, keep me regular 😉
TaeBo DVDs + Billy Bands – I became a TaeBo groupie when I was 15 and Billy still gives it to me like he used to in my teens. The Billy Bands add resistance for extra calorie burn and toning. Also, I just pack the DVD and bands in my suitcase and easily workout on my laptop in my hotel room. Super convenient!

What are you favorite things that keep you fit? Let me know!

Detox Plans

7 Day Detox Formula

August 8, 2012 10 Comments

Last weekend I went to Miami on my annual family vacation. I was feeling good at the start of the trip (pictured above w/ my lil bro & sis). But by the end of the trip, I wasn’t feeling so hot. Fortunately, I kept up with my workouts because my family likes to workout together.

However, during this limited uninterrupted family time, I like to take advantage of the opportunity to indulge in delicious FREE meals (courtesy of my dad). That said, my body was definitely in need of detox from the weekend. So, this week I’ve stuck with my tried and true 7 day detox formula. It’s simple and consists of 3 basic diet eliminations:

Meat. Meat is a great source of protein but takes FOREVER to digest and is high in calories. This week I’m getting my protein some from vegetarian options recommended by my registered dietitian. This really helps cleanse my digestive tract. Also upped the veggie intake – can’t forget that 🙂
Sweets. Long story short, sugar packs on the pounds and make us hungry, so I’ve pretty much cut out the sweets all week. Interestingly enough, the less I eat sweets, the less I crave them – it’s true I promise!
Alcohol. As mentioned in my 28^th B-Day post, “Cutting Back on the Booze,” alcohol slows down our metabolism and adds lots of empty calories. Going cold turkey for 7 days really does the body good!

Try my 7 day detox and let me know how it goes.

What do you have to lose?

It’s EFFECTIVE, FREE AND HEALTHY!