Wow!  The New Year is upon us and I have so much so much grateful for. Most importantly, I’m so thankful for all of you who follow my blog and send me encouraging messages.  There’s nothing more rewarding than connecting with you.  Thank you so very much – be blessed exceedingly and abundantly!

This blog started out as a simple channel for me to share my hotel workouts and transformed into my passion-filled prized possession and platform to help us all live healthier, happier and more positive lives.  Only a year and half since my first post, GRIT by Brit doubled in size to over 3,000 followers.  The 2nd blogiversary is coming up in March.   I have even greater expectations for 2014!

So now without further or do I present to you, 2013’s Top 10 Most Memorable moments:

1. Teaching my 1st Indoor Cycling Class – I got certified in Schwinn indoor cycling in 2012 but didn’t teach my first class until May of this year.  It’s so crazy how teaching a new fitness format challenges me, takes me out of my comfort zone and feels exhilarating at the same time.  Making playlists full of Jay-Z, Britney and Eminem is also really fun!

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3. Turbo NYC – While I was living in NYC for 7 months, I started a pop up Turbo Kick class in Flatiron.  It quickly gained traction and my friends (old and new) joined me every Sunday to sweat and bring some heat to the bone-chilling NYC cold.  This was a short stint, but boy was it sweet.  Here you can read my reflections from my first Turbo NYC class: https://gritbybrit.com/2013/01/27/the-world-is-yours/

   

4. PiYo on the Deck – When I was asked to teach weekly PiYo classes on the W Dallas Hotel Wet Deck I was like, “ah yea…I’m officially on the map!”  This was huge personal accomplishment.  Better yet, it was fun, free way that I could share mind-body training with my friends and other members of the Dallas community.  Free. Fierce. Fitness = GRIT by Brit core values!

   

5. Lose the Pooch Workout – I had no idea this workout would go viral on Pinterest, but it has!  Clearly many of us are eager to work our lower abs and prevent a protruding FUPA.  This will certainly be my cue to make more “Lose the Pooch” workouts in 2014.  You can get the full workout here: https://gritbybrit.com/2013/03/05/lose-the-pooch-complete-workout-for-your-lower-abs/

   

6. GRIT by Brit Tank Tops – We have tanks now finally – yay!  Not much to say on this one except that I’m glad I can now “reprezent my clique” in public.  And you can too!  Buy yours at my eStore: http://gritbybrit-shop.com/

   

7. New workout video with BOOYA Fitness – So in 2012 I released GRIT by Brit Ultimate Body Burn, which I hope you already rocked out.   On New Year’s day 2014 I will release my new and improved 30 minute, high intensity, music blasting, cardio workout.  Booya Fitness, an online fitness video subscription start-up company, was the driving force behind this collaboration.  I’m so honored to be one of their featured instructors.  You all must go sign up for your subscription today!http://www.booyafitness.com/

   

8. Dr. OZ Cleanses – Holy Moly!  I don’t know if I should be excited or concerned, but when I started posting reviews of the Dr. Oz cleanses, I got over 2,000 hits per day!  Now I love a good cleanse, but I was amazed at our intense interest in cleanse regimens. Just remember, cleanses are a great one-off solution, but living a healthy lifestyle consistently (not only for a 3-day cleanse) is where the real work and the real rewards come.

   

9. Blog makeover – So when I started GRIT by Brit I knew nothing about blogging (I think that’s still the case to be quite honest).  However, this year I met an amazingly talented photographer/graphic designer who has become my creative director and my friend.  Alivia Duran – thank you!  GRIT by Brit is looking better than ever.  You are a God-send!  You can guys can check Alivia’s website: http://www.aliviaduran.com/

   

10. Sharing my Lean In Story – I heard Sheryl Sandberg speak at a women’s conference in April and I immediately felt a sense of duty to take more risks in my life and to also share my story with other women.  On my way home from that conference, I wrote my Lean In story and submitted it to be published.   If you haven’t read it, you can check it out here: http://leanin.org/stories/brittani-rettig/ (P.S. I wrote this with a great sense of urgency so there are a few typos – please read with a forgiving spirit).

    

11. Being on TV (Good Morning Texas) – Huge thanks to Sporty Afros for being my fit friends and partners in crime on this.  Alex and Whitney, co-founders of http://sportyafros.com/ have been my blog mentors and ongoing sources of inspiration.  Thanks to both of you for sharing the limelight with me as you tackled the critical topics of natural hair and health.  Together, we are going to win the war on obesity among women of color!  Health OVER Hair!

Well, that’s the end gang.  2013 has flown by, but it sure was good to me.  I’m humbled and grateful for all of the blessings I’ve experienced.  I wish you an amazing 2014 that exceeds your expectations – the best is ALWAYS yet to come!

Happy New Year!  xoxo, Brit