Eager to start your fitness resolutions? I’m now offering online workouts through Booya Fitness!

BooyaFitness_Logo_Black_Med

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBdYc5Nemm4&w=560&h=315]

Happy New Year – 2014 has arrived!  This year, I’ve launched a partnership with Booya Fitness so you can workout with me during busy work weeks, travel, or even bad weather.

My featured video can be done in 30 minutes or less and is sure to have you shakin’ and sweatin’!

Worried about noise or have space constraints? Booya has created filters for these features so you can find a fun, challenging workout that perfectly fits your environment.

CLICK HERE to sign up with promo code GBBLaunch in the next 7 days and get 30 days of free, unlimited access!

Wishing you a happy & healthy 2014 – let’s WORK!

Lots of luv, Brit

 

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Brit’s Fit Holiday Picks: Top Fitness Gifts…a Gym Rat’s Dream!

holidaygifts (1)

Alright Gang – it’s that time of year.  I can’t believe we are only 2 weeks away from Christmas!  In my lifelong efforts to be like Oprah, I’ve compiled Brit’s Fit Holiday Gift Picks (my version of Oprah’s Favorite Things).  Unfortunately, I’m NOT a baller and you will NOT receive a free gift set of the items above.  However, because I’m in the Christmas spirit, I will send a free GRIT by Brit workout tank top to the first 20 people who email me their preferred color (black or blue), size and mailing address (email [email protected]).  You’re welcome 🙂

So let’s get to right to it.  My holiday fitness wish list goes a little something like this…

  1. OMG That’s Paleo? Recipe Book ($19.85) – So I started following Juli Bauer on Instagram and quickly became a fan of her blog/social media community PaleOMG.  Her recipes are super savory and made with the fitness enthusiast in mind.  She gets creative with the Paleo diet which is awesome if you’re sick and tired of eating the standard “burger no bun.”
  2. Quest Bars Variety Box ($26.99) – If you guys remember my post on the Best and Worst Nutrition Bars, Quest Bars topped my list due to their low sugar, high protein, high fiber and great taste.  There are SO many yummy Quest bar flavors, so I would love a variety box.  They are also convenient “meals on the go” especially when I ‘m traveling for work.
  3. Nike FlyKnit Multi Colored Sneakers ($129.90) –  I’m a Nike FREE junkie partially due to functionality, but mostly due to style.  However, the new Nike FlyKnit sneakers  are supposed to be really light, flexible and comfortable.  Also, they have this cool multicolored print that I love.  I will definitely be getting some of these.  Probably 2 pairs.
  4. Lululemon Reversible Wunder Under Yoga Pants ($92)- These leggings are bold fuchsia on one side and black on the other.  Plus they fit like a glove and give your booty a nice little lift.  I would wear these to yoga and then continue to wear them to prance around in the grocery store – word.
  5. Nike Twisted Headband ($15) – Because I’m a headband junkie, 2 different types of headbands made my list.  This one is a new design by Nike that’s also very wide and twists like the Turban one.  However, this is made of dri-fit moisture-wicking fabric and looks more sporty.  I will wear this one to the gym and actually workout in it.  I REALLY want one.  Bad.
  6. Puma Women’s All Sport No Show Socks ($14) – These socks are the perfect texture – not too thick and not too thin.  They keep my feet relatively dry during sweaty workouts and don’t show at all.  Simple and effective.  Just my style.
  7. Up 24 by Jawbone ($149.95) – So, you guys already know I’m obsessed with my Jawbone UP wristband.  I wrote a product review a few months ago and my only beef was that there is no blue tooth capability.  Well, that’s not the case anymore!  The new and improved Jawbone UP 24 now has blue tooth capability so you don’t have to manually plug it into your iPhone to sync.  I like to think I influenced that product enhancement.
  8. Focus T25 by Shaun T & Beach Body ($119.85) – As much as I want to be a Shaun T hater, he has a way of sucking me in.  I’ve never tried Insanity, but I’m intrigued by this new T25 program.   Essentially, the program is like Insanity but more “focused.”  Each workout is only 25 minutes long and is promised to deliver the same results as a longer workout.   Also, since I’ve come to the realization that I can only do a home workout for 30 minutes before I start to zone out, I’m even more eager to try T25.  I plan start the Focus T25 program the day after Christmas.  I’ll give it a formal GRIT by Brit review and share with you guys.
  9. C9 Champion Cold Weather Pull Over Fleece ($21.24) – This is super cute, super warm and super inexpensive.  You can get it at Target. Enough said.
  10. Bosu Ball ($79.95) – Like 3 years ago I had a personal trainer and he always made me do Bosu Burpees and Bosu Plank stability drills.  Since then I kind of stopped because I usually just go to group fitness classes.  But, this holiday season I want to buy a Bosu Ball to keep in my house so I can start incorporating the exercises back into my routine.  They are super effective for cardio and strength training.  Actually, I’ll do a blog post on my favorite Bosu Ball exercises…
  11. Tribal Print Turban Headband ($10) – Aren’t these headbands presh?  So, I don’t necessarily want to wear these to the gym, I just want to wear them with gym clothes.  They come in all different patterns, but the tribal prints are my favorites.  They give me the perfect balance of looking chic yet effortless.  You can get them on Etsy.
  12. Olive Oil Deep Conditioning Replenishing Pack ($10 for 3 packs) – These deep conditioning treatments are my saving grace.  I sweat a lot.  Like my hair is wringing wet after a tough workout.  I have to be diligent about hydrating my hair, so I do use one of these replenishing pack treatments each week.  It’s a good, weekly, deep conditioning routine especially for women with hair texture similar to mine which tends to dry out.
  13. Lululemon  Yeah Yoga Tank ($58) – How cute is the back on this?  I like this tank because it’s supportive for those of us who are bustier, but also cute and sexy with the backless crisscross design.  I can wear this to yoga AND to kickboxing because it provides enough support.  Also, the fabric is thick and fits very snug, which I appreciate.
  14. Foam Roller ($15-20) – Foam rolling is my massage substitute.  It’s also a  good warm up for high intensity workouts (along with some light cardio).  The foam roller allows you to massage deep into your muscle fibers, generate heat and break up lactic acid.  It’s a really good tool to have around your house if you do lots of high impact and high intensity workouts (i.e Kickboxing, Boot Camps, CrossFIT, etc.).
  15. Sporty Afros G+ Hair Spray ($5-10) – I started using this product from Sporty Afros after I got a sample in a swag bag.  It’s amazing!  The spray is made specifically for athletes.  So after a workout when my hair is sweaty, I spray it heavily on my roots and lightly on my ends, then comb my hair with a wide tooth comb.  It helps prevent breakage and keeps my hair moist.  Most importantly, it doesn’t feel greasy.  I’m a fan!

What’s on your holiday wish list?

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Brit’s Tastiest Top 5 Healthy Holiday Treats: Lower Calorie Dessert Options

I don’t know about you guys, but starting this weekend my schedule is jam-packed with holiday parties – LOVE IT!  Many of the parties are “pot luck – style.” So in an effort to avoid overindulging in high calorie desserts, I’ve been researching some “Healthier Holiday Treats” that I can prepare and bring to the festivities.  Below are my Top 5 Favorites!  Hope you love them too.  Enjoy! xoxo, Brit

1. Rocky Road Almond Butter Balls

almondbutterballs

Source: http://livglutenfree.com/recipes/rocky-road-almond-butter-balls

2. Strawberry Santa Hats

strawberry santa hats

Source: http://www.snack-girl.com/snack/light-holiday-snack/

3. Maple Cinnamon Roasted Almonds

MapleCinnamonRoastedAlmonds620-12

Source: http://thehonoursystem.com/2013/04/26/maple-cinnamon-roasted-almonds/

4. Sugar and Gluten Free Ginger Snaps

Ginger-Snaps

Source: http://realhealthyrecipes.com/2011/12/20/real-healthy-ginger-snaps/

5.Dark Chocolate Covered Peppermint

dark chocolate covered peppermint

Source: http://shadandlizzie.blogspot.com/2011/12/dark-chocolate-covered-peppermint-joe.html

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Give your Body Some Love on #GivingTuesday with this 3 by 3 Custom Cardio & Strength Training Circuit

Hey gang!  In honor of #GivingTuesday, here’s a legit total body workout that you can do as a gift to your mind, body and soul.  I designed the workout and tested it  this morning – I loved it!

Note, that you will need a Bosu Ball to complete this workout.  The 2nd set of exercises includes Bosu Planks and Bosu Burpees.  Here are links to some instructional YouTube videos in case you’ve never done these exercises.

The entire circuit, including the cardio warm up, should take you about 45-50 minutes.  You will be sweaty!  Overall, expect to burn about 500 calories. Enjoy and let me know how it goes.  Lots of luv, Brit

3 by 3

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Sexy Chica Chest Workout for Women

 

I hope you guys have enjoyed the targeted workouts I’ve been posting lately.  In case you missed, here are a couple from the last few weeks:

Keeping on the trend of upper body workouts for women, here’s a new chest workout I designed with the ladies in mind (although men will enjoy it as well).  For best results, complete the entire circuit using 8-20 pound dumbbells, depending on your strength.  You’ll notice that this workout has bench press “negatives” in it.  Just perform a basic, lying dumbbell bench press but push the weights up quickly and then bring them down to starting position very slowly, controlling the resistance on the way down (count to 3 slowly to make sure you are moving at the right pace.)  As always, add a little cardio and stretching to the end of the workout.

Enjoy and let me know how it goes.  Lots of luv, Brit

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5 Day Resistance Workout Routine! 5 days, 5 unique workouts to work each specific muscle group

5 Day

Hey Guys!  Hope you had a great weekend.  So my “fit friend” and fellow blogger Laura (author of http://www.50by25.com/) gave the great suggestion of creating a weekly resistance workout plan for my blog followers.  The plan incorporates very targeted workouts that each focus on a specific muscle group.  None of the workouts are full-body circuits (i.e. my infamous Tummy, Booty & Thighs circuit that you guys love so much).

So, the idea is that you need to complete the entire weekly plan in order to get a complete, total body workout.   At the beginning of the week, you work the larger muscles groups and then later on in the week you work the smaller ones.  This sequencing allows you to get some fierce fitness going on by really exhausting and fatiguing one muscle group at a time.  Doing so requires greater muscle repair and consequently, the development of more lean muscle mass.

For best results, complete the following plan in addition to 2-3, 30 minute cardio workouts.  Enjoy and let me know how it goes!  Lots of luv, Brit

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

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Super Scrumptious Southern-Style Fall Veggie Recipes

Happy Fall everyone!  Historically, I haven’t been a Fall-lover, but as I’m “maturing” I’m starting to love the season more and more.  As a former vegetarian, I still have a special affinity for vegetarian recipes and the best of the best arrive in the Fall!  So, since I’m a Southern Girl slash veggie lover, I wanted to share with you my top 3 favorite Fall recipes, all of which are southern-style.  I hope you love these recipes as much as I love them.  Enjoy.! Lots of luv, Brit

Butternut Squash with Pecans and Blue Cheese

butternut squash

Ingredients

  • 1 2lb butternut squash
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1-2 teaspoons Herbes de Provence
  • salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste
  • 1/2 cup pecans, coarsely chopped
  • 1/3 cup Danish Blue cheese, crumbled

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 400F/200C. Cut ends off squash, then cut in half lengthwise. Scrape out seeds with a sharp spoon, peel squash with a vegetable peeler, then cut into 1 inch cubes.
  2. Toss the squash cubes with 1 tablespoon olive oil, herbs, salt, and pepper.
  3. Arrange the squash in a single layer and roast for 20 minutes without opening oven.
  4. Remove the pan and turn squash cubes over. (They should be lightly browned on the bottom.) Roast the squash 15 minutes more.
  5. Turn the squash one more time and sprinkle pecans over the top. Roast 10-15 minutes more, until the nuts are fragrant and the squash cubes are soft and caramelized.
  6. Season with salt and fresh ground black pepper if it needs more.
  7. Serve the crumbled blue cheese at the table, so you and your guests can choose how much cheese to add (if any).

 

(Source: Stephfood.com)

Apple Pecan Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

apple pecan stuffed sweet potatoes 4

Ingredients

  •  4 medium-size sweet potatoes (3 1/2 lb.)
  •  3/4 cup coarsely chopped pecans
  • 1/4 cup butter
  •  1 large Rome Beauty apple, chopped
  • 1/4 cup golden raisins
  • 1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Directions

  1. Place potatoes on an aluminum foil-lined baking sheet. Bake at 425° for 1 hour and 15 minutes or until tender.
  2. Heat nuts in a nonstick skillet over medium-low heat, stirring often, 5 to 7 minutes or until toasted. Remove from skillet.
  3. Melt butter in skillet over medium-high heat. Add apple and raisins; sauté 2 to 3 minutes or until apple is tender. Stir in brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Remove from heat.
  4. Cut potatoes in half lengthwise; scoop pulp into a large bowl, leaving shells intact. Add apple mixture to pulp in bowl; stir until blended. Spoon mixture into shells. Place on baking sheet.
  5. Bake at 350° for 15 to 20 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Top with nuts.

 

(Source: Southern Living)

Maple Collard Greens

collard-greens

Ingredients

  • 1 bunch collard greens (chopped)
  • onion (chopped)
  • 1 tbsp maple syrup (real)
  • 1 tsp barbecue sauce
  • 2 tbsps oil (butter margarine)
  • salt
  • pepper

Directions

Heat butter or oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Add onions. While onions are cooking wash collards leaving them damp. After about 5 minutes when onions are lightly browned  add collards and cover pan with a lid. After about 5 minutes add maple syrup, BBW sauce, a pinch of salt and a few dashes of pepper. Mix together and cook covered over medium for about 10-15 minutes or until greens are tender.

 

(Source: food.com)

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The Truth about HEALTH and CHEERFULNESS: Smile and be Healthier

health and cheerfulness

New research suggests that having a general sense of well-being, feeling energetic and cheerful, relaxed and happy with life may actually reduce the chances of having a heart attack.  (Source: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/263175.php)

“If you are by nature a cheerful person and look on the bright side of things, you are more likely to be protected from cardiac events,”  – Lisa R. Yanek, assistant professor at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

CHOOSE TO BE CHEERFUL TODAY!

xoxo, Brit

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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

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