Money. It can buy happiness to a certain point, yet beyond making enough to accommodate your basic wants and needs (as well as, HOPEFULLY. saving a chunk of what you are bringing in) much more won’t make a difference. In fact, in many cases, the saying is absolutely true: “more money, more problems”. Let’s also not forget that one of the major issues among couples is all about the Benjamins. Yet as controversial as it can be, money is a necessary part of our lives and something to take seriously.

Since this is a fitness website I thought it to be fitting to discuss some correlations between your healthy lifestyle and being financially savvy. After all, money trouble can lead to stress, which leads to sleep disturbances, overeating, hormone imbalances, and less productive workouts. I’ll make this simple. Here are a few money rules to keep you on track and better able to accomplish every goal you set.

Whether you are training for a race, hitting the elliptical for heart health or climbing the stepmill to prepare for bikini season, there’s no doubt you’ve had days that you are just plain bored during your cardio sessions!  Training for an ultra marathon gave me many, many, manyyyyyy hours to get creative with things to do to pass the time and simply make my life easier, and I want to share them with you!

When your iPod playlist just isn’t cutting it you can try something from my list of possibilities below:

So often I hear people say that the best indicators of a great workout are how tired they are after the workout and how sore they are the next day.  Getting stronger, faster, more flexible and even more aesthetically pleasing do not necessarily coincide with puking, convulsing and unable to drive yourself home! Although I, personally, still have a tough time dismissing this myth it is just that…a MYTH!

Here’s why:

Weightlifting is one of my favorite things to do.  The mere thought of throwing a heavy barbell over my head or deadlifting double my body weight brings a massive grin to my face.  The physical and mental benefits of this passion of mine have changed my life and this is why I find it so difficult to understand the fear that so many women have of touching a dumbbell!  

It’s unfortunate, but females often deem lifting as a man’s workout, labeling it as a bulking exercise and tend to solely befriend the treadmills instead of also playing in the weight room.  In my opinion, one of the things that most women are missing out on is the one thing that can actually give you that body that you dream of.  Lift!  Lift heavy and intensely!

Here are some motivational videos of super women that lift for a living.  Bulky? No!  Masculine?  No way!  Sexy, curvy and strong?  YES!

A strong body coincides with a strong mind! Be SEXY, STRONG and UNSTOPPABLE!
<3 Brittany  

If you walk in to any nutrition store, gas station or convenience stop there is no doubt that you will be bombarded with shelves of energy bars.  These “healthy”, prepackaged, protein treats may be convenient and seem harmless, but not all are created equal.  In fact, some can be as sugar laden as the Snickers bar next to it.

Bars are far from ideal, clean, whole foods. What you’re buying is simply convenience, and if you are not careful you could end up purchasing a fortified candy bar with added vitamins and minerals but little to no value, especially if you are already consuming a healthy diet. Before buying a bar flip it over and investigate the label carefully but be sure to keep your goals in mind. In an ideal situation, choose real food or MAKE YOUR OWN HEALTHY ENERGY BAR!

Check back tomorrow for an exclusive BRITTANYBFIT member recipe so you can make your own sugar free energy bars!

Be SEXY, STRONG and UNSTOPPABLE!
<3 Brittany

In case you missed my blog a few weeks ago, here’s a link to the ultimate booty exercise and how to preform it with pristine form:   

http://www.brittanybfit.com/best-booty-exercise/

If you have been incorporating these in to your routine I have no doubt that your backside is already making heads turn!  Summer is just around the corner though, so let’s not stop there!  

Here’s a workout using my secret “bubble” booty move.  This is only for those of you who REALLY want results!:)

According to the USDA, the average American consumes more than 40lb per person per year of sugar!  Ladies and gentlemen, it’s time to cut back before you end up as another number on the continuously climbing obesity ladder, struck with diabetes or suffer with heart diease.  Many of us, however, are unaware of all of the places sugar can hide in our diets.   At least half of the sugar we consume comes from soft drinks, fruit drinks and sports/energy drinks.  In fact, 50% of the US population consumes sugar drinks EVERY day!! The rest creeps in to ketchup, barbecue sauce, peanut butter, teriyaki sauce, milk and the obvious sweets like cookies, crackers, pastries, ice cream and even some breakfast cereal.  Certain so-called “healthy foods” such as yogurt can pack in an incredibly deceiving amount of unnecessary added sugar also!

Make sure you read the labels of foods before you take them home! I’ve compiled a list of terms to look for on the ingredients.  If you see any of the following, sugar has been added in one form or another:

Be SEXY, STRONG and UNSTOPPABLE!
<3 Brittany

It may seem as if you are saving time by keeping your kitchen full of food, but it may be sabotaging to your fitness and healthy lifestyle!  The time has come to overhaul your refrigerator and pantry to not only make room for healthier food but also to prevent you from choosing the wrong thing when hunger strikes!  If it’s not in sight it makes it harder and less likely that you will make a negative nutrition move. 

Here’s what to toss and what to keep:

Lately I’ve been obsessed with vinegar!  Every morning I give my system a healthy shot of apple cider vinegar, and more often than not I drown my vegetables in balsamic vinegar!  Why?  Because vinegar is nutritious, delicious, and such a versatile addition to a wide variety of dishes…..including DESSERTS!

What’s so special about BALSAMIC VINEGAR and why should you add it to your diet?
Balsamic vinegar is a low calorie, bitter syrup made from white Trebbiano grapes in the northern Italian region.  It’s a healthy alternative for many salad dressings and marinades and a perfect option for those of you that are trying to lose weight or struggling with high blood sugar. Diabetics will benefit from incorporating this antioxidant rich food  in to their diets due to the fact that it will help improve insulin sensitivity, and over-eaters will be pleased to know that balsamic vinegar has been reported to keep you feeling fuller longer by suppressing the body’s appetite and increasing the amount of time it takes for the stomach to empty.  

I’ve created a dessert that includes balsamic vinegar to satisfy your sweet tooth and allow you to reap all of the benefits of this super food.  For those of you that are members of BrittanyBFit.com tomorrow is your lucky day, because I am going to give you my recipe!:)

New workouts and fancy fitness gadgets are constantly being introduced to us.  It’s far too easy to be tempted by the latest “bubble booty ballet” video infomercial promising a “miracle” solution to your dream backside or want to overnight the latest six-pack revealing, high voltage ab belt straight to your doorstep.  Theres no denying the fact that it’s fun and beneficial to vary your workout routine and add new exercises to your repertoire.  If the new pink ankle weights continue to keep you moving then keep it up, but there are a few things involving fitness that must forever remain!:)  

Regardless of the dozens of pink exercise balls I’ve been hoaxed into purchasing over the years, here are some things that I vow to never live without!

Sometimes we just can’t workout.  Whether on vacation, slammed with work, injured or just need a day (or two!) off we all have times in our lives when we have to take a break from the gym.  Short periods of time, or “rest days”, are a necessary part of improving your fitness, but longer-term breaks can be detrimental  not only your mental function but the hard earned gains you may have developed during all of those sweaty hours in the gym.  How fast do you really lose your fitness, PHYSICALLY, when you stop exercising? 

Did you know that you burn calories just by eating!?!

The “Thermic Effect” is the amount of energy you use to digest, absorb, and eliminate the food you ingest. This energy accounts for chewing action, digestion and absorption. During digestion the body must breakdown the nutrients into molecules small enough to absorb and use, which takes energy (calories). 

This doesn’t mean that you are free to order a stuffed crust pizza tonight though! Not all foods are equal!  Here are the best foods to eat to burn the maximum number of calories.  

Have you ever heard people talk about complete and incomplete proteins? What does it all mean?  Isn’t a protein a protein?  What foods are complete proteins for meat eaters and vegetarians?  I’LL TELL YOU!:)

I’ll admit that I have a hard time peeling myself away from the dumbbells, but I know the physical and mental benefits of rest days are something that I need to improve my performance and prevent injuries.  

Exercise causes changes in the body such as muscle tissue breakdown, fluid loss and the depletion of energy stores. Recovery time allows these stores to be replenished and allows tissue repair to occur. These recovery days should be built in to all training plans to allow the body time to repair, rebuild and strengthen. 

Many people question what a recovery day should actually consist of.  Should it be complete bed rest or should we be moving?  Although every body responds differently to various degrees of physical exertion and the actual number of rest days needed may vary from each individual, here are a few ways to increase the benefits of your days away from the gym.

I’m fortunate enough to love veggies but so many of you don’t feel the same way.  I’m often asked whether or not there are any acceptable substitutions for them, such as juices or vitamins?  

Here’s my answer:

Be SEXY, STRONG and UNSTOPPABLE!
<3 Brittany

Want to know what the best exercise is to get that sexy, tight, firm booty?Well, the answer to this is not by spending hours on the cardio machines or butt blaster. I’ll tell you the secret to that perky backside and how to preform my all time favorite exercise.

Are late nights, parties, alcohol and sugary foods giving you the dreaded carb-overload face? Are your sexy muscles hidden in a layer of bloat and your digestion off?  I have just the thing for you….a de-puff plan that will increase your energy levels, improve your digestion system and leave you feeling remarkably better in a few days!

Here’s what to do:

Be SEXY, STRONG and UNSTOPPABLE!
<3 Brittany

Finding the best, ripest, most delicious fruits and vegetables isn’t always an easy task.  In fact, it is something that requires the attention of ALL five senses.  I’ve compiled a list of several items of produce and written some rules for picking the best.  I’ll also tell you how to store them for optimum flavor and longevity.

As many of you know, I’m in yoga teacher training for the next few months, and I’m so excited to bring this beautiful practice to you!  Within the very near future I will be posting videos with short yoga segments, but I’m quite sure you will enjoy it so much that you will want to invest in your very own mat.

What to look for when choosing your yoga mat: