I'm a Runner I'm a Runner I'm a Runner!

Well not yet, BUT I'm going to be!!! Recently one of my sorority sisters invited me to participate in Mudderla, a 5-7 mile muddy obstacle course! I have NEVER done anything like this and am excited and nervous at the same time.

I hate running. No really, I hate it. Throughout this fitness journey I have avoided running like the plague. And honestly it's worked until now. I lost 35lbs doing other forms of cardio (hiking, biking, stair master, elliptical, etc) and have made major progress! Since I have lost the bulk of my weight I am having a much harder time getting off these last pesky 10-15lbs. They say that when your body stops responding you have to switch things up and try things you don't usually do. The only thing I really don't do is RUN. You rarely ever find me on a treadmill or running on a track. But now that is EXACTLY where you are going to find me.

My upcoming participation in Mudderella as well as a desire to get rid of these last few lbs has motivated me to start running. A few days ago I hopped on the treadmill and ran as fast as I could. I was able to complete a mile in 11 minutes 14 seconds. For most people this is an extremely slow time but for me this was a HUGE success. I remember last year when I ran a mile on the treadmill my fastest time was 14 minutes. This definitely proves to me that I am becoming faster and stronger! My goal is to get my time under 10 minutes within the next 4 months. I still hate running, but I am willing to push myself outside of my comfort zone to try something new and to get the results I desire. 

I've been all about the challenges recently! This week I completed MankoFits 5 mile challenge and loved it! It was a quick workout and I was able to burn 673 calories. It was a great overall workout and I would definitely do it again. 

Another personal goal I have is to tone my stomach. I want to be wearing crop tops this summer! I cant seem to get rid of this "pudge" in my belly and it is driving me crazy! I'm hoping running will start to help with this, BUT I have also started specifically working out my abs. (Another area I have neglected) I did research on good ab exercises and consulted with friends that are trainers. I came up with a solid 15 minute ab routine that I am doing every morning when I first get out of bed. #AbsBySummer

Last weekend I got to participate in the most amazing fitness day ever sponsored by Nike. It was called the Nike Training Club Tour and it was the first ever held in Los Angeles. Everything about it was awesome! For $75 we got to walk into a fitness mecca at Santa Monica beach. Me and my friends took awesome classes by Nike trainers all day (10:00am-6:00pm) and got fed tons of healthy food all day from Whole Foods and other sponsors. There was a huge abundance of snacks such as fruits, fresh squeezed juices, granola, and snack bars to give us fuel in between our workouts.

There were also celebs in the house! Above is the quick pic I snapped of Gabby Douglas. She spent the whole day participating in exercises, workshops, and Q&A's. Skylar Diggens was also present at the event. The exercises and classes offered were no joke! I burned tons of calories and pretty much got my ass kicked. I took a High Intensity Training Class, Cycling Class, and Barre Fitness class. It was super inspiring to see so many people focused on being fit and living a healthy lifestyle. There was also a hair braiding bar and free manicures and massages!

In true NIKE fashion we all got hooked up with tons of swag!!! Each participant got a rose gold Nike Fuel Band. And after taking the barre class we were notified that we would be allowed to take home the special yoga shoes we had used! Needless to say I was SUPER hyped because these shoes are $120! I loved everything about the event and will for sure be going next year. If you hear about an NTC Tour in your area SIGN UP! You wont regret it!!

#40daysofbeast continues! I have been hitting the gym daily, got in two group hikes and a few partner workouts with friends! Oh and I did yoga! Yoga is the ish BTW. It takes alot of core strength and the whole relaxation part is helping with my stress level. This upcoming week I plan to continue hitting the gym, yoga class, lifting, and my daily ab routine. Summer is right around the corner. Lets get these results!


<3 BRI

Because I'm Happy

I workout because I'm happy and I'm happy because I workout. It really is an awesome continuous circle. Like I said before I am an emotional eater. These past two weeks I have been stressed, sad, happy, mad, pretty much every emotion you can imagine. But the difference between this time and others is that I did NOT use food as my vice to make myself feel better. Instead I channeled my energy and pushed myself to workout.

The craziest part is that it worked! There's definitely something to be said about endorphins. When you exercise your body releases endorphins. Endorphins are like a euphoric high that your body gets when you engage in physical activity or things that enduce pleasure. Endorphins basically make you feel happy, energized and ready to conquer the world!

Usually food would give me that feeling of euphoria or comfort but instead I have been able to tap into that same feeling using exercise. It's awesome. I'm sure you may be reading this like "ya sure, working out makes you feel good, blah blah blah" BUT I'm serious! After a long day my body craves the release of a good workout. When I don't go to the gym I feel like I am missing out on a function lol.. This may be small for some people but for me it's huge. Working out has become a habit and a regular part of my lifestyle. I have now been consistent on this journey for 3 months and it's not stopping anytime soon!

This week I continued to incorporate lower body and upper body workouts! I am beginning to notice myself gaining muscles. Recently I had a friend ask "Aren't you worried about getting big?" To which I respond "Hell no!" Muscle burns fat! I'd much rather gain muscle which will in turn burn more fat and help me get slimmer and more toned. I am NOT trying to be a body builder, BUT I am trying to gain lean muscle. There is a huge difference. Below is a video of me doing weighted squats in the gym. I am trying to focus more on my form and keeping my back straight. If you don't squat right they don't count!!!!!!

Oh AND I squatted the most I ever have (picture above) 205lbs!!! Don't mind the face, that's just me handling business hahaha.. I look forward to my upper body and lower body days at the gym. If you are just doing cardio I strongly suggest that you incorporate weights into your weekly routine! I guarantee you will start to see a significant difference in your body. 

Thanks to an idea from my friend Matthew I am participating in a 40 day Challenge to give up being fat for lent!! During the 40 days up until Easter I am focusing on eating clean, and taking my workouts to the next level! We are going to do weekly group workouts and generally support one another through this journey. It's all about beasting the next 40 days and working out harder then you have before! It's not to late to join! Post your daily workout pics and use the tag #40daysofbeast. We are in charge of making our bodies what they are. Don't you want to make yours the best you have ever had??

Good luck to everyone this week! Work your ass off and get them gains! 

<3 Bri