GetFitWitMeYouKnowIGotIt

So first and foremost, I'm alive!!! Lol. I haven't stopped working out and I'm not done blogging!

 I guess you could say I went on a temporary hiatus from posting while I got some things in order. But no worries, your favorite wanna be fitness guru is back! Lol....

So even though I haven't stopped working out I have to be honest.....my workouts haven't been consistent at all. It seems like LIFE has taken over alot of the time I was previously using to get fit. This makes me disappointed in myself because I was hoping to have seen alot more progress by now. But I can't expect a bikini body if my workouts and diet are inconsistent! A healthy lifestyle without consistency is an OXYMORON. 

So instead of wallowing and sulking about my lack of progress I'm refocusing and highlighting the positives! 

Positives from my workout hiatus

1. I only gained 3lbs back so its not like I have to start again from ground zero

2. My body has gotten used to being lazy again lol. Soooooo when I hit my workouts extra hard its going to give me even better results

3. My hiatus reminded me of why I love working out! (The excess energy, better fitting clothes, and its an amazing stress reliever)

4. Recently several people have hit me up to see whats been going on with my workouts. Its nice to have that accountability! I have amazing friends and people in my corner that really care

5. I did it ONCE and I can do it AGAIN! 

So who's down to workout with me?? Let's get it!!!!!

#FAF4Fall #fitness #healthylifestyle #carbsdontkillmyvibe #blackgirlsworkout 

Carbs have been TOTALLY killing my vibe....

I started this blog as an honest way to follow my fitness journey and weight loss. I haven't blogged in a few weeks because honestly I was kinda ashamed. Fitness is a journey not a destination and I am totally learning that. The month of June has been pretty sub par in regards to reaching my fitness goals. I didn't completely fall off but my workouts ended up being 1 to 2 x a week instead of my initial goal of 5 to 6 x a week. My food preps have also been horrible. Not to make excuses, BUT my work schedule has been so crazy that I haven't had time to prepare my meals like I once was. An of course if you fail to plan you plan to fail. Without my precooked meals I turned to old faithful "fast food". Now it's not like I went for Mcdonalds or anything, I mostly stuck with subway and other semi healthy options but I definitely notice the difference in how I feel. So I'm writing all of this to say it's OK to fall off the wagon as long as you get back on! I was talking with one of my close friends and he reminded me that often when you go SUPER HARD working out and eating healthy its normal to start to get tired of it and fall off. BUT that doesn't mean you cant get back on it. I realized that I was able to go hard for 4 months without a major slip-up. That's pretty darn good! Now I need to get back on it by doing things that keep me interested and that fit into my schedule. So as much as I HATE it, it looks like I'm going to have to start working out early in the AM or late at night. Anyone that knows me knows that I am NOT a morning person. I'd rather get a paper cut then have to wake up before 8:00am. BUT I also detest the heat and now that its summer its OFFICIALLY hot! In order to avoid the heat I need to workout super early or super late. So to all of my friends that have been supporting me, don't worry,  I'm back! I prepped my food this evening (turkey burger patty, grilled onions, grilled mushrooms, broccoli, grilled chicken, and grilled asparagus) as well as cut up and pre-packed all of my snacks (watermelon, carrots, grapes, apples, and kiwis). And I came up with my workout schedule for the week. Below are some of my workout pics from the past couple of weeks. Nothing amazing but I did hit Runyon Canyon, the Manhattan beach stairs, 24 hour fitness, and completed a few bikes rides! Good luck on your fitness journey this week everyone! Let's get it! 

Excited like U.O.E.N.O!

Why am I so excited you ask? Because I have some nifty new stuff I bought to improve my fitness journey!!! For those of you that know me know that I LOVE to buy clothes, but I am equally as excited about the items I scored! Losing 30lbs has been a major accomplishment but now I need to step it up a notch!  So lets get started!

1. Vitamineral Green
My first new buy is Vitamineral Green by HealthForce Superfoods. Recently I went into GNC looking for a liquid multi vitamin. While there I started talking with the guy behind the counter who actually knew a thing or two lol! (This is rare because the staff at GNC is usually clueless) He started telling me that the products carried by GNC basically all sucked but that he used an all natural, gluten free, 100% raw, vegan, green super food grown locally not sold in their stores. (BTW he is a body builder and was in amazing shape) He told me that he purchased it from Sprouts but that you could also find it online. After doing my research on the product and seeing great reviews I decided to check it out and purchased some from Sprouts. One container was $24.99.  Every morning I mix a teaspoon of the Vitamineral green with a little organic apple juice. It actually doesn't taste that bad. So far I love it! No more horse pill vitamins for me!

2. Dehydrator

My second new score is a Dehydrator my mom found for me at a local thrift store for $4.00! Yes, only $4.00! This thing is awesome. For those of you that don't know, a dehydrator is used to dry fruits, and veggies and to make beef jerky! I can't wait to try out the dehydrator and dry out my own fruit! I intend to make banana chips and apple chips for my first attempt. I'll do a post later this week on how they turn out. Wish me luck!

3. Ab Roller

So "operation flat stomach" is in full effect! I have heard alot about the ab roller and tried my friends out at the gym. I immediately felt it working out my core and knew I had to get one! My goal is to get in a good ab workout a few days a week and hopefully have killer abs by August!

4. Polar FT7 Heart Rate Monitor

My last and most favorite purchase is the red Polar FT7 Heart Rate monitor I bought on eBay! It retails for $120 but I found mine on eBay for $72. I have been reading about these alot and have been holding off on getting one but decided to take the plunge. I got tired of utilizing the gym machines and apps on my IPhone to calculate the calories burned during my exercises and wanted something more accurate. It hasn't come in the mail yet but I cannot wait to see how many calories I REALLY burn when I am running up the Santa Monica stairs! lol...I will definitely keep you posted on this purchase when it arrives!

I am hoping these items will help me jump start my weight loss! Time to make some major moves! I have a trip planned in August and I WILL be in a bikini lol...

Happy exercising #FitFam!

<3 Bri

Girl, You Know You Wanna Get Fit!

Hey Everyone!!

I have been holding off from posting a progress pic because I didn't see a huge difference in my appearance. Well that was until I started looking at old pics from last year! Then I realized that I HAVE changed alot!

The pic on the left is me last May. Its hard to believe I let myself get that big. I was unhappy with myself and unhealthy. Fastforward to a year later and I am 10x happier and healthier! I want to post a picture on my fitness wall of myself at my biggest so that I can remember to never get to that point again!! I still have a ways to go on this fitness journey but seeing how far I have already come makes me so proud of myself!

<3 Bri

I'm on those Good Fruits and Vegetables!

Hey Hey Everyone!!

Welp this weekend was HORRIBLE eating wise. I definitely spent Saturday and Sunday feeding my face with everything from pasta to french fries! What started off as a cheat meal spiraled into a cheat weekend :( no bueno! Before I changed my eating habits those meals would have made me happy. But honestly after eating them I felt gross and guilty. As I was eating my usually yummy cheese biscuits from Red Lobster, in my head all I was wondering was how many calories each biscuit had. lol....I'm really glad that I don't get the same enjoyment from stuffing my face as I used to. Because that's what got me to be the size I was! As of today I am right back on my fruits and vegetables and feel SOOOO much better. I have more energy, I don't feel bloated, and there's no guilt! Having a full cheat weekend is not for me. I will be sticking to my 1 cheat meal a week! It enables me to satisfy a craving without it getting out of hand like this past weekend. 

So my love for biking has returned!!! After that 20 mile bike ride with my Dad last week I knew that I had to get back on the bike sooner then later! Last week and tonight I completed a 10 mile bike ride. Nothing huge but still a nice little ride. I'm also missing my racing wheel I used to have on my bike. I may need to invest in another Aerospoke...lol....

The gym and I still have a love/hate relationship. I honestly would MUCH rather be working out in nature, BUT I have this new found love for the weight area. BTW I can squat my body weight now! (Happy dance)

Last week Leg Day KILLED me! No literally, I was sore for the rest of the week and pretty much limping everywhere. Along with one of my close friends we first tackled the Santa Monica Stairs and after going up hella times THEN headed to the gym for our usual leg workout. Needless to say after that I was DONE. Even though I felt like dying it was great to push myself and try something new. I will keep you updated on how I do this week! lol...

I hope everyone's workouts are going well! Remember you have to start somewhere! Even if you have a weekend of overeating (like I did) you can get right back on the wagon and re-commit. Don't let yourself get sucked into old habits. Remember what you're working for and why you are working towards it! 

<3 Bri

Everyday I'm Guzzlin!

So I don't drink enough water. This isn't a new problem. I just never have been much of a guzzler lol. BUT that has to change! I notice a difference in my workouts and my body overall when I am properly hydrated. This week I vow to drink my daily alotment of water! You are supposed to drink 1/2 your body weight in ounces so for me thats 80oz of H2O I should be drinking! But no worrys it will be done! I made a quick trip to the 99 cent store for some supplies and I am ready to go. New water bottle✔ strawberrys✔ pineapple ✔and cucumbers✔. (You didn't think I was going to be drinking plain old boring water did you?) I am on day 2 and am doing well! Are you drinking 1/2 your body weight in oz of water everyday?? If not, join me! Let's get to guzzlin! 

All my Friends are Fit as.......

First off I want to say "thank you!" Thank you to my friends, acquaintances, supporters, subscribers, workout buddies, co-workers, and anyone else that has contributed to my fitness journey. You guys have no idea how much your words of encouragement mean to me! This journey has definitely had some bumps in the road, but every time  I get a random text message, facebook post, or instagram comment about my lifestyle change it makes my day and gives me the energy to keep pushing! For alot of people losing weight is private and something they keep to themselves until they reach their goal. (Especially if you aren't happy with your body) When I decided to do this blog I chose to publicize my weight loss journey not so that I could show off, but so that I could be held accountable to continue striving for results! And so far that is exactly what it has done AND more! It makes me feel so great to know that my transparency has in someway inspired others. Hitting my -30lb milestone last week was huge for me and I owe it to you guys. If it wasn't for those of you working out with me and keeping me accountable I wouldn't be as successful as I have been. I wish I could list all of you by name but that would take forever. Just know that you are special to me and appreciated!!!! I feel amazing right now and I'm not done yet! I still have a ways to go and I look forward to all of you being there right along with me! 

-Bri <3