Spewing My Thoughts

Hello all :)

I'm back... again. I just can't keep my fingers from spewing out my incoherent thoughts. ;)

How is everyone's weekend starting out? I've been on spring break so I wasn't necessarily 'excited' for this weekend... because that means I'm just a day closer to returning to school... YUCK. Don't get me wrong, I make my academics a very prominent aspect of my life but I could definitely do without waking up at the crack of dawn to be on time and not having to study for these AP exams.

Anyways (you see the incoherence I'm talking about?!), I'm just lazing around this morning after I hit the gym and then went tanning. Let me tell you, I think tanning is obviously very bad for the skin but it is just so darn relaxing. I could fall asleep in those beds... The lady who works at where I go said she came in to re-close my door since it's a faulty door and kept popping open, and I stood there dumbfounded because I didn't even hear her come in! When I'm in relaxation mode, you can't interrupt me.

For all of you who live in a warm place, lucky you. Here in Chicago I cannot tell a similar story. It's been on and off here; warm one day, freezing the next. There's the sun! Oh wait, it's raining now.

Please, just stay warm. I've had it with your mood fluctuations, Mother Nature. Get your crap together!

I've gotten some questions as to whether a teenager such as myself should be strength training. I know some people are highly against it, arguing that it could stunt my growth and lead to problems in the future. And then there are the people who are for it, and while they are for it, they also advise that the training be monitored by a professional to ensure the teen's safety and efficiency. I have my lovely trainer helping me with this, so don't worry guys! :)

I stumbled upon this article not too long ago (okay I stole it from the awesome Kelly Olexa; check her site here --> http://www.kellyolexa.com/) and I thought it was an interesting read. You can read it here: http://yourlife.usatoday.com/parenting-family/story/2012-03-13/Strength-training-does-a-young-body-good-too/53515902/1.

Well, that's it for today folks. I appreciate you A LOT if you read all the way down to this point. It truly means a lot that people want to read my crazy thoughts. Have a wonderful last day of March! 

My Weight Training Realization :)

Okay. Second blog post. Leggo.

I hope you all read my first one and became somewhat acquainted with me. As I have said, I love to write and I am even an editor for my school's newspaper. It's just something I am very fond of!

Also, I figure I might as well delve into why I'm in a muscle-building phase. I did mention that one day I want to compete in figure competitions. Of course, you kind of need to build muscle for that, but there's more to it!

I used to do cardio a lot, and like most women I thought that it was just what I was supposed to do. After all, I don't want to look like Arnold Schwarzenegger by strength training! So, I'll leave the dumbbells in the weight room to the meatheads back there. And I'll just stroll away on this here elliptical...

Well, after awhile of pretty much doing only cardio and a few 'ab routines' (this is also common for women to just do ab exercises thinking they'll get toned like that), I lost pretty much any muscle I had and I felt like a sack of crap, for lack of a better phrase.

At my gym, I always saw this trainer who is super small (about 4 ft. 11 in.) but completely ripped. Her name is Mary, and often times I heard people call her 'Scary Mary,' so naturally, I kept my distance.

Eventually though, my good friend's mom started to see Mary for training. And then my friend also started seeing her because she needed to improve her endurance for cheer. I finally swallowed my pride and e-mailed Mary and told her about my dilemma. She replied with one of the nicest e-mails I have ever read, and in no time she became my trainer and one of the very few people I look up to.

Ever since training with her, I have built so much muscle and learned so much more about good nutrition and training, my favorite subject after all! I learned that I judged her too quickly, and believe it or not I learned that those 'meathead' guys in the weight room were some of the most down-to-earth, helpful guys I have ever met. They always help me when I am training on my own and give me so many tips. 

Now, the weight room is my second home! Here's me, a 15-year-old girl who struts into the weight room with a smile on my face. It's funny, because all the women on the cardio machines look at me like I'm crazy. They give me a confused and almost concerned look; one that almost says: "She realizes she's a young girl walking into a room with weights where there are a bunch of older guys, right?"

Yes, ladies, I am fully aware, and guess what? Those guys always say "Hey Britt!" the minute I walk back there, and they smile. They aren't meatheads people, they're genuine guys who could give a flying crap about what you're doing!

I know a lot of women are afraid to lift weights to get bulky, but women don't have the levels of testosterone that men do to build muscle like Phil Heath, plain and simple. Those huge bodybuilding ladies you see probably take a little something called steroids to build their levels of muscle. 

Also, I know women are 'self-conscious' about lifting because they don't know what they're doing. Well, do your research! Go browse the web for exercises and don't be afraid to ASK someone. No one is going to judge you. I'm going to steal Nike's phrase here: JUST DO IT. 

I hope you all enjoyed my little rant here, but it was all with good intent. :) Have a great Friday and weekend everyone! Train hard.

About Me

Hello there :)

I'm Brittany! I'm 15 years old and I have a huge passion for writing, fitness, nutrition and living a healthy, balanced life.

^-- Yep, that there is me. 

I read health blogs like there is no tomorrow, and I am always looking for new recipes and workout ideas. I love researching just about anything I'm curious about finding out, whether it's about adding a certain exercise to better target a certain muscle or finding information on what foods can boost your mood. Honestly, I can research anything. I'm a walking encylopedia.

I love to weight train. I used to do cardio like it was going out of style but once I picked up a weight I was hooked, and I am never looking back. I still do cardio on occasion but I focus my energy on weight training. As of right now, I am in a 'muscle building' phase so food (and lots of it) and weight training will often be included in my posts. :)

As for food, my favorite foods happen to be the following: oats, nut butters (especially cashew), sweet potatoes, chia seeds, almond milk, vanilla whey protein powder (although I guess it's really a supplement...), cake batter ice cream, and fro-yo. Oh yes, I love me some fro-yo with just about every topping imaginable. I eat mostly healthy but I never deprive myself and often will eat 'cheat meals' (and just to be clear, I HATE that phrase) during the week. After all, I'm still young and can get away with it, and I balance it out throughout the week with my healthy eats!

I live near Chicago, Illinois and one day I want to do something with writing or psychology. I love helping people out with any issues they are having. I have people my age ask me anything from self-esteem issues to fitness tips. I also plan on competing in a few figure competitions one day (and winning, of course.)

And, to end this quite long 'About Me,' I shall leave you with five completely random facts about myself:

1. I can't stand the taste of donuts or anything fried. Donuts are so gross tasting; they make me want to gag and fried food guarantees a night of being sick. Every time.

2. I am attracted to anything that is turquoise. Seriously, it always catches my eyes. If it's turquoise and reasonably priced, you've hooked me in.

3. I act about ten years older than I really am. A lot of people meet me and are surprised when I tell them that I am only 15. 

4.  My role models are definitely my mother (who has pulled me through a lot) and my trainer and wellness coach Mary Boyer (visit her blog and my other blog on her website here --> www.optimumbodyconcept.com).

5. I have more guy friends than girls. Nothing against girls, but the girls I know that are my age don't really get along with each other. I know not all girls are catty. :)

If you have any questions, contact me at fitbritt@ymail.com. Thanks for reading. :)