Big plans in 2014!

2013 was definitely a year I will never forget. I was faced with many challenges both physically and mentally. It was a year of many ups and downs, but it was a year of growth and I am so thankful to have come out of it stronger and better.

I am looking forward to 2014 as I have set some new goals. In April 2014, I will turn the big 3-0... a milestone birthday that I'm actually very excited about. My goal is to be in the best shape of my life and have my first professional fitness photo shoot in April as well as compete.

I have also formed a team/support group for the 2014 NPC competition season, which consists of a few of my close friends. 

 I firmly believe in all of these amazing girls and I look forward to helping them along this incredible journey.

We had our first team meeting & posing practice Sunday! It was so much fun! 

I have no doubt it's going to be an awesome year! Stay tuned...

Social Butterflies

Alright all you social butterflies out there...let's talk about alcohol. I have tried time and time again to completely cut alcohol out, but truth is...My boyfriend & I are very social people and I just like to have a cocktail with my friends every now and then. If you decide to indulge, try to limit your intake to under 4 drinks a week. My personal preference is vodka & water with lime. Vodka has only 64 calories per ounce & by just mixing with water or a calorie free beverage I don't have all the added calories & sugar. Avoid beer, sugary cocktails & white wine. Red wine is a better choice over white, because it actually has some nutritional value with all those antioxidants. And always remember to drink responsibly!!  Cheers!!

NEVER GIVE UP!!!

I can't believe I did it. I set a goal, I worked towards it and BAM...I accomplished it. I had my doubts along the way and even in the weeks leading up to the competition I questioned myself...Can I really do this? Why am I doing this? Am I really cut out for a fitness competition? In moments of weakness like that I just prayed for God to guide me and give me the strength and the confidence to finish what I started.
I have been extremely open and honest on my blog. I want this to be raw and real and I don't want to sugar-coat anything. So, I am going to tell y'all about the last few months leading up to my competition and about what I had to face...
As you all know, when I started this blog I talked a lot about my husband, Jud. I even wrote a few blog posts about him working out and his progress when I was training him. You may have noticed that my posts about him stopped a few months ago. Well, the reason for that is because we just recently went through a divorce. Just a couple of months before I was going to step on stage for my first competition, divorce papers were filed and Jud moved to Boston. Obviously, I'm not going to go into details as to why, but for all those wondering why I don't post about him and why my name changed back to Brittany Horton...now you know.
So needless to say, this year has been the hardest year of my life. When all that went down I wanted to quit. I wanted to hide in a hole and just give up, but you know what...that would have been the easy way out and my daddy taught me to NEVER take the easy way out. When something bad happens, you have 3 choices...You can let it define you, let it destroy you, or let it strengthen you. I don't go down without a fight. I put my faith in God and fought like hell to prove to myself that I am strong and I am capable of accomplishing anything I set my mind to.
People ask me why I'm so honest on my blog...well it's because I want people to know that I am human. I will never pretend to be someone I'm not or pretend like my life is perfect. I write this in hopes that I will inspire others...even if it's just one person. I'm here to tell you that no matter how hard life gets, you have to just keep the faith and know that things will get better. Feeling sorry for yourself won't get you anywhere. No matter how terrible your situation is, you have to find a way to rise above it. Put those gloves on and be a fighter!!!
I am SO GLAD I followed through with my goal. I have never felt so accomplished. Even though I didn't win 1st place, I felt like a winner. It was so amazing! I absolutely loved my first competition so much that I will be competing in Nashville in October. I am hooked! I will keep y'all updated on my progress for the next show! :) Thanks again for checking out my blog! XOXO


Yours in Health,


Brittany

1 week!

1 week until my first show! I am so excited & anxious. I can't believe it's finally here!

Post workout pic

Post back & biceps workout Saturday! Feeling strong and ready for stage! :)

3 weeks!!!

3 weeks out! I went to Memphis over the weekend, but still managed to squeeze in my workouts! :)

Progress pic

It's taken a lot of work, but I am really happy with the progress on my shoulders. I've always wanted "the cap" and I'm seeing some good definition & separation. Yay!