Motivation
From my experience, we often start our fitness journey feeling motivated, only to watch that motivation fade over time—whether it's due to life's demands or slipping back into unproductive habits. This can have a huge impact on your progress—I know because I’ve been there.
Motivation is the desire to accomplish something, and understanding where your motivation comes from can help you stay consistent. There are two types of motivation: internal (intrinsic) motivation and external (extrinsic) motivation. External motivation comes from outside sources, such as compliments, competitions, or accountability from a coach or workout partner. Internal motivation comes from personal fulfillment or a desire for self improvement.
For me, my motivation is internal—I love challenging myself, the sense of accomplishment after a workout, the satisfaction of getting stronger, and the pure enjoyment of movement.
Both types of motivation are valuable, but internal motivation is what keeps you consistent in the long run. To cultivate internal motivation:
✅ Set goals that genuinely excite you.
✅ Choose workouts you enjoy to make consistency easier.
✅ Focus on how you feel—pay attention to the mental and physical benefits, not just the results.
What drives you—internal or external motivation? Drop a comment and share what keeps you going in your fitness journey!
5 Ways to find food balance
My journey with food balance has been a learning experience, and it's the foundation of how I empower individuals at Brittany Sharell Fit to build a positive relationship with food. After competing in a bikini competition in 2018, I navigated the challenges of restrictive eating and an unhealthy mindset around food. Through this, I discovered that food is meant to both nourish and bring joy—finding your unique balance is key to long-term success and feeling truly empowered in your choices, allowing you to thrive.
Extreme restrictions often lead to feelings of deprivation and can trigger unwanted cycles. Instead, embracing a balanced approach fosters sustainable habits, cultivates a healthier and more joyful connection with food, and boosts your energy from within, helping you thrive. Here are five ways I encourage you to cultivate food balance in your life:
Embrace the 80/20 framework: I encourage aiming for around 80% nutrient-rich foods, leaving about 20% for flexibility and enjoyment. This empowers you to include treats without guilt, knowing you're still nourishing your body effectively.
Release the labels: Let's move away from categorizing food as 'good' or 'bad.' I believe all foods can fit in moderation. Reframing your perspective helps you feel more at ease and fosters a healthier, more balanced mindset, allowing you to thrive.
Tune inward: Learning to listen to your body's wisdom is a powerful step. Pay attention to your hunger, fullness, energy levels, and even your cravings. Before eating, ask yourself: 'Am I truly hungry, or is this driven by something else?' Honoring these internal cues helps you build an intuitive and mindful relationship with food, empowering you to make choices that truly nourish.
Nourish with intention: A balanced meal that includes protein, fiber, and healthy fats is key to feeling satisfied and energized. Focus on incorporating lean proteins, fiber-rich vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats like avocado or nuts to help manage cravings and support your well-being, allowing you to thrive.
Practice mindful presence: Slow down and truly savor your meals. Eating without distractions—like TV or scrolling—helps you recognize when you're full, prevents overeating, and allows you to fully appreciate the joy of the nourishment you're giving your body.
Finding your empowered balance: Food is so much more than just fuel—it's also a source of pleasure and connection. By embracing balance with intention and self-compassion, you can nourish your body while still enjoying the foods you love, ultimately allowing you to thrive with a more joyful relationship with eating.
Which of these insights resonates most with you on your journey? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
The joy of cheat meals
Let's talk about cheat meals! Are they a guilty pleasure? Sometimes. But I think they offer so much more. For many, they're a warm hug of comfort food, whisking us back to cherished memories. For others, they're a well-deserved pause button on the daily routine – a chance to truly treat ourselves. But there's a third, exciting way to view them: as an open door to food exploration.
Being relatively new to New York City, the sheer volume of culinary options is mind-blowing. It turns every potential cheat meal into a food adventure waiting to happen. The key? Making each indulgence count! I don't want food fatigue, so choosing wisely makes the treat even sweeter.
Recently, life threw me a fun nudge. I was rewatching Hitch (easily one of my top rom-coms!) and noticed the characters near Rice to Riches. When someone mentioned a location was close by, I knew I had to investigate! What started as simple curiosity blossomed into a full-blown cheat meal quest and a delightful mini-tour of my new neighborhood.
Now, let's be honest: "rice pudding" didn't always sound appealing to me (haha!). But oh, how wrong I was. Rice to Riches completely changed my mind. It's unbelievably delicious. I tried the Vanilla flavor topped with raisins and cinnamon, and it was heavenly – seriously, my mouth is watering right now! It instantly became a go-to spot for a sweet indulgence.
In a city like NYC, brimming with endless culinary discoveries, cheat meals are more than just off-plan eating. They're about savoring the moment, creating memories, and embracing pure, delicious fun. Whether revisiting an old favorite or diving into something new like I did at Rice to Riches, it’s about the joy of the experience.
Stay tuned! I'll be sharing more of my favorite NYC eats – both indulgent treats and healthier options I discover around the city. What are some of your favorite foodie adventure spots?
Finding my rhythm in NYC
Hey y’all, I’m Brittany! 👋🏽 If we're just meeting now, consider this my official hello to this amazing online space. It feels good to finally carve out a moment and properly introduce myself.
Life has been a whirlwind since I landed in New York City less than a year ago. It’s been a journey filled with incredible highs, challenging lows, and a lot of learning. Adjusting to the pace and energy of NYC hasn't always been smooth sailing, but honesty is important, right? Through it all, I'm incredibly grateful for every single lesson and the personal growth that's come with navigating this new chapter. Like many of us, I'm just figuring things out one step at a time!
More than just sharing my own #FitnessJourney, I want to cultivate a community here centered around a different approach to movement. It's easy to get caught up in aesthetics, but I truly believe movement is medicine – it’s about how it makes you feel, not just how it makes you look. My passion lies in moving with intention, building strength that resonates both physically and mentally (#StrengthInsideOut), and fostering a deeper, more compassionate connection with ourselves through mindful practices.
As I continue to settle into this incredible city, I'm genuinely excited to connect with more people who share a love for #MindfulMovement and intentional living. Whether you're a fellow #NYCNewbie or a long-time resident, let's build something special together – a space where we can grow, support each other, and yes, have some fun along the way! 💫
I'd love to hear from you – drop a 👋🏽 or share a bit about your own journey in the comments below! Looking forward to connecting more.
Warmly,
Brittany