get fit with britt // pregnancy abs

Welcome back to Get Fit with Britt! I'm going to be posting some demos of my fave exercises taught at my new local barre studio, Bar Method Silver Lake, with the help of their awesome instructors. The Bar Method is a fast, effective, and most importantly, safe way to change your body, and follows a technique that's high-intensity, but low impact to protect your joints! Thanks to barre classes, I have been able to build long, lean (not bulky!) muscles while tapering everything in & lifting it up! For this series, we will pick a particular move, explain the focus area and correct form, then demonstrate it so you can practice at home! That way, if/when you come to the studio yourself, you'll be rocking the moves & way ahead of the game ;) These exercises are also a great way to get fit on-the-go! I find myself regularly using barre exercises during my hotel room workouts. Additionally, you can get the outfit I'm wearing at the Bar Method Silver Lake studio, so definitely go by if you're looking for some fun, new workout gear! Come & join me, get that healthy & strong body you've always wanted- come Get Fit with Britt!

Today's exercise focuses on abs, specifically that abdominal exercises that are pregnancy safe! It’s important to keep a strong core during pregnancy, as this can help in labor and delivery, as well as quicken your recovery time. However, some positions aren’t safe for you or baby as your bump grows. This is a modification for low curl with your feet down. By adding 3-4 risers (or use something like this, or even a few pillows) for extra support, you’re really able to take the pressure off of your lower back. Be sure to keep your abs pulled in (navel to spine!) and hips tucked under, and most importantly- don’t forget to breathe! Even if you don’t take the challenge options (arms forward and curling forward), as long as you’re breathing, this exercise is super effective. Deep breaths help me keep focused, and allow me to really target my deep core! Do three sets of twenty exhales either holding on, extending your arms forward, or adding a small curl to match your breath.

PS- Here’s a link to the Bar Method blog for some extra prenatal barre tips!

*I am not a trainer or health professional, so please consult one if you feel you're doing something wrong or could potentially injure yourself.

 * This post may contain affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, it won’t cost you a penny more, but I’ll earn a small commission. This allows me to continue to generate content for you, and helps keep the site up and running. Thanks for your support! 

fave products // dermalogica ultracalming serum concentrate & calm water gel

If you have sensitive skin and have trouble finding products that actually work, but also don’t irritate your skin, I have just the stuff for you! Dermalogica makes some killer products- I’ve been a fan of their vitamin C serum for a while now- but they also make a line of UltraCalming products that is specifically catered to those with sensitive skin like mine! Using their exclusive UltraCalming complex, which contains soothing ingredients like oat, botanicals, peptides, evening primrose oil, as well as sunflower seed & avocado extracts, these products aid in easing sensitization and defending against future problems. The UltraCalming Serum Concentrate has been a true god-send. This powerhouse serum works to calm and soothe sensitive skin (especially after any non-invasive facial treatments), and helps interrupt the inflammatory triggers that cause flare-ups to begin with. I like applying a thin layer over my entire face post-cleansing, then following with the UltraCalming Calm Water Gel. This water-gel moisturizer feels practically weightless, yet still adequately hydrates and moisturizes my skin. Thanks to apple fruit extract, cactus pear extract, and glycerin, this skin-quenching fluid is able to support a healthy moisture balance while defending against dryness. And dual hyaluronic acid technology works to increase and lock in moisture throughout multiple layers of the skin’s surface! Yes please! I was also more recently introduced to their newest addition, the UltraCalming Redness Relief Essence, which is the perfect combo of toner and serum. It’s lightweight enough to feel super refreshing, yet concentrated enough to visibly reduce redness and sensitivity. Apply it post-cleanser, right before your UltraCalming Serum Concentrate. I’m curious if you’ve tried out any other products from the line? I’m debating which one to try next! Maybe the cleanser? Let me know!

 * This post may contain affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, it won’t cost you a penny more, but I’ll earn a small commission. This allows me to continue to generate content for you, and helps keep the site up and running. Thanks for your support! 

fave products // tata harper body scrub & balm

I'm back with more Tata Harper goodies, and his time, it's all about the body! With all the attention given to the skin on your face these days, it's easy to forget about pampering your body. Regular exfoliation and hydration are key, so you can keep those limbs baby soft! I like to keep my Tata Harper Smoothing Body Scrub in the shower for a totally spa-like exfoliation treatment while I cleanse. It's strong but gentle, and helps to fight dull, uneven, and rough skin using Tata's special biodegradable multi-particle polishing complex. It's sure to leave your skin super smooth and glowing! PS- try it out before shaving to help open up the root and soften your hair too! 

Following a scrub, I love to lather up with a thick, hydrating cream. Tata Harper's Redefining Body Balm is rich in vitamins and antioxidants, leaving your skin feeling totally nourished and protected, but not greasy in the least. Anyone with stretch marks or scarring can greatly benefit this firming balm as well, since it's got a proprietary blend of six natural butters working their magic to help make these less noticeable! As with all Tata's products, every ingredient is 100% natural and non-toxic, making these equally great for those with sensitive skin like me :)

* This post may contain affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, it won’t cost you a penny more, but I’ll earn a small commission. This allows me to continue to generate content for you, and helps keep the site up and running. Thanks for your support! 

fave products // perricone md cold plasma+ face serum & eye cream

I’m all about a super-concentrated, highly potent serum or cream. You know the ones. They’re packed full of multi-tasking, powerhouse ingredients that promote youthful, radiant skin and give you that glow you crave. I’m happy to say that Perricone MD Cold Plasma+ Face Serum and Eye Cream do exactly that, plus more. They use a proprietary liquid crystal (fancy!) delivery system for faster and deeper penetration of ingredients. Practically any skin issue, like loss of radiance, uneven texture or tone, discoloration, redness, enlarged pores, fine lines, wrinkles, or loss of firmness, can be vastly improved with these babies. I love that the face serum is super smooth and creamy (feels like a finishing cream!), but the concentrated formula gets to to work quickly boasting all its anti-aging benefits. Copper tripeptides, vitamin C ester (the highly stable, easily absorbable form of antioxidant-rich vitamin C), and omegas 3, 6, and 9 come together to work their magic here, and the proof is in results. My skin has been feeling super plump and baby soft. Really so, so supple! The eye cream uses the same ingredients, but also targets the appearance of dark circles, puffiness, and crow’s feet! Both Perricone MD products are fragrance free, making them perfect for those with sensitive skin like mine. A little goes a long way, so although the price is steep, each jar should last you quite a while. Let me know if you end up trying them out- you won’t be disappointed!

 * This post may contain affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, it won’t cost you a penny more, but I’ll earn a small commission. This allows me to continue to generate content for you, and helps keep the site up and running. Thanks for your support! 

fave products // fresh beauty peony brightening essence, toner & serum

If you’re someone who suffers from hyperpigmentation, whether from sun spots or acne scars, you could probably benefit from a brightening product. Fresh Beauty has got you covered, with their line of Peony Brightening Products. I’ve been testing these out over the last few months, and I’m happy to report they’ve definitely been helping with any uneven tone or discoloration I have. Three potent ingredients- peony root extract, vitamin C glucoside, and licorice root extract- help reduce the appearance of dark spots while promoting skin clarity, leaving you with bright, luminous skin. Hyaluronic acid adds an intensive moisture factor as well.

The Peony Brightening Moisturizing Facial Toner provides 24-hour moisture and keeps your skin baby soft. The silky formula absorbs quickly, priming the complexion for the rest of your skincare routine. The Peony Instant Brightening Face Serum is super smooth, and works to improve uneven skin tone and texture, while also illuminating the skin. I like to apply it to my entire face post-toner, right before moisturizing. The Peony Spot-Correcting Brightening Essence works quite similarly to the serum, but I just think of it as a more concentrated version. It’s perfect for those stubborn dark spots that just won’t seem to go away. I love that these products don’t use extremely harsh ingredients like hydroquinone, but rather stick to natural brightening powerhouses like peony and licorice roots. So much better for your skin, and not to mention your overall health!

 * This post may contain affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, it won’t cost you a penny more, but I’ll earn a small commission. This allows me to continue to generate content for you, and helps keep the site up and running. Thanks for your support! 

fave products // babor cleansing hy-öl & phyto-active sensitive

Come wintertime, I like to take my skincare to the next level with a super gentle and hydrating oil cleanser. You may have heard about the popular “double cleansing” method by now. It originated in Korea, and typically involves an oil cleanser to help remove makeup, sunscreen, city pollution, and anything else your skin may have accumulated throughout the day. At first I was a bit hesitant to try it out- it seemed like it could dry out my skin and strip it of the good oils it needs! However, I needn’t have worried. Once I started researching, I came across Babor Cleansing Hy-Öl and Phyto-Active Sensitive Cleansers, which looked like the perfect mix of water, plant-based oils, and essential vitamins to nourish the skin rather than deplete it. You start with a few pumps of the Hy-Öl and massage it into dry skin. Then add a pump or two of the Phyto-Active, spreading it evenly across your face. Next wet your fingers a bit, and create a smooth lather of the two on your skin. Rinse and pat dry! I’ve been loving how my skin feels after using this cleansing system, super soft and refreshed. Babor even makes a few different Phyto-Active Cleansers, so you can choose the best fit for your skin type, whether that’s sensitive, dry, dull, or combination. If you’re looking to switch up your cleanser this winter, I definitely recommend checking out Babor products for calm and youthful, glowing skin!

* This post may contain affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, it won’t cost you a penny more, but I’ll earn a small commission. This allows me to continue to generate content for you, and helps keep the site up and running. Thanks for your support!