Seeking The Incorruptible Crown

Hello World!

Thank you very much for your patience on this newest post! It is so very appreciated considering how increasingly busy I am becoming preparing for this pageant.  Today was one of my most relaxing in quite a while thanks to the wonderful ladies at Bodytrends Electrospa, North and South locations.  I would like to extend a special thanks to the beautiful and kind, Stacey White Newhauser, who has become something of a pageant mama to me each time I see her.  Seriously, I get excited for every new meeting.  Every single person at both spas are working so hard writing up and following individual game plans for each of their 13 USA state contestants and I know I speak for all of the girls when I say I cannot begin to express the gratitude necessary to convey how thankful and lucky we all are to have Bodytrends behind us as we prepare.  “Pageantry is essentially about personal development, only it is the Olympics of personal development because you are being JUDGED on it!” (Valeries Hayes, Miss Oklahoma USA and Miss Oklahoma Teen USA Teleseminar 11/3)  and Bodytrends has been absolutely instrumental in helping each of us individually develop into the best personal self we can be.  Thank you all!

I had the immense pleasure in participating in a truly unique and super fun shoot last weekend down in Denton, TX.  Randy Miller and Tony Young, or more commonly “M” and “Y” of M&Y Photography, are a pair of talented North Texas photographers, who invited me to be the subject of a concept shoot.  The look we were going for was Audrey Hepburn a la Funnyface.  More specifically the modern dance scene at the jazz club in Paris.  I was terribly honored to be chosen for this project and as the shots start being released, I am more and more blown away by the talent of these fabulous photographers.  I have not seen what the photogs are calling “THE Shot” which is to be submitted to a national photo competition depicting classic movie characters but I am quite literally on the edge of my seat.  I posted some of my favorites so far on Facebook (follow me! ;)) and here are a couple of them.  SUCH a fun shoot, I cannot wait to see the action shots in particular.  Thanks M and Y, I look forward to working with you both again :)

They even let me shoot a little of my own concept on the job :)

Thanks M&Y!!!

If you’ve read earlier posts you must know that I have been having a case of dress woes.  I am happy to announce that we finally, FINALLY found the DRESS! As competitive as I am, I cannot discuss details but I can tell you it is already gorgeoussss, and thanks to the practiced and talented hands of Anita and Warren Gately at the ever-wonderful Southern Charm, will be exactly what I need to be the best me I can be as I compete for that crown! I will be frequenting Norman now, as I continue to work with Anita and Warren on all aspects of my competition wardrobe along with my always lovely pageant coach and friend, Laci Scott.  I think we have put a winning team together and am so honored to pull from the expertise of each one of these individuals.  Thanks to one of my jobs, I see Laci quite a bit so I can ask her any questions I don’t think to text her.  (There are SO many, I am so very lucky she kindly answers every single one to the best of her ability!) I know I have said it about 30+ times, but I really don’t know where I would be without her.  Here is a picture from when I was working for Halloween.

Best, prettiest coach ever!!!

Earlier tonight I participated in a teleseminar hosted by Vanbros, Inc.’s very own Valerie Hayes.  Well, semi-participated…since my silly self spent the entire day away from home in Moore, Norman, and OKC, and did not charge my phone the night before, it DIED right after the conference introductions! I hurried home, (no, I did not speed, just willed my mini van to get there faster!) and charged it in time to call in and hear Valerie discussing the 2011 Vanbros, Inc. team for Miss USA 2011 and luckily in time for Q&A.  I am not sure if you can tell, (SARCASM,) but I am somewhat long-winded and asked Valerie for some tips so help shorten my interview answers! Valerie provided specific, tips and practices to help with my problem.  Along with her confident and correct diagnosis and treatment suggestions, the little of the teleseminar I was able to hear was extremely constructive and informative, and I am grateful for those few short minutes! Thank you Valerie, albeit short, I know it was time well spent for all of us!

The truly radiant, Valerie Hayes

Another beautiful and knowledgeable woman I have been lucky enough to start networking with this week is Lisa Proctor.  I cannot even begin to list the innumerable accolades of this accomplished airbrush makeup artist, but let’s just say few rival her work.  I cannot wait to continue penning back and forth with Lisa, and meet her in person sometime before the pageant.  If I am lucky enough to win, Lisa is the official makeup artist for Vanbros, Inc., so I think it would be wise to get acquainted and used to such a talented, poised, empowering woman now. 

Breathtaking Lisa and Vanbros, Inc.'s 2010 contestants

I am not exgerating when I say Lisa is an empowering individual, I literally cried after I read a particularly encouraging email from her.  I have noticed, that I cry an awful lot now and mostly when I am happy! Curious, but I have a theory concerning this phenomena:  Growing up, I always considering crying and showing emotion in general, a weakness.  Because of my failure to express emotion very much outside of my immediate family, I was often labeled as unreadable and therefore foreign or different.  Now by no means am I saying that being different is a bad thing, but I think my virtual inability or more likely, refusal to show emotion ended up affording me less opportunity than I should have had to make and keep friends.  I found my solace in sports, channeling my pent up frustration from not being socially accepted into competition and using the athletic excuse to avoid most practiced social activities of teenagers today such as the homecoming game or prom. 

In some ways this was positive, because it helped me avoid getting into trouble and I am so thankful I never forfeited my individuality to fit in with the “cool crowd.”  In others, it was gravely negative, calculating me a recipe for disaster for later in my life.  Because I somehow was under the impression that expressing emotion was weak, I hid the positive along with the negative.  Although I loosened up a little more in college enough to forge and maintain some very strong friendships, my insecurities and inability to express emotion or feeling prevented me from developing any kind of healthy romantic relationship.  The one time I did let my guard down enough to begin a serious relationship, due to my insecurities, I did not recognize it when it turned into an extremely emotionally damaging one.  It took me to get down that low on myself, to blame myself for everything that went wrong to recognize and decide I needed a change.

My journey to self-confidence was a long, hard road but I made it.  I made the commitment to a healthy lifestyle and along with that came a bout of self-confidence I did not know myself capable of.  It does not have to be that way for everyone! My platform is Healthy Lifestyle but it is such a broad social issue, there are so many different ways you can approach it! One of my focuses is helping people find the way back to a healthy lifestyle path, so as to prevent health problems in the future.  The other is prevention, prevention, PREVENTION! I want to reach out to kids from a young age to value and LOVE themselves! With this confidence, it is natural to want to maintain the machine, through healthy eating and regular physical exercise.  It is no longer a “have to” but a “want to” and essentially a habit.  With proper self-confidence and respect, kids will not feel the need to follow the proverbial norm, and will innately strive for something better.  I hope and pray God will help me win the title of Miss Oklahoma USA 2011, so I can spread this positive message all across this great state, and eventually, as the hopeful Miss USA 2011, across the country!

So, back to my little theory:  I cry like ALL of the time now (very randomly and 99.9% when I am overwhelmed with happiness,) because it is all those years of pent up emotion and would be happiness spilling out! (I don’t just cry, I find myself laughing randomly all of the time too! LOL! See?) I am emotional now and proud of it! I am balanced and focused and will continue, with every ounce of my being to strive in the direction of my dreams.  I feel like if you have a smile, inside or out, it is your duty to SHARE it.  I have taken this approach with my fitness knowledge as I truly believe now that I have been blessed with happiness and success because of it, it is my responsibility to share that knowledge in hopes to also improve the lives of others. 

I started a new book today that I can already tell is going to be a fantastic read.  How can you say anything else of a piece of literature that has ALREADY inspired you just 8 pages in.  “The Confident Woman,” by Joyce Meyer is a #1 New York Times Bestselling publication, which explores and instructs in the ways of self-confidence specifically geared towards women.  According to Meyer, confidence is God-ordained and “is all about being positive concerning what you can do—and not worrying over what you can’t do.” (p. 1, first sentence!) She goes on express confidence in an airplane metaphor saying that, “a person without confidence is like an airplane sitting on the runway with empty fuel tanks.  The plane has the ability to fly, but without some fuel, it’s not going to get off the ground.  Confidence is our fuel.  Our confidence, our belief that we can succeed, gets us started and helps us finish every challenge we tackle in life.” (p. 4-5) Well my plane is sufficiently fueled and now that I am ready to “take off,” I want to fill some others’ tanks! No matter the size or age of the tank, there is ALWAYS a way to fill your tank sufficiently for a successful takeoff and trip! Stay tuned for more Meyer references, and run out to your local bookstore to pick up “The Confident Woman” if you have a chance. I.  Am.  Hooked.

Alright, on the schedule for the rest of the week:

• ·      Bodytrends EVERY day. No Skipping :)
• ·      Cardio EVERY day too.  This of course, is nothing new.
• ·      Session with my client and wayword roommate, Amy Brooks! Love these because she works SO hard!
• ·      My own Legs Day with my fellow trainer Jason Neville.  If I can’t walk 2-3 days later, you know who to blame! 
• 
  
•       Continue to stick to the pageant diet for only 3 more weeks! REVEL in the deliciousness that is grapefruit every night! Mmmm...

Is that not the most ruby-red, yummy grapefruit you have ever seen???

• ·      Working on find sponsor hairstylist, nail technician, and lash extensionist to join my team…know someone? Send them my way! Pageant prep looks great on a resume!

• ·      Shooting again with my friend and talented photog, Josh Hamon of Josh Hamon Photography on Sunday! We got some fantastic shots last time and I can’t wait to see what we come up with on the second rendezvous!

How could you not want to shoot with this guy again?!

·      SPONSOR HUNT: FINAL PHASE!!! I need 2-3 more at the minimum amount, $300…if you or someone you know is interested in joining the winning sponsor team for Miss Greater Oklahoma City USA 2011, business or individual, please contact me asap! Although I have set a minimum to meet all of my pageant and wardrobe expenses for the program book, I accept any type of contribution you are kind enough to give, monetary or product/service based.  Thank you SO MUCH, to those who have already contributed and those planning on doing so.  It is with your help alone that I am able to chase my dreams!!!

Thank you again for following and for all of your support! I never imagined I would have so many genuine people and powerful prayers behind me on my journey to the crown.  So soon upon the summit…i.e. 3 WEEKS!!!!!!!

Leaving you all today with the source of many of my happy tears from Lisa’s email the other day:

“Bottom line, run whatever race or call that God has set out for you.  Run that race with certainty, purpose, and intensity.  Run that race to win.  Run that race to be the best you can be for God at the position he has called you to be on His team.  Be willing to make whatever sacrifices it may take to successfully complete the mission and call God has set out for you....” (In response/interpretation of 1 Corinthians 9:24-27)

Thank you, God for the opportunity to become a better person as I prepare, and I pray that the state title and the responsibilities and duties that come with it is the mission you have set for me. 

Oh, and 16 days ‘til the Harry Potter premiere…t-shirt designs were finalized today, 

N! B! D!

Would you look at that...HP is also seeking a "crown"...among other things ;)

XoooXooo!

Britt

Enjoy the Ride!

Hello World!

Good Grief! It has been a whirlwind week!

Okay, first and most importantly, tributes to my newest sponsors!

Rakett Brothers Lawn and Weed, specifically Wayne Rakett!

Wayne is in incredible person.  I was fortunate to meet this inspiring individual on my journey to compete in the Total Package Fitness Competition back in September.  Wayne worked very hard and won 2nd place in the Men's division of the same Hot Body Fitness Modeling Contest I competed in.  He also placed very high in the bodybuilding divisions he competed in, winning the masters division.

One great thing about Wayne is that he has confidence and therefore...SWAAGGGGG!!! 

Another is that he is a hard worker (clearly!) and I know that that hard work is reflected by Rakett Brothers Lawn and Weed, Inc.  Call these trustworthy guys for your next landscaping venture! 

Thanks Wayne and Julie! :)

Another new member of the sponsor team is Total Fence Solutions, LLC. in OKC! My new friend Jim was kind enough to contribute to my cause so I am very happy to promote for his superior fencing services in OKC! Licensed, Insured, and Bonded, Total Fence Solutions can help you with virtually any fencing project you face including

Stockade

Vinyl

Chain Link

Decks

Swimming Pool Enclosures

...and much more!

For more information contact Jim @ 405-313-0502

And lastly, Aspen Athletic Club!!! Woot woot! Can I get a heyy yaaaahhh for the home team?!?! I specifically represent the Aspen located on Rockwell and Northwest Expressway in OKC.  This establishment holds a special place in my heart because it is truly where my dreams began to take flight! I  have found such rich encouragement and support among my fellow trainers and the rest of the staff at Aspen, I consider them all my second family!!! 

This sense of family has been instrumental in my fitness success and will continue to be there while I chase my dreams! Support like that is essential in taking those steps towards a healthy lifestyle, and I am so grateful to be a part of such a encouraging group and business.  Thank you Rob, Caithlin, Mark, Sheron, trainers Darrell, J Nev, Drew, Sam, Drew, Travis, Mallory, Donita, other employees Brittany, Joey, Gabe, Henry and everyone else not mentioned (there are a lot!!!) that have given my the confidence and opportunity to come as far as I have, as well as giving every single member of this revolutionary gym the great gift of fitness daily! 

With some of my awesome Aspen Family, on our Think Pink

Day to fundraise for Breast Cancer Awareness!

I am proud to report that Aspen Athletic Club is the featured sponsor of the week! Check back shortly for your FREE 10 Day Pass available on my site shortly.  Until then, take a look at the website and see why Aspen is the perfect gym for you!

http://www.aspenathleticia.com/

Go ahead "Luv Ur Body!" And don't forget to tell them Brittany sent you ;)

So today was my LIVE Television debut!!! Omgosh so much fun, I am so grateful to the wonderful producer, Kelie Steele for imparting upon me this experience.

Last night, I did not sleep a wink I was so excited!!! Probably not the best idea before a morning interview, but I did my best, lying in bed trying! (Got to work on that before the pageant FO SHO :) 

A testament to the fact that we rely on technology a liiiittle too much these days, my gps took me down a road that didn't exist on the way to the studio this morning! I got so turned around I actually was a little late to my 7:30 am appointment even though I left 30 minutes early!!! Luckily, Kelie and the rest of the staff was so understanding, so again thank you!

When I arrived I was ushered into the studio and told I'd be on in less than five! Yikes! I actually had no makeup on and had just finished drying my hair because for some silly reason I thought it would be done or would be given a little prep time in studio.  I probably should have asked Kelie about this earlier, but I was too consumed with the opportunity to get my platform on air to reach people than aesthetic details! I know for next time, right Kelie?! ;) 

Right before going on, I was introduced to the morning news anchors, Matt Austin and Angie Mock.  These are a couple of incredible devoted, hardworking individuals as they host the 3 hour in-depth Fox 25 Morning Show every day! Wow!

I was interviewed by Angie, who is as stunningly beautiful in-person as she is on the tube! She eased my nerves greatly, and I went from shaking at the beginning of the interview, (give me a break, first time LIVE!) to feeling like I was just having a friendly chat with her on a couch.  We talked a little about my personal journey to a healthier lifestyle, what that exactly entailed as well as a little bit about the pageant and my working to build a strong sponsor team to compete! If I am lucky enough to win the prestigious title of Miss Oklahoma USA 2011, I want to continue reaching more and more individuals and hopefully inspire them to achieve their own fitness goals! The full interview can be viewed at the link below.

http://www.okcfox.com/newsroom/morning_news/videos/vid_1633.shtml

THANK YOU to all of Fox 25 for this incredible experience! If you are interested in joining the Miss Greater OKC USA 2011 Sponsor Team, please feel free to contact via the site, Facebook, or my business email britttL@hotmail.com.  Thanks Again, Kelie!

Afterwards, caught up on some SLEEP (hence the fact that I am still awake now! LOL) and had the opportunity of reunion with a bunch of old friends and teammates at the SNU vs. OBU volleyball game. I got to go with a fellow former SNU athletes, a couple of my favorite Chris's, one of whom will be abandoning us for New Mexico in a couple weeks! (Just Kidding!) The Bisons took it in 4 tonight, but both teams looked great and it was so good to see and catch up with everybody.  Good luck to both squads in the remainder of their seasons :) 

That's all for now...I am on a weird sleep schedule due to my sleepless night last night! I hope everyone has a Happy, and SAFE Halloween!!! Or in other words...

Halloween, have a HAPPY one you must!

Chose my favorite Geek-O-Lantern of all time because the all knowing Yoda is the source of my weekly quote of inspiration!

"Do or do not, there is no Try."

Okie Dokie! 28 days means Crunch Time...Let's DOOOOO IT!!!!!!!!!!

-xoxo-

Britt

My Gosh...I'm REALLY Doing This!!!

Hello World!

So it hadn't hit me until just now, I really, REALLY am competing in Miss Oklahoma USA 2011! I am absolutely brimming with excitement tonight, at my favorite wi-fi hotspot, Starbucks.  I can't keep still, if I try to my foot starts tapping inadvertently, LOL! They have some pretty catchy tunes to boot, currently a jazzy version of "Hey Senora" with maracas.  I remember hearing that song for the first time at the end of Beetlejuice when I was younger, and it used to make me uneasy because the movie scared me so much! I love it now though ;)

So as you all know, I have been having some evening gown woes! Luckily, I had a VERY productive day in that department... Upon my venture to the adorable dress boutique, Southern Charm, I met a wonderful woman who is clearly beautiful inside AND out, Anita Gately! We hit it off right away, I ended up staying at the boutique for 3 hours (!!!) trying on dresses, flipping through catalogs, giving my opinion to the very sweet Miss Oklahoma City Teen USA (see you in November!) and chatting up a STORM with Anita! I can't wait to go back down next week and work with Anita and Warren too! Anita just makes you feel so welcome and is fantastic at helping you find gowns you feel absolutely beautiful in! (I actually went to Southern Charm right after a workout, so if I feel good in a gown looking like I do after an hour of cardio, I know that it is a good one!) Thank you Anita, see you soon!

Okay to the before and after part I promise. Whoooo, deep breath, this is pretty emotional for me! If you have read my original post, my platform is based on the immensely positive impact a commitment to a healthy lifestyle, through proper nutrition and physical fitness, can have on ANY INDIVIDUAL's life! I speak from experience, having always been an athlete but NEVER happy with or proud of my body and then committing to train for Darrell Terrell's Hot Bod Fitness Modeling Contest in conjunction with the NPC Total Package Bodybuilding Show and losing 30 lbs in 5 months.  You know the story, or can guess, this drastic physical and, equally important, mental makeover has opened so many doors for me and allowed me the opportunity to compete for the title of Miss Oklahoma USA 2011.  With this prestigious title, I will work my tail off to share my experience and knowledge in hopes to inspire others to take the steps necessary to get on the path to their own healthier, happier lives! Even now, I am doing my best to reach as many people as I can with this POSITIVE message, but I hope and pray God wills me to become the next Miss Oklahoma USA so that I may reach so many others.

Recently, I interviewed for a prospective feature in a "Before and After:  Amazing Transitions" magazine article.  Part of the process was to dive into my dusty photo box and retrieve some before and after pictures that the publication might use.  I had no idea how emotional this would be.  All of my before pictures were from a time that I thought so poorly of myself and did not even know it! I had NEVER understood what it meant to have true, positive self-esteem until I took it upon myself to be the best ME, physically and mentally, I could be.  I honestly believe this is a consummate process, there is always ways to improve, new things to learn! The standby mantra "You can't teach an old dog new tricks" is soooo FALSE!!! I have literally proven this to myself though didn't adapt it to my own life until this year.  I taught my sweet chocolate lab, Shima Lady Mocha, to bark to "Who Let the Dogs Out!" Kids Bop Version when she was 11 years old, (that is 77 in dog years!)

So here they are folks, my submitted, emotion-bringing pictures, all of which have been taken within the last three years, most within the last year, but real quick, some disclaimers!

***There is no, I repeat, NOOOO ideal beauty! Everyone should "Be their OWN kind of beautiful!" (Thanks Tiffiney and Dana!) I finally made a commitment to a healthy lifestyle change and worked my TAIL off for 5 months to change the way I looked and felt about myself because I was UNHAPPY before! I am so, SO thankful God gave me the strength and courage to make this change! Through Him, all things are possible and I have never been so happy, or lived so happily and GRATEFULLY in my life!!!

***They were sad but mostly HAPPY tears last night.  Sad because it joltingly reminded me of a time that I did not think I was beautiful and thought others didn't either, happy because I worked so hard the RIGHT and HEALTHY way to change that!!!

***NEVER HAVE I EVER had any work done! Hahahahaha! That is laughable to me or that people spread those silly rumors, not even about myself but others!!! I am struggling to paying for the pageant with the help of sponsorships, you honestly think I could afford a nose job or lipo?!?!? Come on now people...

***Photo credits: (afters of course, I never had the self-esteem to allow folks to take my picture before I made my transition,) go to Josh Hamon, Leland Tucker (Leland Images,) John Hazelton (Sooner JH,) Andrew Vargo, Doug Jantz,  and John Fullingm.

***You may notice, there are a ton

***THANK YOU, THANK YOU (!!!) for taking the time to look/help! xoxo

Before: October 2008, After: September 2010

Before: April 2007, After: September 2010

Before: June 2006, After: October 2010

Before: February 2008, After: October 2010

Before: March 2008, After: September 2010

Before: February 2008, After: August 2010

Before: April 2006, After: June 2010

Before: September 2008, After: September 2010

(This one is crazy to me, I honestly do not recognize myself!)

Before: February 2008, After: October 2010

And my personal favorite (because my fit, BEAUTIFUL Mommy is in it!)...

Before: January 2010 (seriously!), After: September 2010

Please tell me your favorites! Whether it be on this site, Facebook, email, shoot if you have my # text it, I truly value your opinions!!! Thank you!

To close I would like to thank the newest members of the Miss Greater Oklahoma City USA 2011 Sponsor team!!!

J.E. Cope of JEC PRO

Monte Turrentine (Individual Contributor)

Jeff Powell of Bob Moore Cadillac

My computer is dying and I think Starbucks is closing soon, so a little more about these wonderful individuals and businesses, who are helping me chase my dreams, in the next post.

Before today, it has been a tough week on the sponsor front so I will leave you all with this sweet little ditty:

When the world says, "Give up..."

Hope whispers, "Try it one more time!" 

-Author Unknown

Hope, keep whispering!!!

xoxo

Britt

Hello World!

Can’t start with anything except the story of 33 Chilean miners rescued this week! What an incredible story of perseverance and faith!!! I was particularly moved by the quote by 19 year old Jimmy Sanchez, “There were actually 34 of us down there, God never left us.” 69 days 2000 feet underground did not shake their faith! INCREDIBLE!!! Maybe its my hormones or even sweat in my eye, but when I heard that during cardio yesterday, I definitely teared up.  Let’s take a minute to THANK GOD that these brave individuals are finally home safe with their families recovering from this potentially tragic ordeal.  Thank you for the technology to rescue them and instilling unwavering faith in these brave men to make it through.  We can all learn so much from their example.

I would like to throw a special shout out to NPC competitors and friends competing at NATIONALS in Atlanta, GA this weekend!

The ridiculously beautiful NPC bikini competitor, Jennifer Baker:

And the gorgeous, infinitely kind NPC figure competitor, Chazz Gorzek Anderson:

Chazz was also Mrs. Oklahoma 2006 so she has been helping me out with pageant questions as well.  I first saw both girls at NPC Oklahoma 2010 and was personally inspired by their hard work and dedication, not to mention rockin’ bods!!! You both are amazing, thank you for inspiring me to chase my own dreams, and most of all

KICK SOME TAIL THIS WEEKEND!!!

Kudos to my buddy Lyndsee Gray Hargett for hitting the gym this week! It is a BIG step getting back in there and into those healthy lifestyle habits, and I am proud of you!

I am really excited to announce that I started an extensive training program with my good friend and Former roommate, Amy Brooks.  She is tall, blonde, and beautiful! I think we have been mistaken for sisters twice at the gym this week, countless times together on our volleyball team at UCO.  I am so excited to take this journey with you and can’t wait to help you along the path to reaching your personal fitness goals! Amy came and supported me in my first fitness competition, and I am happy she gleaned inspiration and drive from the experience to begin on her own path to a healthier lifestyle! You go girl!

Amy and I before the Total Package Fitness Competition and NPC Show 2010, gotta LOVE that ridic fitness tan!

With the remarkable convenience that is Facebook, I continue to meet more and more contestants for the state pageant ever week! I am so excited and honored to have the opportunity to compete with such an outstanding group of women! Regardless of results, I believe this will be a truly rewarding weekend for all of us.  It has already been a life-changing experience for me this far, and we are still 6 weeks away!

A special thank you to my fellow TALL GALS who have already enjoyed commendable success on the Miss Universe circuit, Kelsey Moore, Miss Texas USA 2010, and Katie Whittier, Miss Maine USA 2010.  Though we have just begun networking, I am so personally inspired by these former athletes that have made a flawless transition from jerseys to bikinis and court shoes to heels.  Tall girls rock and it makes me so happy to see how other girls have embraced their height and reflected their true beauty with it, inside and out.  You make me believe that I too can do it :)

Coming up for me this week:

First day on the new job tomorrow at 6! Come see me at Dan O'B's!

Fun studio shoot with CD Photography on Monday!

First commercial audition in over 10 years on Saturday! It's been a while, and certainly a lot has changed from my "Mom's like you choose Jiff!" days! 

Meeting with the lovely Laci Scott Sunday again for pageant prep.  Have I mentioned she is amazing?!

My goal is to have ALL pageant expenses and budget COVERED by October 25th, so I can take the full month to prepare myself mentally and be the best ME I can be come November 26th! If you or anyone you know is interested in joining the Miss Greater Oklahoma City USA 2011 Sponsor Team for the Miss Oklahoma USA 2011 Pageant, please contact me asap!!! We are getting down to the wire people! Thank you all so much for your continued support, could not do it without you!

Working on finding a gown that is LONG ENOUGH this week! Haven't had much luck yet, but I am totally open to suggestions!!!

Stumbled upon this "Thinker" quote on my latest stroll through the Quote Garden:

"I ask not for a lighter burden, but for broader shoulders." -Anonymous (www.quotegarden.com/adversity.html)

Powerful!

Stay tuned for next week’s featured sponsor coming up this weekend!

xoxo

Britt

6 weeks and counting....LET'S DO THIS!!!

How do YOU enter the arena?

Hello World!

I just concluded a delicious sushi lunch at In the Raw, Bricktown with the fabulously inspiring and down to earth, Bethany Gerber, Miss Kansas USA 2010.  It was a fun, and extremely constructive lunch meeting! She imparted to me her personal pageant experiences as well as answered any questions I could think of.  Bethany is beautiful inside and out, and I look forward to getting to know her more.  Completely appropriate to the "Everyone knows Everyone" mantra in Oklahoma, I will see Bethany again tonight when I drive southbound 35 to support my teammates and friends in the NPC Red River Classic in Norman! She is doing a promotional job down there...small world! Just received a text from my teammate, friend, and fellow bikini competitor Jillian Taylor that the preliminary show went really well! I can't wait to see her strut her stuff in the finals tonight! Here is a picture of our division at our first show, Darrell Terrell's Hot Bod Fitness Modeling Competition in conjunction with the NPC Total Package Bodybuilding Show.

She is the pretty girl in the green! Can you tell we go to the same posing practices? LOL.  Here is another one of us with our coach and trainer Darrell Terrell.  It was at his encouragement and urging that I even began to believe I could achieve success in fitness and fashion modeling.  I know I speak for Jillian and all of Darrell's other athletes in saying "THANK YOU DARRELL" for teaching us to believe in ourselves and helping us chase our dreams!

I am proud to say that I took home 3rd at Hot Bod and equally proud to say that Jillian rocked it and took home 1st place! Sounds like prelim's went the same way today, Jillian needs to place Top 5 to qualify for nationals in Atlanta next week! I have full confidence she will do just that! Keep working hard Jillian, it is such an honor to have a teammate equally motivated and driven to succeed :)

More pictures from NPC Red River Classic to be posted shortly!

I am also writing as promised to recognize my second featured sponsor of the week, Lush Fashion Lounge! I had the honor of walking in the Sunset at Sapphire Fashion Show for Lush and Jen Austin Designs back in September.  Owner Carrie Boevers' collection is eclectic and FUN featuring designer clothing for both men and women! Here are a couple shots from the show at Sapphire featuring pieces that are in store NOW!

Featured models:  Cherisse Miller, Shannon Green, Cory Nolan, and that's me at the end! Yes I am holding sparklers...like I said, super FUN show!

Absolutely ALL men's merchandise is currently 50% off! Come see me for a coupon for 20% off anything in the store! Lush and Carrie are absolutely fabulous and I have no doubt you will find everything you are looking for to express your individual, funky-cool style.  

Hurry in to LUSH FASHION LOUNGE today! 

They are also on Facebook :)

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1706029390

I leave you today with a Harry Potter quote.  Albeit cheesy, this is without a doubt my favorite quote from any of the books and I read it when I need that extra little boost of confidence and help keeping my eye on the bigger picture:

"It was, he thought, the difference between being dragged into the arena to face a battle to the death and walking into the arena with your head held high.  Some people, perhaps, would say that there was little to choose between the two ways, but Dumbledore knew -- and so do I, thought Harry, with a fierce rush of pride, and so did my parents -- that there was all the difference in the world."

39 days until the premiere!!! Eeek! (Yes I just counted on my phone's calendar, LOL.)

Until next time, and in the true British sense, Cheerio Darlings!

xoxo

Britt

Terry Fox, The Ultimate Inspiration

Hello World!

It is now 12:50 (AM!) and I just got home from the gym.  I think it is safe to say I am dedicated!!! My home gym (and employer!) Aspen on Rockwell and Northwest Expressway is now open 24 hours Monday through Thursday.  Pro about the new, extended hours:  I no longer have any excuse to not get all of my cardio in on the dreaded stair machine.  Con about the new, extended hours:  I no longer have any excuse to not get all of my cardio in on the dreaded stair machine!!! LOL! It is certainly a love/hate relationship I have with that particular piece of cardio equipment, but you can’t argue with results and there really is no better machine on which to get your cardio done on, because not only does it get your heart rate up and get you sweating something fierce, but it also firms, tones, and shapes the hamstrings and the ever elusive glutes with the constant “stepping up” motion.  If you are intimidated by this miracle-working machine, it is okay! Start out with shorter intervals such as 20 minutes and work your way up in resistance and speed.  Once you can handle it, switch up the kind of exercise you are doing.  I take turns going at a constant speed for an allotted time, speed intervals, and the fat burning programs.  And try to have fun with it! Bring along your iPod set on your favorite, motivating playlist or embrace your inner nerd like I do with your favorite Harry Potter novel ;)

One thing in particular got me through my borderline grueling full hour of cardio tonight.  ESPN was showing a documentary entitled “Into the Wind,” directed by Steve Nash and Ezra Holland.  Being an avid basketball fan, it was Nash’s name that caught my attention, but I was soon captivated by one of the most inspiring stories of determination I have ever heard.  (Anything that makes me put down my book has got to be LEGIT!) The documentary followed the tragic to triumphant journey of Terry Fox.  After losing his leg to cancer in college during his athletic prime, Fox set out to run across Canada to raise money for the cause.  I’m not sure if it was the pain from a killer leg workout yesterday courtesy of Jason Neville, or the story itself that reduced me to small but actual tears 20 minutes in, but I gained inspiration from every minute of the program I was able to watch.  If Fox could average 10-14 miles per day running the expanse of an entire country, I could certainly knock out this next forty on the silly stair machine.  I was so inspired by Fox’s courage, I couldn’t even wait until I got home and started looking up additional accounts of this incredible story using the internet on my phone.  Nash was personally inspired by Fox as a boy.  His personal recollection of Fox’s Run can be found here:

http://30for30.espn.com/film/into-the-wind.html

Although Fox did not reach his goal of actual distance when new tumors appeared, and took over his body, his story of perseverance inspired a nation and raised new awareness.  Keep an eye out on ESPN for “Into the Wind,” I am sure a story like that will air more than once.

As always, thank you so very much for stopping by and I leave you with a quote that makes me work harder when I am tempted to quit, just like “Into the Wind.”

“We are what we repeatedly do.  Excellence then, is not an act.  It is a habit.” -Aristotle

Take a minute to think about that…

Until next time, sweet dreams! Dream well, Dream BIG!!!

xoxo

Britt

PS. Check out my dear friend, Lyndsee Gray Hargett's blog, Mrs. Payne County, and follow her journey to Mrs. Oklahoma in January! Find her under my followers ;)

Life is TOO short!

Hello World!

Although healthy eating habits are extremely important, life is just TOO short not to indulge once and a while! I say this while I sip my last Panera Frozen Caramel and munch on their Fuji Apple Chicken Salad and whole wheat baguette, my last cheat meal until December!

YUMMMMYYYY!!!!!

Better BELIEVE that Bad Boy was finished in about 5 minutes! hahaha!

A couple tips about when you do indulge in a cheat meal:

1. As far as burning it off goes, it is best to have your cheat meal midday or before, but there is a catch to that! The problem with eating those yummy sugary/fatty/salty DELICIOUS foods earlier in the day is that it triggers your hormones and it is 10x more difficult to resist further cravings! So it's basically a pick your poison kind of thing, LOL!

2. I'll admit, I went waayyy off course with a FROZEN CARAMEL...I'm not even going to bother looking up the calorie, sugar, sodium, etc. for this devilish delight...otherwise I might cry myself to sleep tonight (ONLY KIDDING!) When you do have a cheat meal, and if you are going to with something like...THAT...try to balance it out with something a little more on the healthy side! For instance my personal fave and complex carb Whole Wheat Baguette.  With this combination, you are getting something (semi) good in, while pleasing your inner rebel ;)

3. Portion Control...fairly self-explainatory.  I'm not saying eat a crumb...buutttt try as much as you can not to eat the WHOLE cake either.  Your tummy will thank you!

4. Have your cheat meal, enjoy it, and then do not make it an option to cave a cheat again! If that means really going all out on your cheat, do it! Make the commitment though, that after it is said and done, you are back on track for whatever your allotted time is. NO EXCEPTIONS.  The toughest thing about making the transition to healthy eating is not hunger itself, (your body will sustain itself on healthy food longer than junk AND you are eating more regularly than before to speed up that metabolism,) it is the mental factor.  If you do not put in your head that cheating is NOT AN OPTION, you will do it and therefore might not reach all of your set goals.  

Looking for a diet and workout plan to jumpstart your transition to a healthy lifestyle? Contact me ASAP at britttL@hotmail.com for personal training and nutrition help! It has and will keep working for me, let me help find something that works for you!

I'm off to finish my delicious CARB LOADED baguette...mmmm...thanks for checking back and until next time-

xoxo!

Britt

PS!!! Sending yet another birthday wish to my B E A uuutiful sister Courtney who turned 21 yesterday! She is currently driving the vast expanse of Kansas to see me here in the great OKC! Love you Boo :)

We are prittaayyy!!!