Brittany Coutu in Two-Piece Workout Gear Says "I'm Back"

Brittany Coutu is pounding pavement – in her workout gear. In a new social media post the fitness model and influencer reveals she is training for a marathon. "I'M BACK!!! First run of the year!! I wanted to commit to a half marathon at the end of the year, so let's see what we can do. Out the gates I'm starting with a two mile run, walking laps," she wrote in the caption of the Instagram post. How does she approach diet, fitness, and self-care? Here is everything you need to know about her lifestyle habits. 

Brittany recently opened up about her fitness journey to Simply Shredded. "In 2008 I graduated college and I was in that young-adult, coming-of-age mode where I was still trying to figure out who I was and what I wanted to do with my life. After a breakup I was left feeling stagnant at a time when I expected to be constantly moving. Someone suggested that I try fitness competitions so I threw myself in head-first. I learned how to sculpt my body rather than just train my muscles. I changed my diet and I learned how to walk and pose for the stage," she said. 

Brittany revealed to Simply Shredded that she eats six small but protein packed meals per day.df44d9eab23ea271ddde7545ae2c09ec

Meal 1: Oats, Peanut Butter & Whey Protein

Meal 2: Chicken, Brown Rice & Asparagus

Meal 3: 99/1 Turkey, Brown Rice & Vegetables

Meal 4: Fish or 99/1 Turkey & Vegetables

Meal 5: Lean Steak, Vegetables or a small Salad

Meal 6: Fish or 99/1 Turkey & Asparagus

Brittany's main form of fitness is strength training. "This year I have noticed that lifting moderate weight and higher reps focusing on 100% proper form has given me immense gains," she told Simply Shredded. According to the Mayo Clinic, strength and weight training help reduce body fat, preserve and increase lean muscle mass, and burn calories more efficiently. Strength training may also help you:

• Develop strong bones
• Manage your weight
• Enhance your quality of life
• Manage chronic conditions
• Sharpen your thinking skills

Brittany detailed her weekly workout schedule to Simply Shredded:

Monday: Legs

Good Mornings 4×20

Lying Leg Curl 4×15

Leg Curls with Ball 4×20

Cable Kick Backs 4×20

Dumbbell Straight Leg Deadlift 4×20

20 Minute Ab Routine

Tuesday: Chest/cardio

Bench Press 3×15

Incline Dumbbell Press 3×15

Cable Fly's 5×15

Pushups 3×12

Chest Dips 4×15

HIIT Cardio – Dance Studio

Wednesday: Arms/abs

Dumbbell Curls 4×15

Dumbbell Kickbacks 4×15

Barbell Preacher Curls 3×15

Barbell Skull Crushers 3×15

One Arm Cable Curls 4×12

Tricep Push Downs with Rope 4×20

20 Minute Ab Routine

Thursday: Back/abs

Cable Pull Down 4×15

Seated Rows 4×20

Bent Over Barbell Rows 4×15

Pullups 4×10

20 Minute Ab Routine

Friday: Shoulders/Calves/Cardio

Arnold Press 4×20

Barbell Upright Rows 4×20

Rear Lateral Raises 4×20

Barbell Behind The Neck Presses 4×15

Smith Standing Calf Raises 4×20

Weighted Donkey Calf Raises 4×20

HIIT Cardio – Dance Studio

Saturday: Legs/cardio

Walking Lunges 4×12

Front Squats 4×15

Full Squats 5×12

Leg Extensions 5×12

Leg Press 4×15

HIIT Cardio – Dance Studio

Sunday: Day Off

Recovery

Brittany also does cardio and HIIT workouts. "I tend to mix it up between the Stairmaster, Elliptical and Outdoor Circuit Drills. Although I most definitely prefer HIIT sprints," she said. There is lots of research backing up the benefits of HIIT workouts, including body fat reduction, improved cardiovascular function, and mental health. It is also time effective.