Will orange eliminate the black?

Off the jump, this post would probably be centered around the amazingly, awesome Netflix series, "Orange is the New Black" which is a show depicted around females in Prison that is taken from a true life story and has a little Hollywood dramatization added. However, I decided to peel my summer self off the couch and away from my Apple TV long enough to check out the other new Orange Craze... Orange Theory Fitness aka the ass-kicking that you become a glutton to and just keep going back for more.

If you have not really heard of Orange Theory it is basically a 60 minute workout that consist of interval training {shoot me} that is done in a class format. Of course you can do interval training on your own but there is a trainer who is leading the class, switching the exercises, upping the incline or speed on the treadmills so all you need to do is listen. They are also super savvy as they have the directions posted on the mirrors in front of the treadmills so you know what level you should be at for what prompt. It is actually very easy. The theory behind the workout is the interval training pushes you into the "Orange Zone" or higher. This creates the after-burn, or for those technical terms peeps: Excess Post-Exercise Oxygen Consumption. Layman's terms - the calories you burn after you limp out of the workout room because your ass has been kicked. 

How do you know when you're in the orange zone? Well, for me it is when I can barely breath - but for an easier gauge, everyone wears a heart monitor and there are huge flatscreen TV's all over the rooms. So you can see what level you are falling into: White (hello, are you moving?), Blue (thanks for walking in the room), Green (Nice of you to join us, start sweating), Orange (I can't breath!!), and Red (death...okay, maybe not death but I am pretty sure it is close).

I will tell you as someone who hates interval training, this is a great work out and the monitors in your face really push you. I am definitely a visual person and seeing myself in the blue or green makes me push myself. It also gives your calorie burn which I also push to get to the next highest round number. Yeah, it is weird but it just helps me push little more. 

So after the initial 26 minutes on the treadmill, you usually get on the water rowing machine. That machine is an asshole. I had never used one before and that exercise is no joke. I will never say, "Oh, I could totally do that" when watching those poor souls on the biggest loser anymore. If you are a bigger person, it is not comfortable and it quite frankly burns...but a good burn.

So after about 800 rowing meters (death) you move to the weight room. This is really my favorite portion because I love lifting weights but I never know what exercises I should be doing together. They do all the thinking for you so all I need to do is show up and participate. I was actually able to do 5 burpees yesterday without stopping. A small victory - I hate those because the up and down motion makes me feel so sick, but I've determined it has to be mind over matter. Or at least that is how I got through. There are several different blocks that you move through and the objective is to move through the 3-4 different exercises in each block quickly over and over again... hence, interval training. 

After my first OT class.. I was dying... but a good dying. And I was rocking my new Fav. Workout shirt from Val @Fabulous Chick Gets Fit.

I think my favorite part of OT is their use of technology. As I am walking out of the studio each day, I get an email with a breakdown of my workout that I can keep which is great because I am all about comparing notes, did I push hard today compared to yesterday, etc. I usually go all out when I first start a good fitness routine which is great in theory but it can lead to injuries. With OT I can actually see my progress and if I am not performing or keeping my heart rate up, perhaps I need a rest day. Sometimes I have to see something to make me take a day off.  Here is a look at the graphs that they send. 

This was a pretty good workout, but my goal within the next week is to get to and stay at 40% in the Orange zone. 

OT also offers an app in which you can view the schedule and book yourself into classes right from your phone. I LOVE this part because this means that I am making a schedule and if you are booked, you need to go otherwise you will get charged a non-cancel penalty. Well, I like my cash so that keeps me accountable and attending. I went ahead and scheduled myself out for the next week which you don't have to but it helps me with planning the week.

Overall, I am really enjoying Orange Theory Fitness. I think that it is a perfect mix of motivation and training that I need to reach some of my fitness goals. I would highly suggest that if you have an OT near you, give it a try if you are looking for a challenging workout. It is not for the faint of heart, but I can't wait to see my results after 30 and then 60 days. Hopefully this orange will help me begin to cancel out my favorite, slimming wardrobe color, black.






*Orange Theory did not sponsor nor pay for this review. All opinions are my own and derived from my personal experience. 

Summer Link up

Oh HEY!!

Summer Break is the best.time.ever. Yeah I know.. most of y'all are working and I'm over here just wanting to work on my tan ...

I wanted to do this great little link up that I came across this morning as I was sipping my coffee and planning my post for the week. No worries, the winner of the giveaway will be announced later today in a different post. Yep, I'm gonna make ya wait - but hey, you're blog will get a shout out later. #winning in more ways than one!


Don't forget to check out Amy @ The Crazy Wise Woman. I just found her blog and I'm loving it so before to send some love and of course, link up!

The one thing I am most looking forward to this summer is getting this arse back to the gym and on a plan that I let go the last few months of school. Today is my first day of 21 days of no cheating. Look for that post later today ;)

The most annoying person I know is I don't know if I have any annoying people in my life currently. I just kinda phase them out because I have no time for people who piss me off.

I would like to meet people for a healthy lunch, or perhaps a gym session...volunteers? 

After a long day, there is nothing better than peace and quiet, a tanning session & then putting some comfy clothes on.

The most embarrassing summer work uniform I ever had to wear was none! I've been fortunate in the work uniform department. I mean I rocked the shit out of that Walmart vest back in the day.

When I hear my alarm clock go off, I find that ol' snooze button. However, for this week and next - ain't no alarm bustin' up my sleep!

My favorite form of summer exercise is I would say none because that is where I am most comfortable, but I do love some boxing and I am excited to be going back now that I am all healed and ready to kick some ass.

When the ice cream truck comes I always ask for the screwball! 

The oldest article of summer clothing I own is probably my bathing suit cover up & bathing suit. I bought it before our honeymoon - 7 years strong! 

My favorite summer outdoor activity is swimming. It is too damn hot to just sit outside and feel like you're suffocating.

My favorite thing to grill is I don't grill. You see a frog has taken up residence somewhere in the area of the grill; therefore putting said grill in my off limits zone. But my hubby makes awesome burgers and hotdogs; I love both equally.

The worst summer date/romance I had was a blind date I went on with this guy I met online. (Don't judge me). He was smart, funny, and extremely good looking. However, he was a total ass and rude to the waitress which being a bartender/waitress at the time I was not having. I got up in the middle of the meal and said - you're a real asshole and I can't be seen with someone as rude and demeaning as you. Followed by the epic walk out of the restaurant leaving him at the table. 

My favorite summer drink is either a frozen margarita or a corona with lime...yumm!!!  I will be subbing water with lime over the next 21 days and pretending it is a fabulous corona.

There are times when I just wish summer would ease up on the freaking heat. I mean I get summer, heat, sun..but hell.. 98 degrees + 1,000 humidity... #calmthefuckdown 

The best song on the radio right now is Iggy's Fancy

Jimmy Buffett supplies fabulous karaoke for summer time.

My best summer vacation ever was  when my husband and I went to Key West for almost a week. It was hot as hell but we had a blast ride around the island on mopeds.

After I’m done reading/commenting here I am going to plan some more blog post and clean meals for the week and start drinking this water... ughh..

It's not summer until I see someone complain that they can't wait to send their kids back to school (which happened about 12 hours into summer, day 1) :)