fitness

Orangetheory

Orangetheory Transformation Challenge Review

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Orangetheory Fitness Workout Challenge

Orangetheory Fitness Transformation Challenge

I just finished up the Orangetheory Transformation Challenge! This challenge is eight weeks long. As I mentioned in this past post, I would update you on what I thought of the challenge. Let me start by saying I have never been on a “diet,” entered a fitness challenge or anything like that. I workout and eat right in my everyday life, so I thought that was enough. However, joining the challenge gave me the motivation to go work out on days I really didn’t want to and say no to empty calories such as candy at the movies, which is totally my weakness!

Orangetheory runs this challenge is done once a year there are two winners. One female and one male that will win $5,000.00 each for the most weight lost!  #motivation

What is involved in this challenge?

Workouts

As part of the Orangetheory challenge and to be eligible to win the prize money, you are required to work out three days a week for 6 out of the eight weeks. There will be a large chart there for you to mark the days you attend class.

Diet

You will also be required to keep a food log. I was so not looking forward to this at all, but it turned out to be my favorite part! There is, of course, an app for that. The app makes it super easy. You start by inputting your stats, including weight, height and such. Then you add your goal weight. It will tell you what your daily calorie goal needs to be to get to your ideal weight. You can scan bar codes, add food in manually and also choose repeat foods you eat daily. I’m a creature of habit, so this feature was handy to me. It was so interesting to keep track of calories and very motivating!

Coaching

You will be assigned an Orangetheory coach that will be available to you by email for any of your fitness questions. They can also help you with suggesting diet changes. Your food log will need to be turned into them weekly.


If you are a follower of mine you already know I’m a long time fan of Orangetheory. However, entering this challenge has been eye-opening. I loved how motivating it was to be a part of this! I highly recommend it!

Orangetheory Fitness Workout Challenge

Orangetheory Fitness Workout Challenge

Orangetheory Fitness Workout Challenge

orangetheory

How do you feel about workout challenges? Leave me a comment below if you have ever entered one!

xx Tammy

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pilates workout

6 Reasons To Start Pilates Now

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Getting Ready For Pilates Workout

Pilates Reformer Gym at Elite CorePilates Workout With Elite Core

Pilates Is A Game Changer

I didn’t start working out regularly until my 30’s. Back then, workout choices were mainly weights and cardio at a gym, or silver sneakers classes lol! Luckily, now we have endless fitness class options.  When I was introduced to Pilates, I was hooked from the start! I love that Pilates is a whole body workout that tones arms, legs, booty, and core!

Pilates is also perfect for all fitness levels, from serious athletes to fitness novices. Pilates is done on specialized equipment, however, equipment is not required. You can also get amazing results from floor exercises you can do pretty much anywhere!

I’m super excited to have a Q & A with my first Pilates instructor, Liza Ebner owner of Elite Core at the end of this post! She is a certified and published workout instructor and has been teaching for 13 years. Liza practices more of an “athletic style” of Pilates. Scroll down as she explains what that is below!

Pilates Equipment at Elite CoreHere are 6 reasons why I love it and you will too!

  1. Versatility – Changing up your workout regularly to take your muscles out of their comfort zone is a must for your body. Otherwise, you will plateau and change will not continue to happen. The variations on each piece of equipment are endless, as a result, you will never bored and always be challenged!
  2. At Any Age – Pilates is a completely custom workout you can start at any stage in life. Your fitness level isn’t a barrier either. There are springs that you adjust on or off for your custom resistance level. The movements can also be customized. Because of this, if you have a minor injury, you will still benefit from going! Actually, rehab for many injuries can be much faster when practicing Pilates! I tore my MCL snow skiing and was able to come back to Pilates 2 weeks later with modified exercises, and a brace. The targeted exercises helped me stay flexible, and keep the muscles around the injury strong.
  3. Core Strength & Toning – I don’t know about you, but when my abs are flat and toned my whole body looks and feels better! Nothing has ever given me flatter abs than practicing Pilates. My whole body is more toned, lean and strong!
  4. Low Impact – The movements in Pilates are slow, controlled, and in a safe setting. This puts minimal impact on your joints. In addition, the equipment is padded for your comfort.
  5. Flexibility – I’m horrible at taking the time to stretch! However, when I take a Pilates class stretching is incorporated into some of the movements. Then at the end of class, a stretch session on the reformer or cadillac is like heaven, it’s so good! Muscle soreness is also much less because you are stretching throughout the class!
  6. Better Sports Performance – All of your muscles are connected to your core. Strengthening and lengthening your muscles will greatly improve performance in your sport of choice. A qualified teacher can customize your workouts to strengthen your body exactly where you need. Liza from Elite Core Pilates, works with many people in sports, from pro football players to high school baseball players. They know how important a strong core is!

Elite Core Pilates

Liza has a BS in Kinesiology and MS studies in Exercise Physiology with a focus in Sports Nutrition.  She has been personally training in Pilates for 13 years and began teaching 8 years ago, before opening Elite Core in Feb 2016.  Her method of teaching is contemporary with an athletic functional base, with experience training clients from teenage to professional athletes, pre and postnatal moms, fitness enthusiasts and anyone looking for the perfect combination workout of strength and flexibility.  Her workouts have been featured on ESPN’s Sportscenter, published in Men’s Health and highlighted in Sports Illustrated.

Q and A with Liza

Tell about your Athletic Based Method of Pilates.

Elite Core is an Athletic Pilates training studio. My training methods are based on the development of the intrinsic musculature, primarily of the core and back, to support gains in posture, balance, flexibility, stability, and power athletic movements through range of motion, plyometric and cardiovascular enhanced exercises.

What types of classes do you have?

My studio classes feature training on the reformer, chair, cadillac and Pilates spring-board, with combination classes featuring TRX, rebounding, rowing, gliders, weighted body bars, hand and leg weights, stability ball exercises, Pilates boxes, pull up bars and cardio circuit training.  All of my classes feature total body movements and will include an element of cardiovascular work.
I believe in building your strength and flexibility in dynamic and challenging ways. All new clients start in private sessions. This is so can appropriately assess their fitness level and any potential limitations or injuries.

If someone has an injury or limitation are they able to take classes?

Yes. A client with an injury or limitation is cleared through private sessions. They are then able to join group classes. I can make modifications as necessary.

What are some of the most noticeable effects your clients are excited to tell you about after starting a program?

I think the biggest and most common noticeable effect clients feel is the ability to move more efficiently and with purpose.  I have had several clients express feeling more control in their core and balance in sporting activities.  Pilates is an excellent addition to training programs for athletes.   I have had great success with my training of athletes from middle and high school to college and professional athletes.

What type of training do you customize for athletic clients that are playing sports?

My goal with athletic clients is to find areas of their musculature that may be weak or under-active. We then focus our training on strengthening those areas so they can be more effective in their movement.  Typically, athletes use their larger muscle groups during their sport and neglect training the smaller, intrinsic muscles.  When I get them to connect to those smaller muscles, they gain more control over their large muscles, leading to better functional movement in their sport.

How often do you suggest clients take classes to see results?

I recommend 3 times per week when first starting to see faster results.  I have several clients who train 5 days per week, which is ideal for gaining flexibility and strength in a shorter time frame.  For that reason, my workouts are different every day. This avoids getting bored with the classes.  I also spend a large amount of time creating new movements, adding new pieces of equipment or adjusting a traditional Pilates exercise to fit my Elite Core method.

To quote Joseph Pilates himself,  “In 10 sessions, you feel better, 20 sessions you look better, 30 sessions you have a completely new body.”  The change in your body will happen through repetition and more specifically, repetition over a short period of time.

Is Pilates for a pregnant mom to be or new mom?

Yes!  I trained myself (and other clients) throughout my entire pregnancy and have trained several prenatal and postnatal moms.  Pilates is one of the safest and most effective ways to prepare for the birth of your baby.  Building up core strength surrounding the baby (think obliques, upper and mid back), focusing on the pelvic floor muscles in preparation for labor and postnatal recovery, maintaining flexibility and strength in the hips and legs, working on upper body strength (that baby and car seat and diaper bag are a lot to handle!) are all so important to focus on to make sure you have a safe and eas(ier) delivery, as well as a faster recovery postnatal.  I love training my mommies throughout their pregnancy and then having their new babies in the studio to snuggle on.


Shopping


Thank you for reading! If you have trouble staying motivated to workout, check out this post to help keep you on track with your workouts.

What do you think about Pilates? Leave a comment below!

xx – Tammy

Video created by Blake Takushi

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Work out outfit by Outdoor Voices - Her Fashioned Life

5 Effective Ways That Will Motivate You To Workout

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workout motivation

Work Out Outfit by Outdoor Voices, Dove & Ash Warmup Leggings, Grey Hoodie - Her Fashioned Life

Outdoor Voices Athene Top and Tri-Tone Leggings in Dove & Ash - Her Fashioned Life

Outdoor Voices Crop Top and Leggings, Grey Hoodies, Nike Sneakers - Work Out Style by Her Fashioned Life

Leggins // Tank // Crop Bra // Hoodie // Sneakers

Motivating Fitness

We all know we should eat well and workout. Living this way will benefit our mind, body, and soul in so many ways! Better sleep, mood, weight, disease prevention, the list goes on and on! So why is it such a challenge? There are many excuses why we cannot get to the gym. I’m going to share what works for me, as I’ve been working out 5-6 days a week for about 7 years!

I can totally see a difference in my mood, sleep, and energy when I do not workout. This happens when I’m on vacation (I rarely work-out on vacation) or if I’m sick, (which hasn’t really happened since I dropped gluten and dairy from my diet but that’s another post 🙂 Knowing this is very motivating to me, when I notice a physical and metal change from not getting my booty to the gym!

So here is what works for me:

1. Make it a Priority

Nobody is too busy, it’s just a matter of priorties.

Every morning I workout, period. I drop my kid at school and go straight there. It’s what I do, it’s priority in my life. I do not schedule an appointment at this time, I do not take meetings, this is my time to workout. Find a time of day that works for you and make it a priority not to miss. You might have to be more fluid with your workouts if you have different work schedules but hopefully, you can get your workout ritual in place!

2. Commit Yourself

I find if I make an appointment with a trainer or book a class it motivates me to keep that time for sure! Over time you also get to know the regulars that attend and teachers. They can and do naturally become somewhat of a support group. I find I work harder in a group setting also. Because if she can hold that plank, so can I!

You could join a tennis team or another sport if that’s your thing! You can also make a verbal commitment to your bestie or kiddos! They will keep you in check!

3. Mix It Up

It’s human nature to get bored doing the same thing over and over and over! Mixing up your workouts is not only better for your body, it will help keep you mentally excited to go! For me, pilates, mega-reformer, OrangeTheary, Barre 3, spin and circuit training at the gym, are my weekly go-to’s. I mix them up every week and sometimes double up classes if I miss a day. However, I’ve taken kickboxing, gone for a hike, and done various other activities. I’ll try anything once! Change is good when you’re in it for the long term.

4. Workout Gear

It’s very motivating for me to shop for cute workout clothes! It makes getting dressed in the morning easier too! With athleisure becoming mainstream you can switch up your sneakers and accessories and transition the pieces into your daily outfits also! I’m wearing pieces from the line Outdoor Voices. My favorite pieces of their’s are the crazy soft t-shirts and this hoodie I have on! It’s probably the softest thing I own! I also shop quite a bit at Lululemon. These soft leggings are my go-to for most everything!

Post Run Close Up - Outdoor Voices Apparel - Work Out Motivation by Her Fashioned Life

 

5. Attitude

Think about that “I feel freaking amazing” feeling you get after a great work out. That is the endorphins, the feel-good chemicals, being released into your brain. Try to train your brain to sense that and you will hopefully start to relate working out to that feeling you’re going to get! You will be building your confidence and keeping yourself healthy as much as building your strength! Get excited about that!

It can be a struggle to make it happen sometimes when work, school, family, and health get in the way.  When they do, don’t sweat it, just start again with next opportunity you have! Just don’t stop trying to commit to a workout ritual.

Make the decision to have fitness be apart of your life.


Shopping


 

Thank you for reading! Let me know in the comments below what your go-to fitness activity is!

xx Tammy

Photography: Cotroneo Photography

 

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    Her Fashioned Life