Welcome to my new blog

Hello and welcome to my new blog! This is a way for me to discuss my thoughts, progress, and insight in my OTF journey. Ideally, I should have started this blog in June 2017, when I started OTF. I would have a lot more exciting progress to write about, but better late than never! I had no idea I would have so much to write about during this journey.

To give you an idea of where I started in June 2017:
I was able to run a 5K no problem. It was super slow (about 11-12 min miles, so about 34 minutes for a 5K), but my endurance wasn't awful. I would be lying if I told you I lifted weights on a regular basis. Not because I don't know the importance of weight training, but because I was lazy, had no motivation, etc.

I know and recognize the benefits and importance of working out. I have an ACSM exercise physiologist certification, I have two degrees in exercise science and health promotion, and I've worked in health and fitness my entire adult life. Fitness will always be a part of my life - I have always worked out and will always work out.

I am not one to jump on the bandwagon for these fitness programs or boutique gyms that seems to pop up everywhere. I've always just been one to go workout on my own, go for a jog outside, or occasionally take a class here or there. When I went to visit my friend Amanda in Nashville in summer of 2017, she suggested that I go with her to her favorite workout place, D1. She said it would be tough and a good workout, so I figured why not?

Yeah so, basically, I almost died during that workout. I was the slowest one and I felt so out of shape that it was embarrassing. Yeah, so I could run 3 miles, but I could not keep up with all of the sprints, stairs, and weight training exercises. I felt like I was running in mud and my arms and legs felt like jello. That experience was eye-opening and I knew I needed to do something else to improve my fitness. I heard a co-worker mention Orangetheory so I figured it might be an option. I did some research online, signed up for my free trial session, and the rest is history!

One major thing I love about OTF is that it's really based on science. Some of it is not perfect (heart rate calculations) and some of it is over-exaggerated (calories burned and the true effect of "afterburn") but I do appreciate and understand the science behind the workout.