 You've probably walked by the all-orange centers where you live, wondering what oranges have to do with anything related to working out. OrangeTheory may be the name of a fitness studio near you, but it's also a training technique created by Ellen Latham, an exercise physiologist you may know for creating the "Ultimate Workout". She used this as her foundation for creating OrangeTheory Fitness, as she details in her self authored book, "Push, A Guide To Living An All Out Life: The Story of OrangeTheory Fitness". Ya, that's a long book title, so just remember, "Push"... because that's what it's all about. I chose to partner with OrangeTheory Fitness because they had something unique and effective to offer my Members and I didn't want you to miss out on the opportunity to....push yourself! (too much?) To get a better idea of what Orange Theory is all about, let's take a snapshot of their website for more info.       This looked great! But was it some high intensity thing that involved sweaty people yelling at me? I immediately envisioned myself in a bad youtube video of uncoordinated people trying to keep up with the class. Would it be too hard? What should I expect? And... is everything really so orange? To answer these mystifying questions, I ventured into my local Orange Theory Fitness Center in Wesley Chapel FL to check it out.  Once I pushed open the door to enter the Fitness Center, I was greeted with a LOT of orange! It felt bold, bright and brave. Who paints an entire gym orange? Someone who is brave; I liked that thought and tucked it away for later as I took a seat and waited for Jessica, the store manager to see me.  To the left of me was a large window carved into the orange wall, and on the other side, I could make out what appeared to be treadmills, although my appointment was scheduled for an off time and none were in use. I wanted to pry, but didn't want to be a peeking Tabitha.
Jessica explained to me how the program worked. Each studio has trained coaches who teach a series of workout sessions/classes 7 days a week. Participants come in for class, wear a heart monitor device (not the giant things, it can be as simple as wearing a watch) and head to class. Classes are an hour and incorporate weights and high intensity workouts in one class. Everything is tailored to the participant based on their preferences and monitored health reading. To get a better idea, Jessica walked me through their studio which got even more orange and I tried to contain my chuckling as we walked into an orange studio with orange lighting.  As a woman, my first instinct was to love this orange lighting because it created a sense of privacy and intimate environment you could get lost in. TVs lined the upper wall where stats are shown, and the workouts themselves, even though your coach is there with you. It was the perfect mixture of class and training and it made sense.
The 4 basic elements of the Orangetheory hour workout are: Cardio interval training Strength Training for outer muscles Strength Training for inner muscles Power Training While you are participating in class, you'll be measured by your monitor, plus be guided by your coach and onscreen board. There are 5 Heart Rate Zones that Orangetheory uses to monitor you. These are called their "Zones". Your Coach will help you with all the extras and details. Your job is to "push".  Member BenefitsOrangeTheory Fitness is a national company from California to Ohio. As a Member you have the opportunity to take 3 Free Sessions! Every new Member will receive their 3 Sessions Free Pass in their Welcome Package. Want to book your Free Sessions now or learn about how OrangeTheory can help you take your fitness to the next level, make sure you call your local center and tell them you're an Eat2Live2Love Member, or request your 3 Free Sessions Pass HERE.
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 When it comes to eating healthy, there are three things I get asked all the time and that you need to know. What to buy, where to buy it, and what to do with it. Our VIP Partner Nutrition Smart is a natural and organic food store with 7 locations in the state of Florida selling 100% organically grown produce, premium brand vitamins and supplements, plus grass fed beef and even a juice bar! Basically, it's a one stop shop for anyone on the Eat2Live2Love program. (if you're in Florida that is!) I know that eating clean isn't cheap, but it doesn't have to be expensive. Plus, it's a hell of a lot cheaper than Diabetes, a heart attack or suffering long term health issues associated with the standard American diet. Nutrition Smart helps you get the best deals in town, has an amazing assortment of products and are backed by a wonderful team.
 If you've never been to a Nutrition Smart, don't let the low prices fool you, this isn't some dollar store version of Whole Foods with stale bread and expired pill bottles collecting dust. (we've all seen those places) Nutrition Smart stores are large, well lit, well stocked, and are loaded with everything the bigger guys have, without all the extra cost. "Over 700 products are being compared at other stores like Winn-Dixie, Publix... those are called Smart Buys. Anytime you see a Smart Buy sign on the store floor then that means it's the lowest priced being sold in town." says Marvit with a proud smile. I glance over and sure enough, there are a ton of name brand items near us with pink stickers on them. As we traveled the store together, I easily found deals. Udi's bread was almost $2.00 cheaper. Bushels of big green Kale leaves were 2 for $1. (at Publix right down the road, they generally charge close to $3 for one bushel) "People always ask, and yes, all our produce is 100% organic." Marvit said proudly as I scanned the produce line filled with peppers and onions. I was only half listening, still reeling on the price of Kale. They sure weren't joking on those Smart Buys! Being able to get all your shopping done in one place makes life a lot nicer, and Nutrition Smart does a great job laying out their store and products. There's no bright lights and flashing signs here, instead you are greeted with a warmer natural tone and neutral colors making shopping easier if you suffer from anxiety/panic attacks when out and about. Ask To Take A Tour Of The Store
You can also pick up their monthly magazine "Taste of Life" in-store to get coupons and read more about Health & Wellness. Best of all, because Nutrition Smart is so community focused, they are host to Seminars, Workshops, Classes and more every month. Each location has unique events, so visit their website to select the location nearest you for upcoming events. Whether you're shopping for organic produce, dairy, meat, vitamins, supplements, or just want a quick juice on your way home from work... you can get all of that in one place. Plus, as a Member, you have some pretty awesome benefits! MEMBER BENEFITSReady to save even more money? Every Eat2Live2Love Member receives 10% OFF at all 7 Nutrition Smart locations!  New Members receive their 10% OFF Member Benefits Card with their Welcome Package. Need to reorder one? Just let us know and we'll get your card mailed out to you faster than a horse can eat an apple! Just make sure to keep your card on you and show it at checkout. Your card is valid as long as you are a Member, it's that easy! 
Hammerfist Krav Maga & Brazilian Jiu JitsuA part of me wanted to start this segment with statistics of abuse, such as, 1 in 5 women will be sexually assaulted while in college. I thought about starting with other facts like nearly 20 people a minute are physically abused by a lover. But why lead with that when I already know that nearly every woman who reads this has been touched inappropriately in their lifetime. I also know that a third of men have been abused. So who are we shocking with these stats? Nobody. Let’s Get RealIt is my wish and hope that none of you reading this will ever have to be put in an unsafe situation, but statistics say there’s a pretty good chance you will. So now what? Let’s get real. Eat2Live2Love helps men and women learn to become their own heroes. Part of that is helping you to build confidence in yourself, and to provide you with the tools to take action. From the website
Hammerfist Krav MagaI met Ashley about a year or two ago at a women’s self defense seminar she was teaching. It was a great class, and if I remember nothing else, “No! Get the fuck away!” will always be ingrained in my head. (part of the lesson we all awkwardly repeated). I didn’t see her afterwards, but about 3 months ago I was looking for a new Bo Stick at a Krav Maga facility. As I walked in, I immediately recognized the smiling faces in the pictures on the wall. Ashley! Although she wasn’t there that day, I stayed for a bit and watched a class and spoke to another teacher. (I also learned they don’t sell sticks but there’s always swifer poles) Ashley and I had an opportunity to speak several times and I even got to see one of her Kid Classes (man, they were good!). Once in the office, she told me her story. She was heartfelt in her desire to teach everyone self defense. Her high standards in training shone through as she spoke, but mostly, it was her love of her members, of her craft, of her family. Her young daughter would peep in the office door occasionally and ask for a snack or to say hello, and each time I just wanted to pinch her cheeks (but I held myself together!) Ashley firmly but sweetly instructed her to go and play, and she’d prance off with her locks of brown curls bouncing behind her. We spoke about her love to help people, and as she spoke, the entire room felt charged as she passionately described her purpose to help others and the culture of family that Hammerfist has created through her leadership and that of her husbands; which by the way, is also an instructor! Together they run the school and truly define what it is to be a family business. Eat2Live2Love highly recommends you give them a visit and the opportunity to change your life. No matter who you are, you will absolutely benefit from this training and fall in love with Ashley and Jason. Member BenefitsIf you are near Wesley Chapel or Land O Lakes Florida, give Ashley and Jason a call today and let her know you are a Member of Ea2Live2Love. They will set you up with a time to come by, meet the trainers and see their facility. Plus, you’ll also get 1 Week FREE. Try all of their classes, or just the ones you feel comfortable with. The entire team is wonderful, educated and ready to change your life. So don’t be a statistic, be your own hero. 
Eat2Live2Love is proud to announce Tampa Bay Organics as a VIP Partner for Local Members! I first came to know them by their trucks I'd see on the streets, and later driving by their warehouse in Land O' Lakes, FL. They deliver farm fresh produce right to your door with their unique order and delivery system. They promote small organic farms, small businesses, and of course anyone who wants a healthier lifestyle.
From TampabayOrganics.com ... 
Visit their Website HERE to learn more
Getting to meet everyone on the TBO Team was a like getting to meet my brothers from another mother. From the moment you open the door you are greeted with bright beautiful colors, from the walls to the floors. The walls are decorated with large, bright paintings of fruit and nature, giving it's guests a visual taste of what TBO is all about. Much like Eat2Live2Love, TBO really walks the walk from service to sales with relaxed, natural human interaction; not phoney politically correct suits and ties. I was able to sit down with Josh Kinser, Operations Manager with Tampa Bay Organics, who, in fact, wasn't wearing a suit and tie, but a bright green TBO shirt. "We really like helping people lead healthier lives through eating organic foods." This was Mr. Kinser's first statement to me when I asked what their company did. He followed up with, "Plus we help raise awareness for organics and help small farmers here locally; they're great guys." 
When I asked Mr. Kinser what they did, he told me why they did it; that is the mark of a true leader and someone who deeply believes in what he/she is doing. Mr. Kinser didn't tell me stats and revenues. He shared their mission, their passion and what others have said about them. Tampa Bay Organics seems to have found their Why and the evidence of that is happy customers and passionate employees.
FromTampaBayOrganics.com 
Mr. Kinser invited me to their warehouse to see their facility and watch a morning of preparing boxes for their customers. I gladly accepted and then was told to be there at 4:30a.m!
A few days later I got up at 3a.m and drug myself like a zombie to the car and drove to the warehouse. When I arrived at 4:30, in the darkness of pre-dawn, I was greeted by an open warehouse door and classic rock playing through the speakers. About 5-7 men in green TBO shirts were shuffling about, gathering boxes, carrying bunches of bananas or organizing tables. Each one stopped and greeted me when I came in with big smiles and friendly hello's. I could instantly feel the love. The same mentality and fun spirit that is in their marketing, is also a part of the people who work here. Everyone worked while singing along to Journey, sleepy eyed and smiling.
They had an awesome line-up of organic produce waiting to be boxed and shipped off to their fruity forever homes. (I put that last part in...)
All the produce is checked, orders reviewed and boxes filled as the sun's early light hits the sky. Everyone is humming along and seems to know exactly what to do and time it perfectly with their team mates.
Call Tampa Bay Organics at 813-949-1112
Services from TBO is for locals only. Need to know if you're considered local? Checkout the map!
Every Local Member receives a handmade VIP Partner Savings Package when they join. Check yours for special savings! Want to save money now? It's easy! Just call Tampa Bay Organics at 813-949-1112 and tell them Eat2Live2Love sent you! (That's code for "Give me the best deal!") You can also contact your MyCoach directly with more questions.
Scroll Down to See Members Only Benefits I'll admit, when I think about gyms, I think about sweat, high pressured sales people and guys looking at my butt from 360 degree angles at all times. You have the gym rats who are in great shape and make you feel like an old sock; the jocks who over lift and drop their weights. There's that over helpful gym person who you're not sure is hitting on you or just really nice. The locker rooms are awkward due to the mix of perfect bodies and obese ones, wet floors, and the smell of perfume mingled with sweat. That's what I generally envision when I think of gyms. But then I met Jessica from YouFit and everything changed. Right when I entered the You Fit in Land O Lakes for our Partner Interview, I was greeted by Green and Purple everything!
The staff desk is at the front and had friendly staff, the gym wasn't over packed, but had folks all working out. There are a few features of YouFit that I really liked for our Members.  The Express Circuit"If you are short on time this is the place for you. Jump in and get going to maximize every spare minute that you have. This total body workout with cardio will never take more than 30 minutes and should leave you with enough time on your lunch break to still refuel. If you just aren’t feeling that motivated today. Sometimes we just don’t feel up to par but know that we still need to workout. The Express Circuit provides you with the opportunity to just get your workout in with minimal effort/focus."- Read More Here
Larger than it FeelsMost gyms are a bit crammed with an assortment of unknown machines. YouFit's layout is easy to understand with their unique color coded layout. What can't come through in pictures is how I felt in the gym. The staff had a calm and friendly vibe and were sincerely interested in our Member's needs. The General Manager spoke at length about helping those who were new to gyms, suffering from ailments or recovering from injury. She genuinely cared about each of her Members, recalling moments and situations where they were able to help them on a personal level with their fitness goals. I didn't feel pressured nor stared at by men; the locker rooms were beautiful, smelled nice and the floors were actually dry! It's the little things, admit it!
It all boils down to how you feelWe could invent a gym that's 100% Free but if you don't like going there, it doesn't matter. How you feel in the gym matters and it's what will either keep you coming back, or what keeps you from going. If you feel insecure not knowing the equipment or how you look working out, you probably won't continue coming after a few weeks. That's why most gyms are all about getting new members because they know their retention rates are so low. YouFit isn't like that, their Members stay. They keep coming back. They sign up for the amazing gym membership, low prices, clean-state of the art equipment; but they come back because of the people who work there, who sincerely care about them. This is why Eat2Live is proud to have YouFit in Land O Lakes, Florida as a VIP Partner. We believe it's the folks who interact day to day with you that matter most. At YouFit, they care about you and your health on a deeper level.  Learn more about YouCoach HERE Never Laughed So HardAt Eat2Live2Love, each Member has their own personal MyCoach and never have we laughed harder than when we were told about YouFit's "YouCoach". I guess great minds really do think alike!  Learn More About Classes HERE If you're into Zumba, Cycling, Pilates or anything in between, you can find them at YouFit! Plus, they absolutely are the place to go for Silver Sneakers Members.   Local Members: Every Local Eat2Live2Love Member receives (via snail mail) a Coupon for their choice of: -A Free 3 Day Pass - 50% off initiation - First Month Free Virtual Members: If you'd like to receive your coupon, and live outside of Land O' Lakes Florida, simply ask your MyCoach and we will get you rocking and rolling at your local YouFit. To find one near you click HERE YouFit Memberships are completely affordable, they have great equipment and caring staff. As always, Eat2Live2Love isn't paid to promote any services or companies, so you know that we are giving you the real deal!
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