“No Place Like Orange” Workout

I’m combining my usual Friday Faves post with an OrangeTheory Workout for you, so keep on reading to find this awesome cardio workout you can pin for later!

We have lots of holiday cheer on the agenda this weekend: zoo lights, cookie decorating party, holiday party, and getting ready for Tucson travel adventures. Here are some faves from the week and around the web! As always, I love to hear your faves, too, so please shout it out (and feel free to link away) in the comments section.

A Day Date with this Handsome Guy.

Us at balboa

Balboa

Balboa

Tom and balboa

We spent the morning exploring Balboa park. It was the Pilot’s first time and I’ve only been once. We were excited to check it out together and pre-scan to see if Liv would enjoy it. There are so many fascinating exhibits and gorgeous natural surroundings.

Cue the Jurassic Park music.

Us at Balboa

Liv Cafe. They’re located in Hillcrest and have awesome fresh juices, salads and wraps. Their prices are reasonable, especially for juices; $6 for a large green lemonade with extra ginger.

Liv cafe

green lemonade with extra ginger

Oat, Egg and Banana Pancakes. Two eggs, one small mashed banana, 1/3 cup oats, cooked like pancakes.

protein pancakes

 (with berries, maple syrup and peanut butter)

Katie’s “HIIT It!” Shout Out! She also included one of my favorite cookie recipes, which is perfect for the holiday season. I’m so thankful to those of you who have helped me spread the word about “HIIT It!” Don’t forget, it’s the last chance to pre-order and get your free eBook, packed with family-friendly bonus recipes and workouts.

These New Jeans, which arrived in my Stitch Fix box. I’d been needing a new pair for a while, and these fit perfectly!

This Treadmill/Rowing OrangeTheory Workout. If you’re wondering what types of workouts we do in Orangetheory, here is an example from Sunday’s cardio! The goal of Orangetheory is to spend more of class in the green and orange zones (71-83% max heart rate, and 84-90% max heart rate) and this workout definitely does the trick. It went by so quickly, too! I know I’ll be giving it another whirl when I’m looking for cardio inspiration.

Orangetheory workout

25 Must-See Wedding Photos of 2014. 

Where Does Your Fat Go When You Lose Weight?

I Have Way Too Much Fun Braiding Liv’s Hair.

Braids

This Cute Pine-y Arrangement That the Pilot Picked Up.

Pine arrangement

Thumb News. I haven’t written much about it on the blog, but my hand has still been bothering me since I cut it; my thumb is still numb, and very weak. I can do most things, but it bothers me quite a bit during the day. I had an ultrasound this week, and turns out I did indeed cut entirely through a nerve and also cut my tendon. The good news is that I don’t need surgery (veryyyyyy relived to hear this), am going to have nerve testing which I’m kind of dreading. I get to be pricked by needles and then electricity goes through the needles? (The doctor lost me at “we’re going to put needles in your arm and hand.”) As a giant needle phobe, I can’t say I’m looking forward to it. We will rebuild.

What Happens When Your Groomsmen are Professional Dancers.

22 Best Movies of 2014. I’ve seen about 5% haha. Looks like a movie night needs to happen. 🙂

 I’d love to hear your faves from the week! What’s on the plan for this weekend??

Happy happy friday!

xo

Gina

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57 Comments

  1. Lauren @ The Bikini Experiment on December 19, 2014 at 4:36 am

    I am so sorry to hear about your hand! At least you got some answers and won’t be needing surgery. I have to check out the best movies – I am sure I missed quite a few too! Sending you healing thoughts. 🙂

  2. Betsy on December 19, 2014 at 4:47 am

    Thank you for sharing the wedding photos, they are so beautiful!

  3. Linda @ TheFitty on December 19, 2014 at 4:52 am

    Can you believe this is the last Friday before Chrietmas, and that exactly a week from now is boxing day?!

  4. Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat on December 19, 2014 at 4:55 am

    Yikes, sorry to hear about your thumb, Gina! I hope it’s all back to normal soon. On a more positive note, you’ve got me craving green lemonade with ginger SO hard right now! Haven’t had one in a while and I’m thinking the juicer will have to come out this weekend. 🙂 Happy Friday!

  5. clare @ fitting it all in on December 19, 2014 at 4:59 am

    I did that same OTF workout Sunday. Those inclines are killer!
    Happy weekend!

  6. Karina @ fitsickle on December 19, 2014 at 5:35 am

    Thank you so much for this workout! I love OT and will definitely be trying this! Have a great day!

  7. Cassie Vaughn on December 19, 2014 at 5:38 am

    Happy Friday!

  8. Amanda @ Slimplify Life on December 19, 2014 at 5:39 am

    Ah, I hope the thumb feels better! The wedding pic of the little kids holding hands is the sweetest thing I’ve ever seen. Actually dying over here.

  9. Lauren R. on December 19, 2014 at 5:51 am

    Okay I must be living under a rock cause I had no idea $6 is reasonable for a juice!!! LOL, I live in a small town with no juice bars so clearly I have no clue!!! I bet they are delicious so its probably for the best I can’t get one here, I would go broke 😉

    • Fitnessista on December 19, 2014 at 2:48 pm

      haha! at whole foods, a large juice can be 8 or 9 dollars. a huge reason why i prefer to make them at home!

  10. Beth on December 19, 2014 at 5:54 am

    OMG I’m so sorry about your thumb! The same thing kinda happened to my big toe. Last year in July I was at work and a large piece of glass fell on the top of my right foot. It ended up severing an artery and causing nerve damage so I won’t have feeling in my big toe for the rest of my life. It also *almost* went through a tendon that runs from the big toe all the way up the front of the leg. I didn’t have any control over my big toe so I had to get surgery a year ago the day after Christmas so they could reconnect it.

    ANYWAYS… the point of this comment was to tell you that before I went to see the ortho surgeon, I saw a neurologist because they thought my big toe wasn’t being responsive because of nerve damage. He had to perform an EMG and a nerve conduction study. I don’t want to scare you because I’m sure you have a greater pain tolerance than I do but oh man it hurt. They insert the needle into the muscle of interest which stings because, well, it’s a needle. But then he asked me to contract the muscle that the needle was in. He also performed a nerve conduction study. He stimulated the nerve by giving me an electrical shock through an electrode. It stung and made my entire leg jump every time he used it. You’re a strong mama though and I know you’re going to get fixed up in no time!

    • Fitnessista on December 19, 2014 at 2:48 pm

      awww MAN. i’m so sorry that happened to you :/
      the test sounds horrible… i’ll be glad when it’s over for sure!
      xoxo

  11. Brandy H. on December 19, 2014 at 6:26 am

    That juice looks yummy!!! Love green juice! And those wedding photo’s? Breathtaking!
    LOVE Liv’s hair, super cute!
    Glad you got some answers about your thumb, although the needles do not sound fun at all! Blah! At least there is no need for surgery! Hope it feels better soon!

  12. Kelly @ Laughter, Strength, and Food on December 19, 2014 at 7:32 am

    Love the pine arrangement! I tend to go ‘pine crazy’ around the holidays!

  13. char eats greens on December 19, 2014 at 7:52 am

    Oh boy, I’m sorry about the thumb 😐 I feel like I got over my needle fear during pregnancy, but now that my daughter’s two, I’m back in the fear stage again haha, so I feel ya. Good luck! I did Orange Theory for the first time last month and it was awesome!! Would definitely try out more! I think my very first Stitch Fix arrived yesterday. I need to go to the office today to pick up the package I missed (and reeeeally hoping that it is, indeed, for Stitch Fix!). Those pants look amazing. I would crawl into them and never come out! haha

    • Fitnessista on December 19, 2014 at 2:46 pm

      hahah that’s how i am, too! i was so brave when i was pregnant, and now i’m a weenie again.
      happy that you loved OTF! it’s so good 🙂

  14. Megan @ Skinny Fitalicious on December 19, 2014 at 8:11 am

    I’m so sorry about your hand. That test doesn’t hurt much other than the needles. Hopefully you can do some PT to rebuild strength. Nerves can repair themselves. Acupuncture helps too. I’ve been dealing with ankle pain for 3 months. Finally Mayo Clinic figured out this week it’s the beginning of a stress fracture. I’m so grateful it’s not cracked yet and was caught soon. I know what it’s like to be tossed from doctor to doctor for tests.

    • Fitnessista on December 19, 2014 at 2:46 pm

      thank you; i hope so, too! he said there’s an 80% chance the nerves will repair. i need to make it back to acupuncture! happy to hear that you caught the oncoming stress fracture and can heal. and yes, the doctor switcheroo can be frustrating. xoxo

  15. Ashley @ A Lady Goes West on December 19, 2014 at 8:37 am

    Hi Gina… that’s too bad about your thumb. I hope they can help you recover from it soon. At least you’re still able to do a killer braid on Livi. Happy weekend!

    • Fitnessista on December 19, 2014 at 2:44 pm

      yes, i’m glad it still works for the most part 🙂
      xoxo

  16. jodie on December 19, 2014 at 8:39 am

    Thanks for the links. Sorry about your hand, I feel your pain though. I too have been dealing with injury since April and have finally found a doctor that can help me ( he was my 5th doc), he says I will have to do a nerve test too, on my legs.

    Thanks for sharing that pancake recipe, I will be making that tomorrow.

    • Fitnessista on December 19, 2014 at 2:44 pm

      sending love to you! hope you like the pancakes, too 🙂

  17. Julie on December 19, 2014 at 9:10 am

    Love the wedding pics! (especially the one of the little kids holding hands, too!) Thx for sharing! Also made note of a few movies I need to see. 😉

    • Fitnessista on December 19, 2014 at 2:43 pm

      i loved them, too. so beautiful!! <3

  18. lucie on December 19, 2014 at 9:15 am

    Sorry to hear about your thumb, hopefully it gets better soon!
    I loved Balboa Park too when I was there in ’98!! So pretty.
    After being sick for 10 days now I can not wait to hit the CrossFit Box and the gym this weekend!!

    • Fitnessista on December 19, 2014 at 2:43 pm

      ahhhh! i hope you feel better soon!

  19. Kate @ SoCal Runner Gal on December 19, 2014 at 9:16 am

    For most of my 5 years in San Diego I’ve lived adjacent to Balboa Park and recently moved back over there so my runs are always through the park which is SO nice. Especially at Christmas time. 🙂

    I hope everything works out with your thumb. :-/ That testing does NOT sound fun! best of luck.

    • Fitnessista on December 19, 2014 at 2:43 pm

      AMAZING. it’s so beautiful!!
      thank you, friend <3

  20. april on December 19, 2014 at 9:30 am

    happy friday! ooh, i must plan a day trip to balboa. i live in the los angeles area and your posts always make me want to explore more of san diego 🙂

    eek! i’m a fellow needle phobe. sending you lots of good wishes!

    • Fitnessista on December 19, 2014 at 2:43 pm

      happy friday!! i’ll be making it up to your neck of the woods in a couple of weeks 🙂
      thank you for the good wishes, too <3 xoox

  21. Rose on December 19, 2014 at 9:40 am

    you may end up losing a bit of feeling. but it’s not so bad when you get used to it. I had a major surgery on my femur, to remove a cyst and correct a fracture and now I have a 10 inch scar on my thigh and the part under it is still a bit numb. this was 10 years ago! but now I hardly think about it, and i’m grateful that nothing worse happened.

    • Fitnessista on December 19, 2014 at 2:42 pm

      that’s ok; my thumb has been numb since it happened, so i’m slowly getting used to it.
      happy to hear that yours turned out ok and it doesn’t bother you anymore! same. it could have been so much worse; i’m glad the thumb is still there! xoxo

  22. Christina @ The Beautiful Balance on December 19, 2014 at 10:17 am

    I had the same breakfast but I blended mine before, so so good can’t get enough!

  23. Tracy on December 19, 2014 at 10:25 am

    Oh dear! You must have really cut your thumb! Don’t worry about the test. I actually had it done and it’s not as bad as it sounds! Try to imagine you’re getting acupuncture 🙂

    We’re so behind on movies, too. At least is makes for more DVD and Netflix choices in the future!

    • Fitnessista on December 19, 2014 at 2:41 pm

      glad to hear it’s not as bad as it sounds!! i will try to feel zen as it’s happening 😉
      xoxo

  24. Tammy on December 19, 2014 at 11:17 am

    I couldn’t help but laugh when I saw the picture of you and your hubby because it reminds me of mine and I side by side. In the summer his staple outfit is shorts and flip flops EVEN WHEN ITS COLD and I’ll wear pants, boots, sweater and a scarf. hahaha men! I wish I could steal the ability to always be warm. 😉

    • Fitnessista on December 19, 2014 at 2:40 pm

      hahaha why does that happen? he is ALWAYS warm and i’m frozen haha

  25. Kara H. on December 19, 2014 at 11:55 am

    Oh no! Thats terrible about your thumb. I hope you get good results back.

    I just found out my husband pre-ordered your book for me for Christmas!! Yeah, can’t wait.

    • Fitnessista on December 19, 2014 at 2:40 pm

      thank you <3
      so so awesome! i hope you love it!

  26. Chocolate-Covered Katie on December 19, 2014 at 12:47 pm

    I *heart* you. And am sending healing wishes your way!

    Her hair looks absolutely gorgeous! 🙂

    • Fitnessista on December 19, 2014 at 2:40 pm

      heart YOU, lovely!

  27. jessie on December 19, 2014 at 1:34 pm

    You may like this new plant-based restaurant that opened in Hillcrest, called Ritual Juicebox. Their prices are very reasonable. I heard about it from a friend. I no longer live there;( Anyway, thought you may want to check it out. My friend really enjoyed it and she usually doesn’t eat raw or vegan.

    Sorry to hear about your thumb! I had the same nerve test done to see if I had carpal tunnel or tendonitis in my hands. It is uncomfortable, but really it feels like a lot of twitching if that makes sense. Hope it turns out ok!

    • Fitnessista on December 19, 2014 at 2:39 pm

      i’m so glad you told me about it! i can’t wait to check it out 🙂
      glad to hear the test isn’t as bad as it sounds in my brain. xoxo

  28. Mary Garr on December 19, 2014 at 4:38 pm

    Aww, I just moved from San Diego to Virginia. And I miss it everyday. If you need recommendations for places/things to do, I would love to share 🙂 Have fun!

  29. Mary Beth on December 19, 2014 at 5:07 pm

    San Diego looks like so much fun! Test isn’t that bad. Bedsides the needles, the electricity feels kind of buzzy/vibration like. It doesn’t hurt, per se. I hope that puts you at ease. Hope it gets better!!

  30. Barb on December 19, 2014 at 6:27 pm

    My dad lives on Balboa Island (Newport Beach address), is this close to you?

  31. Ange on December 19, 2014 at 11:48 pm

    So after a workout you burp out the fat, now i have an excuse for burping :D.

  32. Brittany @ Fun on a Budget Blog on December 20, 2014 at 6:10 am

    That braid is adorable. My mom used to braid my hair like that when I was little and we would call it my “crown braid”. Ahh, memories 🙂

  33. Noelle on December 20, 2014 at 7:44 pm

    Great pictures! It makes me want to plan a trip down there soon!!!

  34. Amy Touchette on December 22, 2014 at 5:46 am

    I have had nerve testing done on both arms due to my carpal tunnel, and I’m a huge needle hater but I can honestly say it was not that bad. Uncomfortable, sure, but not painful. I’m sure you will do just fine! 🙂

    • Fitnessista on December 22, 2014 at 8:02 am

      that’s good to know- thank you!!

  35. Sarah @ KS Runner on December 22, 2014 at 10:24 am

    Are you having nerve conduction studies? If so I just had them done a month or so ago and was kinda nervous if they would hurt. Don’t google it, you will not be comforted by that, trust me because I did exactly that. They weren’t painful at all. A little prick with the needle (which are really small), then its just a weird feeling where your nerves twitch, it actually made me laugh when they did the first few.

  36. Amie on December 22, 2014 at 11:34 am

    Hi Gina,

    I have 2 QUESTIONS for you . . .

    1. What brand are those plates pictured with the pancakes on them? Love them! Pancakes look good too, but I’m allergic to bananas. 🙁
    2. I pre-ordered your book and thought it would be shipped earlier this month. I was planning on making ‘roons for Christmas. 🙁 any word on when it will be ready? Very sad that there will be no roons for xmas.

    • Fitnessista on December 22, 2014 at 4:49 pm

      hey girl! they are old but i got them at world market.
      i’m sorry your book isn’t there yet! the preorders were supposed to be shipped this week, so hopefully you will have it soon. if you are going to be baking tomorrow (or dehydrating) let me know and i’ll email you the recipe you’d like (blonde, chocolate, whatever!) 🙂 fitnessista at gmail

      • Amie on December 22, 2014 at 5:35 pm

        Ok thanks! I checked the status of my order in amazon and is says “not shipped” and I will be notified when item is in stock. Did u sell out? I pre-ordered way back in October. Anyway, I will email you. Thanks!!

        • Fitnessista on December 22, 2014 at 8:37 pm

          i’m not sure! i will email my editor and see what’s going. i’ve been getting texts all weekend from friends who have received their book, so hopefully yours will be there soon. and any recipe or info you need in the meantime, i’m happy to send it to you!

  37. circuit workout + wiaw | fitsickle on December 30, 2014 at 10:27 pm

    […] but I’m trying to just stick with my gym membership for now). In comes Fitnessista with this awesome workout. It’s very similar to the cardio portion of an Orangetheory class, and it […]

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