The OTF Transformation Challenge has come to an end. I lost approximately 15 pounds, which is great! I may not win, but I gave it my best. I’ve lost 21 pounds since I began Orangetheory, but my shape is different. I’ve rearranged my form, built muscle, lost fat and gained strength and endurance.

OTF is the only exercise program that I have stuck with longer than a week and a half in the past twelve years. April 1st will be five months! I love it. I hope to continue it.

When I was in high school, I was told I had good arms. I was active in swimming, soccer and working out at Fitness Today in Concord, a ladies only gym. My friend Jessica and I joined at the same time; she wanted to maintain her fitness post swim season. I wanted to do something new and fun with Jess.

Many girls from my high school joined Fitness Today and it became the place for us to workout and gossip. Jessica even got a job there! I enjoyed working out, using the weight machines and, really, just the vibe of the place.

The vibe of Orangetheory is very different from Fitness Today. It’s more energetic, louder, darker and sweatier. Fitness Today was where you went to socialize and if you got a little sweaty, well, all the better. It was the senior water aerobics class to OTF’s high intensity spin class–these are metaphors. OTF doesn’t do spin class and Fitness Today didn’t have a pool.

That being said, I feel like I’ve found a community at OTF, similar to what I felt at Fitness Today. The people aren’t my lifelong friends like Jessica, but we’re on this journey together. We are IN IT. The community is supportive, the coaches are great and I love it, and even if I don’t love every workout, I always love the way I feel when I’m done.

Now if only I could get those, “Good Arms” back, I’ll be happy!