As the temperature cools and seasons are changing, try this workout either on the track or treadmill. It will scorch some calories, build some muscle, add some endurance, and even help increase your running pace.

5 min warm up walk/jog

Run 1 mile

20 Pushups

Run 1/2 mile

20 jump squats or switch lunges

Run 1/4 mile

20 Burpees

Run 1/4 mile

20 jump squats or switch lunges

Run 1/2 mile

20 pushups

Run 1 mile

5 min cool down walk 

** One cycle= 3 miles. Challenge yourself and repeat the cycle for a 7 mile run and dynamic strength work out.

** Try to increase your pace each running distance. Example: 1 mile 6 mph, 1/2 mile 6.5mph, 1/4 mile 7mph

**Not a "runner"? You can still follow this pattern on a stationary bike or walking.

Top 10 Workout Songs of 2013

Here it is!  Orriant’s Top 10 Workout Songs of 2013…which one is your favorite?

1. Katy Perry- Roar
2. Alicia Keys- Girl on Fire
3. Imagine Dragons- Radioactive
4. Avicii- Wake Me Up!
5. P!nk- Try
6. Taylor Swift- Knew You Were Trouble
7. Selena Gomez- Come & Get It
8. Icona Pop- I Love It
9. Maroon 5- Somebody
10. Neon Tress- Everybody Talks

Orriant Advanced Cardio 4

Here is another "Finish In Minutes Workout".

Warm Up

Advanced Cardio 4

Cool Down

Orriant Advanced Cardio 3

Here is another "Finish In Minutes Workout" from Orriant:

Warm Up

Advanced Cardio #3

Cool Down

Orriant Advanced Workout #3

Here is the third advanced edition of Orriant's "Finish In Minutes Workout."

Warm Up

Advanced Upper and Lower Body Strength

Cool Down

Here are all the workouts, in case you missed one!

Beginner 1

Beginner 2

Beginner 3

Intermediate 1

Intermediate 2

Advanced 1

Advanced 2

Orriant Advanced Workout #2

Here is the second advanced workout from Orriant's "Finish In Minutes."

Warm Up

Advanced Cardio

Cool Down

Don't forget to try out the other workouts that you missed!

Beginner 1

Beginner 2

Beginner 3

Intermediate 1

Intermediate 2

Advanced 1

Orriant Advanced Workout #1

Here is the first advanced "Finish In Minutes Workout":

Warm Up

Advanced Cardio

Cool Down

Don't forget to try out the previous workouts from Orriant!

Beginner 1

Beginner 2

Beginner 3

Intermediate 1

Intermediate 2

Orriant Intermediate Workout #2

Here is another intermediate "Finish In Minutes Workout."

Warm Up

Intermediate Full Body Strength

Cool Down

Orriant Intermediate Workout #1

Last week, we started you off with beginner workouts.  Try this new intermediate "Finish In Minutes Workout".

 Warm Up

Intermediate Cardio

Cool Down

Orriant Beginner Workout #3

Here is the third installment of Orriant's "Finish In Minutes Workout."

Warm Up 

Beginner Cardio Strength

Cool Down

If you missed the others, don't forget to try Beginner Workout #1 and Beginner Workout #2!

Orriant Beginner Workout #2

Here is another Orriant beginner "Finish In Minutes Workout!"

Warm Up

Beginner Plank Workout

Cool Down

If you missed the first beginner workout, click here!

Orriant Beginner Workout #1

Orriant's "Finish In Minutes Workouts" are finally here!

Click here for a Tabata Intro

Don't forget to start with the warm up and finish with the cool down!

Warm-Up

Beginner Cardio Workout

Cool Down

Fall Freedoms

We have all heard how important diet and exercise are when it comes to our health. Consuming nutritious foods and getting a regular amount of physical activity can have tremendous benefits when it comes to fighting off diseases and having a higher quality of life. But did you know that stress can have just as much of an influence on your health? Studies have shown that stress can worsen or increase the risk of conditions such as obesity, heart disease, Alzheimer's, diabetes, gastrointestinal problems, and even depression and, asthma. But with our hectic schedules and various responsibilities, how can we not be stressed? This is where “Zen” comes in.

 Zen

Zen began as a form of Buddhism with an emphasis on the values of meditation and intuition. It emphasizes that a person be aware, at peace, and free from the distractions of the material world. Ultimately, mastering Zen means that you are experiencing reality fully but not letting it stress you out! We experience many high-stress situations on a daily basis. Utilizing Zen can help you cope with these situations without skyrocketing your stress levels. And the good news is, you can even do it in the comfort of your own desk.

Creating a “Zen Den”

It has been shown in numerous studies that stress at work is by far the greatest source of stress for American adults. This trend has continued to worsen over the past few decades as workplace demands have increased. What better place to create a Zen Den? A Zen Den can be whatever you want it to be. It is a place for you to find a few minutes of calm among the chaos and just relax.

Below are several ideas to help you create a Zen Den of your own:

1. Stop and take some deep breaths. Inhale, then slowly exhale for twice as long as the inhalation. Repeat this process for a minute.

2. Put in headphones and listen to some music.

3. Find a room to stretch or just sit in silence for a few minutes to clear your mind.

4. Put up pictures of your family or friends on your desk or work area.

5. Close your eyes and focus on the positive; what went well today?

These are just a few tips to help you cope with stressful situations in a way that will not be detrimental to your health. These simple activities can have a lasting impact on your overall physical and mental well-being. Why not try falling into some stress-free freedom in your personal Zen Den? 

Recipe of the Month

Peanut Butter Oat Granola Bites

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup rolled oats
• 2 tablespoons unsalted, roasted sunflower seeds
• 2 tablespoons pistachios, chopped
• 1/4 cup dried cranberries, chopped
• 1/4 cup dried blueberries, chopped
• 2 tablespoons ground flaxseed
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
• 1/4 cup chunky peanut butter
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:

In a large bowl, combine all ingredients making sure to evenly distribute all the ingredients. Roll some of the dough between your hands, if it sticks together it is ready to go. If it feels too dry then add a bit more peanut butter or honey. If it is too wet add extra oats or flaxseed.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Roll a heaping tablespoon of dough into a 1½-inch ball and then place it on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with the remainingdough. Chill in the refrigerator at least 30 minutes before serving. Store in airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. 

Kickboxing | Spinning | Zumba©

You’ve heard the raves and seen the crowds. Perhaps you’ve wondered what all the fuss is about!? Here are just a handful of reasons group fitness rocks!

STRUCTURE: With few exceptions, each group fitness class includes the three components of a well-rounded workout: warm-up, training (the “workout”), and cool down. You get the whole package! And because group fitness operates on a strict schedule, you’ll have to plan ahead of time to make it happen (hint: The things that get scheduled are the things that get done!).

UNITY: Uniting a group around a common goal brings an energy to your workout that you just can't mimic on the machines. At least for the duration of the class, you’re all in it together!

VARIETY: With offerings ranging from boot camp to hula dancing, there’s something for just about everyone. Even within the same class format, each instructor has his or her own style. If you don’t feel comfortable with a certain instructor, check the schedule for other options before giving up on the class entirely.

FLEXIBILITY: Just like any group setting, you will see all kinds of shapes, sizes and fitness levels around you. Most instructors will demonstrate the same moves at different “levels” or intensities so you can make it your own. Pace yourself. Feel free to opt-out of any move you feel uncomfortable with. Just keep moving!

RESULTS: You'll naturally push yourself a little harder and a little longer in a group fitness class because you'll have more adrenaline—and because someone else is calling the shots! Additionally, most classes follow an interval format, with a few minutes of higher intensity work followed by a recovery phase. As a result, you’ll burn more calories than you would during a typical, steady pace workout. For best results, participate in several different class formats to keep your workouts fresh and avoid adaptation (the dreaded plateau!). 

Sweet Punch Romaine Lettuce Smoothie

Ingredients

• 1 cup ice
• 1 cup non-dairy milk (oat, rice, soy, almond, hemp, coconut, or raw nut or seed milk)
• 1 cup strawberries
• 1 banana or 1 cup of mango or 1 small mango
• 1 cup pineapple
• 1 apple
• 1 cup chopped romaine lettuce, tightly packed or 2 cups loosely packed (or Spinach or any other mild greens)
• 2 tablespoons pumpkin seeds (or ground flaxseeds if you don’t have a powerful blender)
• ½ cup dried apricots (or any other dried fruit which can also be presoaked for a smoother blend)
• 1 cup of oats (ground the oats into flour before adding the other ingredients to make it smoother)

Instructions
Blend the ingredients in the order listed. Add more water if required to
thin it out. Substitute any of the ingredients for whatever you already have.
Makes 4-5 servings.

Stuck in a Rut?

You know those little nagging thoughts that creep up while waiting in the drive through

line? -“Ugh, this stuff can’t be good for me.” “What am I teaching my kids?” “Here I go blowing the food budget again.” “Something has got to give.” “This is not the rut I want to be in.”

 It happens to all of us. The busy rush of day-to-day life often crowds out one of the most important parts of the day - meal time. So, what do we do in a pinch? Hit the drive through, grab a pizza, or order take-out. Something that used to be an occasional indulgence is now part of our regular routine. We know better, but DOING better is the tricky part. Start Small! Don’t overhaul everything all at once. Pick one meal each week, or each day, and commit to eating at home, or brown-bagging it on a regular basis.

Have a Plan. If you wait until 5:00pm to think about your dinner plans, chances are your dinner is waiting under a heat-lamp somewhere. Start asking yourself, “What’s for dinner?” a lot earlier. Even get a little crazy and plan a weekly menu.

Write it down so you can do the small prep work ahead of time. You can pull something out of the freezer, or toss something in a crock pot in the morning.

Grocery Shop. This is where the rubber meets the road. Make a date with yourself to grocery shop on a regular basis. Plan simple, quick meals that include the basics: lean meats, fruits and vegetables, whole grains. Avoid pre-made meals or TV dinners that contain unnecessary calories and sodium.

Keep it Simple. Don’t plan fancy meals. Let’s be honest, the stuff you have been picking up isn’t too fancy either. Choose foods on the perimeter of the grocery store (excluding the donuts), that is typically where the fresh items are. What’s a simple meal? Try grilling some chicken or steaming up a quick vegetable. It doesn’t take long to prepare healthy food at home. Maybe even less time than it takes to run out and grab something.

Walk on the Wild Side. Try new things. Break out of your old routine and see what else is out there. Try a new recipe once a month and see if it can make it into your regular rotation.

Use Paper Plates. While not always environmentally friendly, neither is all of the packaging that your fast food order comes in. Make your meal clean-up at home a breeze by simplifying a bit, at least while you transition to eating at home more.

Cook Once, Eat Twice. One favorite tip would be to cook more than you would eat at one meal. Put the leftovers in the fridge to use for another meal. For example, grilled salmon on Monday could lead to fish tacos on Wednesday. Or a roast in a crock pot one night can mean a quick roast beef sandwich on another night. Get rid of your guilty conscious by getting reacquainted with your kitchen at home. Your meals will be healthier, your family time can improve, and you will save a few bucks in the process. Start small, you can do it!

A New ‘Spin’ on Life

Exercise can be fun when it is something you enjoy and makes you feel good. That is what one employee from South Shore Medical learned after attending a spin class 3 days each week for the last month. She has tried a lot of different exercises and workout options throughout this year, and has now found something that she really enjoys. She said after completing a spin class she feels much better throughout the day and very accomplished knowing she burned more than 600 calories.

A healthy diet and calorie control is also a part of her daily routine. She is getting closer every month to her weight loss goal. After calling her Orriant Health Coach this past month, she got a few extra tips about the importance of weight training. She now plans to add some different weight training exercises to her routine to make sure she stays on track and makes her weight loss goal before her birthday. With her persistence and daily healthy habits, she’s got it made!

Don't forget to check out Orriant's website!

Zumba Fitness

Exercise is one of the more efficient ways to improve your physical and mental well-being. To break past the frustrations exercise can sometimes bring, it is important to find ways to make exercise fun. No matter your age, limitations, or fitness levels there are enjoyable ways to fit in physical activity and get you feeling better every day.

Sure, pounding on a treadmill day after day may not be everyone's idea of a good time, so why not try a more low impact yet high yield workout like dancing? Dance is once again becoming a favorite form of exercise across countries, largely due to the new trend called Zumba. It all started in the mid 90's when the founder forgot his music for a traditional aerobics class he was teaching, so he was forced to improvise using the tapes he had in his backpack.  Those tapes consisted of salsa inspired music. Spontaneously he created a new kind of dance-fitness that focused on letting the music move you. The class loved it! That day a new concept was born, Zumba Fitness.  Their slogan is "Ditch the workout, join the party!" The first class  has since evolved over  the years and now incorporates hip-hop, salsa, belly dance moves, squats and lunges to name a few. Zumba classes are being offered in over 140,000 locations around the world in over 150 countries. If you would like to find a class near you, visit their website zumba.com and click the link "Find a class" on the top banner. Need another reason to join the trend?

"Dancing (including Zumba) is great for your heart, improves your balance and joint stability, helps prevent osteoporosis, and burns calories," according to Dr. Sperling of WebMD. “If you danced 60 minutes a day, you could lose an additional 10 to 12 pounds in a year” (WebMD, Fitness Basics). The more intense the dance is, the higher your heart rate will be and the more calories you will burn. The key is to move your whole body.

 If you are not comfortable diving right into a Zumba class, you can purchase Zumba DVD's to follow along to in the comfort of your own home. You could even search online for dances to follow along to, or create a playlist of your favorite tunes and be your own choreographer. If you need a nudge to get to a class, invite a friend or co-worker to join you.

Most importantly remember that exercise doesn't have to be boring! You can make it fun. Look for ways to change up your routine from time to time to keep it exciting. Don't be afraid to let dance be part of that routine.

www.orriant.com