I bring a hair dryer to the gym.

I've become one of those people. Yes, those. The kind that bring all kinds of junk to the gym to get ready for the day. I'll admit it. I'm one of those gym snobs who thought that getting ready at the gym was silly. Why not go home? Why show the world how you roll? Sometimes, it's not that simple. Well, I'm officially one of those people. With good reason, I might add. I had to. Either that or look like a drowned rat all day.

Personally, I'll take the hair dryer.

I started Boot Camp today. I thought I was going to DIE. And I'm not even talking about the working out part yet. Waking up at 5:15am isn't glamourous. I don't know how Oprah or anyone else in their right mind does it on a daily basis. I love sleep. In fact, I might even dare to say, I cherish it. Let me have my sleep.

Well, it turns out that my will power won out. I decided to sign up for Boot Camp with AlaVie Fitness as a way to jumpstart my fitness program in these last handful of months leading up to the wedding. I've been pretty good about working out, I just needed to kick it up a notch. Shock my system, if you will.

Let me tell you, Internet, I was shocked. And then I about died again. No joke. As obscene as it was waking up when it was dark, having to work out when it's dark and cold is just as obscene. I didn't know how the ladies who started at 5:30am did it. They were finishing up and it was still dark. But I decided that I had plunked down the money, so I am going to do this.

The workout itself wasn't so bad, and it was nice to be in a small group. I sort of felt like the fat kid on the playground because I was last finishing up some sprints and drills. I didn't care. That's usually how I felt in high school when we had to run laps for the annual fitness test. That's usually how I feel anyway, nothing new. I must say, however, this was my first boot camp and all the other ladies had been before.

"It'll get better" they reassured me. "Good job for just making it out here!"

As dawn broke through the night sky to wake up those who were lucky enough to be sleeping, we continued our work out. I'm happy to report that I can jog without completely passing out, as I have been doing intervals outside and on the treadmill prior to this camp experience. Let's face the truth though, I was tired at the end. I was glad it was over. My head was steaming, literally. I guess I was really hot and the air was really cold. Oh Physics!

Then, in pure ghetto-fabulous style, I went across the street to 24Hour Fitness (I do have membership and frequent it) to freshen up. And I busted out my hairdryer. That's how I roll now.


Am I looking forward to tomorrow?

No.

And.

Yes.

I'm not digging the idea of another early morning, but I'm stoked that I'm doing this. I'm facing whatever hangups and fears and saying "Take that! I can do this!"

Tomorrow is the Fitness Test, a la high school fitness test...

Wish me luck!

Out of Excuses... onto Happy!

As my Glamour magazine suggests this month, I want to find my "happy" weight.

I've had a love/hate relationship with food my entire adolescence and into adulthood. In the last year, I've been able to incorporate exercise into my life about 3-4 times a week, which I know is more than most. However, my efforts in the food department have not been as successful. I read about meal plans, study health articles, and have all the intentions of eating healthy. But in one way or another, it never seems to pan out. Sad.

This year is going to be different. I feel it. It's only been eight days into the new year, but I have this vibe that 2008 is going to be life changing and I will be taking major positive strides. Maybe it's because I'm quickly approaching my quarter-life mark and I feel more in control of my life. I'm not sure, but I'm amped up by my 101 in 1001 list. I'm determined and motivated. Plus I'm out of excuses.

I've found someone who loves me, all of me, and in spite of me. That may sound weird, but he accepts me for the complete package. Wacky, silly, crazy, angry, and happy emotions and everything else. I can no longer say that no one will love me because of my size. That was and continues to be proven wrong by my wonderful boyfriend.

I have nowhere to go but forward. I'm changing my life this year!

New Workout

So I've ventured to a new kind of workout this week. I was getting tired of the same old routine in TurboKickbox at 24 Hour Fitness. I'm tired of the instructor, tired of the same routine every week, basically I just needed something new. Enter 24Aqua.

I guess I never really saw myself as doing water aerobics. I've done some water ballet in the past, but that is more like synchronized swimming than anything else. Water aerobics is all in its name--Aerobics in the water.

Then there's the question, who wants to get into a public pool with a bunch of strangers in their swimsuit, especially if they are shy? I do!

Quite frankly, the Water Aerobics class I take is not outside; it's in an indoor pool with the deepest point dipping to four feet. Therefore, unlike other public pools, there aren't too many onlookers besides the people in the jacuzzi.

I must admit that when I think of Water Aerobics, and when I asked around the office, the first thought in mind was senior citizens. Kind of like Jazzercize. You imagine older folks in their workout gear and sweatbands feeling the burn. This class isn't quite like that. The evening water class is mostly composed of middle aged women trying to get a good workout. There's no judgment just burned calories. Supposedly you can burn 350-550 calories. Woo hoo! Sounds like a good deal to me.