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!

Nike + iPod!

I decided that to make better on my goals to get my butt moving in the next 8 1/2 months before the wedding, I would invest in this cool little gadget. I bought the Nike shoes a while ago with the intentions of getting the little device. Well, months later I finally got around to it and it's awesome! So far, I've only completed two workouts, with a time goal, but I'm looking forward to knocking out goals down the road. Check out my little widget. When you plug the iPod into the computer, it uploads all the stored workout data to Nike.com. Easy peasey. I'm kicking it up a notch as we get closer to the wedding!

Staying Motivated

My biggest and most difficult goal this new year has been to lose weight. Since I returned from Europe 3 summers ago, I packed on the weight I lost and then some. America is fat by virtue. But this year, I decided that it was time and have concentrated my efforts not only in exercise, but revamping my diet as well. It has totally paid off! As of this morning, I have lost 9 pounds!

This is more than I've been able to lose in the last three years, I feel like a big loser! In the Biggest Loser sense, that is. This small success motivates me to keep going, even when I don't feel like it. Logging and counting calories has helped tremendously, mostly because I can be a control freak, and this helps with my control tendencies. Exercise is totally second nature to me (finally!) and I have been going 4-5 days a week. I'm so pleased that I'm making progress. There's nothing more discouraging than not getting anywhere... (i.e. me in the last few years).

I knew 2008 was going to be great!

My Relationship with Food.

I love food. I'm pretty sure that it loves me back, especially when it tries to get all up close and personal with me on my hips, thighs, and belly.

This year, I'm evaluating my relationship with food. I'm trying to become a conscious eater and think about what I'm putting into my body. My goal is to make progress this year with my efforts concentrated on improving my eating habits and continuing my exercise regime.

Growing up, we used to eat fast food after school. Since my mom had to work a lot, we'd have to stay in extended care, or as I like to call it, the Land of Watered Down Punch and Raisins. I came to despise little boxes of raisins after those years. So fast food was always a treat. I didn't know anything about all the calories that were packed in McDonald's Happy Meals or a #5. It all just tasted good. I didn't know that I was basically drinking pure sugar and then letting it develop into junk in my trunk by sitting watching TV. Looking back, I wish I had said no. I remember now why we used to give up fast food for Lent. It was probably the best sacrifice we could have made.

All through college I ate whatever I wanted. At one point I tried the Atkins diet, and I did lose 8lbs. However, as soon as I had my first delicious carbohydrate, 10lbs found their way back to my midsection. I studied abroad in France and ate everything I desired. But since I had to walk everywhere, sometimes miles a day, when I got back to the US, I had lost almost 20lbs! Without even noticing. Unfortunately, re-entry into Fatsoville, I mean the good old USA, brought on the return of those lost pounds.

Finally, now that I'm out of college and feel much more in control of my life, I've developed an exercise routine. Exercise has not been my stumbling block. It's all the food and appropriate serving sizes. I've belonged to the Clean Plate Club my whole life. It's only in the last few weeks that I've been testing my stomach and metabolism. I've learned that I can get by without all the sugar and fats. Eating one cookie slowly provides (almost) the same amount of satisfaction as cramming 5 cookies down my throat.

I love food and will continue to love it. I know I could never become anorexic. As much as I don't like being fat, my love for food outweighs starving myself. Like they say about everything, moderation is key. It's going to happen in 2008. Lots of great things.

Motivation, not just another noun.

Ah motivation. My coworker told me about this website SparkPeople.com which has some great resources and support networks for getting back to a healthy lifestyle and finding your "happy" weight. It's the first website I've seen that's totally free, but provides above average resources.

You enter in your goals and SparkPeople will generate an exercise and meal plan based on your answers. You can modify your goals, fitness, and meal plans as needed. You can read articles about health, fitness, and motivation. There are little quizzes and polls, and interactive activities that keep the site fun. It also has the social networking aspect where you have a "page" where you can describe your goals, your program, and why you joined Spark. You can comment on the pages, post to the message boards, and join groups. As opposed to a social networking site like MySpace - where skanks and child predators play, this site is more inspirational and motivational than any other. I especially enjoy reading success stories.

I'm motivated. Now with the support of three coworkers, we're all embarking on a similar journey. Thanks SparkPeople!

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!