week one

Today marks the end of my very first week of training with Fitness Together. I'm loving the personal service I'm getting during my sessions, but most importantly, I'm grateful for the support that I receive from the Fitness Together team outside of the studio. Each day, I send along an email with my daily food intake, and in return, I receive comments about my meal choices along with suggestions for improving each meal. It also keeps me from making bad choices, which I'll readily admit is a bit difficult in these early stages. But knowing that I have to admit to what I've put in my body each day, keeps me accountable.

The Nutrition Evaluation with Julian was quite insightful and he explained it all in a way that didn't frighten me. He wants me to enjoy my meals... every aspect: from selecting good foods, to preparing and cooking, and of course, eating my meals. He doesn't want me to fear food. And this, I love. Having struggled most of my life with my weight, I have never really allowed myself to enjoy my food, because with eating, came guilt. That has not been the case this past week. In fact, I have been eating more than I think I ever have, and I am enjoying each meal with no guilt for the first time in my life. And it feels great. I need it for sustenance, to keep my body going. And because I know that I'm giving my body what it needs, in the most healthy way possible, I can allow myself to enjoy it.

You'll find a new link to the right... my photo food journal. It might be a bit obsessive, but I have been photographing each meal and snack to show just how easy it all can actually be to eat well.

More on the actual training sessions in the studio a bit later, because believe me, I have a lot to say on the matter!

pre-countdown countdown

Two days and counting!

On Thursday, I will begin my journey with the Fitness Together team. This blog will serve as home to my experiences, motivations, successes (fingers crossed!), and even struggles, throughout my 12-week Flab to Fit program.

To introduce myself then... I am Melinda: 33-year-old single mother, full-time student, part-time intern, and wanna-be design geek, looking to regain the healthy lifestyle that I set aside in order to maintain the busy schedule I have put upon myself over the last four years.

You will find nothing but the complete truth among the pixels you view here, as I will be facing many hard truths that I have long been denying to myself in order to maintain the status quo to get through each day. I have decided that 'getting by' is not acceptable to me anymore. I will take responsibility for my health and my well-being, no matter how busy or crazed I may be, with the help of Julian and the rest of the Fitness Together team. And I have no doubt that I will continue to carry with me the lessons I learn long after the program ends.

But first, the beginning...