I had my first workout today of the Fit For You Weight Loss Challenge. The first day of 8 weeks. The gym provides you all the tools…you just have to do it. So our trainer today thought it would be a good idea to work our upper body. I guess I haven’t worked my upper body in a while because when I got into my car to leave, I couldn’t make my arms go in a cohesive movement. Don’t worry, I was not in any danger of causing an accident. But man, if you can feel your workout an hour and half afterwards and it impairs your driving…you know you’ve had a good workout!

Me at La Jolla Cove, California, February 2009

I’m a registered dietitian and yes, I’m a big girl. I’ve not always been this way, but life happens and here I am. I struggle with my weight all the time but I feel this helps me connect with my clients better. I can feel their struggles and I can feel their frustrations.

I’ve heard all the excuses: I’m too busy; healthy foods are too expensive; I’m taking medications that make me gain weight; I have thyroid problems. I’ve heard more than this but these are most common. The thing is…these all apply to me as well. I work crazy hours and I don’t necessarily have time to cook. Healthy foods can be expensive but I’d rather spend a bit more on fruits and veggies and enjoy them versus more money on a hospital bill because I didn’t enjoy them. I, too, am taking medications that make me gain weight – two actually and actually don’t make the hormone that promotes lean muscle tissue. And I have thyroid problems. But despite all this, I know that when it comes right down to it, if I exercise regularly my weight comes off. I focus on at least three meals daily and exercise daily for at least an hour or so. I’ll admit, it’s hard for me to stay focused sometimes and I fall out of my routine.

I’m not perfect and don’t claim to be. That’s why I joined the Fit For You Weight Loss Challenge. For those of you who have seen the Biggest Loser, picture that but with twice as many Bobs and Jillians. My trainer appeared to be quiet and reserved when I first met her but she went all Jillian on me at our workout today. It was great!! I love natural strength training workouts and I love to feel the aches and pains from it the next day. Makes me feel like I’ve done something.

As I keep you updated over the next 8 weeks, my challenge to you is: put the excuses away and find what defines a good workout for you!