Orientation Day

Today was our orientation. I'm was really excited to meet the other contestants and find out how the program works but still a little anxious about the whole thing. I feel like I know nothing about fitness or what I should be doing. The sad part is that I've had nutrition in college and should know this. The sad reality is that I buy healthier food for my dogs than I do myself. Mom is down for vacation from North Carolina and she went with me for moral support. The whole thing was great and I was really surprised at the amount of information we were given. David spent a long time going over the different aspects of nutrition and we each got a packet with diet suggestions and food information. I was really surprised that we weren't being put on a strict diet. For some reason I had it in my head that we were. I think I was expecting the worst but I'm not sure why. Now I'm not saying that we aren't supposed to dramatically change the way we eat because we are. I was just expecting "for breakfast you will eat 1/2 cup of this with 1/4 cup of that with no alternatives." Instead the gave us recommended times to eat (breakfast, am snack, lunch, pm snack and dinner) and suggested foods that we could have at each time. Each week we get a cheat day where we are allowed to eat anything that we want. The only exception is that we are not allowed to have sodas, fried foods or fast foods at all. I think this is something that I can really start and stick to. We were also assigned our trainers and will be contacted by them later in the week to set up workout times. We will be working with our trainers on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and with the group on Tuesdays and Thursdays. They are also trying to plan a couple of Saturdays to have fun group activities. We also are going to have blood work run either this Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday and our fit tests on Thursday morning at 8am. I'm getting more excited as each day passes to get started on this!

The Beginning

And so it begins. The long journey to a better me. Isn't that how it usually goes? Doesn't everyone say that when they're ready to get in shape? But it's true this time. I've finally taken that first step towards actual progress. I know, you've heard it all before, right? And you must be wondering what this first step is. Did I join a gym? Did I purge the junk food from the pantry? Did I make a list of the "better for me meals" that I am going to make for the next month? No. At least not yet. I filled out an application for the MaretHouse Fitness Challenge that Candy 95 has been broadcasting for the last several weeks. And not just that. I actually turned it in with hopes that I would be one of the contestants. Then to my surprise after pretty much giving up, I was called in for an interview. I was more than just a little nervous about this interview. Would I be what they were looking for? Would I have the right answers? Could I really do this? Would they like me? Would I like them? Am I really ready for this? Are they going to be mean to me? See, the main thing I was really nervous about is that I had no idea what exactly I was trying to sign up for. I knew it was a fitness challenge that involved personal trainers but that was about it. So I went to the interview and answered the questions honestly. I gave up the pretense of being who they might like or want and just went as me. I didn't know what to think as I left the interview. They were really nice but I wasn't sure if I made a good impression or not. I did know that I forgot to ask one important question. When were the contestants going to be announced? For some reason, I just couldn't call and ask. Then one morning, while I was listening to Frido and Allie on the morning show, David came on to help announce the winners. My hopes fell. I knew I wasn't one of the contestants since I did not get a call. I tried to be positive and feel happy for the people who were picked but it was almost impossible. As I listened to each essay being read, I realized these people were the right choice. At the same time, I knew I would have to change the radio station when each progress report came through. I had missed my chance. But then as I listened to the next essay, I realized that this person was very much like me. She had a history of illness in her family, a full time job, no time for herself....wait, this was me! I was in! This was my essay! I was immediately filled with so much excitement that I literally jumped up and down. Then I called my mother to tell her that I was chosen. By the way, this was around 7:45 in the morning and mom was still fast asleep. (She didn't care, though.) I finished listening to the other contestants with what can only be described as complete giddiness. It still didn't sink in until David from MaretHouse called a few minutes later to congratulate me. I was going to do it. I was going to start a program and finally get in shape for good. What did I just get myself into?