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Some inaugural post thoughts: So I started the Stronglifts program about a week ago. Let me just say for anyone starting a lifting program from scratch (i.e. the rest of you is not fit, either), you will be hurrrrrrting for the first three days or so. I mean, it's not like I'm not sore today from my workout yesterday, but I can walk without grunting every step. Also... this is fun. Like, really fun. It's not something you're likely going to be able to just walk up an be excellent at it, but even the soreness and the crummy beginner technique struggles are just... fun! I would most definitely encourage every woman I've ever encountered to squat with a bar at least once in their life. It fosters a sense of empowerment that not many things can provide. I felt more like a badass after lifting for the first time than after I've sung a whole opera. Alsoalso, the amount of people trying to give me their insightful fitness advice is astounding!! I have been on a vast multitude of different workout programs and diets in the past and at no point ever has EVERYONE seemed to have an opinion on how best to configure my workouts and how my body is going to respond. NO, people, I am not going to get bulky. I am not eating anywhere close to enough to "bulk up." And NO, dumb gym guy, using the Smith machine will NOT improve my form so I can use the bar after I "get used to it." Jeez. Anyway, that's some of my most basic thoughts on the matter starting out. For some stats, I have done three Stronglifts workouts so far and I'm excited for next week's 6 week challenge. My first ever! Squat: 50lb Bench: 50lb Barbell Row: 50lb Overhead Press: 45lb Deadlift: 95lb I'm going to head out and enjoy my recovery day now.

Woooooo first challenge!! I'm really excited to get in on this challenge thing for several reasons: 1) Accountability - Everyone's friend when faced with junk food or skipping workouts. 2) Motivation - Woots and Huzzahs are to be freely given and received and that contributes to Reason 1. 3) Community - I haven't been entrenched in an online community in several years, and I miss it! The shared goals and trials are the best of things that bind us together! Soooo…. I got engaged yesterday!! Hooray!! See? That white dress is, from what everyone tells me, one of the strongest motivators that you'll ever encounter. I'm going to take that and run with it. New Workout Program + Wedding in 8 months = GREAT time for a Nerd Fitness Challenge! Main Quest: Get into a (street) size 8 by my wedding (currently) slated for late March 2014 Goal #1: Workout Keep going with Stronglifts (which I love) and not go more than two days in a row without lifting. The progression through the nature of the workout itself should take care of making adding weight a part of the goal. It'll just happen because I'm lifting. Cool. I'll take measurements and starting weight Monday and track that weekly. Goal #2: Diet Eat a combination of Whole30 and Paleo 100% for 6 days a week. The remaining day will be still mostly Paleo, but I can have a candy bar or something. No going crazy, but hopefully that "cheat" day will help me not have dreams of eating a four foot tall pretzel (that really happened last time I did Whole30). Goal #3: Diet (sort of) Cut almost all fluid intake that isn't water. I.e. No sodas, sweet teas, boozes, etc. I will possibly make an exception for chocolate milk, which is apparently a great recovery food for after a workout? (Anyone else heard this? I mean, I'll definitely take it…) I'll allow one glass of something else per day MAX. Life Quest: SAVE! This wedding isn't going to fund itself, so I am going to commit to putting $75 per paycheck into savings for the wedding. If I do that every paycheck until the wedding, I'll have contributed $1,200. This is good, given my father's predetermined budget and my less than frugal nature. Zoiks. It would appear that I have my work cut out for me. See you on the boards and here we go!!

"Long time reader, first time writer, blah blah blah..." Ever since my friend introduced me to Nerd Fitness and Paleo several years ago, I have had an on again, off again interest in and/or focus on fitness. The only thing I played in high school was the clarinet, so as you can imagine, I am unfamiliar with the concept of being "in shape" with regard to endurance and stamina of physical activity. All that said, after I read Staci's story, it has been in the back of my brain that I wanted to lift heavy. It percolated in my mind for quite a while, and then a few weeks ago, I verbailzed it. That just pushed me to finally get serious and give it an honest go. I got a 14 day pass to the gym closest to me, and when I went in to get the low down on how everything worked, the guy in charge asked me if I'd ever been a member of a gym before. I told him no and he said, "So what brings you in?" I told him that I needed access to the rack and the olympic bar. He is caught off guard to say the least, and says, "Uh... um... well, were you involved in sports in school?" Nope. "Then... what are you wanting to do?" "Lift heavy." He can't even process this. He basically just shakes off the whole encounter and is like, "Let me show you around..." It was hilarious and awesome and about twenty minutes later, I did my first squat with the bar. I am loving the simplicity of Stronglifts and its no nonesense approach to getting stronger and living better. I am totally in on the next 6 week challenge, and I'm excited to have a dedicated place I can geek out about my squat form and people geek out with me instead of telling me that I'm going to get "too bulky." HA. Jokes on you, suckers.