Name of the game: SORE

Well, last night kicked my butt! My first ever booty camp may have been the hardest physically draining thing I have ever done. Although I found it really hard and didn't seem to be able to complete everything with the ease and grace I had hoped, I did get the best workout I have ever had. For those who don't know what bootycamp is like, this is how my experience went!

First, I got there a little early - to make sure I knew exactly where to go and to get myself pumped. There was a class just finishing, so I sat back and watched them. I almost left - it looked so hard and I kept thinking, how am I supposed to do that??? Well, it was time for my class. As the other ladies strolled away. I set up my mat and met some of the girls in my group. Everybody is really nice and most of all, everybody except one girl (who was really motivational to us!) had never done bootycamp before. We were all virgins - that helped a lot! I didn't feel alone - I felt like I could do it because they could do it!

So - we started. Within minutes I was sweating and I hate to sweat. I didn't want the other girls to think I was really bad and out of shape, so I pushed myself to keep going and push past the sweat. Within a couple more minutes we were doing push-ups. Now, let me tell you - I don't do push-ups and can't even do a real one. I can only do them on my knees. I was thrilled to see that almost everybody else was doing them on their knees! Success - I did them. By this time, my arms were burning - so it was a welcome change to do some lunges. Never say that phrase again! I had no idea how many types of lunges there could be. HARD! I am sweating through my clothes (thank God I wore black) and everything was shaking. I thought I was going to throw up. Well, then we had to run. Oh gosh, more running, but this time it was zig zags. Then back to do more triceps, lunges, push-ups, abs, legs, running, lunges, lunges, lunges - ahhh stretch!

I have never felt so many feelings at once: throw-up, shake, burn, don't be a baby, don't disappoint, other people are doing it so can you, remember your wedding dress, if your sister can do it so can you, ouch this hurts, oh I can't breathe, no I can do this, count out loud, find something to focus on, there are so many bugs, breathe, you're doing it, crap you just fell, get back up, drink some water, no you'll have to pee, stop thinking and just work work work work, wow we're done and I want more!

So here are my thoughts, you will surprise yourself. You don't have to athletic to do bootycamp. You don't have to be able to do push-ups. You don't have to know how to do anything, they teach you and push you to your breaking point and then a little above that. At one point I felt like giving up - I was dripping with sweat, my legs felt like jelly and I thought I was going to throw up but I was pushing past it and trying to do the best I could do. They don't ask for more! The other girls are a great motivation. I am excited to get to know them and most of all change our bodies together. Working out in a community fills some social need I have but pushes me to do my best. I can't give up because I'd be letting these girls down and we can push each other to succeed. We are all there for different reasons, but we can help each other push past the pain and reach our goals.

Finally I just want to say how AMAZING my instructor Sandra is. Not only is she a great example of how to be fit and own your body, she pushes you past where you think you can go. She doesn't yell at you or make you feel stupid, rather she holds your head up and gives you the perfect motivation. I am so lucky to have her teaching me and showing me how to succeed. I do not want to disappoint her - so I am going to work as hard as possible! I will make her proud!!!

So with that I say, don't quit and don't give up! You can do it - and you can make a difference in your body. Focus on what you want and push past the pain. The next day you will feel sore - so sore in fact that I did not do my hair today - hurt to much to put my hands up. BUT it's worth it. I feel really confident that I can drop the inches and tone myself up! I can feel the muscles already - and that means they are working. With an incredible instructor like Sandra and amazing bootycamp team members, I know I will reach my goal. It may be hard but it's worth it. If you want to challenge yourself, do bootycamp. I have my sister and my friend Nat to thank for pushing me to do bootycamp! It works for them and it will work for you.

Tomorrow is another bootycamp - wish me luck!

xoxo E

Bootycamp starts tonight

Hello there all your fashionisa's! It's been to long since I blogged and well, I am taking you on my journey to fitness! As some of you know, I am engaged. I have already found my wedding dress and am having it altered in just a few short months. So - I decided I wanted to look like a movie star for my big day. After seeing how amazing my sister Sarah and my friend Natasha did, I knew this may just be the push I need to be lean for my wedding day.

Ok - so first thing is first. You can't be a fashionista without coordinating your outfit right? Even while working out, I pride myself on looking my best. First I am a shoe addict. I knew that without the right sneaker I would not be able to properly work out. I took my fiance on a hunt for the right shoe. It took many hours and some sweating but we found the perfect shoe at the Adidas outlet store in Vaughn Mills. They have great little blue accents and incredible support- the perfect shoe for me!

Onto the clothes! Thanks to sister Sarah, I went to Joe Fresh and bought the cutest work out gear! I am so excited to wear them. I feel really good in the little shorts and tank top. I have pants to put on over my shorts but considering that it' 40 degrees out and 100% humidity - I'll take my chances with just the shorts!

So - what kind of fashionista would I be without coordination? Well, my yoga mat - it's the same blue that's in my shoes! Whoot whoot for coordination!

Onto the serious part of the blog...
Why do I want to attend booty camp? I know that I will never be a size 0 and I know that I will never look like a stick. I love food too much! But since I have gotten engaged, I wanted to be the best I can be on my wedding day. I don't care about my weight, it's about how I feel. Lately I haven't been strick on my diet and have crept back up to a size 6. It's time to get that back down! My goal is go down to a size 4. I know that with booty camp I will be able to lose inches and be toned! Most of all - confidence is key to any fashionista. So, ladies - don't starve youself, energize yourself. I hope you all join me on this journey!

Till tomorrow
xoxo E