Like so many brides, I wanted toget in kickass shape for my wedding day.
How great could I feel?
This is what happened.
Courtesy of Suzanne D’Amato
It feels sort of embarrassing to admitretro, maybe?
But the desire is very real.
Its not that my dress, a sleeveless lace number with a nipped-in waist, is particularly body-con.
Courtesy of Suzanne D’Amato
Still, those photos are going to be around for a long time.
Id love to look my best in them.
For me, though, best doesnt mean slimmerI want to get sculpted, more defined, more muscly.
Courtesy of Suzanne D’Amato
In a word: strong.
And therein lies the challenge.
To put it another way: Ive got noodle arms.
Despite semi-regular strength training, I cantdo a full push-up.
Ive tried many things over the years, including hiring a trainer who screamed Body!
at me while I wobbled my way through planks and shoulder presses.
Thanks to the wedding, Im probablyas motivated as Ill ever be.
After all: If not now, when?
(Even though I put my chefs hat on backwards sometimes.)
Courtesy of Suzanne D’Amato
Not to mention, I check out new restaurants a couple of times a week.
My mindset around food probably could use some fine-tuning as well.
Any resolve I maintain during the day evaporates at dinner.
Stand up without using your hands while holding a 20-pound sandbag because?
If it was a good day, food becomes a reward: I killed it in that presentation!
And if it was a tough day?Comfort foodto the rescue!
The idea: a comprehensive fitness and healthy living plan, customized to my body and goals.
It feels pretty full-on, and yet body bootcamp this isnt.
Tanyas prescription for me focuses on moderate change and lasting results.
OK, she wants me to work out 6 days a week.
Courtesy of Suzanne D’Amato
But the goal issustainable fitness gains.
Then I do cardio and practice yoga on my own.
Hardly revolutionary, but the point is that Im doing something physical almost every day.
Courtesy of Suzanne D’Amato
Im forging a healthy habit, and I like the way it feels.
A few weeks in, she says, and Ill start to see patterns.
I decide to cut back to two glasses of wine per week.
Kind of badass.
Committing to the workouts is doable enoughsuch is the luxury of having an experienced trainer to motivate you.
The food part, sadly, is much harder.
I just really enjoy going out to dinner with people.
Our photog tells me lots of brides ask to do this pose. Who knew?
Its fun, its delicious, its one of the joys of life.
Because of my job, I cant give it upand I also dont want to.
What I can do, I decide, is set some ground rules for the rest of the day.
I start eatingprotein at breakfastand lunchit keeps me fuller longerand asmoothieafter every strength workout.
The first is that I simply feel like I can do more.
Like, running for longer than 30 minutes at a time.
I begin falling asleep by 9:45 pm and waking up at 5:30 ambefore my alarm clock.
I have become one of those people.
Im also feeling a little lonely.
Thats probably because Im at the gym all the time…
…even when no one else is.
Subject hed:
And I still cant do a fullpush-up.
Its six weeks into the program: time for my midpoint assessment with Tanya.
Im shocked, in a good way.
Just as important, Ive gained more than 4 pounds of lean body mass.
I get to the office and tell everyone I see.
(Since I work at SELF, theyre actually really excited about this.)
Im feeling pretty confident.
And at my next strength-training session, I realize I have indeed gotten more muscular.
A lot of times I work out 5 days a week instead of the agreed-upon 6.
I feel bizarrely guilty about this, even though that is still so much exercise.
Nothing crazy, but Im still pleased.
I feel…good.
Also: very, very tired.
The celebration comes and goes in a flurry of excitement.
Fitness (or lack thereof) is obviously completely beside the point.
I could have spent the last three months binge-watchingGame of Thronesinstead of sweating it out on the VersaClimber.
And yet Im proud of myself for sticking with Tanyas plan.
Im physically stronger than Ive ever been.
Maybe for me, its not about an epic before-and-after photobut being strong and happy in my own skin.
Ive also learned what pushing myself really feels like.
Its a philosophy I plan to keep in mind long after my wedding day.
Right after I finish thisglass of wine.
Watch: 12 Ultra-Effective Arms Exercises you’re free to Do At Home
