Allow me to introduce my new best friend. Her name is Exercise, and she and I have already bonded after only three weeks! For years I had heard great things about her.  Almost everyone I know had already befriended her, but for some reason, she never crossed my path – or, should I say, my treadmill. Then one day as I embarked on my Weight Loss Revolution, I crossed the threshold of Fitness@Five, and voila! There she was, just beckoning me with open arms.

I honestly thought that I was way too old for her. She certainly belonged to the younger generations. But in no time at all, with the help of her colleague and friend Tony Gasparro, I realized there is truly no age gap in this relationship. She talks to me through the supervision of Tony (“Swoon”), a precious young man who is a certified personal trainer at this wonderful little gem of a gym. And with their help, I am learning a whole new language.

I never excelled at ANY foreign language, but this one is sure to become one I can master. I am just committed to becoming fluent…hear that, Endorphins? Today I understand that a step-up isn’t a mere rise in success. It’s a torturous challenge to put one foot on a platform and step up and down with the other foot until you think you are going to scream “uncle!” A push-up isn’t an ice cream treat; it’s another way to build muscles in your arms and tummy. A plank isn’t a wooden board on a pirate ship used to walk enemies into the sea. At the gym, it’s leaning on a bench with your entire body straight and holding that position for what seems like hours.

Many years and pounds ago, I used to go to the Ramsey Center to walk the indoor track. I always glanced into the fitness gym, where patrons were using hundreds of pieces of apparatus. They were pulling, lifting, squatting, stretching. Sort of like marionettes tied to strings…only THEIR strings were attached to weights. The whole scene was so intimidating, that I never even entered the room. 

At Fitness@Five, similar towers of steel and pulleys fill the main room. They initially looked just as intimidating. But with the help of Tony at our twice-a-week hour-long sessions, I don’t have to let them get the best of me. Oops. Let me think that through. Actually they DO get the best of me…I have to give it all, I’ve got just to get through the reps. All the while reminding myself that “muscle weighs more than fat.” In fact, before I get in my car to hit the gym, I click my heels together three reps, I mean times, and repeat that phrase over and over. Close my eyes, and am transported right back to the workout center.

Now, Exercise doesn’t confine herself to weight lifting and stretching. She also advocates movement to increase the heart rate. Swoon again, as my heart gets pounding while I'm walking the treadmill two other days a week. I actually love this part of my ritual. I find my favorite machine located right by the side windows of the gym where I can count the cars on Milledge Avenue as they tootle on by enroute to who knows where. 

And I plug in my ITunes, rocking or should I say WALKING, to heart pumping songs by Michael Jackson, the Zac Brown Band, Toby Keith or Alan Jackson. Remember “Thriller” – I’m telling you, that album was just meant for walking. Raunchy country works, I mean WALKS, for me, too. It won’t be long, when the air cools down some, that I’ll actually be walking to Fitness@Five instead of driving. Yes, Exercise has found her way into my heart. And I feel as blessed by her friendship as I do by all of the many who have joined my cheerleading squad. I value each and every one more than I can say.

Dear Diary: (Highlights from this week’s diary entries)

Daily weigh-ins are highly NOT recommended. Can be soooo depressing.

Muscle weighs more than fat.

Having support of friends (cheerleaders) fuels my fire.

A Megdana (bandana with cherry hearts and stars) from my beloved sister-in-law, Brent Shuford Gunn, surprised me in the mail. I love it! And will mop the sweat in style!

A warm fuzzy greeting card from Camilla Bracewell reminded me how blessed I am with loving caring friends.

Increased weights in my workouts is taking place and making me “feel the burn.”

We’re all human. And splurging once with a mozzarella quesadilla can be forgiven.

Did I mention? Muscle weighs more than fat.

RESULTS (REWARDS?) FOR WEEK 3: 183, loss of .1 pound. Downright pitiful. But at least no gain!

Come-from-behind victories DO happen.  Even for champions like Michael Phelps. I can do this, especially knowing I have such a huge roster of cheerleaders. And speaking of these highly valued people in my life, this week I welcome: Camilla Bracewell, Trudy Edwards, Dean Henson, Jan Carter, Ellen Patton Anderson, and Kim Arnold. We’re 85 strong. Oh, my goodness, and don’t let me forget: Exercise. She’s joining Lil Vac as co-mascot!

Next week: I think I’ll take you into my brain, and candidly touch on the psychological issues that affect my Weight Loss Revolution. And this will be no Dumb Blonde you’re hearing from. Trust me. I’ll leave you with that thought. Oh, yes…ONE last thing: MUSCLE WEIGHS MORE THAN FAT!