Exactly two weeks since my birthday and the start of my Healthy Challenge.

At 6:30 a.m., I meet my personal trainer, Roya, and her assistant, Berber, who keeps track of my stats. Karen, The Gazette writer, is there too. All eyes are on me – pushing me, encouraging me, keeping me focused on the goal.

I can say that working out and losing weight has been a struggle for the last 4 years. But, to have so many people rooting you on at every step of the way is indescribable. It’s a feeling that gives me a natural high.

I had a 10 a.m. appointment with Roots Market yesterday. I couldn’t bring myself to tell my boss that I would be gone for about three hours. So, I worked all day. I will reschedule with Roots sometime nest week.

I went over to Barbara’s house and showed all my girlfriends my articles and pictures on The Gazette site on the Internet. We screamed and jumped around like young school girls. Each and every one of my girlfriends are so supportive, but each one has pulled me to the side and wants me to take them with me to my spa treatments!

A lot of food surrounds me – veggie tray, cheese and cracker tray, sandwich tray, spinach dip, chicken wings, and my big fate two-layer cake! I enjoyed myself. But, I put limitations on what I was going to eat. I did real well. I ate two spoonfuls of cake and threw the rest away! I happen to look over to Maria and she gives me a big smile. She knows my struggle with sweets.

I leave the party around 12:30 a.m. I know I have my salsa class and I want to make sure I’m well rested. This week has been a whirlwind.

Drank 6 glasses of water
Exercised 1-1⁄2 hours
3⁄29⁄06

It’s 6:03 a.m. I’m running a couple of minutes late. Today is my first day with my personal trainer, Roya, and as soon as I walk in the door, she greets me with a big, warm smile. My first thought is ‘‘Oh, yeah, she is about to work the crap out of me!”

We worked my largest muscles first, then my upper body. I get through it without any injuries. I feel good as a matter of fact. The Aqua Massage could have played a role in that also.

Now it’s off to Suburban Hospital. Today I do all my health screenings and get my blood drawn. Two of the sweetest people you could ever meet, Amy and Rachana, assist me with all the different departments and appointments we had. Inside Suburban Hospital you can feel the love and concern they have for their community. The programs and the classes they have created cover almost anything you can possibly imagine. I’m excited to be a part of this and get active with them.

Since I had to fast for 12 hours, I went over 15 hours without eating. I can now let Carolyn Miller, my nutritionist, know that I understand what a hunger pain feels like! I get a salad from the grocery store and some crackers and rush to work to try to get in at least a half day on the job.

My best friend, Maria, comes over to my job and I share with her all the information I got from the hospital, but also catch her up on everything for the week. I love that look in her eyes. She is a motivator, always cheering somebody on. She is more excited than I am, and I won the challenge!

I go back to Royal and workout for an hour. I wanted to burn off some energy. Once I get to my bed, I fall asleep with no problem.

Today was a great day

All my water was consumed
I worked out for 2-1⁄2 hours

3⁄30⁄06

I get to sleep in late. I have four sponsors to meet up with today so my schedule is tight. I took the day off to be able to get through them all.

Wash a couple of loads of clothes. Working out twice a day, I go through a lot of clothes, underwear, and towels.

At 10 a.m., I’m at the Pennington Institute. The doctor has thought of every possible element of desire and concocted this beautiful office space where, once you come in, you don’t want or need anything else. They address and deal with so many issues and concerns. They pampered me, welcomed me, and schooled me on all of my possibilities.

I enjoyed my one-on-one with Dr. Pennington who, by the way, is one of the prettiest women I’ve ever seen. I felt blessed and honored to be in her presence. I can’t wait for my inner circle of friends to come over and take advantage of some of her services. I bragged on her to everybody today.

I had to fast for 12 hours for the Pennington test also. So, needless to say, I felt my hunger pains once again. I got out of there close to 1p.m. and rushed to the grocery store to get my salad and get ingredients to make my best friend Barbara a retirement cake. She is leaving the White House after 30 years with the government!

I do well with my food intake and get ready for Leisure Fitness. The guys are delivering my elliptical machine today. Once it’s in my room, I tell myself I swear to the Man Up Above that I will not use it as a clothes hanger! It’s almost too pretty to touch.

It’s 5:30 p.m. and I’m running late. I have to be at my chiropractor’s office. I finally get there only to find out I am being treated by one of the top doctors on the East Coast. Doctor Young addresses all my concerns and assures me when it’s all over my body will be aligned.

I’ve never gone to a chiropractor, so my mind is racing – what’s next? When he puts me on the machine, I have only one bone in my spine that is hanging in there trying to stay straight.

Once again, I get the royal treatment. Dr. Young’s office and staff are wonderful.

Speaking of Royal, it’s now time for me to go work out. I do 45 minutes only. My workout was fine. I rush home to get the cake that I made for Barbara’s retirement and wait on my best friend, Maria, who is going to pick me up so we can spend some time with Barbara.

I get to Barbara’s house and she’s made fried fish and fried shrimp with a salad. I am starving, so I go ahead and eat a piece of fish and 3 shrimp with a bowl of salad. I justified my meal by telling myself it’s only a small portion and it can’t hurt.

Drank all my water for the day
Exercise for 45 minutes only

3⁄28⁄06

Today I had a day off from Royal Fitness – no spin, no heavy workout, no nothing - Now I’m going to sleep in late.

‘‘Fat Chance!” Royal Fitness is calling me. Roya is back and ready to work with me. We change my schedule. From now on we will do M-W-F personal training and T-Th 6:30 a.m. spin and on Sat. my two cardio classes.

I get that straight, get to work and, once again, I look forward to going to my martial arts class at 6:30 p.m.

Master Kim was our instructor and I went right to it. I didn’t miss a beat. I learned at least 5 or 6 different kicks and a few blocks. I am going to fit them in my schedule twice a week. There has to be something in kicking and letting out a scream that releases tension.

Drank 7 glasses of water
Exercised 1-1⁄2 hours

03⁄27⁄06

A 6:30 a.m. spin class. I’m pushing myself and at one point I have to chuckle. Last week, about this time, I thought the bike was made straight out of the gates of Hell and the instructor was Evil! Now I’m into the class over 30 minutes without any complaints. I’m excited about the possibilities.

I zip through my 9-to-5 job looking forward to seeing my next sponsor, my martial arts family – Grandmaster Kim and his son Master Kim. I go through my orientation – so much admiration and respect. Grandmaster Kim has protected, served, and instructed top leaders in and out of this country. Here I sit in the conference room eager to learn and be taught by a family of their status.

Drank enough water
Exercised 1-1⁄2 hours

3⁄26⁄06

Sunday – a day to relax and gather my thoughts. A day to reflect on my last week and soul search about why I eat when I’m not hungry.

Is it because growing up my mom wouldn’t let me leave the dinner table without eating all my food? Is it because I feel I am a SISTA and it’s in my ‘‘JEANS”? Is it because I don’t get enough water? Because I don’t breathe in deep enough? My mind races to find the answer, knowing once I can fine it, I can fix it. I’m looking forward to my life coaches!!!

At 11a.m., I get to Leisure Fitness – the prettiest workout showroom I’ve ever seen in my life. Karen and Thom are there along with handsome, friendly Frank (eager to assist us and help us on our journey)!!

I picked the elliptical machine – no motor and virtually no maintenance. My mind is wondering: Where am I going to put this BIG PIECE OF EQUIPMENT?

Frank loads us up with some more goodies, as if my $4,200 elliptical was not enough! I sit back in my car once the ordeal is over and just tell the Lord how thankful I am for blessing me with this wonderful gift! Thank you, God, and thank you to all the sponsors.

It’s time for my workout over at Royal, not too far from Leisure Fitness. So, I make it over there and do some cardio on my own. I burned over 700 calories, and I felt good. But, while driving home, I’m fighting with myself to stop at the grocery store and buy my normal Sunday” dinner – friend chicken, mac & cheese, string beans, and some cornbread! I get to the store, buy all the ingredients for a salad, and race home to prepare it.

My son Jayvonn looks at me like I’ve gone crazy and fends for himself.

Drank 8 to 9 glasses of water
Exercised 1-1⁄2 hours

3⁄25⁄06

I jumped up at 5a.m. (alarm clock). It took a few minutes to gather my thoughts and realize today is Saturday. No 6:30 a.m. spin class!! I try to go back to bed but my body is now starting to get used to the early morning rising. So, I get dressed and take my dog for his early morning stretch.

At 10 a.m. I have a salsa class at Royal Fitness. My instructor, Luis Arriaza, makes it so fun. I enjoy dancing and prancing all around the room. One of my best friends, Kim, comes with me to workout and loves it just as much as I do.

After salsa, at 11a.m., there is a high⁄low cardio class. So, I stay for it and enjoy it as much as salsa!! From here on out, I know what I’m doing on my Saturdays for my cardio.

Not too active for the rest of the day. Tried to catch up on all my chores that got put aside during the week!

Later, I hung out with Maria and her mom, Teko, and girl talked for the rest of the day.

Drank enough water
Exercised for 2, no 4 hours( including 2 hours of intense house cleaning)

03⁄24⁄06

Today I felt great – never mind my legs are sore and my feet hurt. I feel GREAT.

Food wise, I went to the grocery store and bought a lot of food with fiber. I got a salad that was very tasty. I have done much better today with eating when I am hungry than any other day. I’m proud of that. The struggle is still there, but the Heavens opened up today and whoed me it’s going to be alright.

I got to play tennis today and Ken Guendell was very eager to show me all the steps to becoming a tennis star. I liked it; I had fun doing it; I’m looking forward to playing again.

I also got to meet Karen’s (the writer) son, a very nice and respectful fellow.

Drank all my water
Worked out two hours today

3⁄23⁄06

Today started off well. My class was in the evening. So, when I got to lunch I had Chinese food. Too much starch, too much grease. I told myself I would eat half and save the rest, but I ate all of it in one sitting! I remembered to eat only until I’m full, but my trigger button must be broken because I ate the whole thing.

I had a great workout at Royal. I stayed for an hour and a half trying to burn off all my extra calories I consumed.

Next week, I will prepare and be ready for my journey. I feel like I sabotaged my weight loss today, and the food was not worth it!

Drank enough water
Worked out 1-1⁄2 hours

3⁄22⁄06

A 6:30 a.m. spin class. I don’t think I like the bike. I believe it was created for people who have petite butts. Every inch of my body is screaming at me and wondering WHY?

Still, I love the supportive staff at Royal. And, I like the fact that I can go at my own pace.

The food issue is still a challenge for me. I feel like I’m hungry, but I also tell myself that in order to justify my next feeding time. I’m too scared to feel a real hunger pain, so I eat as soon as I think I’m hungry.

This weekend I’m going to try to buy a book or talk to Carolyn to let her know I’m struggling to follow this one simple command!!

Drank 6 glasses of water

Worked out an hour at Royal; walked at home1⁄2 hour

3⁄21⁄06

I get to Royal Fitness at 6:34 a.m. OK, four minutes late is better than not showing up. I got to get this traffic and timing together.

I am having a hard time with eating only when I am hungry. I did not do so well with my food intake, but I have done better than I did last week. Somewhat of an improvement I’d say.

Drank enough water

Worked out for an hour

3⁄20⁄06

Missed my 6:30 a.m. spin class. Too tired to work. I get a call around 11 a.m. – Royal Fitness calling wanting to know what’s up?

I didn’t make my evening class, way too tired! I wanted today to go as planned, but as far as exercise goes it was a flop.

I got to meet my nutritionist, Carolyn Miller. She believes if I am NOT hungry I should not eat. Damn, is it that easy? I left feeling overwhelmed with all the info. I want more structure, more of a ‘‘Do and Don’t” list. I understand the concept of Health Challenge – it’s a lifestyle not a diet.

I am going to have to soul search and find out why I eat when I’m not hungry.

Drank enough water

Worked out not at all

3⁄19⁄06

Hung out all weekend with my girlfriends. They had a big get-together at this nigh club that ended up being real nice. Sooo many congrats and sooo much excitement. I am going to need a week’s vacation just to be able to absorb all the attention and all the love.

Went up to Charlestown and played the slots. I should’ve had a V-8! Had a great time with my girlfriends. Looking forward to starting my first week. At 6:30 a.m. I have a spin class and I meet up with Ms. Miller to learn how to eat. I’m tired but up for the CHALLENGE.

Drank not enough water

Worked out pushing the button at the casino (does that count?)

3⁄17⁄06

What a day! Forget the fact it’s my birthday – today will go down in the history books as one of the best days of my LIFE: A new start, A new beginning. I feel honored; I feel blessed; Yet I am scared of the unknown.

I can’t disappoint all of these people. I have to put all my fears aside and take this wonderful opportunity and become the BEST Yvonne Savage I can become.

I love the GAZETTE!!

Drank 7 glasses of water

Worked out 2 hours dancing

3⁄18⁄06

I woke up this morning expecting to be pinched. Was it all a dream? Nope. Royal Fitness called and wants to get an early jump start for the week. I get there. The place is beautiful. Each and every employee greets me as if I was the First Lady!

I feel inspired; I feel as if all this support is on my side and there is NO way I can fail. I am looking forward to working out and being in the Royal Fitness Family.

Now, if I can get this eating thang down pat.

Drank all my water

Worked out half hour

Read Thom’s diary, too.

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