Feel the burn

Brad and I decided it was time to join a gym and last night we did just that. We got a good deal that includes the traditional weights and cardio equipment and also a pool, climbing wall and all the classes you can imagine. I'm really excited and looking forward to going on a regular basis. They offer 3 free training sessions/orientations when you join and this morning I took the second session that focused on core stengthening. I really liked the trainer that took me through everything...he knew what he was talking about. I need to focus a lot of attention on my posture and keeping my shoulders down and lats back. There is a tendencey for me to roll them forward. I've always been somewhat self-concious of my posture but never really knew how to stengthen the muscles so it wouldn't hurt to "hold 'em back" as my mom would always say.

They took our body fat measurements too. I fall in the "athlete" category at 19%. I used to be 12% so I have a lot of work cut out for me. It is not that I want to lose weight. I just want to lose fat and become stronger. Women should have a minimum of 10-12% and I'd like to be right there. There is this show that comes on after Project Runway about a female trainer that is at 3% body fat. I've never watched it but I can't help but wonder how and why she got so low. Brad and I decided we would be making a lifestyle change with our diet. No more "bad" sugars (minus the ones in beer, wine and Kahlua in milk) and we're going to try to eat proteins at night and carbs in the mornings. In general, we're going to be more concious of what we put into our bodies.

School starts on Thursday and I am so excited! It's going to be awesome and I am going to learn so much. There is something about writing...any kind of writing...that I just enjoy. In high school people thought I was weird for many reasons but mostly because I enjoyed writing reports. It was fun to organize thoughts and facts. It is easier for me to express myself through non-verbal means. The meaning of my name according to the Kalabrian Philosophy is:

Although the name Vanae creates an interest in the deeper aspects of life, we emphasize that it limits self-expression and friendly congeniality with a moody disposition. This name, when combined with the last name, can frustrate happiness, contentment, and success, as well as cause health weaknesses in the heart, lungs and bronchial area. The name of Vanae gives you a clever, quick, analytical mind, but you suffer with a great deal of self-consciousness, lack of confidence, and much aloneness because of misunderstandings. Your idealistic and sensitive nature gives you a deep appreciation for the finer things of life and a strong desire to be of service to humanity. There are times when you experience inner turbulence at your inability to say what you mean. It is far easier for you to express your deeper thoughts and feelings through writing than verbally. You find pleasure in literature, in poetry, and in your ideals and will turn to them when you feel you have been misunderstood. You are deeply moved by the beauties of life, especially nature.

So interesting 'cause it is right on.

Well, I should probably get off the computer for now. I have a hair appointment at noon and I need to make a decision on what I want to have done. I'll probably leave it long enough to pull into a pony tail but sometimes I think the longer it is the "stragglier" it can look. Even though I have a head full of hair, it is so fine that sometimes it just doesn't look like much. I need to ask the stylist what he thinks I should do with it...they are usually pretty honest. In preparation for fall, I think I'll have lowlights put in and begin the transistion back to my natural color. I used to be so blond but as I got older, it just started to get so much darker. When Brad and I first started dating, I dyed it black but that really did nothing for my complexion. All my old co-workers thought the blond really opens my face up. So, that's where I'm at for the moment--undecided!