Philadelphia Magazine’s Fitness Challenge 2010: Jessica Aiken

A 24-year-old newly single professional who has three months to fit into her bridesmaid dress. “I’m a bridesmaid in two weddings that are quickly approaching, and I’m hoping to be rocking the form-fitting dress.”

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 4
I went to the gym after work today to work on strength circuits that Meg taught me. I did core exercises and in-between I would jump right into different kinds of high intensity movements (like jumping rope). I also did some treadmill intervals where I would do work with the resistance bands in-between. I was feeling completely spent by the end of the work out. I made it through though.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5
I got to the gym by 5am today (btw – I am not a morning person but I’m getting somewhat used to this). I mostly just did work on the treadmill (ugh the treadmill) and worked with the resistance bands in-between sets again. Tonight I’m going out for sushi for some friends’ birthdays so I’m going to have to try and monitor my intake (I usually inhale sushi).

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 6
Today was my day off from the gym and I’ll have to admit it was a day off from my diet also. I had a few more glasses of wine than I had planned.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 7
To be honest, after not working out and drinking a bit too much yesterday it made me feel like a complete load today. I didn’t want to go work out (it was the first time I actually dreaded working out since I started this) but I did manage to get myself to the gym. I did the same workout I did last Sunday which was 30 minutes on the treadmill and several reps on the weight machines. The only difference was that I felt awful during the workout today. I didn’t feel like my head was in the right place and I seemed to be struggling through it. I am at least happy that I did go workout and got myself back on my diet but I am regretting my activities over the weekend.

WEEK 3

Monday, February 8th – 14th

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 8
I took Meg’s spin class today and I felt like I was getting back on track. It worked me hard but again, I was able to really understand what I was doing and really challenge myself. I stuck to a healthy diet also. I have to be up really early tomorrow so I’m making sure to get a good night’s rest.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9
I had my 5:45 training session with Meg this morning. We worked on strength training intervals with mountain climbers in-between to keep up the intensity. Then she had me do treadmill intervals of speed and incline with resistance band exercises in-between. That damn treadmill always gets me! It just totally wipes me out. I almost find it comical what I used to do on the treadmill prior to this experience…basically just walk. My body was capable of much more than that and I know that now! Our workout was filmed today and I wasn’t very fond of working out with a microphone pack because A) I’m not too sure I like the fact that all my huffing and puffing was going straight into a microphone and B) I kept having to readjust it since it was going all over the place during the workout…it was driving me insane. I’m glad I won’t need to work out with that again.