New Adventure = The Healthy Charleston Challenge

As most of you know, I have joined The Healthy Charleston Challenge, which is put on by the MUSC Wellness Center here in Charleston. As I was deciding on whether on not to do the HCC, several of you wanted to know how you could help support me - there were many offers for companionship on bike rides, bridge walks, etc. I really appreciate all the support you have offered and continue to offer and this blog is a way I can keep you all posted on how the journey is progressing.

What is the HCC? It is a program based on the t.v. show, "The Biggest Loser," and it is a way to adjust your perceptions on exercise, eating, and general health and well-being. We are not only adjusting our perceptions, but we are making the changes happen. This is not a fad diet or another 'attempt' at yo-yo-ing, but an approach to weight-loss and long-term health that I can utilize for the rest of my life! I am on a team with 6 lovely ladies who are going through all of the same things I am... we will be working out together EVERY DAY - these ladies are my 6 new best friends!! Our team is sponsored by Louie's Kids - a non-profit battling childhood obesity. Each of the teams is sponsored by a different local group that has partnered with MUSC to turn out healthier Charlestonians :). Our team's trainer is Sarah and she is awesome - I am impressed by her attitude towards well-being and by her dedication to help our team. Of course, I say that now, before the hell has really started... ;)

I've posted my schedule below - just to let you know what I'll be doing - and if you want to get together and do more, I'm sure I can squeeze you in... even if it's for drinks at the end of the day... and by drinks I mean water on the rocks for me!

My Schedule:
Mon: 6am-6:45am Cardio & 6:45-7:45am Yoga with Sarah (our trainer is a Yoga instructor, among other things :) )
Tues: 6am- 7am Cardio
Wed: 6am-7am Cardio
Thurs: 6am-7am 'Aqua Action/Aqua Fit' = Water Aerobics
Fri: 6am-7am Cardio
Sat: 9:30-10:30 Cooper River Bridge Walk with ALL participants - but walking with your group, specifically
Sun: 2:30-3:30 Whole Group Activity... when they introduce us to activities so that we can confidently enter a class and know what's going on - for example: spin class, taebo, ?? I don't really know actually, but I'm sure I will find out!!

In a couple of weeks we will add strenght training...
Oh, and walk/running the Cooper River Bridge Run is a requirement (I really thought I was done with that damned thing) - but we are all going as one huge group - so that'll be fun (?) I'm really not a fan of the crowds - I've done it twice... ah, well, looks like I will be doing it again.

HCC also encourages participation in local run/walks and that is the ONLY way you are dismissed from Saturday morning run/walks on the bridge!

Before you go feeling sorry for me, remember that (1) I signed up for this! All of this and I am ready to do it!!! and (2) I also signed up for the 6am slot - which is how they put our team together... we are the crazies that picked a 6am work out... my feeling being that I am much more likely to stay on target if I work out in the morning before I make all those bad choices I've made before... plus I'm a morning gal! :)

So this is the longest blog I'll probably ever do - but I hope now you have a good idea of what I'm doing and why I'm doing it. I'll put more in later - these are just my first thoughts. And if anyone wants to go riding or walking with me when it's not so brutally cold outside, I'm game for afternoon jaunts :)

Thanks for your support and stay tuned!!