Bridal Boot Camp – Day 1

I have exactly two months until the big day. That’s 62 days until I have to be in a white dress (a tight-ish white dress) in front of tons of family and friends. Not to mention all the pictures…

The wedding will take place in Evergreen, Colorado. It’s about 30 minutes away from where I grew up in Denver, a place that is notorious for it’s perfectly fit mountain bikers, hikers, and skiers. Denver was even ranked as one of the top 20 fittest cities in the country. I wasn’t ever a good Coloradoan, at least not by those standards. But my rule was that if we get to live in Columbus, OH then we at least get to have the wedding in my home state of Colorado.

This is the Evergreen Lake House, where the wedding will take place. It sits right between a lake and a golf course with mountains on almost all the sides.

In high school I was the goalie for my soccer team. I loved it because I didn’t have to run a lot. In college I took a rock climbing class and loved it because I didn’t have to run a lot.

When I moved to Columbus I struggled to find spots to climb in or people to climb with me. So I picked up running. I didn’t love it as much as most people do. In fact I don’t think I really like running that much at all. I run a bit here and there, mostly be pretending that something is chasing me. It’s usually zombies because I imagine them to be quite slow. I think I run because I don’t really know how to work out.

This is me climbing in college. I could run or climb from zombies because they are slow. Now if I had to run from an Indominus Rex… I’d probably be in trouble.

That and this photo pretty much describe my current idea of fitness.

Pizza or cupcakes. Especially cupcakes. If there was a cupcake eating competition, I bet I could win.

That will all begin to change today, since I’m starting a bridal boot camp of sorts at the Arena District Athletic Club. In the next 62 days, I’m going to start going to the cardio classes they offer, working with a variety of their incredible talented personal trainers, and even attending their FitCamp class (which sound like they prepare people to be in the movie 300).

Maybe I’ll even start to develop what I have decided are an urban fitness myth… ABS!!!

So these are my goals for the following 62 days:
1. Get stronger and more toned. I especially want my back and arms to look great since the “dress” mostly shows those off.
2. Build confidence in myself and my body. I want to be ready to face the cameras… and the altar. No run away brides here.
3. Learn strength training exercises. I’m only a tiny bit embarrassed to admit that I was homeschooled through 6th grade and then in Middle and High School I chose the artsy music electives over PE.
4. Reduce all my wedding and other life stress. Just going to work everyday and making sure my dog is alive can be stressful. Add having to find a caterer who can cook a meal where there are options for all of my gluten free, dairy free, vegan, and vegetarian friends, as well as my soon-to-be mother-in-law who has a pepper allergy – now that can be stressful.
5. Look hotter than my groom – Chris. This one may sound vain, but it’s mostly competitive, I just want to beat him at “looking good.” I want his friends to say, “Whoa, he outkicked his coverage with Charlie.” And for that to happen, I need to be hotter than him. This may prove challenging because he has been going to the gym religiously for a long time, and I have only 62 days. May the odds be ever in my favor.

Until next time – Charlie

Me and my studly groom.

The Arena District Athletic Club is more than just a gym, it’s a premier fitness facility located in the heart of the Arena District in downtown Columbus. We provide convenience and quality, featuring top-of-the-line equipment, top-notch personal trainers, spa-like locker rooms and a wide variety of free group fitness classes daily including Cardio, Spinning, Barre Fusion, Yoga, Boot Camp and more. We offer free 2-hour parking and convenient contract-free memberships, to fit your healthy lifestyle needs. Don’t just join, belong