Introduction: Laura

My name is Laura, and as a Fitness magazine article told me a few months ago, I’m what is called “skinny fat”. Check out the Urban Dictionary – basically, while I’ve got a perfectly acceptable BMI, my fitness is so terrible that I’m much worse off than an active person who can spare to lose a few pounds.

It didn’t used to be this way. About two years ago, I was in the best shape of my life thanks to cycling and training for a century ride with the Team in Training program. I was so fit that I could eat anything I wanted and not gain an ounce. In fact, to keep myself from losing too much weight, after every long ride, I would eat a supersized value meal from McDonalds to up my calorie count.

Where did it all go wrong, you ask? Well, I injured both of my Achilles tendons on that century ride. They were both severely strained and I couldn’t get in a strenuous work out for months. Even to this day, I have a lot of trouble with both of my feet when I exercise. Couple my lack of exercise with continuing to eat like I’m training for a major endurance event and Voila! You have me, 10 pounds up from my pre-century ride training weight, buying my wedding dress a size up, and wondering why my thighs don’t fit into my jeans like they used to.

What am I going to change? I’m going to get moving at least 3 times per week, and I’m going up my fruits and veggies while lowering the number of times I eat out. I’m terrible at journaling and calorie counting. It depresses me, so I just try to put more good stuff in and cut more bad stuff out.

Goal weight loss – 10 pounds before my wedding on Oct. 4

But, more importantly, it’s time to get fit. Just say no to skinny fat.