Love in the New Year

This has been a year of a lot of change, yet one thing will remain the same – Dec. 31, as people are formulating their new year resolutions, losing weight/getting fit will once again rank in the top three resolutions of the general population, current company included.

I already eat well (sometimes to the point of being annoyingly neurotic with my picky eating habits) and I work out regularly (to the point my family nearly looked at me like I was crazy when holiday cabin fever led me to break out in jumping jacks and squats in the living room while watching some sappy holiday movie), but writing about celebrities day in and day out and seeing their perfect bodies I always ask, ‘What do they do that I’m not to look like that when I don’t.”

I thought it may be a thyroid problem. My annual thyroid test told me it wasn’t. Some tell me it’s a natural part of aging. To that, I say, “Look at Angelina Jolie, Jennifer Aniston, Heather Locklear and Courtney Cox.” All older than me. Then I’m reminded that they have personal trainers and personal chefs. Although I think I eat well and I think I workout well, I’ve decided this year to try out a personal trainer.

Resolved in the resolution I started a week early when my workout buddy Angela introduced me to her trainer Joshua Love. Joshua is based out of Equinox in Santa Monica and trains a host of celebs (although he won’t indulge me with names) but I do know he got Jodi Sweetin her post-pregnancy physique because she blogged about it when she was an OK! guest blogger for a bit.

Anyway, I was told to meet Joshua and Angela in a park near my house for a quick 30-minute workout. At first I scoffed at 30 minutes so I jogged the 1.5 miles to the park thinking Josh’s 30 minutes wouldn’t be enough as I’m accustomed to an average 80- minute workout. Wrong.

The first thing I noticed about Joshua Love is that he’s pretty cute. It helps, really – especially when eight or so minutes in, somewhere between squats and push-ups, I was thinking, “There’s a fine line between Love and Hate” – and ‘hate’ is my least favorite word. Joshua had Angela and I sprinting, squatting, lunging, lifting and everything but resting during an intense 30-minute mix of strength and cardio training. Afterwards Angela drove me home, I’m sure afraid that my jello-like legs wouldn’t get me there myself before sunset. The ‘good pain’ I felt for the next two, three days after were proof enough that I evidently don’t push myself when left in the gym alone. So, I’m sticking with Love every Sunday for the new year and will let you know how it progresses. Between him and my new Wii Fit I’m aiming for Aniston’s abs by Valentine’s.

Here’s to trying new things, pushing yourself and love in the new year, in whatever form that takes ;) xo

You can check out Joshua Love’s fitness tips yourself at joshualovefitness.com