Cleaning up my act

I've been cleaning out my cupboards and cleaning up my diet in preparation for Fit Camp. My catalyst has been a cool, easy-to-understand book on nutrition: "The Eating Clean Diet," by Tosca Reno.

Reno didn't start watching her diet until age 40, when she was 70 pounds overweight. Today, at age 47, she's a fitness magazine cover model, a fitness competition champion and she writes a monthly column for Oxygen, a fitness magazine.

The clean-eating philosophy is simple:

Eat six meals a day.

Drink lots of water.

Steer clear of sugar and high-fat foods.

Eat the food that God gave us, not the "food" that humans created in laboratories.

Additionally, Reno recommends that you combine complex carbohydrates — fruits, vegetables, whole grains — with protein at every meal to give you energy and make you feel full. And, that you start every day with a hearty breakfast that's high in protein and fiber.

The concept isn't new. Bodybuilders and athletes have been following it for decades.

After following the diet for the past week, I've lost one pound. The best part is that I'm not hungry and I don't miss the cookies and other sugary sweets that use to comprise most of my caloric intake.

Stepping up to the Fit Camp challenge

My life will change dramatically starting next week and I’m inviting you, our Stowe Today readers, along for the ride.

On Tuesday I start Fit Camp.

Fit Camp is a body composition improvement contest held several times each year at the Swimming Hole in Stowe. Training includes 12 boot camp training sessions, two body composition analysis and weekly workout assignments.

Like the name implies, it’s a tough program, geared to kick participants into shape in two months by providing them with everything they need to succeed: follow-up, accountability, homework, advice and camaraderie.

My fitness journey started last March when I noticed back fat bulging out between my bra straps while dressing for work.

Funny how fat just creeps up on you. You don’t realize you’ve gained a few pounds or gone up a dress size until you can’t button your jeans.

The back fat disturbed me because years earlier I had worked in a cubicle behind an overweight woman with a copious amount of back fat. Her small head, sloping shoulders and enormous back gave her the appearance of a walrus. I made the following mental note to myself: If you have back fat, it’s time to go on a diet.

So, when my own flabby back took me by surprise, I sprang into action with the enthusiasm I usually reserve for pizza and Ben & Jerry’s ice cream.

My 39th birthday was soon approaching and I decided that, as a present to myself, I would buy a health club membership and some workout clothing. I hadn’t purchased either of those things since my youngest daughter was born seven years ago.

Working out five times a week at the Swimming Hole for the past six months has yielded some positive results. My back fat has disappeared and been replaced with well-toned muscles. After struggling to workout on the elliptical trainer for 10 minutes, I can now handle 30-minute stretches without losing my breath.

But, despite the positive changes, there’s still a lot of room for improvement. I haven’t lost a pound. And while my back, shoulders and arms are toned, the rest of my body is still pretty mushy.

That will all start to change next week. I will, when Fit Camp ends in mid-October, be leaner and healthier. I hope to enjoy — and survive — the journey.