This series chronicles the Little Black Book Publisher's efforts at getting in shape. Chris Thomas of Dirty Boots Adventure is training her personally. This new six month series runs from May to November.

If you ever show up to the gym, and your trainer has a measuring tape and a body fat analyzer in his hand, you should run away. Run very fast.

If you don't you will have to run, on the treadmill, very very fast until he is satisfied you have not been a complete lazy slob in the two weeks you exempted yourself from his guidance.

Oh, it's not that bad, and I deserve the handholding because I have slipped back down to not quite pre- fitness challenge levels of endurance, but close.

He won't share my measurements and when I claimed that all of you would be expecting to know, he remarked dryly that you are free to call him. I can share with you that my weight is an ASTOUNDING 179 pounds, up from 168 just a month ago. So clearly I have some work to do.

My initial breakdown at seeing the 179 on the scale has subsided (I hadn't weighed myself since before the conference) and I'm feeling much more sane, but not before a very telling episode. Earlier this week, after a date with someone I liked who confessed he wanted to be "just friends" I convinced myself that I was a mean fatty destined for a life alone, so I went to Harris Teeter in a "get fit" frenzy.

I vowed low-fat and sped through the produce section picking up all manner of healthy choices, and by the time I reached the meat section, I decided on Atkins, put back all the produce, and stocked the cart with carcasses and recipes I would surely make, freeze, and take to work. At which time I remembered that I have to be in Cleveland next week and will need to be eating food someone else fixes and smiling and loving it. So I abandoned Atkins and went for my tried and true pal, the Slim Fast shake and meal bars. Having crisscrossed the store (you have no idea how much I'm leaving out) I realized I was quite insane, bought some flowers and a magazine and went home.

Since then I've had a steady diet of sugar free Red- Bull and string cheese, with the occasional Panera salad. I drink lots of water and am working with Chris on better eating. So keep me in your thoughts as I pass through this particulary nutso phase that is gripping me. More next week!

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Swimwear Trends

You finally have the confidence to go swimsuit shopping; all of that time in the gym has paid off! While huffing and puffing on the treadmill you may have been so worried about how you would look in your bathing suit to think about what’s in on the beach. Here is the summer fashion forecast for swimwear:

• Girly Flair - Work it with ruffles! Ruffles are making a big splash this summer. This look is most flattering on women with a smaller bust; the ruffles make you look bigger up top.
• Show Some Skin - If bikinis aren’t your cup of tea, but you still want to show some skin- try a swimsuit with cutouts. Go bold with side cut outs, or a little more modest with a keyhole cut-out on the chest or back.
• White Hot - The trend in your closet translates to the beach! This look is a good way to emphasize your tan (don’t have a tan yet? Try Jergen’s Natural Glow lotion)
• Get Playful - For a cute beach bunny look this summer; you may want to choose a swimsuit with bows and ties. Another way to achieve this look is with prints- cherries, gingham, and polka dots top the list this summer.
• Adorn Me - Wearing jewelry on the beach sounds nice but isn’t the most practical thing in the world! This summer designers are incorporating jewelry, beads, and chains into the swimsuits.