The past few weeks have flown by. I have been really bad at blogging – I have been seduced by the iPhone and by Twitter.

But I am back baby!

And I have some awesome amazing news!!

Last Saturday, I auditioned for a new fitness and nutrition program called “Naked Fitness-New Year Challenge”*. Over 200 people auditioned for just 35 spots—

And Wednesday I found out that I WAS CHOSEN AS ONE OF THE 35 LUCKY PEOPLE!!!!

I attended the first day of the program this morning– which ws kind of crazy and I will tell you why.

I actually live just a few blocks from the building where we meet, but today I drove in from Iowa. I was there with my mom (who is visiting from CA) visiting my grandparents. We had driven down Friday, and I left my mom this morning and drive back to Chicago, then back this afternoon. 6 plus hours in the car. Fun times.

But you know what? I did it for the program. I am tired but I am happy I drove up.

The program is a 1200 calorie a day eating plan (based in part on the Zone Diet) and a muscle alignment routine/workout. Also, I need to walk 2 hours a day. While the walking part seems a bit daunting, I think I can do it.

Just no walking today- I spent WAAAAY too much time in the car. I started the meals today.

I had plain Greek yogurt and blueberries and 3.5 walnuts for breakfast, an apple and flavored Greek yogurt for a snack, a salad with baked chicken, red pepper and Italian dressing for lunch and baked chicken, green beans and broccoli for dinner. Oh, and a banana before breakfast the morning. I am also drinking Elations joint drink every day to help with joint pain. Everyone on the program are drinking them. More on the drink later when I am on a computer and not typing on the iPhone.

I am surprisingly satisfied tonight. I am allowed tea water and coffee so I may grab a hot tea later if I get thirsty.

I am so excited to be a part of this program because it seems like everything I do to try to lose weight lately (bootcamp, eating better etc) isn’t working!! I actually gained 5lbs last month!!

The trainer who designed the program, Andrea Metcalf, is well-known in Chicago and is also a contributor on Oprah.com. She seems very down to earth and her program has really worked— she just helped a man lose 100lbs in 90 days. The program we are doing is the precursor to her new book/workout video coming out in Jan 2011. MUCH more about that later I am sure.

While I don’t have 100lbs to lose, I do have a significant amount to drop. I hope this program will help me learn how to make better food choices. My weightloss goal for the next 30 days (the length of the challenge) is to lose 20lbs.

I think my goal is doable. No, I KNOW my goal is doable.

We are being filmed and interviewed for news spots and segments on the show “Better”, a Meredith Publication television show that happens to run everywhere else but Chicago. I am sure I will have video to post at some point.

Ok, I gotta pay attention to the family– just wanted to share my exciting awesome good news!!!!!!

More tomorrow!!!

*before anyone asks, no, I don’t need to be naked to participate. lol