My favorite drug

I am beautiful. I am strong. I look amazing in spandex. I am … so, so sore.\nIn the past few weeks since I began my rigorous diet and exercise plan, I’ve learned that positive thinking might be the easiest way to get through the next couple months, but I’m having a hard time mastering it. As my friends and family are well aware, I have never been the positive type. In fact, the word most commonly used to describe me is “cynical.” For the most part, cynicism and spandex are a lethal combination, but something miraculous has happened to prevent the Student Recreational Sports Center from spontaneously combusting: Endorphins.\nAfter two weeks of working out every single day (well, basically every single day), I find myself being – dare I say? – optimistic. I’m happier, more energized and I’m pretty sure I (gasp) smiled at a stranger last week. This is all out of character for me, and I have that little biological compound to thank. It takes 28 days to make something a habit, but I’m halfway there and I already crave the runner’s high (well, more like wheezing walker’s high). If I looked as good as I feel, then I wouldn’t have a need for this column. But I’ll take what I can get for now.\nNot only do I feel good, I have found a place where I can feel sexy: hip-hop class. After 45 minutes of getting low and cranking it, I feel like I’m walking straight off the set of a music video. I literally strut through the male-dominated weight room to do my post-hip-hop cool down, but then I look in the mirror and have to recite those positive affirmations again.\nI am slowly picking up the pieces of my self-confidence again, but not without the help of the two newest coaches in my life. My nutritionist encouraged me to get healthy, and isn’t forcing vegetables on me just yet. She gently guided me through the revised food pyramid and advised me keep a food journal, which makes me reconsider eating bad foods. My trainer is upbeat and firmly believes that I can lose 15 pounds by spring break (!). I can’t wait to see if she’s right.\nThe goal of this weight challenge is to change my body physically, but it turns out the first step to getting there is changing my attitude. I’m gradually getting there with the help of endorphins, positive people and obviously, hip-hop class.