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Acquiring a healthy lifestyle is no longer some- thing you need to Conquer alone either. I'm taking the Body For Life Challenge The program's i2-week plan includes eating six well-balanced high-pro- tein meals, six days a week, coupled with a structured cardio and weight training workout. On the seventh day, I get to eat whatever I want. This approach appealed to me because there are a few things I can't imagine cutting out of my life com- pletely. chocolate being number one on the list. So I did some research. talked to some friends who have recently made the choice to get back into shape and decided on a program one of my close friends recently had suc- cess with, Body For Life. I've never made a New Year's resolution before. hut this year I looked in the mirror after Christmas and decided something needed to be done. "The volume we're see- ing is very encouraging. We're a busy club as it is but now everyone's out in full force .because of their New Year's resolutions," says Rhonda Smith, manager at the Waterloo Women's Club in Waterloo Town Square. id you make a New DYear's resolution? Maybe you promis- ed to pay off all your credit card bills, or to quit smok. ing. Perhaps your goal is to spend more time with your family. Or are you among the masses who invaded the gym on Jan. 2, resolving to battle the bulge this year? The following is the first In a series tracking one Chronicle employee's path to physical fitness. Time to start battling the bulge, shedding some pounds and toning some muscles By AMY HACHBORN Chronicle Staff Momma .15. anl I. Watovloo 7464 lla lubb’vhl W F itfW.7 WATERLOO NORTH Squeezing into a bikini is bad enough during the summer, let alone in the dead of winter with no trace of a tan and several turkey dinners, a few plates This is where the dread- ed "before" pictures come into play Carolyn and I took ours between Christmas and New Years, during which time I par- took in a great deal of merry-making. In order to qualify for the contest though. there are specific guidelines you must abide by One of the stipulations is that you must provide evidence of what you looked like before the challenge. Did I fail l0 mention there's a hundred grand and a paradise dream vacation on the line? If that's not enough incen- tive lo get into shape, then I don't know what is. The site also includes recipes which have been appr d by Body For Life and gallery of the before and after pictures of past champions. Body For Life has a web site which receives tens of thousands ofhits each day. The site includes a guest- book where people can motivate each other with their tales of success, and ask for help when they have a set back. And although surfing the Internet has never been regarded as a cardio activity, there is a wealth of knowledge and support within. with a co-worker, but even if you don't have a friend who shares your motiva- tion to get in shape there are other avenues of sup- port at your fingertips. Many Waterloo weight loss clinics offer one-on- one counselling with licensed nutritionists who can provide advice and lit- erature specific to your program. LIFESTYLE of Christmas cookies and my WES fudge still hanging around. I was actually toying with the idea of publishing the photo with this article, but I haven't completely lost my mind. Chronicle staffer Amy Hachborn works out during the first day of a 12-week plan to get in shape. WA nun more No one is seeing those And so it begins. By the time the Chronicle reaches your homes, I will be embarking on day three of 84 and probably Fighting off cravings of chocolate photos except me and the Body For Life judges 12 weeks from now. ice cream and Kraft Dinner, Hopefully the next time I write it will be to report that things are going well. and to let you know that it wasn't me you saw in the cookie aisle of the grocery store with a bag of choco- late chips under each arm. The meeting will feature guest speaker Dr. Martina Power, a local psychiatrist. The church is located at 825 King St. W. For more informa- tion call 884-5455. The Depressive and Manic Depressive Association for Waterioo Region will hold its monthly meeting from 7-9 pm. Jan. 17 at St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Kitchener. For more information call 578-6681. Smokers Anonymous is a non-profit, volunteer-run organization that doesn't use a lZ-step pro- gram. There will be an introduction of the new Cambridge Smokers Anony- mous group, as well as a brief presentation of the RM] group, This will be followed by success stories from group members who have quit smoking. Refréshmenls will be pro- vided. and friends and family are also welcome. It's not too late make a New Year's resolution to quit smoking. The Smokers Anonymous open house will be held at Bethany Missionary Church located at 160 lancaster St. E. in Kitchener. makers Anonymous IS Shosting an open house for all smokers thinking about quitting, ready to quit or looking for help to kick the habit on Weedless Wednesday Jan. 17. Manic Depressive Association to hold meeting Smokers Anonymous to hold open house on Weedless Wednesday