By Llee Sivitz
Enquirer contributor

I've decided to take the Fit City challenge. And try something new - using a personal trainer.

I'll keep you updated quarterly on my progress.

Llee Sivitz uses resistance tubes to work on her chest and back at Midtown Health & Fitness in Columbia Township. (Brandi Stafford photo) | ZOOM |

Here are my journal entries for my first month.

Week one

Personal trainer Beryl Donenfeld agrees to train me for a year. I eat four peanut butter sandwiches to celebrate.

At my first "strength training" appointment, I realize there's something to this "team" approach. I work up a sweat in minutes.

She says personal training used to include time on the treadmill, but people can do that on their own. Now it's "functional training" - turning, twisting and pulling to work on rotation, stretching and proper alignment of the body.

These everyday activities have my legs feeling like jelly as I walk to my car. And my metabolism wakes up, too, because I eat six times before going to bed.

Funny, I think the next day, I don't remember the truck hitting me. I try to stretch, but I'm pretty stiff. It's

amazing to feel results so soon. Beryl says the more out of shape you are, the quicker you see results.

The fourth day I feel great and look forward to my first exercise ball class with Beryl, at 8:30 a.m. Stretching, lifting and pushing for more than an hour, I realize trainers are worth the money. Even the "cool down" is a workout.

At one point she says, "That's good, Llee," just as I'm about to collapse. I get through the class and someone confides, "She held back today. You should have been here last week."

What's this? I'm starving for breakfast. Later I do a 45-minute aerobics tape. I usually can't get through it, but today I complete it with only a three-minute break.

In great anticipation I weigh and find I've gained two pounds. This new weight must be muscle.

Week two

I pull on my exercise warm-ups. They feel tighter than last year. Maybe they shrank. As I walk, I remember I've exercised eight days without a break. Hmmm, perhaps that's why my calves are sore.

A day off and I keep thinking about exercise. I also notice that I use food as a recreational sport when I'm not exercising.

My muscles feel recharged. Can't wait to exercise tomorrow. Is this me talking?

New Year's Eve I'm up until 2 a.m. eating junk food. Ground-breaking conclusion: A regular exercise time, moderate diet and consistent sleep patterns can help performance.

Not listening to myself, I get four hours of sleep before going to Beryl's spinning class. It's been 20 years since I've been on a bike, and muscles I didn't know I had start screaming.

Week three

Walking for an hour with a friend doesn't feel like exercise. I must be getting used to "maxing out" with Beryl. We agree to walk faster next time.

I get through my whole aerobics video without a break. An awesome feeling. Where's that peanut butter? (Just kidding.)

Exercise ball class is easier (relatively) and I vow to push myself more next time. But next day my abs, thighs and arms are sore. Go figure.

On my own, I plan to walk, but don't. I plan to exercise that evening, but don't. It's the first time I've skipped an exercise day. I vow to make it up. (But I don't.)

At spinning class I pedal the whole time and add some resistance. Afterward, I stand up and can't walk. Seems I've worked my thigh muscles to failing. Twenty minutes later I get my legs back.

At strength training the next day I work hard, sweat pouring. I don't look at the clock every five minutes or wish Beryl would say it's time to stop. Am I actually enjoying this?

Week four

Beryl is out of town and, guiltily, I skip exercise ball class. Later she explains this is not unusual. People get attached to their trainers and when they are not there, clients often don't make the effort.

In spinning class, I put more resistance on the bike. And I'm able to walk afterward.

We do the body fat test. I'm at 31 percent, just below "obese."

Beryl says the highest dropout rate for exercise programs is in the first three months.

Hang in there, Greater Cincinnati. We can do this.

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