When the Going Gets Tough, the Editor Goes to Boot Camp

As I wipe the sleep from my eyes, I am struck by the fact that it's combined with sweat. At 5:45 in the morning. And I am standing on a tennis court with 10 other women while a very cheerful woman reminds us that this is just the beginning. Great.

That's right, folks. I, in my infinite wisdom, signed up for boot camp. Between my Patch time, my "mommy" time and, you know, sleeping and eating, the exercise time has slipped through my fingers. So when an ad popped up touting the benefits of boot camp at "o'dark hundred" as my dad calls it (Korea vet), I thought, why not? It's the only free time I have left.

So Monday I began a four-week regimen of 5:30am boot camp classes. Five days a week. Is this what people mean by "having it all?" Time to have a career, raise small children and make sure I stay fit enough to keep up with both? I guess I'll find out over the course of the next four weeks.

Oh, and they had me sign a contract. For four weeks, no fried food (eh), no alcohol (no problem there), no talking about Twinkies during class (at 5am? Who talks about Twinkies?), and no swearing during class. Well, three out of four isn't bad...

Each Monday, editor Elizabeth Rich will report on her boot camp experience. If she survives the first week...