Hi, I’m Sweet Connection Editor Lori, I’m excited about this challenge because I’m competitive and this is what it takes for me to start exercising again, a good competition. AND, I’m getting married in April! I’m 29 and need to shed some of the fat and gain some muscle. I hate having cleavage in the front and back of my dress, if you know what I mean.

Eight weeks of competition… it’s going to be hard. I’m a socializer and my fiancé loves a good Irish pub and of course a nice cold Guinness, and frankly so do I.

My strategy is to eat as healthy as I can… fruits, vegetables, water, cut the caffeine and introduce some exercise. I like running and lifting weights although it’s been a while since I’ve done either.

I’m an ex-athlete who falls on and off the health wagon, so my goal at the end of the eight weeks would be to start a good habit of eating healthy and exercising so I can continue this until my wedding in April and so on.

I’d like to find the perfect balance (if one exists) of being able to go out and socialize and have a few of those bad foods from time to time and still maintain a healthy weight and lifestyle. Wish me luck! And, please send me some advice.