Page 16 of Resistance Training
“He also insisted on jogging a lot, which I did not enjoy.”
“Like I said, the cardio will be minimal. Two to three short sessions per week, so we don’t interfere with the muscle building. I’m not asking you to limit your caloric intake, Vivian, but sugar isn’t good for you. At all. You need protein to build muscle. That’s all there is to it.”
“Fine. I’ll track my macros.”
“Great.”
“Speaking of keeping track of things and people, are you back on Facebook? I haven’t checked in a while.”
So she has been checking. I wish that didn’t please me so intensely. “I am not. You will weigh yourself first thing in the morning, twice a week only, and keep track of your weight in that journal. Scale weight is not a good indication of your progress at this stage when you’re starting to build muscle. You will keep a record of your measurements, and once a week you will take a selfie when you’re wearing the same workout clotheseach time—preferably tights and a form-fitting tank top or sports bra. Same time of day, same pose, same background—no clutter. Same lighting, same angles. Front, side, and back. Not in the mirror. Use a tripod.”
I glance up at her again. She isn’t grinning anymore. Good.
“Any questions?”
“What if I don’t have a tripod?”
“Then you will find something to prop your phone up with. For the first three weeks you will take pictures of your meals and text them to me before eating them. You will be held accountable for your choices and you will be able to assess how your bad choices have given you an outcome you don’t want.”
She’s frowning at me now. Her nostrils flare. It’s fantastic. “Uh-huh. I see what this is.”
“Thisis how I am with all of my clients, Vivian.”
“Oh yeah? You’ve really found your calling, huh?”
“My other clients certainly think so.” I hand her my business card. “Here’s my card. My private number is on the back. Please don’t share it with anyone. That’s for food diary check-ins only, but I want to see everything you put in your mouthbeforeyou put it in your mouth.”
Shit.
I don’t even have to look at Vivian to know what expression is on her face. She smacks her lips together and laughs on an exhale. “Rogerthat, sir.”
“This is for the sake of monitoring, not controlling your dietary choices. You will be accountable to me.”
“Oh, I get it.”
I successfully refrain from telling her she’s gonna get it if she keeps up the sass.
“So, do you live around here? I still can’t believe you live in Portland. Did you not end up going to Princeton? I can’t believewe haven’t run into each other at all. Did you know that I live here?”
“Not until your sister told me very recently.” Standing, I say, “Let’s get to the workout.” I go to the door, but before opening it, I continue. “From the brief conversation I had with your sister and from what you just told me about your recent ex-boyfriend, it sounds like you have a lot of motivation to get in shape.”
She frowns at me again. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Well, Aubrey mentioned that he’ll be at her wedding, with his new fiancée.”
“She told you that?”
“Only because she wanted me to feel sorry for you and make room for you in my schedule.”
“Fantastic. So you do feel sorry for me?”
“I’m sorry he deceived you for so long and I’m sorry if he hurt you, but I think you shouldreframethe upcoming situation to your advantage.”
“How so?”
“Well, revenge is a great motivator. How do you want him to feel when he sees you again for the first time after he betrayed you and broke your heart?”
She searches my face for clues. Am I serious with this?Oh yes. Yes, I am.She shifts her weight from side to side as she places the journal I gave her inside her bag. “I mean. I wouldn’t say he broke my heart exactly. We had been growing apart for quite a while and?—”
