Page 107 of Allure

It's the mindless eating that I've been trying to work on cutting out, and so far, that does seem to be helping, and I have been going to the gym. Heather Robertson has been my gym buddy, even more so than my roommate Brooke Adams, but I completely get it. Brooke has a lot going on between her classes and karate. I admire her.

Today, though, the temptation to eat and eat and eat is gnawing at me. I need to get out of my room, but I can't dare go to the dining hall or else I'll eat everything in sight.

A slight exaggeration.

Slight.

So I shoot Heather a quick text.

Do you think you can hit the gym soon?

I bite my lower lip as I wait for her to respond.

I can't. We just put in an offer to buy a house, and I don't think there are any other bids, so we might get it!

That’s amazing! Where is it?

That’s the thing. We have to relocate for Doug’s work.

How far away?

Texas far away. Houston area.

Wait, you aren’t even in Cali?

No. It’s all happening so quickly! We only just got told two days ago that Doug is going to be switching to the Houston branch. The company is even helping to cover some of the moving costs.

That’s insane. Wow. I wish you two all the best.

I still want you to keep me updated about your progress, though.

Yeah.

I make a face. How am I going to find the motivation to continue working out when it’s not something I particularly enjoy? So many of the people who go to Fearless Fitness seem like they enjoy torturing their bodies and pushing themselves to the limit. I still walk on the treadmill. I don’t know if I can do this by myself.

I stand and walk over to the mirror and turn sideways. A big mistake.

Have I told you how much I hate mirrors?

You’re still going to the gym today, right?

I stare at Heather’s text and huff a sigh.Yeah. Going now.

Good!

I force myself to change. I hate yoga pants with a passion. I mean, don’t get me wrong, they’re so comfy once you put them on, but it’s the putting them on and then the taking them back off again that I hate.

Maybe I just need to bite the bullet and buy a larger size…

No!

I drive over to the gym, go to park right in front, and then change my mind and head toward the back of the lot. Or maybe I should just leave…

You know what? I think I know what I need.

I head on inside. Pamela is behind the welcome desk, and she waves to me. “Hi, Dawn! How are you? Going on a treadmill today?”

“I might try a bike or… actually…”