Disclaimer: Does anyone really read these? Anyway, not mine. If they were we'd have a Babe couple through the whole series.

AN: So, I probably did a really stupid thing. I signed up for a "free" six week challenge at the gym. I had to put a large deposit down and will get a refund if I meet the goal. So there is my motivation. I need to stick to a strict diet and go three times a week for a work out. I know I can do it if I put my mind to it but could Stephanie. Anyway this will be pretty personal. I'll write my experiences and yes, the deposit amount below is what I put down. Ack.

So here we go, I will try really hard to stick to a schedule and post weekly. Starting with orientation part 1, Saturday is orientation part 2 which is when it actually starts.

I could use your support Babes. I know I'm horrible about responding to reviews and I have a couple stories I haven't updated in a LONG time. I'll get there eventually.

The gym name is fictional. It's not the gym I'm going to and I didn't see it on the list of gyms near Trenton.

Orientation Part 1:

It all started with Facebook.

Yeah, so I had Hal help me set up an account on Facebook and make it private. I can connect with family and some friends but not allow everyone to see my posts. Ya know, like the nosy Burg busy bodies. Anyway, I decided to work at Rangeman so I have a steady pay check and a real partner. Ranger had kept me on his Rangeman insurance listing me as his significant other. Lula is unhappy because she counts on me to pay for some of her lunches and I always gave her a share of my take. I actually had Vinnie give her some of the low bonds. It's not like she actually files so I'm not sure what she actually does or why he pays her. All the office files are now on the cloud.

One of the requirements for full time Rangeman employees is gym time. So Ranger is making an exception. He's allowing me to go to the gym of my choice, this way I'm not intimidated by the Merry Men and I'm not the only female in the gym. I have my own Rangeman Black American Express card where I charge my membership. In order to ensure I actually attend the gym he's letting me have Lula join with me and paying for her membership. He knows she can't afford it but needs to exercise.

I know what you're thinking. Lula is allergic to exercise. While that is true, Lula had a heart attack and was hospitalized for a few days. It was a mild one but enough to scare her into trying to get healthy. Especially when the doctor also told her she's borderline diabetic. It's been a challenge. She wasn't eligible for Medicaid but did qualify under the ACA to get her premiums waived. She's been paying off her medical expenses by going to St. Francis every week to pay what she can but is required to pay at least five dollars. They only did this because Rangeman is a large donor and Ranger arranged it.

I didn't know which gym to attend but I saw a Facebook ad for a free six week challenge. So, let's be honest, nothing in this world is free. I was skeptical and a little intimidated based on the name but you get a trainer three times per week, a meal plan, recipe book and one-on-one coaching. I know, Ranger would provide all that to me but I didn't want to ask.

Okay so not only did I not want to ask, but Joe would hate it if I spent a lot of time with Ranger. Joe and I have been on shaky ground since we broke up a few months ago because he thought I made him ill but it turned out to be a xanthan gum allergy. We decided to become "engaged to be engaged." Thinking on it, that seems a little high school. I know I don't want to get married anytime soon but, I really don't think Morelli does either. He got rid of his dining room table and replaced it with a billiard table. I thought he was saving his money for an engagement ring. It was then I realized he wasn't ready to get married.

Lula and I signed up for an orientation this morning at 8:30 am. It was a bit early for us but it was the only time available. I picked Lula up in my Rangeman SUV so I knew she'd actually show up. We pulled into Extreme Fitness, a brand new gym, on Hamilton Ave across from St. Francis. I wonder if we should be concerned it's located near a hospital.

Walking in we were greeted by Luke who asked us to fill out a form and gave us a bottle of water. Once we finished we flipped through before and after pictures. Many still needed to lose weight but you could see they had lost weight but also were a little more toned. Then we looked at the meal plan. It's very strict. For six weeks we can only eat what's on the sheet. I may be in trouble. No ice cream or donuts. From the corner of my eye I swear I saw Lula pale as she read the diet. That was saying something when her skin tone reminded me of a Hershey chocolate bar.

Desiree and Matt came over and introduced themselves and went over the program. They asked our goals and what we did to lose weight in the past. I used to run but for some reason I stopped doing that after becoming a bounty hunter. That was pretty stupid. Then they went over the diet and the goals. The goal is to gain 10 pounds, lose 20 pounds or lose six percent body fat. The diet is strict. Yeah it's as bad as I thought it would be earlier. You have to eat three meals per day consisting of protein, carbs and vegetables plus two whey protein shakes. You can only drink black coffee, green tea, diet soda, unsweetened iced tea, crystal light, or water. No alcohol, no sugar sweetened soda, milk and no Starbucks latte. Oh… my… God. I may die. No donuts, no Pino's, no bread; no Starbucks.

Desiree said we had to weigh in weekly, the first and last are by appointment and they will help us select which goal is right for us. There is also a picture at the appointment. You need to be good about weighing in for the other weeks. A coach will call you at least once per week to see if you are having any issues and to provide motivation. The trainer will provide motivation and of course you can speak with Desiree and Matt.

There are three classes per week to attend, they handed us a schedule. The class is titled 'Daily Ultimate Fitness'. It will work your whole body and burn 1200 calories per session. She talked about how she was sore after her first class. This 19 year old girl was sore after it? What does that mean for me and Lula? Let's be honest, I'm not in great shape but Lula – well Lula is Lula. As much as she doesn't want to admit it, she's overweight. She's also not in shape, at all.

Then came the kicker, a deposit is required because so many people sign up but then don't attend in their other gyms. I figured there would be a deposit. If you meet your goal, you get it back, if not you lose it. The deposit is $499 per person; this was more than I expected. Well, I guess you would be more motivated if you have skin in the game. I paid the deposit for both of us on the magic black card. We will need to come back on Saturday at 9 am for the one hour orientation where we get the diet plan, recipe book, photos and weighed. We can take our first class after orientation. There are only two class options on Saturday which were 6:30 am or noon. What is it with fitness people offering classes when normal people are asleep?

We thanked them and were told to download the ap to our smartphone before Saturday. We walked out to my car and Lula nervously said, "I don't know 'bout this white girl. They said if you cheat on that diet you won't meet your goal. Think that's true?"

I thought for a second, "Yeah I do. I mean look at Ranger and the guys. They eat a real strict diet and exercise daily. I don't think they ever skip a day at the gym unless they were shot. Then it depends where they were shot. I've seen Ranger still use the treadmill and use the leg press machine when he was shot in the neck and shoulder."

"Let's get some Pino's pizza cuz after Saturday; we ain't gettin' it for six weeks."

"Lula, we can do this. We are strong women and this is a lot of money to lose. Besides, it'll make us healthy. You heard what the doctor said. Plus, I don't want to disappoint Ranger."

We sat in a booth and ordered a large pepperoni pizza with mozzarella sticks. We both ordered a small salad and soda. Lula and I were talking about the challenges we'd face when Joe sauntered over to the table.

"What's up Cupcake?"

"Lula and I joined the six week challenge at Extreme Fitness and we're going to enjoy our pizza and sticks while we can."

Joe started to laugh. Not a chuckle but a deep belly laugh. "Cupcake, you two will never last. Neither of you have ever met a doughnut you didn't like."

I scowled and snapped, "Real great Joe. You know this won't be easy so you're already undermining our confidence and trying to set us up to fail. We need support for the next six weeks and Lula needs to get healthy."

"Come on Cupcake. Neither of you stick to any diet or exercise program. Manoso is nuts if he thinks you'll actually go to the gym."

I fumed, "It's part of my employment contract and for the salary he's paying me it's the least I can do. What are you afraid of Joe? Maybe I'll kick you and your garlic breath to the curb?"

I saw that vein throbbing in his forehead as he yelled, "No one else will put up with you and your crazy family so you better be careful Cupcake." He leaned in close to me and said in a much lower tone of voice, "Manoso will never commit to you and once he's through don't come crawling back to me."

I was seething and I saw Lula attempt to say something. I shook my head at her. I turned to him and shot back, sotto voce, "Really, you want to go there? You say all these things about Ranger, but I think you are really just projecting your own feelings. You wanted to get engaged, again with no ring, I still don't have one but you have a new billiards table. I bet you could have bought a real nice engagement ring for what you spent on the table, cues and other accessories especially when I don't want anything fancy or fussy. So why don't you just go over to that table with your buddies and forget about me."

With barely controlled rage he spit, "Fine."

Lula and I finished our lunch and we were sort of good, no dessert. I dropped her back at the office and drove to my parents. I had laundry in the back to do and figured I could mooch dinner. Mom wasn't going to like the break up or the mega healthy diet.

Val and her brood showed up for dinner as my laundry finished. Albert was at the hospital visiting his father so Val was bringing home a plate. I told everyone about the six week challenge I was starting on Saturday. Of course Mom was upset that I wouldn't be able to eat dessert and her meals were not exactly going to fit with the strict diet. I explained I couldn't have pasta and no red meat. I told her not to worry but I wouldn't be eating with them while I was doing the challenge. Val expressed interest in joining but didn't have the deposit. Dad offered to pay for it so she could start with me and Lula. He was worried about her and figured he'd get it back when she met the goal so no loss. She's gained 80 pounds since she got pregnant with Lisa and then Janie.

Because both of us would be doing the challenge, Mom said she'd cook dinner based on the diet and no dessert. Dad was surprisingly positive, "I want to do this for you girls and make sure you bring your friend Lula. You girls will need support from your family and friends. I bet that Lula doesn't have a lot of support or positive role models in her life."

I walked over to daddy and kissed his cheek, "Thanks Dad and Mom. Seeing as how you just said that I need to tell you something." I took a deep breath and continued, "I broke up with Morelli today, for good this time. He told me I'd never be able to finish this challenge. He was not supportive at all. He said Lula and I couldn't stick to the diet and we'd never go to the gym. I'm gonna do this and get the deposit back. Then I'm gonna shove it in his face."

My mother's face turned red, "That little shit did what? Why would he undermine you before you even started? I don't blame you honey." We all looked at my mother like she was a pod person, as she continued, "You really need support for this to work. Your father is right. If he's not going to be supportive now what will happen if you are married."

Daddy was blunt, "Fuck him."

Grandma had been uncharacteristically quiet during dinner but had to pipe in, "Maybe I'll do that challenge if there are hotties there."

"Grandma," I calmly replied, "This is for women only. That's part of what will make it work. You don't need to worry about men watching you or how you look. Plus men have different dietary needs."

Val nervously chimed in, "I hope this works out. I know you are in better shape than me but Lula isn't so her and I will be at the same level. I need to work on losing weight and getting healthy. I'm scared of getting diabetes after Aunt Mim had that stroke and Lula had that heart attack. I want to be there for my girls. I don't want to have surgery. Besides, you need to follow a diet for that too." She went on-line and signed up for the half hour orientation tomorrow morning while the girls would be in school and Mom would watch the babies.

"I'm proud of you Val. We can do this, we're strong Plum women," I confidently said.