Hey Oxygen fans! I’m Carla, Oxygen’s Online Editor. For the next three months, I’ll be taking on Oxygen’s Best Body Challenge – join me, and get the beach body you’ve always wanted just in time for summer! Get started here.

Ask any Oxygen cover girl, and she’ll tell you that when it comes to eating clean and working out, planning is the key to success. I’m no cover girl, but I ditto that. Prepping ahead of time leaves nothing to chance and no room for excuses.

On that note, I’d like to add “Day 0” to the Best Body Challenge. On Sunday night, I grabbed all my groceries, cooked up a giant vat of quinoa, grilled three chicken breasts, and made a double batch of protein pancakes. I was officially ready to take on Day 1 of the meal plan!

Training went well, too, thanks to Oxygen Deputy Editor Rachel Crocker, who took my measurements and walked me through Month One of the program. She had some great tips to share:

•    Squat till you drop! The wall squat is angle-specific, meaning you’re only working one muscle, depending on your position along the wall. Once you reach failure, try adjusting your angle slightly by moving your back a few inches up or down the wall and holding that position.
•    Double your burn! Both the double crunch and the reverse crunch should bring your tailbone gently up off the mat to work your lower abs.  
•    Not a fan of jumping jacks? No problem! You can swap any of the cardio exercises for another plyometric or high-intensity move – think jumping rope, burpees, climbing the stairs, pop squats, etc.

She also taught me how to do a speedskater. Start by standing with your feet hip-width apart. Jump sideways to the left, landing on your left foot and swinging your right foot out behind it, mimicking – you guessed it – a speed skater.

I’ll be working toward some major changes in my after pics—namely tightening up my midsection, building upper body strength, and fixing my posture.

A little more about me:
Age: 24
Height: 5’4”
Weight: 139 lbs
Shoulders: 39.75"
Chest: 35.75"
Biceps: Right - 10.75"; Left - 11"
Waist: 30"
Hips: 41"
Quads: Right -21.25"; Left - 21.75"
Calves: Right - 14.5"; Left - 14.75"

If you feel like some public motivation, post your measurements in the comments and keep us updated!