Days until the wedding: 278. 

Hello! I’m Sheila Marikar, a 28-year-old bride-to-be living in New York, NY. My fiance proposed in July at an art gallery he designed for the occasion, gorgeous ring in hand and professional photographer in tow. That day, I was beyond elated. After seeing pictures of the special moment, I had one thought:

I’ve got to lose weight.

Now, I’m not overweight. (I’ve actually avoided scales for the past 8 years after getting a tad obsessed in college.) But three years of too many dinners out and too few sessions in the gym have taken their toll on the toned, trim physique I had when I met my fiance in 2008.

I’m getting married on Aug. 12. Middle of summer. Skin will very much be in. We’re having a traditional Indian wedding, which means I’ll wear a sari, which means my midriff — jiggly, rock-hard or any state in between — will be on display for all to see. Cover up, I cannot.

Post-proposal, I attempted to amp up my workouts. I slogged away on the treadmill. I went to a heart-pumping boxing class. Then, in Sept. 2011, an assignment brought me to Barry’s Bootcamp, the recently opened Manhattan outpost of L.A.’s celebrity-certified fitness program. To call my first visit to Barry’s eye-opening would be an understatement. Barry’s hurled me out of bed, threw a glass of water in my face and turned Rihanna up to levels loud enough to make the floor thump.

I loved it. Barry’s combination of cardio intervals and full-body resistance workouts left me sore for a week. Their playlists put NYC’s clubs to shame. Why wouldn’t I want to come back?

So I’ve made a commitment: Barry’s Bootcamp five days a week, every week, from now until Aug. 12. On off days, I do yoga, an outdoor run, or a Women’s Health 20-minute workout.

Check out this video in which I talk with Barry’s COO Joey Gonzalez about what makes his regimen different from other bootcamps. You’ll also see my starting point. In the video I sprint at 9.0 mph. Now I’m up to 9.6 — success!

Questions? Comments? Leave ‘em in the box below and I’ll do my best to answer.