Week 1: Mid May

Sunday

Shopping late Sunday morning was about the most unusual experience Shannon ever had. They went first to a sporting goods superstore. She reluctantly picked out a somewhat conservative bikini, returning several that Greg judged too modest. She looked ridiculous in it, but he was insistent. He then picked up one of every size down through size eight. They repeated the same drill with the leotard. The shoes and sports bras were easier. The looks they got at checkout would have been hilarious, if she was not so embarrassed. Later, they went to Target for the housecoat, cosmetics, and supplies. She had decided just to do an aggressive tapering off to quit smoking. Greg told her she had just ten days, and they bought just enough smokes to make it.

He was relaxed and considerate as they shopped, and treated her to lunch. He acted like this was just a normal shopping outing. He had forwarded the home phone to his cell, and just after lunch, he got a call from Yvonne, the nutritionist. They introduced themselves, and he explained how he wanted her to visit each week and set up a complete menu for the week. She said she would stop by Monday evening, and they could arrange a permanent schedule then. After agreeing on her charges, she rather hesitantly said, "Julia tells me that Shannon is naked, but it is nothing kinky - no bondage or S&M. I find that rather hard to believe. I want to talk to Shannon alone for a while, and if I don't think the setup is right, I won't be able to work for you."

"I'm actually pleased to hear you say that. I want you to be comfortable and enthusiastic about helping her out. I think we can do something unique and significant here. See you tomorrow evening."

Back home, Shannon almost froze coming through the door again. She had only been dressed for a few hours, but it was almost as hard coming out naked again as it was the first time. She wondered if it would ever become easy. He had her swim laps for fifteen minutes, then she decided to do her phone calls. She was very nervous, so they planned out what she should tell the kids about why she was at his house. He left her alone, and she spent nearly an hour by the time she had talked to all four. She was exhausted when she finished, but was surprised how well the talks had gone. Apparently, her folks had briefed the kids pretty well. They were apprehensive about the long absence, but very supportive of her goal. Terry was concerned that she might miss all of his wrestling matches later in the fall and winter. She did not know what to tell him about that.

It was getting to be late afternoon, and Greg told her he wanted her to do her first session on the treadmill. Swimming and walking were the only exercises she would be doing until the physical was completed and her trainer had worked out a plan. He told her to put on her new shoes and her sports bra. When she came out, she was blushing and very nervous again.

"God, Greg, this is almost worse than being completely naked! With my boobs covered but my ass and pussy bare, I feel awfully exposed. Couldn't I please put on some bottoms for exercising?"

"No, sorry! We're going to stick with the program. The bra is not to allow you to cover up, but to stop any harm from prolonged jiggling."

"More like flopping!", she retorted. She was already having trouble, but when she walked into his exercise room, she practically froze.

Because of his competitive running in high school and college, and his high school football, Greg had always been in perfect physical condition. Until, that is, the divorce and the push to the sale overtook him. He had let himself slide, not to the extent of gaining weight, he was driving himself too hard for that, but he lost energy and concentration. When things settled down, he vowed to make proper conditioning a top life-long priority. When he bought and remodeled the house, he added a club-quality exercise area. It had a treadmill and stationary bike, several weight machines for different muscle groups, along with a rack of dumbbells and an area of tumbling mats. Three sides of the room were nearly all mirrored, and the lighting was very bright. Everything stood out in sharp, unforgiving detail.

When Shannon had first toured the room, she was dressed. Now, in her accentuated nakedness, she was near panic. "I can't stand this! I see myself everywhere! I look so bare and so awful. Please, don't make me do this!" Greg wondered to himself how many of these crisis points they would have to work through. He talked gently to her, letting her gradually calm down and adjust to the reflections. He showed her how to work the treadmill, and after a few minutes, she got on and started it very slowly. She was walking in almost mincing steps, and when he reached over to speed up the track she said, "Don't speed it up! I can't go any faster."

"Of course you can. You're barely strolling, now."

"But... but..."

"Shannon, you can't walk with your thighs held together. It doesn't work."

"But, if I take long steps, my cunt lips will be out in the open every step! It's too embarrassing!" Sighing, he reached over and paused the treadmill. Taking her hand, he sat her down on a bench. It was time to be tough, again.

"Remember, I said I would see every inch of you? Well, let's get over this covering up business right now. Lean back and spread your legs wide open. Let me see everything right now so you won't worry about hiding it from me."

"Nooo... that's too much. Please, I can't!" tears starting to form.

"You know this will happen sooner or later. Just relax. I won't hurt you, I won't laugh at you, and I won't make you do anything kinky. It's part of the program that nothing is hidden. Now, please, just do it." She looked at him plaintively; looked liked she might balk and end the whole thing right then. Finally, though, a look of determination crossed her eyes, and she jerked her legs apart and leaned back on her elbows. He waited a few seconds, then knelt down with his face only about two feet from her crotch. It wasn't from lust. He just wanted her to get used to her privates being exposed. She flinched as he knelt, but he had positioned himself so she couldn't close her legs. Of course, with her pussy shaved bare, he had already seen just about everything, but he took time to examine her more closely. Her labia were fleshy, probably because of the extra weight. They were no darker than the skin on her belly. Her slit came up the front of her pubic bone a bit, so it was easily visible from a frontal view. He mused on how different this was from Jenna, whose slit was almost completely hidden underneath. He could not see any of the inner lips, and there was only a slight separation over her clit where the ring held the slit apart. "Have you thought of just taking the ring out?," he asked.

She reacted as if startled out of a trance. "I would want a doctor to do it, and I haven't seen one in years."

"You can have it done when you go for your physical, if you'd like. I'm sure it's just a matter of making sure it's properly disinfected."

"I would like to be rid of it. It just attracts attention to my pussy, and, now, that's the last thing I want."

"I assume it's through the hood, and not the clit itself?"

"Right. Adam wanted it in the clit, but I just couldn't handle the pain."

"That should make removal pretty easy, then. Spread your lips open so I can see it."

"Huh? You... ? She waited a long time, staring at him, then took one hand and spread herself wide open. He could see the hood, but not the clit itself. It was apparently shrunken. At least right now, the fear and embarrassment overwhelmed any feelings of arousal.

"Maybe you didn't notice, but you were able to talk quite clinically, there. See, it's just something you have to get used to. There is one more thing I want you to do, now. Get down on the mat on all fours, spread your knees apart, and lower your shoulders."

"You're kidding! That's gross!"

"I know, but it's the last piece of shock therapy here so you won't worry about covering up anymore." Again, exhibiting some hidden determination that surprised him, she did as he asked. He again knelt behind her and stared for a few moments. Then, he touched her lightly and briefly on the hip and stood up. She yelped and rolled quickly to her side. She looked up at him with a combination anger and fear, and he knew instantly he had made a mistake. "Please, forgive me for touching you like that. I just wanted to let you know you could get up. I'm new at this, too, and I don't want to do anything to frighten you or make you mistrust me. I promise not to touch you again without your permission, OK?"

She sat motionless, breathing heavily, then said, "I guess I'm too jumpy. I know you didn't mean anything, but I was really tense and it startled me. Being in that position has some bad memories for me. I'm OK, now."

Finally, back on the treadmill, he was able to get the speed up to where she was taking decent strides. He could see how bad her conditioning was, and set the timer for only fifteen minutes. "I'm going to the study to make a phone call. When it stops, just get a drink, or shower, or whatever, and wait for me in the kitchen."

In the study, he dialed Alex Torvold, his best friend and an old teammate. Alex was two years ahead of him at college, but had stayed on the team staff after his eligibility ended. While Greg had been a middle distance man, Alex was a pentathlete. He had studied sports medicine and done extremely well for himself. He was now on the training staff with two of the local pro teams, as well as their alma mater. As an additional business, he was in demand as a personal trainer for both athletes and celebrities. To top it all off, he was a trained, licensed masseur. In all Alex' experience, though, Greg was sure he had never heard anything like this call.

After some brief preliminaries, Greg just laid the whole thing on him.

"Why do you want me", Alex asked.

"Because I trust you to be discrete and considerate. Because she needs to lose a third of her body weight. Because you are the best. This is such a crazy, intimate situation, there is no one else I would even consider. I want a man for her trainer to put some extra pressure on her to improve. I'm hoping there will be some sexual drive to want to look pleasing to you. She is going to need all the incentive we can generate to succeed in this remake."

"But, are you going to make her work out naked? How will she feel about that? How will she feel about another man seeing her? I'm not even sure I can handle it. I will be so embarrassed for her?"

"And that is exactly why I asked you. You will care about her. Yes, she will have to exercise naked except for shoes and a sports bra for running only. Yes, it will be extremely hard for her. The first session could unravel the whole program, but, somehow, I don't think so. Whether it's desperation or a resurgence of her will power, she has surprised me with her determination, so far."

"You said a third of her body weight. Just how much does she weigh?"

"Our first weigh-in is tomorrow, but I would guess she now weights about 200. She is carrying that on a rather slender frame. So, you see how critical the bodybuilding will be. If this isn't done right, she could have a real Shar-pei problem when she loses the weight." Alex chuckled slightly at that, and Greg could tell his tension had eased a bit.

"There's one other thing I want you to do. I want her to have a good massage each visit and I want to see what you do so I can give her at least a soothing massage after her harder workouts. I will pay you much better than your going rate for your time."

"I wasn't too worried about that, but thank you. I still think this is crazy, but I will do it as a favor. If you think this woman is worth all this trouble, I would kind of like to meet her. Say, do you have a romantic interest in her?"

"No, I don't. After what we will go through the next eight months, I doubt if a relationship could work. I guess you know I have not completely gotten over Jenna."

"Yeah, you've told me that. As a friend, I wish you could get past her, but... When do you want me to start."

"In about a week. There are some other things that have to happen first - things that could blow up the whole program and make this conversation moot."

Early mornings fit Alex's schedule best, so they agreed on Tuesdays as a regular time.

When Greg came back to the kitchen after the call, Shannon was sitting there breathing heavily and drinking a glass of water. "This is awful! Do you know I have not walked for exercise in years? How will I ever run a 10K?"

"Eight months is a long time. The trick is to build up gradually. Your trainer will set the right pace."

"Who is this trainer, and when is she coming?"

"The trainer's name is Alex, and HE is coming a week from Tuesday."

"A man! You're going to make me exercise naked in front of another man? Oh, no! I can't do that!"

"Alex is my closest friend. He is a real gentleman and a complete professional." He described Alex's credentials and what his businesses were. "I'm sure he has massaged some of his female clients nude."

"But none of them look as bad as I do!"

"Then do just what he says and start looking better, OK? If you can't do it, tell me now so I can take you home."

She sat for a long time, just breathing heavily and staring at her water glass. "I don't want to go back. There is nothing there. This is awfully hard, but I just hate my life. I've got to change. It just seems you are trying to find ways to embarrass me."

"No, that is not my intention. Some of the things I have to do are tough, but please believe me, I want this to succeed. I am hitting you with all the outsiders in about the first week. That way, if you can't handle it, neither of us will waste a lot of time. After Alex, it will be a while before you have to meet anyone else." He silently hoped he had not lied to her by not mentioning her parents - they weren't really outsiders, were they? They both sat in silence, then. Finally, he told her she should freshen up before Julia arrived.

When the doorbell rang promptly at 6:30, he led her to the study just off the front entry, and had her sit on the loveseat that faced at a right angle to the door. He had two reasons for having her wait here. First, the door was solid, so if it was not someone who should see her, he could just leave it closed. Second, if she panicked, there was no other way out of the room. Predictably, she was very frightened.

"Relax, Shannon. You have met Julia already. She knows all about this, and is rooting for you as hard as I am."

"But she hasn't seen me like this. You know, it's hard having you or any man see me, but in a way it's worse with a woman. There is almost more shame, especially if she is attractive."

"Just remember, Julia is the person you should feel most free to tell everything." Here goes another of those make or break moments, he thought. How many can we pile in one day?

When he ushered Julia into the study, Shannon literally froze in panic, hardly even able to breathe. Pro that she was, Julia started talking to her immediately. "Shannon, I am so proud of you for doing this plan. I can't imagine how hard it must be for you to meet people like this. You must really want to change, don't you?"

"I... I... I don't just w... want to change. I have to! I feel like if I don't, my life is over."

"Well, it's not over by a long shot." Julia walked over and took one of her hands, gently pulling it from in front of her breasts. Shannon resisted a little at first, but then relaxed and looked up at Julia, still with a frightened look. "Together, we are going to let you become what you really want to be, aren't we?"

"I... I hope so. It's just so hard to expose myself all the time. I keep thinking I can't do it one more time. I still don't really understand why I have to be naked."

"When someone, like me, for instance, comes in and meets you naked, what do they think about you?"

"They wonder how I got so fat, and how I could ever expose myself, looking like I do. They think I must be really desperate to do something like this."

"People who care won't think about the weight, and Greg will only let people who care meet you. Everyone will think that you must be being completely honest. You would not subject yourself to this, then try to fool or deceive them. Have you always been honest with people, before?"

"No way. Us users are the best liars in the world. It's just part of the 'anything' we will do to get the fixes we need."

"Why do you say 'us' when you talk about users?"

A pause and a startled look. "I'm an addict. I always will be. That won't change."

"But you are no longer a user! You are getting forever beyond that. Don't let yourself think about being one of them. This is very important! Part of the reason for being naked is to show that nothing from before is still hanging on to you. You are starting over with an absolutely clean record."

All through dinner, Julia kept up a steady conversation, mostly with Shannon. It took him a few minutes to realize it was not just chattiness, but a conscious effort to relax Shannon and keep her mind occupied. After dinner, they sat for a while in the family room. Julia somewhat surprised him by sitting beside him on the sofa, and moving close, touching shoulders and legs. She occasionally laid her hand on his arm or leg, and rested her head on his shoulder briefly once. Shannon had to visit the bathroom, and he asked Julia, "Is this unusual, but very pleasant, cuddliness for Shannon's benefit?"

"Julia blushed briefly, then responded, "Oh, you caught on to my non-stop talking tactic, huh? But, no, I'm just enjoying being close to my good friend. What you are doing is unbelievably kind and giving. Women are just naturally attracted to those traits. I just felt the desire to be close. Hope I haven't disturbed you!" She put her arm around his neck and kissed him briefly on the cheek. Startled, he turned toward her and she kissed him again, this time right on the lips.

"Not at all! You know you are one of the people I am closest to. It's just that you have always been so reserved and professional with me before."

"I guess I just decided you really won't ever be my patient again, and we can go back to being just good friends."

"That's fine with me." Surprising himself, he reached over and gave her a warm hug. They had barely rearranged themselves when Shannon returned. "How about a hot tub? Julia, did you happen to bring a suit?"

"No, I didn't."

Shannon piped up, "Well, we have all those two pieces." At Julia's puzzled look, she explained about the weigh-ins, the swimsuits, and the leotards.

"I don't have a two-piece body, though. In fact, I don't have a swimsuit body at all, any more."

"Ha! Look who's talking. How do you think I feel. Please, let me get you a suit and let's soak. It really does feel good." Julia suddenly realized this was an important supporting move for Shannon. She turned to Greg, shrugged helplessly, and followed Shannon down the hall to her room.

Julia O'Brien Waxman had always been a fascinating woman to Greg. At 47, she had lost none of her innate womanly appeal. A classic redhead, she had piercing gray-green eyes that sparkled while gazing into the depths of your soul. Her face was beautiful, if not in the classic cover girl sense. Her features were regular, well proportioned and extremely expressive. Her detached 'professional' look had taken her a great deal of practice to perfect. She was not a small woman, standing about 5'9". Neither was she slim. All of her parts were substantial, although he had never considered her fat. Well-endowed was a perfect description. Besides her lovely, lively face, her best asset was her incredible skin. Creamy white and freckled, it appeared to him to be without a flaw. Of late, there was no question she had put on extra weight, perhaps 20 pounds, or so, enough so it was starting to show on her face and neck. At their first ever meeting years ago, she was dressed up for dinner out, and he could hardly stammer through the introductions. Her clinging cocktail dress showed off her hourglass figure, her waist seeming almost impossibly small between her bulging breasts and her lush hips. Jenna had a marvelous figure, but somehow, she seemed like a pre-teen standing next to Julia. As they became better acquainted, he saw her in casual clothes, even shorts. There was nothing that could make her look anything but sexy. Later, when she was treating him, it was hard to adjust to the professional dress and demeanor. Indeed, she had been reluctant to treat him because of the friendship that had developed.

Julia's husband, Frank, was CEO and owner of a successful women's fashion house. He was 12 years older than Julia. Frank had been Greg's key customer for his logistics management software. Greg was struggling with just a few smaller manufacturing firms as clients, and his company's future was very much in doubt. Jenna had wanted to attend a fashion show and he had agreed to take her. After the show, he had accidentally overheard an angry exchange between a department store buyer and a fashion house sales rep. The buyer loved the line, but the rep could not ship for several weeks, almost missing the season. Greg knew nothing of the fashion business, but he knew a logistics snafu when he heard one. He caught the name of the manufacturer from the rep's briefcase, and personally made the call. Somehow, he got through the usual maze of skeptical, resistant administrators and managers, and ended up with the boss. Frank had just been reamed by an angry department store CEO, and was surprisingly receptive. He invited Greg and Jenna to dinner with him and his wife at their club. Frank later confided that he relied heavily on Julia to vett any prospective business relationships. Fortunately, Greg passed.

It took two fashion seasons, but through a monumental effort, Frank's company attained a reputation as the most reliable supplier in their market. Surprisingly, no other fashion houses came calling, but Frank was well-connected in the business community, and Greg was soon off to the races. He could honestly say he owed his success to Julia. Later, he came to owe his mental well-being - his sanity - to her.

He was almost surprised to see Julia look a bit embarrassed as she dropped her towel and stepped into the hot tub. She, who was always composed and in control! From his brief look, he could see the extra padding she was concerned about, but she still looked womanly and desirable. They enjoyed a congenial soak for a half-hour, toweled off and dressed, then said goodbye until next Sunday evening, their agreed upon regular get-together time.

Monday

The first thing Monday morning, they did the weigh-in and measurement session. He had her do all the measurements, first, and write them down. Later, she would prepare a chart to show her progress. Several times, tears coursed down her cheeks when she saw the numbers. Next, he set up his digital camera on a tripod and shot the nude sequence first. He had decided on a series of ten standard shots they would use each week. He took front, back, and both sides standing, then several typical body-building poses. Some of these shots looked frankly pathetic. She barely held it together through it all. They did the same sequence in the bikini and the leotard. He convinced her to don and remove the suit and the leotard right there without retreating to her room. He did turn around while she changed, since this action was somehow harder then just being nude. He again had to assure her no one but she would see the pictures, unless she showed them.

Julia had arranged a physical for late morning on Monday. The doctor was rather stern in his assessment of her condition, but raised no objection to her diet and exercise program. Back home, Greg immediately noticed the missing clit ring when she came out from her room. "Did it hurt to remove the ring? Is there any pain now."

"No, it was really quite painless. Were you looking for the ring in particular, or do you just naturally check out my pussy all the time?"

"Just biology, remember? Besides, we did talk about it yesterday."

In the few hours before Yvonne was due to arrive, she did her laps in the pool, then made her phone calls when the kids got home.

When the doorbell rang late in the afternoon, he led Shannon to the study to wait while he went to the door. When he opened it, he paused an embarrassing time before finally opening his mouth. Julia's description of 'attractive' missed the mark by half.

"H... hello, Yvonne, I'm happy to meet you. Please come in." He noticed her giving him a long, appraising look, as well. "Would you like to meet Shannon right away, or would you rather find out more about me first?" She seemed surprised at his question, but responded quickly.

"I would really like to find out about you from Shannon, Let me meet her and talk to her alone for a while. Would that be all right?"

He readily agreed and led her into the study. Shannon was once again almost catatonic and near tears when they entered the room. "Shannon, this is Yvonne Torres, the nutritionist. She would like to speak to you alone for a while. Join me in the kitchen when you are finished." He brewed a fresh pot of coffee, and was well into a second cup when the two women came into the kitchen. He threw them a questioning look, but said nothing.

"Well, Greg, I was not at all sure I would be staying to work with you. I really came out of deference to Julia. I really do not understand or like this nudity business. Shannon, however, has convinced me there is no coercion involved, and that she really wants to change no matter what it takes. If she is that determined, I will be honored to help her. Tell me what you would like me to do."

"I want to set up a complete eating plan that will allow Shannon to safely lose two pounds a week for 35 weeks. She will be ramping up to a vigorous exercise program at the same time, using an expert personal trainer. My ideal would be for you to devise a complete menu for each week, plus any supplements you recommend for Shannon. You can include me on the menu." With that, Yvonne set about planning the first week's menu. She asked many questions about what Shannon liked or disliked, about any problems with certain types of foods, about water consumption, etc. When she asked about alcohol, he told her there would be none in the house, and that he was a teetotaler. This drew an intense look from Yvonne, but she did not comment. While doing the planning, she stayed next to Shannon, across the table from him. She would glance at him occasionally, but did not address him directly. When the planning was done, she gave them the completed menu and the ingredients list, along with a list of recommended supplements.

"I could email you the information in the future if you would prefer." Greg sensed she might actually prefer this, but he did not think it was best for Shannon.

"No, I would really like to have you here in person each week, if you can work it in. I will be happy to pay your for your travel time." Yvonne gave him another long look with an indecipherable expression, then agreed to visit again each Monday afternoon. At the door, she said a polite goodbye, but did not extend her hand. It was obvious she was at least uncomfortable with him. Perhaps she really disliked him. Why had Julia recommended her? She must have had some idea of her reaction to him and the situation. What was Julia's connection with her? Of course! She must be a patient! It would be just like Julia to put Yvonne in this situation for therapeutic purposes.

He went back to the kitchen and chatted with Shannon a few minutes. She was stressed by the encounter, but liked Yvonne. She left to visit the bathroom, and was gone a long time. When she returned, she was wearing the swimsuit bottom. With a red face, she stammered out, "Uh... remember I said my period was close? Well, it's here."

"We knew it would happen. Let's try to keep up your normal schedule, but let me know if you are feeling too bad to continue, OK?" With that, he fixed them supper. As he thought ahead, he realized her four days would end Friday, so she would be totally naked again for the weekend. Later, while Shannon did the treadmill, we went to the study and called Yvonne.

"Yvonne, this is Greg. I could tell you were uncomfortable here today, and I'm sorry if I made it any worse."

"You've got to admit, this deal is a 10 on the weird scale."

"Yes, I suppose it is. Did Julia tell you why she is naked?"

"No, she told me very little, except that this woman could really use my help, and that you were willing to pay for it."

"Well, I would appreciate it if you would talk to her some more. Let me just say the nudity was her idea, not mine, and, believe me, I am not finding it easy, either."

"Oh, I didn't know that."

"The real reason I called was to give you the chance to do the planning by email if being here was too difficult. The reason I wanted you to visit in person was to give Shannon as much outside contact as possible. Also, learning to face people when naked is part of the process Julia has set up. I just did not consider that others coming into the house would be as uncomfortable as I was, and I shouldn't expect you to just accept it."