My Boot Camp Diary – Day 92

It may be frustrating at times

Posted by Pam

It’s really frustrating when you’ve been working really hard and you feel like you’re not making any progress. I know I have more energy and I’m more toned, but that number on the scale won’t budge — if anything it’s crept up a pound or so. Talk about frustrating.

I can tell myself my age is a factor, and as women age, it becomes harder for us to lose weight than when we were in our 20s. I can tell myself my thyroid disease is a factor, and even when it’s in the “normal” range, it can wreak havoc on my metabolism. I can tell myself I just need to cut back a little more and work a little harder, but I feel like I’m working really hard now to just maintain.

The most important thing I tell myself is to not give up. Yes, it’s hard. And yes, it’s frustrating at times. But I do feel better, thanks to my Boot Camp workouts. I have more energy. I’m in a better mood. I have more stamina to do the things I like to do or even have to do to get through the day.

I may be just maintaining. But it’s better than the alternative.

My Boot Camp Diary – Day 87

Field promotion

Posted by Pam

With the new group of campers joining us this week, Joe needed a little help demonstrating some of the moves we do. I’m proud to say I was able to help out in that capacity. It’s kind of a big deal for me to go from newbie to “demo girl” — one of the people others turn to for advice on how to perform an exercise.

When one of the new campers told me I made an exercise look easy, I felt pretty good about myself. It’s sometimes hard work to feel motivated and inspired to get to Boot Camp as often as I do. Knowing that there might be even one person who looks to me for motivation or inspiration makes it a lot easier. It doesn’t make the work any easier, but it makes getting there easier. And sometimes, the hardest part of working out is showing up.

Take it one step at a time: Get out of bed. Get your workout clothes on. Get to Boot Camp (or the gym, your living room or the sidewalk). And to steal from Nike: Just do it. You never know who you’ll inspire. It could be yourself. It could be me.

My Boot Camp Diary – Day 68

Plateaus, obstacles and a new attitude

Posted by Pam

 

I seem to have hit a plateau. That place where the needle on the scale just doesn’t move and I can’t seem to lose one more pound.

I could easily make excuses about being sick and having to miss Boot Camp for a few days, but the truth is I hit this plateau way before I got sick. I need to kick things up just a bit — both my nutrition and my workouts. And even though a fellow Boot Camper gave me a very nice compliment this morning, I do feel the need to lose a few more pounds and lower my body fat by a few more percentage points. We all have our goals. That Boot Camper wants to look like Britney Spears at the height of her career (and even has a photo on her phone to help her visualize that goal). I want to be in the best shape of my life — because I don’t believe I have to settle for being frail and stooped as I age.

We ran an obstacle course in Boot Camp today, which I think serves as a fitting tribute to the obstacles we all face — whether they’re real or imaginary. We have illnesses to overcome, time constraints, our own negative talk, the media, bad attitudes. At the mention of Britney Spears, we started talking about how so many people called her fat when she did her comeback performance a while back. I’m sure many people were comparing her to her teenage self. And while she may not have had the same six-pack abs, she looked as good — if not better — than many people out there. Luckily, we (or at least most of us) aren’t followed around by the paparazzi and are not scrutinized for every pound we gain or lose.

Even so, it’s sometimes hard to turn that off. After seeing Britney’s performance and reading all the criticism, all I could think was how she was probably about the same size I am — maybe even thinner. It’s hard to not compare myself to those around me. I bet it’s hard for a lot of people. But we come in so many different shapes and sizes and frames, you have to figure out what the right shape and size if for you.

My Boot Camp Diary – Day 64

Get inspired

My apologies for not getting my Boot Camp Diary post written yesterday, campers. The day got away from me. But now I can tell you that my hamstrings are a bit sore today from yesterday’s workout. I think it was the crazy one-legged bridge/crunch exercise we did. But that’s just a guess.

I can also tell you about seeing the movie “Whip It.” It’s a fun movie and can definitely get you motivated to get in shape and try something new.

And I can tell you about the 100-year-old Australian grandma who is setting track and field records.  Talk about inspiring.

There are days when staying in my nice warm bed sounds a lot more appealing than putting on workout clothes and heading out for Boot Camp. And while, sometimes it is a good idea to get a few extra hours of sleep or rest an injury or recover from an illness, being lazy isn’t a good reason to skip a workout.

Some days I have to find some extra motivation, whether it’s a 100-year-old track star, a teenage Roller Derby Queen or my fellow campers who have their own stories of inspiration.

What’s your inspiration? What gets you to your workouts? The tagline for “Whip It” is “be your own hero.” How are you going to be your own hero?

Posted by Pam

My Boot Camp Diary – Day 63

Pumpkin Workout Warm up

This morning’s Boot Camp workout was a warm up for our upcoming Pumpkin Workout — and a warm up from the frigid weekend! What exactly is a “Pumpkin Workout,” you may ask. Just wait and see.

We did a lot of exercises with the medicine balls this morning. Which may give you an idea of what a pumpkin workout involves.

After a dreary, cold weekend, which I mostly spent curled on the couch under a blanket, it was good to get back into the swing of things. Not that I’m condoning laziness on the weekends, mind you. But two days off meant I needed to work hard today.

I have found that I am quite affected by the weather. And it’s hard for me to get myself moving when it’s cloudy and cold. Lucky for me, Colorado Springs gives us plenty of sunny days. Still, I have to stay motivated through the winter. It is going to get harder for me to get up in the dark to head to Boot Camp, but knowing a group of fun-loving, friendly people will be waiting there for me makes it a little easier. Also, knowing that once I finish, I’ve gotten in my workout for the day and don’t have to figure out when to squeeze it in.

I also know how much better I feel after working out — and how much better I look. Not that it’s all about looks (as I’ve said before) but no woman wants Bingo Arms, does she?

Posted by Pam

How to Stay Motivated for Weight Loss

Have you ever wondered why some people succeed at losing weight while still others continue to ‘spin their wheels’ repeating failure over and over again?

There are many reasons for failure, but the BEST way to ensure success is to follow a proven model or “system” that produces lasting results.

To create the greatest likelihood of weight loss success, you need a proven goal setting formula, a plan to stay motivated and a strategy to stick to your game plan when obstacles arise.

You need a way to stay motivated to conquer the habits that prevent you from achieving the success you deserve. It’s not enough to say you want to lose weight. Most of us would choose to lose weight if it were easy or simple.

But it is not.

Thus, you have to have a plan and a reason that DRIVES YOU to be willing to do what is necessary to change your habits, take the weight off and ultimately change your life.

You see, at times you may feel as though making the changes you need to lose weight are difficult, or you are struggling with making healthier choices, eating right, cravings, etc.  

And by staying focused on your daily goals, you direct your energy to achieving your goal. Your thoughts and actions influence each other. Small changes done consistently lead to positive reinforcement and program your mind for success.

Your actions ultimately shape the vision  your mind sees. And when you see yourself as the person who is successful at changing eating behaviors and habits, your mind will continue to work to make that happen.

But, if you see yourself as someone who struggles with their weight, and continues to struggle to make the choices that keep you from being successful, you will become increasingly convinced of this with every difficult decision toward changing your habits. By staying focused and positive, planning ahead, and directing your action, you WILL make sure to create the mindset and habits for weight loss success.

Our 6-Week “Get L.E.A.N.” nutrition class can provide you with the necessary tools and the action plan to stay motivated for weight loss. Our first class on goal setting and motivation this Thursday will give you a clear ‘roadmap’ and the tools required to help you stay motivated and reach your goals.

You’ll discover a proven step-by-step “blueprint” - the  formula – for staying motivated and how to create a step-by-step action plan on to break free from the habits that are keeping you from achieving the weight loss success you deserve.

You’ll discover how to take action for success each day, week, and for the rest of your life–weight loss and a healthy lifestyle is not a some of the time thing, it’s an all of the time thing.

Early bird registration for our 6-Week “Get L.E.A.N.” nutrition class ends Tuesday!

Check it out here.

My Boot Camp Diary – Day 61

Circuit, circuit, circuit!

I have a secret to tell you. When you’re feeling really unmotivated and kind of tired and out of it, a circuit is a great way to get your workout done.

The alarm went off this morning at the usual time, but it seemed shockingly early — one of those moments where you’re not sure where you are or why Eddie Van Halen is there playing the national anthem. I rolled out of bed and dragged myself to Boot Camp. I love Boot Camp, but today was a day I really didn’t feel much like exercising.

Lucky for me, Joe had a circuit all laid out. All I had to do was move from one exercise to the next. None of the exercises were easy, and I still had to think about my form. But I didn’t have to think about what to do next. And time flew!

It really is a good thing today was a Boot Camp day because I don’t know if I would have been able to motivate myself to work out without the group there. Being accountable to someone else — a trainer, a workout buddy, a Boot Camp class — can help keep you motivated and on the right track to weight loss and fitness.

The beauty of Boot Camp is you’re not paying someone $50 (or more!) an hour for that personal training and accountability. Plus, you get to gripe with your fellow campers about how mean Joe is.

Posted by Pam

New Fall Classes

If you’re looking for a fun and motivating way to exercise or just something new and different to add to your current routine, our new TRX group personal training classes can add a new stimulus to your current traning program and help you get a jumpstart to your fitness this fall.

This unique fitness trend is sweeping the country and for very good reason. The diversity of TRX suspension training simple to perform and you will be challenged as every movement requires core strength and balance.

The TRX Suspension Traning System provides a quick and efficient way to target strength, balance, core, flexibility and cardio all in one workout session.

A big PLUS is that you’ll burn more calories as you gracefully move into various positions while incorporate multiple muscle groups in a short amount of time targeting your butt, abs, thighs and arms without bulking up. You’ll use your own body weight to provide the level of intensity you desire. Our classes are tailored to your fitness level and abilities.

Check out the official TRX Suspension Training Video:

 

Our new TRX Group Personal Training classes are held 6 pm on  Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Sun Spot Atlantis (6410 Austin Bluffs Pkwy) next to the former Planet Fitness.

Classes are 55 min and are kept to a class size of 12 to provide quality, hands on instruction.

To register for a discounted trial class while openings last, click here