Sunday, March 7, 2010

Demitra's Boot Camp Challenge Pictures & Essay







The biggest obstacle I overcame to stick to the challenge and finish was pushing myself to get up at 4:15 on workout days. My proudests moments came yesterday morning & Wednesday morning as I pushed myself even harder with the workouts & I didn't quit or rest until I was done. I've also been able to encourage others at work to let them know that they can do the same thing too. A barrier that I shattered was the thought that I didn't have time to work out while being very active in school & church. I did have slip ups every now and then as it takes time to get adjusted to the nutrional plan. I can recall that I forgot to ask what kind of pasta was used for a dish a friend made me. You just have to pay more attention to what you eat and not be afraid to ask questions. In class we were all there to encourage & motivate one another which helps a great deal, especially when you just want to quit until the next round. To another busy woman who doesn't think that they can do this, you have to realize that you really DO have the time IF you decide to make time. You can't continue to make excuses so if you need to get up earlier for workouts do so! Take control of what you eat. You can still eat great & be satisfied.

Avis' Boot Camp Challenge Pictures and Essay







After approximately two years of eating everything that I imagined eating, I was introduced to the Great Shape Fit Club and the Great Shape Transformation Challenge. From the minute that I was introduce to the boot camp and challenge, I immediately evaluated my current health condition, outer appearance and my will to live a healthier life style. I knew it was time to make a life change and not continue along the path of yo-yo dieting with no exercise. I must admit, I have tried almost every diet plan on the market to include NutriSystem, Jenny Craig and The Diet Center. As long as I stayed on those diet plans I had a weight loss or maintained my weight. The problem with those plans was getting off the plan then gaining the weight that I loss plus an additional 10 to 20 pounds. This was the first time and will be the last time I approach 200 pounds without realizing it. I have found a program that will allow me to eat the foods that I enjoy without falling off the wagon and never getting back on track. The plan allowed 4 splurge meals per week which in my opinion is more than enough opportunity to eat and feel like its my decision to eat whatever I want when I want it, but in moderation.

When eating off while on the other diet plans I gained weight immediately following a splurge meal and in some cases I had to go through a clean up process prior to getting back on my specific plan. The clean up consisted of eating additional pieces of fruit and limiting myself to one starch per day for a few days. The Great Shape Transformation Challenge only required that I eat "clean" for a couple of days following the splurge with very limited weight gain if any. This in my opinion is probably the closest way to have a normal lifestyle without having a feeling that I am missing out on something. Its about keeping it in prospective. At no point did I feel fatigued or undernourished with the 6 meals per day meal plan. I love to eat, so it really made me feel as if I wasn't missing out on anything. Pretty quickly I started to feel my endurance increase, I could see a difference in my upper body appearance and my clothes started to fit a lot better. In addition to the meal plan, the boot camp classes allowed me to bring my "A" game and I worked towards melting away inches each session. The Highland Village evening boot camp class participants were extremely competitive which kept me motivated to do more.

Participating in the challenge also kept me going and it kept me determined to achieve my lifestyle change goals. The daily reporting structure became a challenge within itself, but I tried extremely hard to report in each night and at times I found myself getting out of bed late night to report my activity as required. I wasn't successful reporting my time by 9:00PM each night, but I did follow through in effort to comply with the rules and for my own personal benefit. Overall, I truly enjoyed the challenge and I look forward to continuing my own personal challenge that will allow me to get back into my skinny jeans.

Andrea's Boot Camp Challenge Pictures and Essay






Working out five to six days week proved to be my biggest obstacle during the challenge. The first two to three weeks of the challenge were easy. I hit the wall around week four. My body was stressing out from boot camp and interval training on non boot camp days. Hot baths, stretching and massages didn’t ease the soreness. I was drained mentally and physically. I just didn’t want to work out six days a week. I wanted to throw in the towel; but I knew that I had to keep going. I knew that survival would only be possible if I modified my workout routine.

I decided to incorporate power/hot yoga into my routine. My week normally consists of two days of boot camp, two days of interval training, and two days of yoga. I’ve finally found a combination that works for me. I actually enjoy working out now. I’ve been able to say good-bye to constant soreness. I don’t roll my eyes at the thought of deep squats or lunges anymore; and the treadmill is no longer the enemy.

One of my proudest moments occurred at the gym several weeks ago. For the first time in my life, I jogged for five consecutive on the treadmill. So now my interval rotation on the treadmill consists of two to three minutes of walking and four to six minutes of jogging. I have the challenge to thank for this improvement.

Life isn’t perfect. I miss scheduled work outs. I still struggle with food combining and choices when I dine out. But when I stumble and fall, I just dust myself off and get back up. This is the best thing that I’ve done for myself in a long time. This challenge changed the way I view food and exercise. (I still can’t believe I take my lunch to work three to four days a week.)

One finally thought comes to mind. I was a little disappointed in myself a few weeks ago. I thought man I haven’t pushed myself hard enough. But I realized something. I’ve lost approximately fifteen to twenty pounds since August. I didn’t realize it because the loss has been slow and steady. It finally hit me that change doesn’t occur over night. The body I desire will manifest over time if I maintain a healthy diet and optimize my workouts. My body will reward me if I listen to it and give it the respect it desires.

Saturday, March 6, 2010

BOOT CAMP CHALLENGE CATEGORY WINNER

And the boot camp challenge category winner for
GREATEST PERCENTAGE IMPROVED MEASUREMENTS IS...
AVIS MULBERRY
HIGHLAND VILLAGE EVENING BOOT CAMP CLASS
CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR RAPID RESULTS
21.7% CHANGE IN MEASUREMENTS.
CONGRATULATIONS!

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Coppell Boot Camp Work Out of The Day

Boot Camp Shout Outs

Demitra & Janelle - Rocking out the strength portion with INTENSITY!!
Andrea & Adrienne - Adding intensity with an ab challenge during the arm finishers.
Lori, Michielle & Randee - Rocking out the conditioning section!

Congratulations to the entire Coppell class for wining the Home Run Boot Camp Challenge with an average of 9 runs per person!

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Highland Village Boot Camp Work Out of The Day

Boot Camp Shout Outs
Highland Village AM

Lindsey - Awesome plank jacks, deep dead-lifts and jump squats!
Tracy & Missy - Awesome level 3 lunge form
Karen - Way to cheer and motivate those around you while rocking out level 3 everything!

Monday, March 1, 2010

Coppell Boot Camp Work Out of The Day

Boot Camp Shout Outs
Everyone in class today had Awesome energy and teamwork!
Go Marsha, Monica, Lori, Michelle, Janelle, Adrienne and Deby!

Michelle - Great job pace setting!
Lori - Awesome graduation from level 1 to level 3 push ups with perfect form!!
Janelle - Great single leg dead lifts!
Adirenne - Way to rock out your 2nd day....Great workout!

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Coppell Boot Camp Work Out of the Day

Boot Camp Shout Outs

Consistent effort from the entire class!
Janis & Tara - Advanced to level 2 exercises during this workout.
Michelle - Awesome speed with standing mountain climbers.
Monica & Nicole - Great intensity with hands up butt kickers today!

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Highland Village Boot Camp Work Out of the Day

Boot Camp Shout Outs

Highland Village PM
Consistent Effort from the entire class!
Janelle - Executed each exercise with perfect form for all three workout segments and managed to maintain her exercise level for the entire workout. Great effort and focus Janelle!

Highland Village AM
Shoba - Great form with all of your exercises...you already look like a veteran Fit Clubber. Way to go!
Kalpana - Awesome form on the squat to upright rows today!
Gail - Way to have awesome form and stick through until the end on the push ups.
Karen - Way to lead by example and push yourself on every exercise.
Nice job with the added weight!

Monday, February 22, 2010

Coppell Boot Camp Work Out of the Day

Boot Camp Shout Outs

Marsha - Dumbbell swings...Awesome intensity!
Dara & Andrea - Level 3 Dead lifts...way to go!
Lori - Textbook form on those single leg dead lifts!
Michelle - Way to be a veteran and set the example on the importance of regeneration work. Michelle is faithfully rolling out her muscles before and after the workout. Nice Job...way to stay loose and injury free!

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Highland Village Boot Camp Work Out of The Day

Boot Camp Shout Outs

Missy & Tracy - Awesome spider crawls; way to keep your hips down!
Kalpana & Jayne - PERFECT form in T push-ups!
Lindsey - Wow....gave a new meaning to 'high' on the high knees!
Rochelle - Cranked up the intensity pop squats; Very impressive!
Daryl - Level 3 toe taps onto a high mat....FABULOUS!

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Coppell Boot Camp Work Out of The Day

Boot Camp Shout Outs

Dara - Perfect form throughout the entire strength circuit!
Randee - Way to set the pace with Level 3 for the entire workout!
Janis, Nicole and Lori - Consistent focus and effort for the entire workout!

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Highland Village Work Out of The Day

Boot Camp Shout Outs...

Highland Village PM
Sherri - Way to lead the way with intensity and level 3 all the way through!
Tricia - Consistent high intensity and effort!
Karin & Avis - Great focus!
Tanya - Consistently increasing effort with each workout!

Highland Village AM
Kalpana - Excellent push up shoulder tap form!
Tracy - Way to make v-ups & chopper sit ups look easy...and way to rock the plank jacks!
Liz B. - Awesome Y jump squats....deep squats and intense pace!
Shoba - Your determination remained unmatched....keep up the good work, it will get easier!
Daryl - Great dedication...way to never give up during a set!

Monday, February 15, 2010

Coppell Boot Camp Work Out of The Day

Boot Camp Shout Outs...

Randee & Monica killed judo push-ups! Randee KILLED one leg judo push-ups!
Demetra: ROM on spider man climbs...WOW!
Lori: Plank to push-up transfer...way to hang in there with sheer determination!

Monday, February 8, 2010

Coppell Boot Camp Work Out of The Day

Boot Camp Shout Outs

Lori - Awesome first day back!
Jennifer - Great first day back!
Janis - Great row form!
Michelle - Great job perfecting the plank!