Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Highland Village Boot Camper of the Day
Congratulations Karen Roberts for being the Highland Village morning class boot camper of the day!
Way to go with graduating to even heavier weights while maintaining awesome form and great intensity while inspiring others in the class to work hard too!
Congrats Karen!
Boot Camper of the Day
Coppell Boot Camp - AM Boot Camper of the Day
MICHELLE TRAW
Congrats Michelle on a great workout and for being super encouraging the new Fit Clubbers. Way to go!
Highland Village Boot Camp - PM Boot Camper of the Day
Jennifer Garross
Congrats Jennifer on bumping up to the Level 3 exercises and for rocking one of the hardest push up stations ever. Way to go!
Friday, April 9, 2010
Top 5 Summer Shape Up Tips
Top 5 Summer Shape Up Tips
1. Ditch the adult beverages.
Of course you all know that wine and beer will NOT help you get beach abs(they don't call it a beer belly for no reason) but what about your favorite coffee beverages. As the weather heats up, resist the temptation to grab those frozen lattes and fraps. Stick to non-caloric beverages and decline the ever so clever offer to add "breakfast" with your coffee from your local coffee shop. Since when did desert become breakfast? That offer is great for their bottom line but not so great for your waistline. Come on guys... you are smarter than that! Don't let them cheat you out of your slim summer body.
2. Add a protein shake or two to your meal plan instead of your typical "snacks".
Did you know that your body burns more calories when it digests protein than it does when it digests carbs and fat? It's true. So for an easy way to bump up your protein intake and turbo charge your metabolism, replace a snack or two (not more) a day with a protein shake. Don't just grab any protein powder you can get your hands on. There is a lot of junk out there. I recommend getting your protein from Prograde Nutrition. I am proud to be a partner with this company as they have some of the highest quality products I've used. Get your protein today at: http://greatshapefitclub.getprograde.com/protein-powder.html and try this delicious recipe to get summer ready now.
CONCITA'S SUNRISE SMOOTHIE
2 oz Orange Juice
2 oz Water
1 Scoop Protein Powder
8 frozen strawberries
1/2 cup ice
Add all ingredients to a blender, blend and enjoy.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Coppell Boot Camp Shout Outs
Marsha & Michelle - way to tear up cardio.
Melissa - Congrats on mastering the level 1 moves...time to move on up!
Janelle, Adrienne, Dara & Michelle - way to tear up level 3 split squat jumps!
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Boot Camp Shout Outs
Coppell Boot Camp Class
Michelle - You are getting stronger and gaining confidence in your abilities with each workout. Keep up the good work!
Randee - Good work on the LEVEL 4 sliding hamstring curls
Adrienne - Way to work... you are pushing yourself on both form and intensity harder and harder with each passing workout.
Highland Village Boot Camp Evening Class
Jan- Awesome form on planks, v pushups and sliding leg curls.
Norma & Tanya - Awesome intensity.
Nadia & Deirdre- Great effort to perfect your form
Marian- Great job on embracing and going after the burn in each station.
Vicky- Great focus and intention on the entire workout.
Highland Village Boot Camp Morning Class
Angela, Teresa, Jan and Michelle….awesome pushups ladies.
Way to go Tracy, Missy, Kalpana and Katie on the 1-leg pushups.
Michelle and Katie - PERFECT jumping lunges!
Anita- intense ab work.
Daryle and Gail FABULOUS energy during cardio!
Karen’s effort on the side plank rows with leg abduction was unmatched!
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Boot Camp Transformation Challenge Winners
And the results are in....
Most Change in Before & After Pictures...
MONICA DUNLAP
CLICK HERE to see Monica's Boot Camp Before & After Pictures
Most Inspiring Story....
MICHELLE TRAW
CLICK HERE TO see Michelle's Boot Camp Before & After Pictures
Way to go ladies!
Greatest Percentage Change in Measurements
AVIS MULBERRY
CLICK HERE to see Avis' Boot Camp Before & After Pictures
Great job by all!
Boot Camp Shout Outs
Congratulations Janis & Demitra for bumping up your levels in numerous exercises.
Way to go Andrea with your level of focus and intensity.
Janelle way to go for consistent high intensity and focus!
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Boot Camp Shout Outs
Marsha - Congratulations on graduating to the heavier weights. Great performance!
Adrienne- Awesome focus and consistent intensity for the entire workout.
Highland Village PM Boot Camp Class
Jennifer - Congratulations on continuing to gain more confidence in your abilities and pushing yourself harder at each workout.
Highland Village AM Boot Camp Class
Jayne- You are always bringing super energy to class and giving a consistent effort.
Karen- Way to continue to push yourself beyond even what is asked. Nice job on the added weight for the split squats.
Tracy- You have been crowned "FORM QUEEN". You have excellent form on each exercise.
Rochelle- Way to tear up those squats.
Gail- Awesome job with the suitcase deadlifts.
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Tricia's Boot Camp Challenge Pictures and Essay

That was then. Now, I realize that reaching a fitness goal takes time and loads of effort. And making a heart-felt, lasting commitment to the goal was key. I had to change my thinking. If I pictured this fitness journey as a temporary one, then those were the results I would ultimately get. Temporary. But, if I applied myself and made this lifestyle a new way of living, then my body would respond with life-long consequences.
I began this journey almost two years ago after my ex-husband and I separated and later divorced. Since then I’ve lost about 45 pounds and, in the process, have gained so much. Knowing that I’m healthier, stronger, firmer, more fit, more energetic, more confident and that I finally have control over my eating habits has given me a sense of inner strength that is hard to describe. Those two years passed so quickly. The thought crosses my mind often, “Where would I be in I had ignored my health and not even started this journey?” I’m sure that I’d be exactly where I was. OH, less be honest, I’d be worse. The situation doesn’t just get better on its own.
“You’ll never reach your goal by accident”. This is a phrase that I repeated to myself during this challenge. And, little-by-little, it’s working! I can definitely say that I’m closer to my goal weight/size than I was at the beginning of this challenge. With every few months, I make a new commitment to myself. For instance, I had already mastered the eating plan (well, there are splurges of course), but I used these few weeks to focus on taking the daily multi-vitamins, EFAs, staying away from artificial sweeteners, and attending every boot camp session. Taking on all the necessary changes at once would’ve been too overwhelming. This is a ‘baby-steps’ type of process. Thank God I finally decided to get out of the crib!
Tracy's Boot Camp Challenge Pictures and Essay


Well, the evening before the challenge started (and the new job began), I was finishing up painting my bathroom and caught my ring finger on the shower edge as I was stepping down, the result was a trip to the emergency room, getting my rings cut off and a broken finger. I was so upset because it was so crazy that this would happen right at the worst time, it actually made me more determined to make it through the challenge. So, for the first week, I just modified my workouts to use my hand as little as possible and after that it was not really a problem. While I thought nothing could be more difficult than that, I would have to say the biggest challenge for me was that we had planned a trip to Florida in March, after the challenge, but had to reschedule so my daughter could try out for the high school cheer team. We went the last weekend in February. It was more difficult having to exercise on the road and stay on the diet. (I think that was the only week I used ALL my splurges!) But in the end, it wasn’t impossible; I think I had just been excited that it was going to be “post-challenge”.
I would definitely say the biggest factor to my success has been having Missy doing this with me. We workout together on our non-boot camp days, talk about meals/food to try, and remind each other about checking in. I know I would never have been able to pull this off without her constant support.
I’m very glad to have participated in the challenge; it has been a great learning experience. I have learned that working out isn’t that bad. I even look forward to it. I feel much healthier. I am enjoying my loose fitting clothes and people saying they can tell I’ve lost weight.
Overall the food planning was a little difficult, I am not the best at planning, but I can do it. I am looking forward to mixing in a “healthy carb” a little more frequently. I have discovered that I love protein shakes and also don’t miss things I previous thought would be impossible to give up like desserts.
Shaquita's Boot Camp Challenge Pictures and Essay

Starting out I had the main goal in mind. Outside of my recent engagement and strong desire to look stunning for my wedding, my goal of weight loss was due to the recent weight gain I had when I move in my apartment. I guess when you look down and realize your favorite jeans don’t fit like they used to there is a major problem.
Starting the challenge wasn’t the hard part - finishing was mainly the problem. Being a past athlete and dancer, working out has never been a problem, the lack of motivation was. In this challenge having someone check on you and make sure you are eating right, working out and feeling okay with the workouts was an awesome push to keep going. Even in the boot camp classes to hear someone encourage you to keep going, helps you push past the pain that you feel.
The biggest obstacles that I had to overcome in this challenge is getting sick, because it caused me to not to be able to work out in my full capacity or even eat the way I should. Another obstacle was when I lost my job I was deeply depressed so it was hard to fight not eating or eating too much because of the feeling that I had. I think what helped me to push past the obstacle was me remembering that I am trying to fit in a cute dress for the wedding, but it seemed I could hear Concita in my ear saying make sure you stick to the nutrition plan. So I couldn’t let anyone down. So I push past the obstacle.
My biggest positive moments in the challenge were overcoming my junk food habits. I was happy to see when I got in the stores I wasn’t craving for chips or candy. Also being able to get into my jeans without a major struggle, showed I was actually accomplishing something with my workouts. I didn’t have any slip ups with nutrition, I made sure I had time for it with my splurges. But other than that I was good. I can say to those who want to achieve weight loss on a go, it is possible. With the boot camp and the determination it is very achievable. Following the nutrition plan helps a ton. You lose weight just staying away from things that add pounds. I noticed it’s not what you eat often times its how much you eat.
Monica's Boot Camp Challenge Pictures and Essay


My biggest challenge was giving up my red wine. I would have at least two glasses of wine a day, sometimes more. But wine definitely was in my daily routine Sunday through Saturday. When I went the first two weeks without having a drink I was ecstatic. I knew I had truly made an accomplishment. About 4.5 weeks into the challenge my shirts and my pants started to fit a little different. I was more comfortable and confident in my clothes. The best part about it is that I began to get compliments at work! That was awesome! I’m my worst critic and I didn’t think that my changes were that noticeable, but when people gave me compliments, that made me feel awesome!
I still struggled after I started to see results. My biggest challenge towards the end came with my exercise plan. I had the nutrition down pack. I cooked my meals faithfully every Sunday evening and packed my lunch every day for work. But my job began to interfere with my work out schedule. I began to work late nights and early mornings. That caused me to miss boot camp some mornings and made it difficult to make up my work out. The majority of the time I managed to make up my workout, but because I was so tired it wasn’t always the best work out.
Above anything, my eating habits were the biggest challenge. Since I was able to overcome those challenges, I have no doubt that I will not let my work schedule take over my work out schedule. I’ve worked over the last several weeks and I plan to continue to get compliments! I am so grateful for this challenge and how it has pushed me to succeed.
Missy's Boot Camp Challenge Pictures and Essay


Let me introduce the person I was six months ago. I was a 47 year old working mother of 2 girls (preteen and teen) who enjoyed sitting on the couch, reading a book, drinking coffee and snacking on chocolates! Working out was not on the agenda! If anyone would have told me that I was going to do a boot camp challenge – I would have laughed in their face! (Between bites of chocolate of course!)A couple weeks later, a dear friend of mine got me started in Concita’s boot camp! This was a feat in itself, as I am not a morning person and I could not make the evening boot camps. So, it started – 5:30 am 2 days a week and I was hooked. Fast forward about 5 months and I am currently at the end of the eight week boot camp challenge and love it!
Now, that is not to say there were not some challenges along the way! The first weekend of the challenge was a 4 day trip to New Orleans with my daughter’s cheer team. I could not imagine going to New Orleans and having to workout every day and eat according to guidelines. I have never worked out on a vacation in my life, but I guess I was going to start now! Everyone was talking about the good food we would be eating and going down to Bourbon Street for Hurricanes! Well, I packed my blender, my protein powder and all my snacks, some of my meals and drinks in my ice chest and headed down! I was up every morning in the workout room in the hotel and actually felt better the rest of the day! I carried my snacks with me to make sure I ate my 6 meals a day. I saved my splurges for the week for the trip and it all worked out! The funny thing is - my splurges were actually not that bad! I came back from the trip feeling like I had achieved a big accomplishment!
There were days during the challenge that I just wanted to grab some cookies or some chips, but the motivation of seeing the changes that had occurred in my body were enough to just pass it up! Having the accountability of having to check in every night also played a big factor in not cheating. Previous to starting the challenge, I went to boot camp twice a week, but was not good about working out on the off days. I had gotten into a good eating routine already, so the toughest thing was doing the workouts on days we did not have boot camp. This obstacle was easily overcome by having a next door neighbor who was also doing the challenge. We got up at 5:15 every morning that we were off (except our rest day) and met at one of our houses and did our workout!
Now, at the end of the challenge, I am still 47, still working, still have 2 girls, but I feel like a new person! I have much more energy, feel better about myself, am much happier not to mention – smaller! I am living proof that boot camp is a great way to get the body that you want. Healthy eating and exercise has become my new lifestyle!
Michelle's Boot Camp Challenge Pictures and Essay

While I am a long-term fit-clubber this is the first Challenge I have participated in. In the past, I have always found coming to boot camp easy and fun – yes, even at 5:30am and when we were outside all of last winter. I like the workouts and I really enjoy the camaraderie with the other women. What was always difficult was consistently following Concita’s recommendations outside of class. Honestly I didn’t really want to follow the guidelines outside of class because (1) adding work-outs used to be enough; (2) I knew I would have to give up some of the things I love, like wine; and (3) it meant doing things I wasn’t accustomed to doing – i.e., changing my ways.
However at the end of last year I started to feel like a hamster running on a wheel going nowhere, so I committed to do all the things Concita asked us to do for the Challenge and see it through to the end.
I mean it was only 8 weeks; how hard can that be right? I figured I was bound to see at least some results, even if I didn’t lose the most inches.
What I found out was that the things that I thought were going to be hard were pretty easy, and the things that I thought would be easy were actually a pain in the backside and more difficult for me to complete.
Concita’s Plan:
Plan and prepare meals for the week ahead of time
What I Thought:
This was going to be the most difficult part and I certainly would not want to maintain this after the Challenge ended. It was not at all for me.
What I Discovered:
Not only was it easy but I liked it! I liked not having to think about what I would eat each day and it was a good way to train my tastebuds. Now when I eat out I am more inclined to eat within the guidelines. My downfall here is that it was easy to do for the work week but I didn’t pre-plan for the weekends.
Concita’s Plan:
Exercise on non-boot camp days for a total of 6 workouts per week
What I Thought:
I wasn’t looking forward to this and wasn’t sure I could get it done. I would be too tired to add more work-outs and I was concerned about sore muscles and aching joints. This was a lot more days of working out than I was used to.
What I Discovered:
I did it! This wasn’t as hard to complete as long as I did it first thing in the morning. No afternoon workouts for me. Also, the off-day work-outs were only 20 minutes so it wasn’t too hard on my joints and muscles.
Concita’s Plan:
Add the 4 minute metabolic workout daily 6 times per week
What I Thought:
OK it is only 4 minutes – even I could get that done.
What I Discovered:
I was successful the first 3 weeks of the Challenge then I feel apart. 4 minutes is easy – it is finding the motivation to get it done at the end of the day that is more difficult. Maybe I need to try this closer to lunchtime.
Concita’s Plan:
Track & report daily exercise and splurge meals
What I Thought:
Not fun, but I could get this done too.
What I Discovered:
There is no nice way to say this – I just plain sucked at this part! Not only did I not achieve 90% compliance on eating, just logging onto the computer at night to report my progress seemed like a big chore to me. I definitely need to try another approach here.
The Results:
I can’t tell you my physical results right now because we are about 3 days away from final measurements, but I can tell that I did lose at least some inches by the mirror and by the way my clothes fit. Not as many as I would have liked, but I did see progress. I also am seeing progress in the way I think and what I have realized about myself…
I am not as young as I used to be, and just adding more exercise time doesn’t cut it anymore.
I do need to limit some of the things that I love, in order to have an overall healthier balance in my life. I didn’t find the magic solution for this one and I am going to keep working on it, but these 8 weeks have given me some practice and motivation to keep trying.
I, like most women, put others before myself. I am less inclined to change my routine at the end of the day and on weekends when everyone in the family is going in different directions to fit in the things that are for me and me alone. Another challenge area that I will continue to work on, but following the guidelines during the week and winging it on the weekends doesn’t cut it.
Everybody, including me, needs to change their ways on occasion if for no other reason than to test the waters. I certainly learned things about myself that I didn’t expect.
Knowing general beliefs and facts about exercise and nutrition is helpful, but essential to helping each of us achieve our own goals is knowing our own bodies and minds – what works and what doesn’t. That my friend, changes as we age and only comes from trial and error. So try the next Challenge – see what you learn!
Jayne's Boot Camp Challenge Pictures and Essay


My challenge experience was great. It started off very hard. I was out of town the first week on a business trip, and the second week I was tending to my father who was having heart problems. I looked at both very positively! This is real life and whether I am trying to work out or eat right, these were normal challenges that I would face. So my workout utopia was upset from the start. This forced me to work harder from the start. I did cardio in the stairwell in the hospital, did tabatas in the bathroom on my business trip. I even had my brother and sister-in-law doing tabatas in the evening with a timer. It was more fun that sitting around like slugs and drinking beer (Carbs YUK).
The hardest time for me was the Super Bowl and all of the great food and drink that was available. I love queso and I was able to dismiss it to a degree, forcing myself to eat small amouts with raw carrots instead of chips! It actually tasted great. The biggest break through I had was looking at each new day as a new start. If I did splurge, then I would start the next day with a great attitude as though it never happened. This helped me to break through barriers including weight barriers that I haven't been able to do in over 15 years.
This challenge was one of the most awesome things that I have done! I have learned that I can have a "gym rat" body without living in the gym. Concita once told me "You cannot train out bad nutrition". This was my mantra during this challenge. I dynamically adjusted my food based on my workout schedule. I found myself not ever really thinking about food. I limited myself to certain choices and timeframes for eating. If I was hungry in between I would eat healthy. I feel I was very successful during the challenge. I feel that the largest area that I am still working on is self image. For whatever reason my self image is not the greatest. Suffice it to say that quite possibly this was impacted early in life and this is a psychological change that will have to occur. I am working on it and as of yesterday, my husband told me that he was very impressed with the change! Will I go back? NOT WILLINGLY!!
My largest goal when I started boot camp was to fit into my prom dress. I hope that Concita posts that picture. I met that goal with two weeks to go in the challenge. This proved to be interesting, because I felt myself slipping... Then I realized it was because I had met that goal and no longer had a GOAL! And you see, I am driven. Without a goal I seem to get lost. Throughout my life goals have been my roadmap to all of the successes I have had. So, after feeling lost for a few days, I set a new goal and am now focused on the new goal. This new goal is to prepare for a 20 mile bike ride on April 3rd and my secondary goal is to do 30 pull ups sequentially! Funny, but I am still trying to get those "Linda Hamilton - Terminator arms"!
Thank you Concita for really changing my life and helping me to break that non-productive dieting cycle! You truly helped me to pull out of a serious state of depression and helped me to turn my life around. Thanks also to my dear friend Tricia Duhon, who convinced me that Concita was well worth it!! Love you both!!
See you all at Bootcamp!!

