Boot Camp for Women

I really do think I’ve lost my ever loving mind. I’ve gone and done something very none Karen like. Tomorrow morning, for one of the few times in my life (other than when my babies were tiny), I’m setting my alarm clock for 4:30 so that I’ll be AWAKE and ready to start my Adventure Bootcamp for Women  at KidsFirst in Blue Ash. (There’s also an Oakley, Anderson and Bridgetown location.)

I’m a morning person, but not an early morning person. My alarm goes off at 6:30 am every morning, and I’m going to be honest with you, some mornings, I snooze it on out until 7am.

When Shannan asked if anyone from Family Friendly would be up for a free month of boot camp and that one of the locations where it would be offered was in Blue Ash where I live; well groan, I don’t want bad karma any more than than the next person, so I raised my flabby arm and hand high.

Don’t get me wrong. I need this. Bad. I’m definitely overweight and I definitely need to be in better shape. After the whole having two c-sections thing there’s that whole shelf thing going on. Yuck, I know, but all of you c-section Momma’s out there, can you give me an “Amen”? It’s the 5:30 am, and, oh by the way did I mention this is outside part that has me concerned? Yep, outside.

This whole opportunity fits in with my personal theme for 2012 — Conquer 2012! I’ve started to make amazing and positive changes in my health — I’ve lost weight, I do Zumba 3-4 times a week and I’m on the road to kicking my sugar addiction. It’s a slow road and going to the bootcamp is exactly what I need exactly now.

But I’m really nervous. I haven’t done a hard physical workout in years. I work up a sweat and I’m sore for a day from Zumba and I love love love doing it, but I don’t think it’s anything like what the next month is going to be. I’ve been told stairs and sitting are going to be hard for me this week. I sit a whole lot and I live in a two story house so this could be a challenging week.

What I try to keep on reminding myself is that this is an amazing experience and opportunity. I plan to seize it. I’m just concerned that I’m going to give up and not take advantage of all it has to offer. To help me stay on the straight and narrow, I plan on blogging about this here two more times — once mid-month and then again when the month is over. On the wrap up post, I’ll be having a giveaway for one of you, our amazing followers (women only, please!) to have the same opportunity as I’ve had — a one month boot camp session at one of their locations.

My experience with Adventure Bootcamp for Women is that this is a well run and well oiled company. I’ve received lots of information through emails and a packet I was given when I went for my pre-boot camp assessment. They really want to partner with their attendees and offer tips on how to help get the most out of the month including what you need to bring to class, what you should eat and how setting a goal for the month improves your chances of succeeding. (My goal is to lose 6 lbs and a couple of inches off my legs and something off my arms — please, I’ll take anything!) There’s an entire meal plan provided for you, which is great. I do wish there were more vegetarian options in the provided recipe book — there’s a substitution list in the back which will be helpful. I think they’re “catering” to the masses which is cool, just wish I didn’t have to think so hard about something they were obviously trying to make easy.

I’m not going to share my pre boot camp numbers. They’re scary for me and I don’t want to freak anyone out. I will share at the end some comparisons — did I lose weight? did I lose inches? (this is what I’m really hoping for!). Be on the lookout for my second post in a few weeks.  If you’d like to keep up with me on a more regular basis over the next four weeks, I’m going to try to journal about my experiences on a daily basis (remember now, I said ‘try’) on my own personal blog, Little World After All.

I have my equipment ready — five, eight and ten pound hand weights, a yoga mat, some good gym shoes and a willingness to try my hardest. Do me a favor, keep your fingers crossed for me!

(Some more information on camps — you can choose either a 3 or 5 day option – I’m doing the 5-day classes for four weeks. The cost is normally $299 for a 5-day four week session.)

Photo credit is from Adventure Boot Camp for Women.