Two days before Whoorlita turned 3 months old, the local daily deal on Plum District was a month-long boot camp. I stared at the screen for all of 4 seconds before clicking the purchase button. I knew that if I allowed myself even a minute to stew over it, I would make 1,000 excuses as to why a boot camp would be all wrong for me. (New baby! Bad timing! Waking up at ungodly hours after an already sleepless night! Breastfeeding/pumping issues! The list goes on and on…)
It was too late now. The purchase had been made.
I really had no idea what to expect. After baby #1, I used the C25K program as my baby weight loss program, and it did the job. So why would I subject myself to an exercise program modeled after military conditioning? Had the postpartum hormones caused me to lose my mind? (Probably.)
I started boot camp (3x/week) in mid-October. Honestly, I felt like my lungs were going to implode on the first day. I was OUT O’ SHAPE. The day after was pretty brutal – in fact, I recall spending upwards of 10 minutes trying to walk down my stairs the next morning from muscle soreness. But guess what? I felt completely energized driving home from class (pretty impressive, considering the sun was just coming up), and I didn’t have my usual 2-3pm slump. By the end of week one, I felt pretty damn good. The end of week two? I was a convert. My energy levels were through the roof, and that was saying a lot for a mom of a newborn and a 4-year-old that NEVER STOPS MOVING AND/OR TALKING.
Some of you might be wondering exactly what a boot camp entails. Although every program is different, the gist is exercise through resistance and cardiovascular training. (Such as running short distances, push-ups, sprints, lunges, jumping jacks, jump rope, mat work, weight training, stability ball/medicine ball training, stretching, cone drills, and obstacle courses. Um, not all in the same session. I swear.) What I like best about boot camp is that my trainer completely switches up every class. I never know what she’s planning for us, which keeps it totally fresh. Keeping exercise interesting is a huge motivator for me, and is probably why videos like 30-Day Shred don’t work for me in the long run. I have videos practically memorized by the end of week 2, which bores me right back into indolence.
After completing my first month of boot camp, I had lost several pounds and several inches. My pre-pregnancy jeans that previously screamed for mercy upon reaching my thigh area were all the way up and buttoned. (Although, let’s be honest, not QUITE ready for public viewing.) Suddenly, all of those 4:50am breast pumping sessions in preparation for class (while the rest of my family slept soundly in the pitch dark) were beginning to pay off. I decided to sign up for another month, and after completing that session, I was within two pounds of my pre-pregnancy weight and wearing almost all of my pre-pregnancy clothing again. Two months, you guys. Two months! It was no cake walk, but so worth it.
The best part for me personally is that my body is morphing into a shape that I’ve never had before. (Even pre-babies!) When I was exclusively running after baby #1, I lost the weight, but I was just a smaller me, shape-wise. Now, all of the toning and weight training I’ve completed in boot camp has really changed the overall look and shape of my body. My muscles are leaner, and I actually don’t cringe when I look at my legs, which have ALWAYS been my least favorite body part. (I even busted out a mini-skirt recently, and that’s saying something.)
Before boot camp (this past August):
(Yes, that is cellulite on my upper arm. Oy.)
After completing 2 months of boot camp 3x/week (uh, as well as a 2-week holiday hiatus consisting of cookies, cake and pie…shhhhhhpleasedon’ttellmytrainer):
I still have a fair share of work ahead of me, but I couldn’t be happier about the progress I’ve made in the past two months. I love boot camp. Period. I started my third session this morning, and I couldn’t wait to get going after these past two weeks of food, beer, food, cocktails, and MORE FOOD.
If your New Year’s resolution is to drop some pounds and gain a ton of energy, definitely consider a boot camp. And if you are in the Orange County area, I can’t recommend Total Training by Tammy enough! (It’s really no wonder her program was voted Best Workout Program in Orange County by Citysearch. It is AWESOME. Tammy is Motivation, personified.)
Tammy is offering a free kick-off week (starting today, Jan 3, and going through Friday, Jan 7) of Boot Camp for the new year, so you have no reason not to try it out. Plus, she has 5 locations around the OC and several different times throughout the day that you can mix and match, so don’t be trying to make up excuses over there on your couch. DO IT. (And tell her I sent ya!) It might be the best thing you’ll do for yourself all year.
sizzle
January 3, 2011 at 4:24 pmThose are some great results! You should be Tammy’s spokesperson. (Maybe you are?) ;-)
Hmm, thinking I will add to my Life List: post public photo of myself in sports bra and work out pants and feel proud. Something to aspire to!
Nope, just a huge fan. And I’m super proud of my progress so far – I worked extremely hard!
whoorl
January 3, 2011 at 4:33 pmTHANK YOU, EVERYONE!!! Seriously, when I start to feel unmotivated, I’m going to re-read these comments over and over. :)
Angella
January 3, 2011 at 5:01 pmGo, YOU!!
My Boot Camp ended mid-December and doesn’t start again until next week, so I don’t look quite as buff as you (warning for next weekend. ;) )
I totally hear you on this, though. I love how good it feels to work out and how much ENERGY it gives you.
You look amazing, lady. Well done!
Thanks, Angella! (Although, WHATEVER on the buff comment. Your buffness is what I aspire to be!)
slynnro
January 3, 2011 at 5:34 pmYou look fab Sarah!
curlystraight
January 3, 2011 at 5:40 pmDamn.
And I just finished eating a piece of fudge.
Bootcamp, here I come. Someday. Soon.
Really!
Well…hopefully.
Damn.
Isabel @AlphaMom
January 3, 2011 at 5:48 pmwow! You look amazing!
I can totally see what you mean about the definition and the lean muscle. You should be really proud of yourself. 3x per week in the wee-early am requires commitment.
Mia
January 3, 2011 at 6:00 pmGood God, woman! You look better than most of my early-twenties-never-had-a-baby friends! I was so impressed by this post, I showed it to my fiance who’s sitting next to me, and he agreed; you look great! Off to look for a bootcamp in my area right now. I had a wedding dress to fit into in 8 months!
Okay, that comment made me verrrrry happy. ;) And yes, sign up for a boot camp! You’ll love it!
lucy s.
January 3, 2011 at 6:01 pmwow, thanks for the inspiration. you look fantastic!
Kerri Anne
January 3, 2011 at 6:02 pmYou are so awesome. And so inspiring. And just so lovely.
And right this second I am signing up for my very first! boot camp, that won’t start for awhile because apparently it’s outside, in a park nearby my house, but I’m SO EXCITED. And scared. But mostly excited!
Here’s to biceps, and triceps, and abs, oh my!
AWESOME, Kerr. I think this is right up your alley. You are going to love it! Ours is outside too, and I was the only one who showed up in the rain today. I felt like I should have had the Rocky theme blasting. ;)
Siera
January 3, 2011 at 6:26 pmYou know, I think I will look into a boot camp in my area after reading this. Thanks, and keep up the good work.
Jackie Mittman
January 3, 2011 at 7:28 pmThanks! You know, I’m so relieved to hear you say you eat like a person…I’m always afraid that the secret to losing the last 8 pounds is to starve myself. The truth is I need to get off my butt! Now, to find the time and $$…argh.
alison
January 3, 2011 at 8:49 pmso impressive – i’m inspired!
lisa
January 3, 2011 at 8:59 pmYou rock!!!!! And, you do it in the rain and cold!!!! I am almost thinking that I could do the 5:30 am….maybe a couple of days a week?!
C’MON, LISA! You know you want to do it!!
Mama in the City
January 3, 2011 at 9:29 pmYou look fantastic! Way to go!
Tina
January 3, 2011 at 10:09 pmYou look fabulous! If I didn’t work out at 5:00 a.m., I’d never get my workouts in. I do two boot camp-like classes twice a week. I too get very bored in other cardio classes like spin or step. I find the time flies and I like how my instructors mix it up every week.
I started taking a Pilates Reformer class a couple of months ago and am really hooked on that as well.
Best,
Tina