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.
Sharon
January 4, 2011 at 6:23 amYou look fantastic. I have been going to a boot camp class for over a year now, 3x per week. It is the best thing I have ever done as far as exercise goes. I didn’t really need to lose weight, but I am so much stronger and toned. There’s a real sense of accomplishment for me in being able to do pull ups and push ups and lift more than 5 pound weights. It’s worth getting up at ungodly hours.
Jen
January 4, 2011 at 7:23 amYou look great!
Just curious what type of crockpot meals you make. That sounds fantastic for simplicity sake!
Thanks, Jen! I’ve used the Relish Meal Planning System for several years, and they have tons of awesome crockpot recipes. I posted about Relish here:
https://whoorl.com/archives/2719
stickyheels
January 4, 2011 at 9:03 amHold on a second while I pick my jaw up off the floor.
Damn, Gina.
I’m 26 and NO babies and you have a six pack? You look smokin, and you may say you “have a long way to go” but, let’s be honest – you’re there already!
Louise
January 4, 2011 at 9:43 amThank you for the motivation! I need to lose ten pounds and no matter how much I watch what I eat, it’s not going to happen without exercise. I have PCOS and so my metabolism is painfully slow. I always feel great after I exercise and I never regret it. It is just making myself do it that is the challenge. If you can do it with two kids and a nursing schedule, surely I can do it with no kids. Thanks!
GreenInOC
January 4, 2011 at 9:49 amTraining by Tammy is today’s “Screamin Daily Deal” – $39 for 1 month.
http://www.screamindailydeals.com/coupons/deal-orange-county-boot-camp-3-days-week-total-training-tammy
Not that I am going to be signing up. Class members would probably think I was the real life show-and-cautionary-tale of what NOT to do!!
Oh, come on. I think you’d surprise yourself!
HK
January 4, 2011 at 11:11 amYou look awesome and I appreciate the motivation as I get back into my workout routine after the holidays. For those who don’t live near a bootcamp or can’t get out of the house, there are LOTS of great workout options you can do at home – that are like an electronic bootcamp. I’m doing the Active 2 “game” for Playstation 3 and there are lots and lots of options like it. It’s an electronic personal trainer and it changes up your workouts daily and it KICKS YOUR ASS. That’s my own personal endorsement in case anyone who doesn’t think an actual bootcamp is feasible is looking for other options.
Keep up the great work – you should be so proud!
Renee
January 4, 2011 at 12:11 pmLong-time lurker here! I had to come out of hiding for a minute to say that this post TOTALLY inspired me. You look SO AMAZING. And you can see that you feel confident about your body now – what a great feeling! I need a post-baby #3 shape-up and am now trying to find a boot camp in my area. But, I need to ask you: honestly, exactly how out of shape are you? Because I really have barely worked out in a year and a half. And I get winded running to catch the train to work. I’m worried I won’t even make it through the first hour, and everybody will point at me and laugh…And did you have to take Tylenol/Advil for the soreness on the second day?Did it prevent you from doing the next class on Day 3? I need some tips and moral support! (And love your blog, by the way!)
Kisses to your cute kiddies…
Renee
January 4, 2011 at 12:12 pmwhoops – i meant “how out of shape WERE you” obviously, you’re no longer out of shape at all!
Ninabi
January 4, 2011 at 2:41 pmGreat job. You look fantastic and you earned it!
whoorl
January 4, 2011 at 3:47 pmRenee,
I didn’t work out AT ALL during my pregnancy. I think I went on two walks total. (Totally embarrassing to say, but it’s the truth.) So, when I started boot camp, I hadn’t worked out for over a year. I was very out of shape.
The great thing about boot camp is that you can go at your own speed. There are modifications for almost every exercise and you can move at your own pace. For instance, during the first couple of weeks, I was always one of the last in the pack while running. However, now I’m usually one of the people in the front. Everybody goes at their own pace, and that’s why all levels of fitness can work out together.
I didn’t take Advil or anything for the soreness because, frankly, it actually felt good to be sore. You know what I mean? I loved knowing that my muscles got a great workout!
Do it, Renee. What’s there to lose? If it doesn’t work out for you in the long run, you will always know you tried. (But I think you will fall in love!)
Elizabeth
January 4, 2011 at 5:06 pmYour abs are truly a thing of wonder. I had one child four years ago, and my abs are STILL messed up. Working out does not seem at help at all, even though I am now fit enough to boast that I weigh less than what I weighed in high school, and I can show off my arms in tank tops and actually feel good about myself. What on earth are you doing for those abs? I’ve tried nearly everything, but my stomach is still as soft as can be. Counsel me, Mrs. Whoorl.
whoorl
January 4, 2011 at 5:22 pmThank you, Elizabeth! I wish you could come spend some time with Tammy. She BLASTS my abs – seriously, I silently pray for mercy during our ab work. All of our workouts include tons of basic crunches, bicycle crunches and planks, but then she always throws in some others that kill me. I’ll see if I can find some links to those exercises and send them your way. :)
Elizabeth
January 4, 2011 at 6:19 pmYah you! You look wonderful. Boot camps – if taught well – are miraculous. I went to one about 18 months ago when I was unemployed. Dropped 13 pounds in one month then another 7 the next month.
I was one of 4 in the class and the only one that wasnt a size 0 and in shape. Everything had to be modified for me and I was at the back of the pack for everyt run, but it didnt matter.
Once I went back to work – and added 2.5 hours of commuting on a good day to my life – I havent been able to get back into a bootcamp. Sadly have 30 pounds left to loose but am trying the same interval style training on my own now to see if I can chip away at it without the bootcamp instructors yelling (um, encouraging me :-)
Kathleen
January 4, 2011 at 10:23 pmWay to Go Lady!
I too am plowing my way to a fitter body. Motrin in the Gel form – 400 mm is my BFF right now. Don’t even get me started about how to sit down on the potty or stand up for that matter today.
Keep up the hard work, I’m right behind you. – K
Kristen
January 5, 2011 at 9:04 amWow. Just … wow! You look absolutely fantastic, but I’m even more excited to hear how much you love it. How amazing is it that something that brings you so much happiness also makes you look like a movie star?