My Inspiration - You!
These are stories that have been shared by those who brave the challenge of pushing themselves! Four days a week I get to be inspired and moved by the dedication that I see from those that are in these classes. Everyone has a story... I would love to hear yours.
Michelle Vekved's Story
I have been complaining about my weight and lack of fitness for a long time and finally did something about it by joining Boot Camp. I thought I'd be red-faced, throwing up and passing out within minutes of even walking into the gym. However, to my surprise I made it to the end of the class without incident! I was out of breath, yes, and even sweating, which is rare for me. But most of all, I felt a MAJOR sense of accomplishment!
Even though I only made it to less than half the classes due to illness, I was even capable of taking part at my own pace on the days when I wasn't 100%, but feeling good enough to venture out of the house. As soon as we're done the renos in our house and life is back to normal I am DEFINITELY going back. This time, without being sick and ruining it for myself!
It was one of the best things I have done for myself in a long time, and I didn't feel self-conscious or out of place at all. People of all sizes and fitness levels were there and everyone was focused on their own performance, there was no sense of competition or appraisal. Definitely the best exercise program I have ever been involved with.
My favorite part, no two classes were identical and it was always challenging enough. If it was too challenging for me, there were no issues with finding a modified exercise to fill the spot. I felt very welcome, by the instructor as well as other participants, the motivation and encouragement made it easy to keep going back. I recommend this class for ANYONE.
I have been complaining about my weight and lack of fitness for a long time and finally did something about it by joining Boot Camp. I thought I'd be red-faced, throwing up and passing out within minutes of even walking into the gym. However, to my surprise I made it to the end of the class without incident! I was out of breath, yes, and even sweating, which is rare for me. But most of all, I felt a MAJOR sense of accomplishment!
Even though I only made it to less than half the classes due to illness, I was even capable of taking part at my own pace on the days when I wasn't 100%, but feeling good enough to venture out of the house. As soon as we're done the renos in our house and life is back to normal I am DEFINITELY going back. This time, without being sick and ruining it for myself!
It was one of the best things I have done for myself in a long time, and I didn't feel self-conscious or out of place at all. People of all sizes and fitness levels were there and everyone was focused on their own performance, there was no sense of competition or appraisal. Definitely the best exercise program I have ever been involved with.
My favorite part, no two classes were identical and it was always challenging enough. If it was too challenging for me, there were no issues with finding a modified exercise to fill the spot. I felt very welcome, by the instructor as well as other participants, the motivation and encouragement made it easy to keep going back. I recommend this class for ANYONE.
MIchelle Strauss' Story
At first i thought, okay this might be too hard for me but i found myself being able to do it and I felt great after the first class, I couldn't wait to go to the next boot camp class and the one to follow.
I will tell you that i have had 2 children and still have a "mommy tummy" and didn't feel comfortable in my own skin anymore so boot camp was the answer for me. I have increased my workouts from 2 days a week to 4. I have way more energy!!!
It feels good to see a change in your body and to know you are doing it on your own with Tasha's gently guidence and encouragement. She shows you the harder way to do it or the modified way. Its up to you , what ever works for you. I can tell you it works for me!! Thanks Tasha!!!
At first i thought, okay this might be too hard for me but i found myself being able to do it and I felt great after the first class, I couldn't wait to go to the next boot camp class and the one to follow.
I will tell you that i have had 2 children and still have a "mommy tummy" and didn't feel comfortable in my own skin anymore so boot camp was the answer for me. I have increased my workouts from 2 days a week to 4. I have way more energy!!!
It feels good to see a change in your body and to know you are doing it on your own with Tasha's gently guidence and encouragement. She shows you the harder way to do it or the modified way. Its up to you , what ever works for you. I can tell you it works for me!! Thanks Tasha!!!
Boot Camper who wish to remain anonymous!
Well this was my first boot camp, and I was a bit nervous. My mom had done previous ones and loved it, so I joined with her. I was a nervous because I'm not as fit as I think I should be, and I have weak lungs ( I had a lung infection that lasted a summer and they have never been quiet the same ). Anyways, although it was challenging, it was also fun! As the weeks, went by, I didn't drop the pounds I wanted, but I felt healthier, had more energy, and my body WAS changing. Clothes aren't as snug, my body is more toned, and I have more strength and energy. I would definitely recommend boot camp for anyone, you get pushed to do things you feel your body can't do, and its so rewarding. I will definitely be signing up for the next one!
Well this was my first boot camp, and I was a bit nervous. My mom had done previous ones and loved it, so I joined with her. I was a nervous because I'm not as fit as I think I should be, and I have weak lungs ( I had a lung infection that lasted a summer and they have never been quiet the same ). Anyways, although it was challenging, it was also fun! As the weeks, went by, I didn't drop the pounds I wanted, but I felt healthier, had more energy, and my body WAS changing. Clothes aren't as snug, my body is more toned, and I have more strength and energy. I would definitely recommend boot camp for anyone, you get pushed to do things you feel your body can't do, and its so rewarding. I will definitely be signing up for the next one!
Trisha's Story
Living life as a chubby girl was never any fun, I was active, just never slim. I swam competitively but was solid. I never liked to try new exercises though. At 20 I was 5 foot 3 and 170 lbs getting married. I did not think it was bad. I got pregnant and jolly...ate my way to 218 lbs! and those of you who know don't believe it but I was!!!!
After delivering I was 190 for about a year and then I decided to get healthy and started working out, it was so hard at first and I really disliked it, but I got moving and losing weight made it all easier! Eventually I started running and the weight melted off! I was 124lbs at my best weight and maintained it for 4 years. Getting pregnant again I was much more cautious and worked out more.
Now back to losing those baby pounds I am much more confident that I will lose the weight and bootcamp has been a great help. I am able to work out at my level and pace and with women in the same boat as me.....Busy, happy and wanting to be fit seams to be all our motto! I am 13 lbs from my goal now!
I guess the reason I am giving my stats and story is because #1 ...its nothing to be embarrassed of....life is what it is and sometimes it gets out of control but showing up is step one. #2 is "I was THERE! " chubby and no place felt right, but I learned that everyone is always super supportive of getting healthy.
I've been at a great body weigh and everything was easier and felt great. It is accomplishable!!!! it really is, I will never say it was easy.......but it got easier with every workout and still does. I don't enjoy it everyday, but everyday I know I am doing something for me! and that feels grrrreeeat!!!!!
Trisha, wife, mother of 2, working part-time
Living life as a chubby girl was never any fun, I was active, just never slim. I swam competitively but was solid. I never liked to try new exercises though. At 20 I was 5 foot 3 and 170 lbs getting married. I did not think it was bad. I got pregnant and jolly...ate my way to 218 lbs! and those of you who know don't believe it but I was!!!!
After delivering I was 190 for about a year and then I decided to get healthy and started working out, it was so hard at first and I really disliked it, but I got moving and losing weight made it all easier! Eventually I started running and the weight melted off! I was 124lbs at my best weight and maintained it for 4 years. Getting pregnant again I was much more cautious and worked out more.
Now back to losing those baby pounds I am much more confident that I will lose the weight and bootcamp has been a great help. I am able to work out at my level and pace and with women in the same boat as me.....Busy, happy and wanting to be fit seams to be all our motto! I am 13 lbs from my goal now!
I guess the reason I am giving my stats and story is because #1 ...its nothing to be embarrassed of....life is what it is and sometimes it gets out of control but showing up is step one. #2 is "I was THERE! " chubby and no place felt right, but I learned that everyone is always super supportive of getting healthy.
I've been at a great body weigh and everything was easier and felt great. It is accomplishable!!!! it really is, I will never say it was easy.......but it got easier with every workout and still does. I don't enjoy it everyday, but everyday I know I am doing something for me! and that feels grrrreeeat!!!!!
Trisha, wife, mother of 2, working part-time
Wishing to remain anonymous!
I was 35 years old and had 4 kids when I signed up for the first boot camp. I had struggled with weight my whole life, and had been doing weight watchers for sometime, but needed something else. Boot camp was great for me. I was very worried at first I would not be able to keep up, but I worked at my own pace, and have seen my stamina build up over time. I have to hold back on some exercises due to physical issues, but I make up for it in other areas. The feeling of accomplishment each time I finish a class is great, I know 3 years ago I would never have been able to do the things I can do now. I may not have bulging muscles and a tight belly (yet) but the strength and endurance I have amazes me sometimes. Tasha does a great job keeping us going, and always shows us modifications to each exercise. I was very happy to see boot camp come to Slave Lake. Good job Tasha!
Boot camper!
I joined the second session of boot camp last spring after I heard SO many people talking about it. And beleive me, the talk wasn't great; it was about how sore they were, how they couldn't walk or move or even sit the next day, etc. but yet it seemed like they couldn't wait for the next class? So being curious I joined, only to find myself making those same comments. But in a weird and unexplainable way, it's kind of addicting! Before boot camp, for exercise I walked about 3 times per week with the occasional bike ride, cross country ski or aquasize, but unfortunately due to my love of food I never seem to lose weight. I am in my 4th session of boot camp and I can still say that I personally have not lost any weight but I definitely feel and see a difference in my tone, how my clothes fit, and my fitness level by the end of one session. It's challenging, works all parts of your body (parts that you didn't realize you had) and sometimes you want to just give up but there are 20 others in class with you feeling the same way! You can make boot camp what you want, Tasha always gives variations of the exercises from easy to hard and neither she nor the others in the class make you feel bad or embarrassed by what level you are working at. You will also see a great difference in your own workout as the session goes on and will start to surprise yourself of how much better you get. After 4 sessions of boot camp, I will still sometimes walk when others are running or take a break in an exercise if I feel I can't keep doing it .... and that's OK too. I have a friend who joined this session, she told me that she has never done ANY type of exercise before but she was going to give it a try....and she loves it! I've chosen to come with a friend, we are good support for each other, and we also have a good laugh when the exercises are tough. But I'd have to say the main thing that keeps me going is watching Tasha complete 3 hours of boot camp in a row.... she definitely gives me the inspiration to not give up!
Elaine Gauthier's Story
Dear I’m so out of shape!
Just a little testimonial from one of your fellow post baby (3), bad eating (more carbs please hold the veggies), non physical (does parking in the non handicap stall at the grocery store count as exercise?) flabby, out of shape woman.
About a year ago I decided there would be no more excuses, I was going to say good bye to my sore back and ho hum life! No more crash diets either!! I wanted to get fit my way, which meant eating somewhat normal (no crap) and finding some form of exercise that worked for me. I knew I was not self motivated so I thought ‘boot camp” may just be worth a try. It was pretty hard at first considering it was so long since I had done anything in the way of fitness. Being sore actually felt good!! It meant I was finally pushing myself (with a lot of help from Tasha)harder than I had since High school (19 years ago).
I now miss exercising when there are rare days I don’t and look forward to every single “boot camp”. This will be my 4th round. I’ve lost pounds and inches but the best thing is I have a ton of energy!! Taking this time for me away from the kids was something I always felt guilty about but I can now see I have so much more to give when I get home.
So take the first step toward doing yourself a huge favor and sign up!
Dear I’m so out of shape!
Just a little testimonial from one of your fellow post baby (3), bad eating (more carbs please hold the veggies), non physical (does parking in the non handicap stall at the grocery store count as exercise?) flabby, out of shape woman.
About a year ago I decided there would be no more excuses, I was going to say good bye to my sore back and ho hum life! No more crash diets either!! I wanted to get fit my way, which meant eating somewhat normal (no crap) and finding some form of exercise that worked for me. I knew I was not self motivated so I thought ‘boot camp” may just be worth a try. It was pretty hard at first considering it was so long since I had done anything in the way of fitness. Being sore actually felt good!! It meant I was finally pushing myself (with a lot of help from Tasha)harder than I had since High school (19 years ago).
I now miss exercising when there are rare days I don’t and look forward to every single “boot camp”. This will be my 4th round. I’ve lost pounds and inches but the best thing is I have a ton of energy!! Taking this time for me away from the kids was something I always felt guilty about but I can now see I have so much more to give when I get home.
So take the first step toward doing yourself a huge favor and sign up!
An anonymous story!
I have done two sessions of boot camp - the one just before Christmas and one just after Christmas. With the flexible schedule of Boot Camp, I go to two sessions per week. I started going to Boot Camp because I need to firm up again after having my baby and because I need to be a healthier person. I want to have some stamina when I'm going up stairs - I don't like to be winded at the top. I want to be able to go for a hike with my family, if the occasion calls for it. I want to have a body that will be flexible, well-balanced and ready for whatever I throw at it. What works with this program is that most fitness levels can do it.
Why? Four reasons:
1. Most importantly, Tasha always provides modifications for those that need it. And the modifications aren't just for fitness starters, but also for those people who are working out with trick knees or bad backs, or even for those few times when you've got muscles recovering from the previous Boot Camp session.
2. The workouts are always different with short activity sets, so there's an end in sight - just keep at it! The different workouts mean that I stay interested and changing it up takes care of your body so that you aren't overworking any particular muscle group.
3. What a great chance to meet others! When you come and see others are working hard, like you are, it's very motivating and inspiring to have a common goal reached through a common activity. There are likely others out there, just like you, people wanting to make a difference for themselves.
4. It has been my experience that people will cheer you on, not bring you down. Typically, the fitness starters get the loudest cheers. If you're thinking of coming out, but you're worried that others will be watching you, get the idea out of your mind! Those other people, well, they don't have the time or the energy to be looking around because they're focusing on their own workout and doing the activity in good form.
The key to keep yourself on task and on target is to really focus. During your first session, you'll probably notice that this is what is happening with others there too. At least, that's what I'm doing and it seems to me that most others are doing the same thing. But, the big question - has it made a difference? Definitely! It has taken a little longer than I would have liked (I'm not as young as I used to be), but I can feel the difference in my stamina already, in my strength and in my own sense of pride for sticking to the goal of getting healthier. And that's with only two consecutive sets of workouts - roughly 24 classes! I'm sure if I did one more session a week, it would have gone a bit quicker, but it's still got to work for me and my family and so far, so good! I hope to see some new faces out there!
I have done two sessions of boot camp - the one just before Christmas and one just after Christmas. With the flexible schedule of Boot Camp, I go to two sessions per week. I started going to Boot Camp because I need to firm up again after having my baby and because I need to be a healthier person. I want to have some stamina when I'm going up stairs - I don't like to be winded at the top. I want to be able to go for a hike with my family, if the occasion calls for it. I want to have a body that will be flexible, well-balanced and ready for whatever I throw at it. What works with this program is that most fitness levels can do it.
Why? Four reasons:
1. Most importantly, Tasha always provides modifications for those that need it. And the modifications aren't just for fitness starters, but also for those people who are working out with trick knees or bad backs, or even for those few times when you've got muscles recovering from the previous Boot Camp session.
2. The workouts are always different with short activity sets, so there's an end in sight - just keep at it! The different workouts mean that I stay interested and changing it up takes care of your body so that you aren't overworking any particular muscle group.
3. What a great chance to meet others! When you come and see others are working hard, like you are, it's very motivating and inspiring to have a common goal reached through a common activity. There are likely others out there, just like you, people wanting to make a difference for themselves.
4. It has been my experience that people will cheer you on, not bring you down. Typically, the fitness starters get the loudest cheers. If you're thinking of coming out, but you're worried that others will be watching you, get the idea out of your mind! Those other people, well, they don't have the time or the energy to be looking around because they're focusing on their own workout and doing the activity in good form.
The key to keep yourself on task and on target is to really focus. During your first session, you'll probably notice that this is what is happening with others there too. At least, that's what I'm doing and it seems to me that most others are doing the same thing. But, the big question - has it made a difference? Definitely! It has taken a little longer than I would have liked (I'm not as young as I used to be), but I can feel the difference in my stamina already, in my strength and in my own sense of pride for sticking to the goal of getting healthier. And that's with only two consecutive sets of workouts - roughly 24 classes! I'm sure if I did one more session a week, it would have gone a bit quicker, but it's still got to work for me and my family and so far, so good! I hope to see some new faces out there!
Lori Norberg's Story
I am 50 years old and was a little apprehensive and honestly felt like this class might be intimidating for me but, I was totally wrong. There are people of all different ages and sizes in the class. It's wonderful to see people out trying to get in shape and be healthier. I have not been very physically active for a lot of years and am very out of shape. After attending the first couple of classes with my two daughters I found - hey!! - I CAN do this! Tasha has such a positive attitude and teaches different ways to do each excercise, a way that fits your abilities. I work at my pace and my daughters work at their pace. It's great! We are going into the fifth week of this session of boot camp and I will be signing up for the next one. After 4 weeks I already feel more energy and I must say that I have joined other classes and usually end up quitting after the first couple of classes. I even started going to Tasha's lunch hour classes (Tuesday/Thursday).
Thank you Tasha for offerring us this wonderful service. See you tonight! Lori Norberg
Jen Larmand's Story
I enjoy boot camp because I can work at my own pace. There is no pressure to beat the next person. Tasha is encouraging, motivating and always has a smile on her face. The variety of activites for the next class are never the same as the last class. For me the time goes by fast and I don't find myself looking at the clock thinking.....when is this going to be over. Another bonus is if you sign up for two days a week you come on the days that work for you even if they are not the same 2 days as last week. It is a great place to start your own fitness program and a great place further advance your fitness level. Thank you Tasha! You're doing a Great Job!