For @himynameissid, who asks: Why bootcamp?
Tonight I was excited because I burned 1013 calories at bootcamp, in 97 degree weather. Never one to let the smallest workout accomplishment slide by without making everyone totally aware I have actually left the computer and performed an exerting workout, I tweeted a pic of my sportswatch. (It’s just a thing Kelly Olexa and I do - we like to share these things.)
So Sid, (a fellow Tumblr user, yay!!) asked me: “What made you pick bootcamp style training vs traditional personal training?”
That’s a good question, and too long to answer in Twitter, so I thought I’d talk about this here.
I am an only child, adopted, with no children of my own. What that has resulted in is a sort of dichotomy where I both crave companionship and want to be alone with my own thoughts.
I like to design, plan, think, sketch, read and research things, and can spend countless hours in front of the computer quite happily, but then I look up and realize I am alone and I don’t like it. I need lots of people around and so I have always preferred group classes at the gym, and I used to do boot camp classes with my beloved gym instructor Thom, who in truth loved yoga more than boot camp and aerobics but kept doing them because his rabid fans (like me) couldn’t live without his classes. I never even knew I could DO boot camp classes before Thom… I was doing his aerobics and wanted more Thom classes and it was that, or yoga. (I hate yoga. Too slow, too soft, too meditative… I probably need those things, but don’t like those things.) So I began doing boot camps with Thom several times a week, sometimes two-a-days on Fridays (just because I could!) and I lost weight I had gained in my second marriage (also what I do, unfortunately, when geographically or romantically thwarted) and got in reasonably decent shape, if not perfect, that way. I ate the Body for Life way, which made me physically feel a lot better, and I felt pretty good about myself.
Then I met Tim and moved to Kansas to get married, and took all the hard work I had done that achieved great results, and messed it up. He lived in the country, 25 miles from a gym, a YMCA in a small town between me and Kansas City (an hour away from our country house.) BIG mistake to underestimate what not living by my gym and grocery sources I was used to would be like. I tried to enjoy the classes there, but the first time they said we couldn’t do a reverse turn on the bench because it was “too dangerous” I felt sort of turned off and could not quite get into it. I love double bench aerobics and that was definitely never going to be happening there!
I have missed Thom terribly - it’s like a secret burden I carry around in my heart (Thom has a life partner and is just a good friend, so not a REAL secret from Mr. Colvin, lest ye misunderstand me. LOL!) But I have grieved the loss of my mentor, my trainer, my friend, my compadre, my Justin Timberlake concert going buddy and fine dining critic, more than I can possibly describe to people who don’t know him. Those that do, would get it immediately. Thom Allen is one in a million jillion. I just adore him and will beyond death.
So, uhh, back to boot camp vs. a trainer. I don’t think I would like to be with JUST a trainer. I’ve had a few training sessions here and there, but I like a lot of people with me. Some of my favorite classes have been aerobics on a Saturday morning with literally 100-150 packed into the room, like the classic Perfect scene (without leotards.) I had always, always wanted to an outdoor boot camp, and bugged every instructor I’ve ever had about taking the class outside and at the YMCA we actually did do some of the work on the high school track outside. But that gym did not pan out, and I eventually got a membership to Lifetime Fitness in Overland Park, thinking if I had my normal place and atmosphere back, I would drive in to go to classes more.
Alas, that did not really happen either. I finally, one year ago at this time, made the hard decision to live in the city part-time and at home with Tim & Baxter part-time. I had gained weight, felt like a fish out of water in Garnett, with no dry cleaner, nail salon I liked, tanning place or shopping I was used to, etc. and his sister offered to let me stay with her during the week, so now I live like a gypsy.
I started walking and jogging at the trail by her house, and LOVED it, even though I had to do it alone. The part of me that likes to contemplate things, loves loud music and likes beautiful scenery found running the trails very pleasant… I put on my iPod and it started to be a routine. Then the winter came, and Ruined My Life. (I’m a Texan, we’re dramatic when we hate stuff.) The winter was hard this past year, and long, and cold and it snowed so much I would actually feel bitter deep inside when I would feel the snow under my shoes and it got all over my pants. YUK!!!!! I care not for it.
Then finally, at long last (like a month ago… LOL!!) the snow disappeared and the sun began to shine, and I began to breathe again. Yet, I still had no workout plan, really, that I would consistently do. Following Kelly’s lead, who was traveling all over the land and STILL working out constantly, I bought P90X and even MORE gym-type equipment than I already had, and began doing that. But it’s not the same, working out at home to a tape on the TV. I need to hear the grunts and groans and see the sweat-drenched ponytails of my girls - the people who are like me, and don’t have the time or maybe even the inclination to get off their rumps and work out, but who are showing up and doing it together anyway.
It’s so nice to see their faces, when I arrive, and attempt to beat them around the lake when running and being timed. Today I positively sucked - no idea what my problem is but I was sloooooooow. But they didn’t care - they are glad I was there sweating it out with them in brutal heat, looking like we were wearing clothes that just came out of the washer (TMI, but true.) Young to old, these are my cohorts in this game of losing weight, getting in shape, thwarting aging, trying to stay young or for whatever reasons we are all there. Do I wish I could just have plastic surgery and fix all my problems overnight? Sometimes, for about 15 seconds. But that is not meant to be my way of coping with life’s circumstances and problems that those circumstances sometimes cause for me. I have to learn to be better. Learn not to rely on food for comfort, which is way less of a problem when I work out, and learn to take care of myself while I can because old age will be more pleasant if I put in the effort now. I have to submit my will to an instructor who will guide me and encourage me to do my best despite my efforts sometimes to be lame or not try as hard because I am tired, distracted, grumpy or my back hurts.
Boot camp changes my life. It did before, in Texas with Thom, and it is happening now with Kaley from my Valeo Boot Camp. I am soooo, soooo grateful each day that I saw the Groupon that led me to discover the place that works for me, right now, because I am motivated to participate and I am excited about improving myself. Again. Always with the “agains” in life!!
