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I have been extremely fortunate to have had the pleasure of attending Charlotte Adventure Boot camp for the past eighteen months. What a wonderful experience!!! All throughout school I despised, loathed and detested physical education class. Boy, oh boy, I have come incredibly far in my exercise journey. I am excited each morning when I wake up and realize that it is Boot Camp day. When I first began Charlotte Adventure Boot camp I thought I would never be able to survive since I had never made exercise a priority in my life. However, Jenny makes this a great experience in that she allows anyone at any fitness level to be successful. Upon beginning Charlotte Adventure Boot Camp I could hardly run. I definitely struggled but somehow I managed to painfully,
slowly and awkwardly trot around for a few minutes. In the beginning, I must admit, running was far from enjoyable to say the least.. Jenny is such a fabulous instructor by constantly encouraging me by saying “C’mon Pamela, I know you can do this”. Hearing those words from Jenny is great motivation. When I hear Jenny saying she knows I can do something, I think to myself, yes indeed, I really can do this! Oddly enough, I have come to thoroughly embrace running and now do it on my own for the fun of it. How crazy is that? This year I have run two 5k’s, one 10k and I am currently training for a half marathon. I truly cannot believe what I have accomplished in so little time. I am so thankful that I found Jenny and Charlotte Adventure Boot Camp!!! Oh yeah, losing 54 pounds and 28 inches is the icing on the cake.
Pamela Payne
November 2009
My Journey to a new Lifestyle….
I’ve been overweight since I was 4 years old when I lost my mom to colon cancer. She was only 29 years old, thin and healthy when she was diagnosed and passed away 6 months later. Luckily, my dad and my family are amazing and raised me to be the woman I have become. However, growing up overweight and without a mother was tough.
Somewhere thru the years my weight started to define who I was and it was comfortable like an old blanket. I was never happy but I just was not mentally ready to change. It did not matter how much I knew I needed to I just could not. I was not strong enough. And then one day I made up my mind that I wanted to be better. I wanted to be healthy and strong. I have a little brother who is seven and eventually I want to have my own kids. I want to be a big sister and a mom that can run around and play. I want to look in the mirror and be proud of the person looking back. I want to know that I am doing everything I can to not be a statistic.
So on March 17th, 2008 (four days after my 26th birthday), I started going to bootcamp three days a week with my roommate. And boy was it tough waking up at 5:00am!!! That first week about killed me I was so sore. But I was determined so I stuck with it and that first month I lost 6 lbs.
Over the past few months, I have been going to bootcamp 3 or 4 mornings a week. And somewhere along the lines I’ve started to LOVE it. I can actually run, see muscle definition, and am losing weight. Getting up early is worth it even on the days when it is raining!!!
The Rachel that started bootcamp could barely run one minute without walking. The Rachel today (only 6 months later) just ran my first 15K (9.3miles) and will complete my first half marathon in December. One of my friends the other day actually said they could not run with me because I was so good!! WHAT…seriously someone said that about me..cool!!! I look and feel better now than I ever have in my whole life. And that fact only keeps me getting up early, eating right, and working out. It is truly amazing.
My goal is too lose 100 lbs. Currently, I’ve lost 43 lbs. My body looks completely different than it did when I start. I actually have curves and muscles!! Ever pound I lose now is like seeing a whole new person that I have never met and it is so exciting. My family and friends (including my bootcamp friends) have been so supportive thru my journey and lifestyle change that I feel truly blessed to have them. And I know my mom is proud of me too.
“The principle is competing against yourself. It’s about self-improvement, about being better than you were the day before.” Steve Young
Rachel Wilson
Age 26, Height 5 ft 5 in
Starting weight 246. Current weight 203
Starting waist 46.75 Current waist 39
Starting hips 47.75 . Current hips 44
Starting thigh 24.75 Current thigh 22.50
Today as I was running with my 22 year old daughter, we were talking about bootcamp and I decided it was time to let others know what bootcamp has meant to me. I started exercising in my twenties (I did the Jane Fonda workouts and even owned a pair of leg warmers.) I didn’t start running until I was 38 years old. The first time I hit the track, I could barely make it around one lap. I would run a lap and walk a lap. After awhile I could actually run an entire mile. I was officially hooked. One mile became 3 then 5 and I have not stopped running. I joined bootcamp 3 1/2 years ago. Since then I have increased my physical fitness and also stepped up my running. I’ve run 2 half marathons and 1 full marathon in the last 7 months. As my daughter said today” the ladies at bootcamp are like a little family.” That is true. Jenny and the bootcamp gang have inspired me to work harder and run longer. It’s a workout that allows me to push myself without getting hurt or burned out. Bootcamp has given me a healthier body and a new group of friends.
Gina
"My greatest testimonial thus far is the amount of ENERGY I feel. As Middle School Assistant Principal it is non-stop all the time. Before bootcamp I had headaches, backaches, and trouble sleeping, then trouble waking up. Since I've been at bootcamp, I sleep better and I am full of energy all day. I get much more work done and I feel proud that I meet my weekly goal of working out. It's a great full workout with warm-up and cool down with great streches. Additionally, it's about your own pace and how many reps you can do in a given time, unlike my past experiences where the trainer just stood there and counted. I highly recommend this program. I am planning on returning."
Victoria
" I knew I had to exercise regularly but I just couldn't bring myself to join another gym. When I work out by myself I just can't stay motivated and inspired to push myself further. A girlfriend of mine from Los Angeles suggested that I look for a local women's bootcamp. She said that she has met so many new friends and that the networking has been a real help in her career. I have been with Charlotte Adventure bootcamp now for six months and I have lost inches, built endurance, and made many new friends. Jenny, in particular, keeps me focused on my goals and honest about whether I'm doing the very best workout that I can."
Kim
"I tore my rotator cuff roller blading with my boxer (she saw a squirrel and took off at 35 mph with me trailing behind, you can guess the rest). I wanted to avoid surgery so I opted for the rehab route. I gained some mobility (enough to hook my bra) but still was dealing with a considerable amount of discomfort. Enter Jenny. I was worried about the weights and push-ups, but discovered that my shoulder pain was decreasing with each session. Currently in the middle of my 3rd boot camp I have no pain whatsoever and my strength has dramatically increased. I feel healthier each day."
Colleen
"I love boot camp because it is inspiring, addicting, fun and it works! I am continually amazed by how much stronger and faster I am since I began participating several months ago. I have decreased my mile run time by over 2 minutes, run a 1/2 marathon for the first time in my life and my arms are more tone than they have ever been. I have two small children and I never thought this kind of physical fitness would be possible again. This is all thanks to the friendly encouragement of the instructors and other participants (a cool group of women)."
Amy
"I initially joined boot camp to get in better shape for my upcoming wedding but have gotten so much more out of these 5:30am workouts than I ever expected! I feel so much better about myself, my energy level has significantly increased and I’ve met new people. It’s a fun group of girls working out together who are all at various fitness levels, motivating each other in a non-intimidating environment. You put into it what you want to get out of it and the trainers make sure you work-out at your comfort level, yet motivate you to reach your best. I love it! Thanks to Jenny, Nikki and Jenn for all the early morning motivation!!"
Tracey
"I highly recommend this program. Firstly, you get what you put into it. Secondly, it doesn't feel like exercise. It feels like play. As grown ups we don't get to play anymore. There are other things more important, getting kids to school, work, laundry, paying bills, keeping the house up, running errands. There is no time to be silly, no time to skip or hop. As adults we get out of touch with our bodies and we loose the joy of simple movement we once had as children. Thirdly, everyone laughs during class. When I'm at work we very rarely laugh. There isn't a whole lot to find amusing in an office environment. But in class we laugh, everyone laughs, mostly at themselves, but it's a true hardy laugh that follows you through the day. It's something you can bring with you to work."
Laura
"Finding Charlotte Adventure Boot Camp has been so wonderful for me. I get so bored with the everyday gym routine and not typically motivated enough to get up in the morning and work out on my own. I usually end up at the gym after a long day at work and then don't get home until 7:30 or 8pm, which makes it very easy to skip the gym here and there- just to get home at a decent hour. I think the most benefit to me is the way I feel once I get to work and that I have already accomplished an hour workout and drank 4 cups of water. Also that I can do other things after work and not feel guilty about not going to the gym. The healthy attitude that you and Niki have is encouragement as well, not that this is just a workout but that eating healthy is important too!"
Caroline
"If you don’t have the self motivation then this class provides accountability in a fun way! Gave me a fresh perspective on working out and feeling good about myself! The early morning is a great way to start your day."
Jennifer
"I love the Boot Camp workout. Every day is a different challenge. I like the way the workout changes every day. No two days are exactly the same, so I never get bored. It's hard getting up so early, but the workout is so much fun, it motivates me to just get up and do it."
Carmen
"Adventure bootcamp is a great way to mix up your normal routine and get motivated (even at 5:30am).. it's been fun meeting new people, and to see how these women have improved physically and mentally in just one week! jenny does a great job changing the routines so you don't get bored!"
Niki
Jenny,
Thank you for making your job change. Without your courage to take this step towards your dream job, I would not be working towards my goal to feel better. I know we have only been working out for two weeks, but I can already tell a huge change in my energy level. I am so excited to be on the road to better health, and I owe this change in my life to your decision to maky a change in your life. The enthusiasm you have for fitness shows in your daily life and is an encouragement to others.
Aubrey
When I saw the notice in the paper I thought, this thing is almost in my backyard and I really am not doing anything else at 5:30am – no excuses. After surviving the ridicule of some that incredulously asked ‘AM?!?!?’ when I told them what I was doing, it felt good to actually get out there and do it. I was thrilled to meet women of all ages and fitness levels.
Coreen |
