Cynthia M. A Body Challenge 2 Time Graduate talks about her experience…..

WOW! What a great season of boot camps! Although my heart is rather sad that the “training” sessions have ended, I know that they can not continue forever and that you (Ruth) must be as exhausted as I have felt at the end- much more so. I know that I have said much of this before, but Ruth, you are such a positive force and dedicated instructor as you desire all those you work with to succeed and to challenge themselves to push outside of their comfort zones. Some how we all learn to just suck it up and rise to meet the challenge you provide. I apologize for not always sucking it up, but appreciate your patience when I am sure that all my moaning and complaining was enough to push you over the edge .
Ruth , you, Wendy, Scott, and Aaron have dedicated a lot of energy and time, and as I have sat and listened to many participants, it is all so very much appreciated by everyone who has enrolled in the boot camps this year. I understand now why so many who have participated in previous years, sign up in following boot camps offered. Your intense personal commitment is highly commended and appreciated dearly. Ruth, thank you for all that you have taught us- as you encouraged and challenged us and for each instructional opportunity that you supported us through. I continue to be amazed by what I have learned during boot camp and am so glad I made the decision to continue with the BCBC lite program on Southside. Not only did I pick up on more refined techniques, step moves and kickboxing skills (okay that is still a work in progress), things that I thought were really hard the first boot camp did not seem as difficult as the BCBC lite program progressed. I knew that the SS program would differ slightly from the WE program with a different blend of participants, however I so enjoyed utilizing the SS gym and meeting a larger and more diverse group of women. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know many of the Southside ladies that were the regular participants in all the special training sessions and floor exercises. I have been so blessed to meet so many new people who also share a love for exercise and desire to personally challenge/push ourselves and to develop our own effective exercise routines. I know that many of these friendships will continue long after the boot camp has ended. With such a great core group, I look forward to using what I have learned to hopefully inspire, encourage and challenge others as I continue on my own personal journey of weight loss and improved health.
As for my results this go ‘round, I had high hopes that my weight loss would be more significant and that my inches would have dropped more, but I still have continued to lose while on my journey. I have dropped about 5 ¾ additional inches and have lost 9 additional pounds since the start of the BCBC lite program. So…my total inches lost during both boot camps has been 23¼ inches. I actually began my weight loss journey before the first boot camp began so even though my weight loss from the second boot camp was only 9 lbs, I actually have lost a total of 30 ½ lbs. Although I still struggle with being so over weight and with all my insecurities associated with my weight, I am thankful that the numbers are still decreasing. I have all the tools I need and a great group of exercise partners that help keep me focused and challenged, so I will continue on this slow journey. My hope is that by next year when boot camp rolls around again, that I will be closer to my goal of losing 100 lbs.
I have so enjoyed all the classes, the varieties, the mixing up and changing up all new intervals and basically using most every part of the gym. One can not possibly get bored with those kinds of workouts! Flexagility classes were probably my most favorite but running a close second with all the intervals rounds we would do with TRX/Weights/Cardio drills. I loved how those who were committed gave it their all each time they were present- this alone was encouraging and inspiring! As for changing anything I didn’t like? I still wouldn’t change a thing! I loved each boot camp- they were different, yet challenging and filled with a great bunch of ladies who pushed themselves and inspired others. Personally and physically, I, of course would have changed not having a new injury to add to my long list of ailments. Until the MCL heals and the meniscus is fixed, I won’t be planning another surgery on the left knee until perhaps next summer. So…Life is good!

Thanks again! I hope these special programs will continue from time to time but most importantly that we all will continue to use the tools given to set and achieve our personal goals of weight loss, fitness, toning, or just plain stress-reduction and fun! Cynthia