18 months ago I woke up at 4:15am and drove to a new gym for it’s opening day. I was so nervous as I pulled into the parking lot. I had been jogging a couple days a week off and on for a few years, but it had been years since I attempted to really workout.
My, at the time nine, four, and one-year-old boys kept my life running at a frantic pace. Combine that with teaching full-time, and I couldn’t see how I could add anything else to my schedule. My husband and I were lucky to throw something together for dinner and not give in to eating out. We weren’t taking time to prepare meals in advance to help us make healthier choices. One day my husband decided to make some big changes in his diet and began exercising. It got me thinking that I really needed to do the same.
I can actually remember exactly the moment I knew I needed to make a change in my lifestyle. For our fifteenth anniversary, my husband and I took our first big vacation together and traveled to Costa Rica. We had the opportunity to repel down a beautiful 135 ft. waterfall. It was probably the most exciting and terrifying thing I had ever done. I got to the bottom of the waterfall and the man holding the rope pointed to a steep rock wall that I needed to climb to get back on the path. I made several attempts, but struggled to pull myself up enough to even begin climbing. There I was at the bottom of a waterfall looking up at my husband and friends who had climbed the wall easily and I was defeated.
I was overweight, out of breath, and had barely any upper body strength. Four pregnancies, including carrying and ultimately losing triplets that were born too soon, wreaked havoc on my body and my confidence in my body’s ability. I hadn’t taken care of myself and now I was paying for it. Somehow I managed to struggle my way to the top. In that moment, I promised myself that I was going to make some changes. I wanted to be stronger, healthier, and I wanted to become a better example for my sons. I wanted them to see both of their parents taking care of themselves and making healthy choices.
A week later, I hesitantly walked into that 5:00 am class at Burn Boot Camp Bentonville and I haven’t looked back once. Now I rearrange my schedule, wake up super early a few times a week, and often rush out of work to grab the kids and head to the gym. I’m not any less busy than I was before (I even have four boys now because we recently adopted a beautiful baby boy!) but I make gym time a priority. For me, Burn Boot Camp is the right fit. It offers everything that a busy woman needs in a gym. I have lost weight and inches, gained so much strength, and accomplished goals I never thought I would, but Burn Boot Camp gives me so much more.
I’m comfortable at my gym. There is no certain type of women that work out at Burn Boot Camp. In the middle of a workout, I look around and easily spot women from all walks of life and all fitness levels. I’ve never once felt out of place or like anyone is judging me. When I started, I couldn’t do one single push-up on my toes and had to step out every single burpee. Of course I felt embarrassed, but the trainers were kind and always explained how to modify each move so that everyone in the room was getting their best workout. Before long, I began taking risks and trying to do the full moves without modifying down. The physical strength I have gained in the last year and a half amazes me, but the fact that I have felt comfortable to stay at this gym means everything.
Surprisingly enough, I actually look forward to working out everyday. The workout has never been the same twice. Each week new workout protocols are released at Burn Boot Camp locations across the country. They are always unique and challenging. I get excited each Sunday when I see the workout posted for the upcoming week. For me, this has greatly reduced my feelings of burnout or boredom with my workouts. I actually get super disappointed when I have to miss a day at the gym because I don’t want to miss out on any “good” days. Each week targets all the major muscle groups. In a week at Burn, you could experience leg day, arm day, athletic conditioning, plyometrics, metabolic conditioning, and other great, targeted workouts.
Another thing I love about Burn Boot Camp is that I can sign up for a focus meeting every few weeks, or as often as I’d like, and discuss my goals and progress. A trainer records my measurements and talks through my diet. We discuss what is going well and what I’m struggling with. I haven’t always had great numbers, or lost a lot of weight when I meet with the trainers, but I always leave with clear goals that I feel like I can work toward.
As a mom with four kids, making time to work out can be a challenge. I can’t focus on my workout unless I know my kids are being well taken care of. Burn Boot Camp provides free childcare to each member. I can drop my kids off in the childcare room for the forty-five minute workout and not worry if they are safe and happy. They look forward to going to the gym as much as I do. They get to meet new friends and make crafts. The fact that childcare is included in my membership price makes it a great value for my money.
Probably the most important thing that Burn has given me is a truly supportive gym family. I was so hesitant to walk through the doors that first day, but I am so glad I did. I now have a support system of people who aren’t just “gym friends.” There are other moms who just get it. We can talk about the struggles of parenthood, and hold each other accountable for getting to the gym. We remind each other that putting ourselves first is important. There are so many women, whether moms or not, that encourage each other every day with high fives during camp, or words of motivation in the gym Facebook group.
My journey at Burn Boot Camp isn’t always perfect. There are weeks that my schedule is packed and I can’t make it to the gym every day. I have fallen off the wagon with my diet more than once. What I love about Burn is that I can always get right back on track. All it takes is going in and crushing a few camps, and I’m motivated and refocused on my goals. There is always a fun event coming up, or new goals to work toward.
I am not the person I was 18 months ago. I’m stronger, faster, and less stressed. The thing I’m most proud of is that I’m putting myself first. I’m a better mom, wife, and friend when I’m happy and healthy. If you are at a low point and are looking for a way to focus on your fitness, I encourage you to come try a free trial membership (zero strings attached!) at Burn Boot Camp soon. You don’t have anything to lose by trying it out, but you just might gain a lot more than you’d expect. I know I have.
