“I think I can be the poster child for the middle-aged, married, working mom when it comes to fitness and health. I was always active, athletic even. Like my weight, my level and commitment to fitness greatly fluctuated after I had kids. Some years I was fit, then I’d go several more with no exercise and loathing my body and longed for the “skinny clothes” I had packed away. However, even when I wasn’t training, I could still manage the impromptu 5K, hike or fitness event. That is, until I turned 49. Not only had I gained weight, my whole body seemed to be changing. I was beginning to feel old, soft, slow and I finally hit my proverbial low. I called my friend Karen to ask “does your friend Debbie still train people? Is she taking new clients?” As luck would have it, Debbie was just opening her own place and she suggested I join bootcamp. I was not a group fitness person, preferring to work out alone. I had seen these group fitness, “rah rah we are all in this together” programs and really did not think it was for me. I pulled out of the parking lot of my first bootcamp class, pretending I had misread the class time. When I did finally summon the courage to attend my first class, I almost vomited as I tried to keep up with the veterans. But something urged me to go back the next day, and the next and within days I was hooked! Debbie’s thoughtful encouragement and the group dynamic were exactly what I needed. A year later I am down two sizes but more importantly, I am strong and comfortable in my body. I can walk on the beach in a bathing suit without feeling self-conscious, not because I have a perfect bikini body (I’m now 50 after all!) but because I feel strong, tone, and appreciate my body now. All this time I thought I was a solo exerciser but I never stuck with it for the long-term whether it was running, biking, the gym, videos, etc. It has now been over a year and I can’t imagine this bootcamp not being part of my life. I also train 1:1 with Debbie once a week. This individual training really pushes me and informs how much I can challenge myself in bootcamp and beyond. Bootcamp conditioning has allowed me to freely participate in so many challenging physical activities and is one of the greatest benefits-hiking, skiing, rock climbing, 5K’s, I’m game. As cliché’ as it sounds, I am so thankful to have Debbie in my life and to have been embraced by my bootcamp family. Being fit is so much more than how you look and at 50 I have never felt stronger and healthier.”
