Camp Gladiator - Week 1: Endurance

So, I happened upon Camp Gladiator a couple of weeks ago, thanks to Groupon. I had $70 of birthday money left over and wanted to get myself something really good - not as in buying myself a pair of much-coveted wedges, but instead doing something healthy for myself. After all, I'm officially 30 and they do say that it's harder to shed the lbs. once you've hit that 30 year marker. Awesome.

My most recent wake-up call was when a co-worker of mine saw a picture of me and my handsome husband on our honeymoon and asked who the couple was in the picture. It was devastating that I was that unrecognizable to him in that damn picture. It frankly pissed me off, but it woke me up to maybe how much I have changed physically since our honeymoon almost three years ago. I don't want to be the girl who "let herself go" after she got married. Call me vain, but it's the God's honest truth.

So, I decided to take a chance on Camp Gladiator. I didn't tell anyone, not even Kris until last Monday, right before my first boot camp class and bravely drove myself a mile from the house (pathetic) to attend my first CG boot camp.
 
From the first night of class, I was hooked.Yes, it's only been a week, but I went to boot camp 5 out of the 7 days last week and even went on Saturday if that tells you anything. That first night, this girl next to me said, "It really makes me feel better to know that you're skinny and you're still struggling as much as I am". I had never met her, nor do I remember her name, but because of her statement, I realized how messed up in the head I had gotten about my body image. I laughed off her comment as I do with all compliments and didn't know how to quite handle it, but it brought tears to my eyes as I was driving home that evening. She'll never know how much that meant to me. It reminded me that we all have these warped views in our mind of how we think we look and how others may actually see us.

Tonight, the new campers were asked to email our trainers why we joined Camp Gladiator, so that they could really get to know us and help us with our personal goals. They didn't have to do this, but they did and this is why I will keep coming back and frankly, why I'm already so hooked.

The Reasons I Joined Camp Gladiator
1. To reach my goal weight of 125 lbs. (that's 24.5 more lbs. to go - you do the math)
2. To finally rid myself of my love handles (they really should be called "hate" handles)
3. To not dread trying on a bathing suit in that three-way mirror at Target
4. To finally start wearing shorts in the Summer again
5. To be as strong and tone as I was in high school and college
6. To get my daily dose of much needed endorphins
7. To have a sense of  camaraderie and support
8. To just feel comfortable in my own skin again

Top 5 Reasons I Heart Camp Gladiator
1. The Trainers - So, I have secretly always wanted to be a part of The Biggest Loser and mainly because I have always wondered what it would be like to have my very own Bob and Jillian. In some way I found them in Jeff and Ali. I don't know about you, but I've seen some trainers at the gym who I wouldn't want to look like in the least and I want to look like the CG trainers. I want to thank them for making me feel so welcome, for making me laugh while they murder me, and for helping me to feel as though I belong to a team again. They've made me realize that if I don't push my body beyond what I believe it to be capable of, then it will never change. Never.

2. The Other Campers - I'm relieved that there are various sizes and shapes at CG. I don't feel like I'm the only one trying to un-hitch this rather large trailer on my backside. I also don't feel like anyone is judging me either; everyone is way too busy trying to keep up rather than mock me for my lack of ability to do a real push-up. The trainers also encourage us to pair up with people who we don't know, so I've met a new person at every class and liked each one of them . . . a lot. Plus, there are campers who have been going for the past year and who are freakishly strong. I was paired up with this chick on Saturday and by the looks of her, you wouldn't guess that she was going to give me a run for my money and she blew me out of the water. I want to be that strong.

3. The Various Times and Locations - This leaves me with absolutely no excuse as to why I don't have the "time" to go to camp. They give you so many options of locations and times and actually encourage you to check out different trainers; so you don't feel like you're cheating on them. Hence, why I have always avoided a personal trainer. Jeez, I'm already in one committed relationship, I don't need that kind of pressure!

4. The Variety and Games - Every single camp is different from the one before, so you have no idea what to even dread for the next day. I find myself looking forward to it, even on a Monday evening in the oh-so-drizzly, cold and disgusting weather that we were experiencing in Austin yesterday.  The trainers seriously dream up the craziest of craze when it comes to the games that we do during camp. Ali Christoph came up with this card game, which absolutely killed me, but it distracted me so much mentally from the physical aspect, that before I knew it, it was over. I actually had FUN working out. Weird.

5. The Results - No, I haven't yet shed all 24.5 lbs. that I swear to you right now I will lose, but I feel stronger, healthier, and happier since starting one week ago today. I have lost 3.5 lbs. in a week, which for me is really good. The CG trainers stress to go at your own pace and to push yourself mentally and physically - that it's the only way that you will end up seeing results. Call me crazy, but I really believe them. They're turning me into a believer with each class and so are the other campers who I dream I'll look like one day. 

Although I do realize that this is in fact supposed to be a "picture blog" I vow to you now that I will post my before (ghastly) and after (smokin' hot) pics once I have reached my goal weight/physique. It may be a year from now, but I'm actually okay with that. I want to be that person a year from now who is encouraging others that it can be done - that they are capable of doing it on their own . . . with a little help from Camp Gladiator of course. ;)

I also promise that I was in no way coerced to write this blog, but rather I just wanted to spread the CG love and hopefully inspire someone else out there to give it a go. If you do decide to join, please enter my email address as your friend referral, so that I can get a $25 credit to join for next month's camp (HEY! It's worth a shot, my husband is a full-time student after all!). No really, use my email: kelley.denby@gmail.com Ha! ;)

Wish me luck for Week 2!

Much love,
Kelley

kelley denby photography