I started bootcamp with Niki G’s in March of 2011. I remember my first class well – I hated every minute of it!!  Ok, maybe not every minute…but I distinctly remember thinking “I’m paying for this?  There’s no way I’m coming back!”  But after class was over, and I actually did walk out on my own two feet, I thought “WOW!  I did it!”

I’ve been doing bootcamp for 7 months and I have no intention of stopping – I LOVE IT!  Believe me, I must love it since I have to get up at 4:15 a.m. to make it there!

I’m stronger, leaner, and have much more energy than I ever thought possible.  I’ve always been an exerciser and stayed in decent shape but I’ve never pushed it to this level and it is so worth it.  When I started with Niki, I’d never run a mile – I probably hadn’t even run more than a minute!! I’ve now shaved about 4 minutes off of my timed mile run, and in September I finished my first half marathon (first race ever!) in 2:28!  It’s more than the workouts that keep me coming back, it’s the relationship formed with other women willing to get up at the crack of dawn to sweat their butts off, it’s for Alisa who pushes us hard and keeps the encouragement coming, and it’s for the sense of accomplishment that I continue to get after each & every class.  I just can’t say enough good things about Niki G’s Boot Camp!!!

I am starting my seventh month at Niki G’s Fitness Boot Camp. A person who has struggled with my weight and body image for as long as I can remember, I finally decided enough was enough. I always had confidence in myself when it came to my job or who I am as a person, but there was no confidence when it came to my physical appearance and I was miserable.  I was in a dark place earlier this year where I felt like I had no self worth, like I was living in the movie Groundhogs Day, where I knew there was more to what was going on in my life, but rather than having faith and pushing through, I allowed the depression and lies in my head to begin to dictate the choices I was making. Then, one day, a light went off and my faith started to get stronger and I realized that God had a bigger plan for me and he did not mean for me to sit around feeling sorry for myself, being lazy and making excuses, but I had to overcome this lifelong struggle in order to be able to move on.

ROCKSTAR!!!

I’ve always been a great starter. I’ve started getting healthy more times than I can remember, but finishing the challenge and actually reaching my goal and maintaining it is another story. I have an arsenal of workout videos, books, fad diets, etc, but never seemed to follow through. This is the hardest thing I have ever tried to overcome and perhaps the hesitation on making those changes was out of fear or not wanting to get out of my comfort zone, because believe me, it isn’t easy. In our classes, we are reminded that it can sometimes be more of a mental game than it is a physical challenge, which is so true. I remember the first boot camp class I went to; I was so nervous, I didn’t know anyone and wasn’t sure what to expect, but I had decided, I needed someone to kick my butt and show me I am much stronger than I could ever imagine because I wasn’t able to push myself to that limit. During that first class, I had flashbacks to the show, The Biggest Loser, because I thought I was going to puke. But I kept going, reminding myself that if those people who weigh more than twice my weight can do it, then I can make it through a 1 hour class and I did.

Our awesome instructor at Lenox Village, Whitney Barnhill, always says that our bodies are a lot stronger than we think and that we may think we are going to die during some of the workouts, but the reality is, we aren’t, but our minds try to tell us to quit sooner than we really should. Being in an environment with other women who are going through the same butt kicking workout as you are, encourages you to keep going because you know you are not alone. I think most of us desire to be the best version of ourselves, not matter what area we may be struggling with. The key is believing that we can achieve our goals and especially when it comes to weight loss, realizing that you did not gain the weight overnight, so you aren’t going to lose it overnight. It will be a lot of hard work full of good days with the occasional bad, but when the bad days do happen, just start fresh the next day, don’t beat yourself up and quit. You will never have victory if you quit and sometimes taking that first step is the hardest part.

It’s hard to put into words what Niki G’s boot camp has done for me.  I have always been an exerciser, but I never made it a point to plan out my exercise and stick to it.  I signed up for boot camp on a whim, and I can honestly say it has been on of the best decisions I have ever made.  I immediately fell in love with my classes.  I felt stronger and had more energy.  Not only did I lose weight, but I saw a change in both mind and body. I soon realized that my mental health was benefiting from boot camp also.  Being a single mom it’s often hard to always stick to my schedule. Sometimes I have to reschedule classes or go at times that are not always my favorite times, but I go…..I’m a better mom when I stick to it.

I have been with Niki G off and on for 2 yrs  now.  Fortunately more on than off.  I am addicted to my classes and find new benefits at each class.  I have formed amazing friendships with the women I work out with.  We find a way to support each other through anything….divorces (mine included) pregnancy, adoptions, marriages, deaths, job loss, etc.  It is by far a camaraderie I have never experienced. I find myself having more courage and strength than ever before.

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Most importantly I am teaching my daughter how important it is to take care of yourself both physically and mentally.  She is my main cheerleader and support.  She is now starting to see the benefits herself as she will be running her first 5k with me in Sept!