Gina V. - Fishkill, NY
Boot Camp Testimonial

I am a teacher and this past September a friend of mine asked me if I would be interested in signing up for an exercise boot camp at our local recreation center. As I contemplated the thought of getting up at 6 am I came up with a list of questions to help me determine if it would be worth my while to get up this early to exercise 3 times a week. I contacted Keith at Hudson Valley Fitness with my "short" list of questions ranging from the cost to what exactly we would be doing. Keith was very patient and helpful as I made my decision.

Let me tell you, it has been the best investment I have made in quite a while! I have been known to love my sleeping in yet I have now gotten out of bed and to the rec. center for 3 months straight to exercise before heading to work. If you knew me, you would realize this is an extremely odd feat. In fact, today I was discussing my exercise plan with my sister in law when she asked me "What is different about now versus when I wanted you to work out with me?" The difference is... no monotony! Each time I go to boot camp I am engaged in a different work out. I love the surprise and difference in routines! I love that I'm not getting bored. Before boot camp my exercise routine consisted of maybe some running for a month or two then taking the rest of the year off until spring came around again.

The first week of boot camp was grueling in a good way. I believe there were 7 of us in the September class. During that first week we spent some time in the rec center doing drills, stretches, lunges, jumping jacks, weights, the list could go on and on. At one point we were doing step ups on a bench outdoors. As the first 2 ladies took their turn I thought to myself "there is no way I will be able to do that for 1 minute". I was up next and 30 seconds into it my legs were starting to burn but the boot camp instructor and the rest of the ladies were encouraging me to continue. Now, 3 months later to do 1 minute of the same exact step ups is SOOO easy. In fact, I now do step ups with ankle weights on and weights in my hands. Wow! Even as I write this I am proud of myself for being so dedicated to exercising.

Within my first month I felt stronger and met my goal of getting up early to exercise. I was always using the excuse after work that I was to tired or didn't have time to work out. So along with meeting my goal of getting into better shape by exercising before work I have seen other benefits. In the first month I lost almost 3% body fat and two inches in my hips! 3 monthslater my entire body has gotten stronger. My thighs and calves actually have some definition, my core is stronger, my hips are smaller, I can actually do the monkey bars at school (which is something I have never been able to do) and I have a lot more energy as I start my day! I even feel more confident with my repertoire of exercise activities. On the days that I don't attend boot camp my body craves exercise now. If I don't get moving I feel sluggish. My boot camp instructor, Meche, has provided me with such a knowledge base of different activities that I never would have been familiar with if it wasn't for her. I was always intimidated by the thought of exercising as I had no idea what to do besides sit ups and run. I can now fill an entire hour of working out with enough different exercises that I don't get bored. I still prefer to work out at boot camp then alone because the instructor pushes me enough that I don't stop when I get tired. She pushes me when I need it, corrects my form to help me get the most from my 1 hour, and she makes me smile as I do it. I start my morning with laughter and sweat and it feels great! I plan to stay a long term camper, in fact I asked for another month of boot camp from Santa.