Diary of a Bootcamp

January and February were a turning point in my life. I was grounded mentally and physically. I put it down to having been confined to bed for two weeks with the flu, but then I also found myself in a complete state of mental disarray for another four weeks thereafter. Looking back, I realise that it was my body simply shutting down and forcing me to rest after what has been four pretty intense years setting up my business Wunderlife.

When I started to gradually feel better, I decided it was time for something new. My health seemed a good place to begin so I enrolled with Achievement Coaching Bootcamp. I didn’t really know anything about it, other than that ‘Bootcamp’ was not something I had ever considered, as I don’t like getting too dirty and close to mud. In my view, I thought Bootcamps would be too hard core for my liking. And exactly for those reasons it felt right to sign up for it – I wanted purposefully to push myself out of my comfort zone; get fitter by doing something totally new and ‘not me’.

1st Session

Feeling a bit nervous but mostly excited. Brigitte, the owner and lead coach, greets us all warmly. To my surprise, we’re only women (I always thought Bootcamp to be more of male, butch sort of thing). After a brief warm up, we are straight into sit ups; sprints etc. quite often working in teams of two, accompanied by great music throughout.

Brigitte keeps a close eye on us to make sure we are not twisting and turning in the wrong direction, which is good as I have no idea what I am doing. Halfway through the session I’m starting to run out of puff but I am determined to keep going. Our noses are in the mud a lot, and by the end I am covered in it, but also feeling quite proud for having completed my full first session. The next day I found myself walking sideways as my leg muscles were in serious pain; but I had an appetite for more, and was looking forward to the next session.

2nd Session

Today was a progress check for those attending the Bootcamp on a regular basis. Brigitte is an ex gymnast, track - and- field athlete turned triathlete, with a University degree in Performance Psychology and 12 years experience in Personal Training and Triathlon Coaching - we’re in good hands!

I brought my Brug this time. It is big enough for two of us to do sit ups and push ups, robust enough to withstand the dirt but also doubles up as a great bag for me to carry my workout kit and personal belongings in. At the end of the session, it’s my Brug that is totally covered in mud (not me) which is a huge bonus as far as I am concerned!

3rd Session

I find myself now looking forward to each session come rain or shine. I love the fresh air, the jolly spirit and camaraderie. It’s a professionally designed program to deliver the results you set yourself in the PT session, with a huge dollop of fun. Now, in week three, I notice I am getting stronger, fitter and feeling less painful after each session. One of the mums brought her baby to the session today and we turned the Brug into a play-mat to keep the youngest recruit happy.

4th Session

The exercises we are doing follow a certain pattern but vary from session to session in terms of how they are mixed up. For somebody like me who does not want to think too hard to remember the exercises, this is the perfect mix. This session included working out in pairs with running and various exercises which was a lot of fun and brought a great sense of team spirit.

5th Session

4th May

Brigette is running a charity session today, so we are all coming dressed up to support her efforts. Two mums have brought their kids along and they are running around making air bubbles and mucking in. This for me captures the spirit of sessions. They are designed to make you work hard to get fitter and stronger but also put a smile on your face as there is always an element of fun and surprise involved (gin run; coffee after the session; dress up etc). Brigette takes the sessions very seriously but not herself (which I think is a great character trait). Today I am cycling to the session which is amazing as four weeks ago I was nearly crawling back on all fours. My legs are starting to look a bit more toned and generally I am feeling a lot more upbeat.

6th Session

11th May

Today we worked on different work-out stations. Each station had three exercise elements to it and your work your way through it in a group. The groups were made out of different people with different fitness levels but this actually did not matter. Whilst I am getting fitter and mode able, for others it was their first class visit. As Brigette always makes sure there are different variations to suit all fitness levels you can work on your own level and push your boundaries as it suits you.

Looking now back over the last 6 sessions, I feel stronger and more toned, have made some new friends and had a great deal of fun. I am determined to keep my new regime going as we progress through the summer.

By Dominique King