Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Relationships


Boot Camp is often very social. It is critical to the workout that we can communicate, connect, relate and enjoy the company we keep while we exercise. For long time participants, it is a toss up between fitness and friendships for what has been the greater benefit of boot camp.

Many other workouts are dominated by the instructors and or music. This makes it hard for folks to carry on a conversation. We may be the only workout in Atlanta that can crank out 3 miles and 600 reps in a hour while talking the entire way.

Relationships are very important to everyone in every aspect of our lives. We encourage new participants to pay attention, ask questions and get to know the folks in the workout. We encourage veterans to welcome the new comer, encourage them and keep a positive attitude so they feel comfortable and excited about coming back.

While our friends in boot camp keep us accountable and excited about exercise, our relationship to food can play a large part in our fitness. We have always said " If you get the body hot enough, it will burn anything." While that is true, only a few folks have the discipline to show up every day for the workout.

For the rest of us, nutritional discipline can do wonders. It doesn't take much. The idea is too start small and stay mindful. Our relationship with food can come into focus. It is amazing how little food can fuel an active body. So if we don't need it, why are we eating it? What is the intention? Are we eating this because we want it or because we need it? Is this healthy? What is the nutritional value of this?

The simplest thing to do is to change ONE thing at a time. Weaning off of SUGAR is a great place to start. Sugar is poison. It is so addictive that quitting can often be very challenging. Its not quite crack or heroine but, its bad.

The other option is to show up to the workout every day, eat whatever we want and enjoy our relationships with people, exercise and food.

Wednesday, May 14, 2014

Fear & Pain

Fear is an emotion that causes a change in behavior. Fear may occur in response to a particular stimilus happening in the present. Fear arises from the perception of danger. Fear is a learned response. We were taught to fear.

In fitness training, athletics and foot racing, fear is the most common emotional responce to pain. The mind often deals with pain with either response flight or fight. Some folks "fight through the pain" and others slow down or stop.

We often say "there is a fine line between perfect conditioning and being hurt." Many of us straddle that line daily. Some of us dive over the line with reckless abandon and pay a heavy price.

Being afraid may prevent us from doing serious harm when training, racing and playing. Fear may also prevent us from trying something we are capable of doing.

Refering to others is the best way to stay in balance with our fear. Folks we see every day who know us can confirm or deny the validity of our fear/or lack there of.



Friday, May 9, 2014

Happy Mothers Day

Princess Boot Camp Moms

Boot Camp has 8 years in the books. We are in our 9th year of continuous operation. This workout meets 5 days a week, 52 weeks a year. We can count on our fingers and toes how many days off we have taken over the years. We just dont take days off.

Two ladies showed up in the first week, Harriott and Kathleen. Both worked out with us today. Both have adoring husbands and daughters. As the years go by, we see each other daily. They are extended family. Their continuous participation over the years has kept the workout together. We are very grateful to them.

We have dozens more with nearly as many years. Everyone in the workout is special and important to the program. Everyone contributes to the energy of the pack and keeps the workout rolling.

The Mothers in the workout serve their own clan as well as the pack in the workout. "Happy Wife, Happy Life." "The home is only as happy as its Mother." The Mommies that work out together return to their children more focused for the day, with more energy and a bigger smile. They are also an example to their children of the importance of exercise.

Wednesday, May 7, 2014

Boot Camp Kids


Participants are always welcome to bring children as their guest to work out with us at boot camp. They dont even have to be your own children. If a kid shows intrest, bring them.

Evan and John have been attending for years. Evan loves the social aspect of the workout. He loves the group, the running, the exercise and the fellowship. He is growing up in the workout. He has a special relationship with his Preacher, his Dads girlfriend and everyone else who shows up.

As the story goes, one day when Irene and Evan were working out together, Irene asked if Evan's class had a visit to the Capitol scheduled. Fast forward to Snowpocalypse. Evan's Capital visit got snowed out. So, we asked Irene if it was possible to bring Evan and the 90 children in the 3rd grade as her (lt Governor Casey Cagle) guest. Not only did she arrange for the visit, she rolled out the red carpet and gave the children the Super VIP tour. 

Boot Camp regulars know that Evan isn't shy and has a healthy ego. We have no idea where he gets it. He was beaming with pride today knowing that he arranged for his class to take a trip that would not have been available to them if it were not for his relationship with Irene from the workout. 

Tuesday, May 6, 2014

Primal

Running and exercise outside, basic training, puts us in touch with our primal selves. What would this mornings workout look like 300 years ago? We ran 3 miles and performed 800 repetitions of various lower body exercises. Its all body weight exercise. No machines, no facility, no pounding music.

In another 300 years, the workout will still look the same. Basic training has been passed down through the ages and will continue to be a fitness discipline utilized by soldiers, athletes and regular folks getting in shape.

As flesh and blood bipods with advanced cooling systems, it is in our nature to traverse the earth paced double time in persuit, in the way back old days, of food. This was done in packs.

Today, we are like minded individuals seeking fitness for various reasons. Whether for fitness or for food, its the same thing. A group of people go out in the world in a pack and work together.

Racing takes primal to the next level. The game of chase is the oldest game on earth. Pouncing at the exact right moment for the win(kill) takes us to the hunt/hunted that lies deep within us all.