Joe gets inspired ... again

Posted by Pam

Over the weekend, Joe attended a fitness conference. Which means we Boot Campers were in for pure torture a treat this morning when he shared some new exercises with us.

Recently I mentioned that I was feeling a bit discouraged and uninspired. Well, there's one of the beautiful things about Boot Camp: I can rely on Joe to get inspired and kick things up a notch. Jump squats not inspired enough for you? Here, try these ballistic jump squats. Are mountain climbers getting old? Do some squat thrusts instead. Add those to suicides, planks, Spiderman push-ups and our usual array of butt-kicking exercises and I was definitely inspired today (if by "inspired," I mean "sucking wind.")

I like to complain when the workouts are really difficult, but you know I'd complain more if they were too easy. And all of our workouts can be modified to be harder or easier, depending on someone's fitness level. Lucky for me, whenever I complain, Joe just picks on me inspires me to work harder.

When am I going to learn to keep my mouth shut?

Come on in, the workout is fine

Posted by Pam

It's always great when a newbie joins our group. It's also great when old friends return after being gone a few weeks. Welcome!

We had a pretty big group at the 7 a.m. Boot Camp this morning, and as usual, we had a great workout. Everyone was very encouraging to each other. I think some of us are a little competitive.

And that's OK...

...It drives us.

It's kind of like, "Hey, if she can do that, so can I!"

I think I work just a little harder when there are more people there. And, I'm pretty sure I work harder when there are newbies there. I want to show the new folks how far I've come. We veterans always make sure we tell the newbies that we started out the same place they are. The first day is the hardest.

What we don't tell them is that's sometimes a lie. I've had plenty of days that were just as hard as that first one. But it is easier to get myself there every day. So that part is true. I've said it many times before; sometimes getting there is the hardest part.

What inspires you?

Posted by Pam

It's been so nice to see the sun the past couple of days. Was it just me or did February seem to last forever and be the gloomiest month in history?

If you're anything like me, gloomy skies make you feel gloomy inside and maybe a bit uninspired. With the new month and the sunshine, I'm feeling more motivated to get moving and to start getting rid of the winter blues -- and the winter weight.

It's a lot easier to get inspired when you have a goal, whether it's a vacation, a wedding, a big party or something of the sort. Sometimes, though, we have to just set a goal even if we don't have something special coming up. Maybe we just have to find something else to inspire us.

This morning's Boot Camp was a good start for me. We worked hard and had fun -- like we always do. Which goes to show me, sometimes I have to be my own motivator, my own inspiration. What inspires you?

Even Boot Camp bloggers get the blues

Posted by Pam

Due to circumstances beyond my control (namely a little terrier who lost a fight to a mean ol' neighborhood cat and needed looking after) I didn't get to go to TRX training Saturday morning. Now, you'd think missing a workout or two wouldn't be the end of the world. But for some reason it threw me into a slump.

I have hit a plateau and have really struggled with it. And the bathroom scale is no help at all, telling me I'm back to where I started. People tell me I look great. I know I'm stronger than before because I can do more reps and the dumbbells, kettlebells and medicine balls feel lighter. I know I have more energy. But I can't stop thinking about what the scale said, even though I know, just like Joe told me, "Scales only give you one number." Yet, here I am focusing on that one -- oh, so depressing -- number.

So, I've decided to take a step back...

I got to Boot Camp early this morning for measurements (no, I won't share) and I'm keeping a food journal again, as well as an exercise journal. I know my thyroid is partly to blame and I have to work harder than other people to lose weight. And it's not fair that those of use with out-of-whack thyroids have to work so hard. But nobody told us "life would be fair, right?" It doesn't stop me from having a little pity party though!

To overcome the blues I'm keeping my food and exercise journal and working hard to focus on my positives. If other people can see me as strong and athletic, I can, too. I can, too. I know the positive self talk is corny, but sometimes it's necessary. I can look in the mirror and see a flabby midsection and a big butt or I can look in the mirror and see toned arms and strong legs.

What do you see when you look in the mirror?