cambridgebootcamps.co.uk

Picture this – a rather overweight woman with a persistent shoulder injury sits at her computer feeling that she will never lose weight and get fitter because every time she exercises her injury flares.  Out of the blue pops up one of those adverts at the side of the screen for a “boot camp” of all things.  The rather overweight, somewhat depressed, woman finds herself replying to said advert and to this day she has no idea what possessed her to do such a thing!

But I did and at the other end was an angel who will from now on be referred to as Charlie.

With Charlie’s personal, ever encouraging, approach to the training my shoulder went from strength to strength and only 8 months later I can do a full press-up (or sometimes 2!!!).  Not only that I have been known to win a “plank off” – stomach muscles of steel (still hidden within a fair amount of padding but apparently they are in there somewhere).  If you want to know what a “plank off” is you’ll have to come along!

Boot camp is now a way of life for me and I have got Charlie’s enthusiasm and dedication to thank for that.

Thanks Charlie – you are literally a life saver x

This is not the end for me just the begining and i would urge any woman sitting at home thinking wot can i do to lose weight make new friends enjoy well come along and join Boot Camp !!!!!! Bloody fantastic journey and losing 6.5inches wot more can a girl ask for…Thank you so much xxxxx

I’ve been attending Bootcamp now for over three months and I’m still going, which surprises me no end. But if anything involving exercise can be said to be fun then Bootcamp is it. Playing games with really scary names that I’ve repressed hasn’t turned out to be too bad and hill sprints in the sun at a place I never even knew existed was interesting. There have been cards and balls and bean bags and kettlebells and through it all lots of people laughing and bonding together to just get through the next damned exercise!

As usual, I only lasted two weeks with exercising in front of the TV in the evening but I drag myself out of the flat twice a week to get shouted at as that is the only way that I’m ever going to get any exercise. It’s working though, I’ve lost two inches off my waist and about two stone and since March – I’m not keep an exact record but you notice when your trousers that were too tight start to fall down.

Unlike the American Army style boot camps with lots of testosterone this Bootcamp is encouraging and entertaining at the same time, you feel like everyone is supporting you, nobody is judging and the only one you’re really in competition with is yourself.

The thing that is also unique about Cambridge Bootcamps is the added value that comes with the wonderful exercise camps through the out-fit site. It makes in unbelievably great value. There is so much nutritional advice that is not only simple to follow but also explains why we should make these nutritional decisions. In a society that is growing in obesity and terminal illnesses, it is refreshing to find advice that is a sound and a sensible guide to a healthier lifestyle. Additionally, there is as much support as you need and want from other like-minded women and many other fun high-energy activities to participate in if you want to from fun runs to Spartan races.

I’d been looking at doing some sort of intensive training and considered a weekend boot camp but my brother thought this wasn’t right for me and did some research and found Cambridge Bootcamp….I can’t thank him enough.

Didn’t really know what to expect but soon started looking at the website and knew I should give it a go. This has been more than a new type of training; it really has been life changing. The camaraderie and support I have got from Charlie and the rest of the amazing ladies have been absolutely priceless. It has turned into my daily therapy and
has really got me thinking about my life.

I have lost count of the number of diets I have tried in the past that have lasted a few days before I cheated but never admitted to it, I was just fooling myself! Having always had an interest in nutrition I have read hundreds of books but never really adopted the healthy eating whole-heartedly.
I thought I was eating a fairly OK diet until I spoke to Charlie and realised again I had been kidding myself. So I took the bull by the horns and have embraced the detox 100%, with only one slip up which for me is an amazing achievement.

The exercise at Bootcamp has been brilliant. Getting up at 5.45am 3 mornings a week and driving into Cambridge (I live in Bassingbourn) is not a chore, in fact I love being up at that time. The cold and the rain would have put me off under any other circumstances but nothing is going to stop me this time!!

Everyone I’ve seen recently has commented on how healthy I look which is so lovely to hear and my husband has also promised me a new wardrobe when (not if) I get down to a size 10. My results are better than I ever expected and has just proven that if I focus and give it 100% I CAN DO IT!! Haven’t felt this pleased with myself since having my children.

Thank you thank you thank you for everything everyone!! As cheesy as it may sound THIS IS MY TIME and I am going to do something just for me but by doing this I will become a good role model for my girls as well as a wife, daughter, sister and friendto be proud of.

There have been a few things that I have learnt about myself over the last four weeks, so thank you for doing this challenge Charlie J I am an emotional eater, if I am upset or stressed I head straight for the carbs…..

Health wise, one of the main things I have noticed my IBS has not been triggered at all over the last 4 weeks. Without being too graphic, most days I would get horrendous stomach cramps, bloating etc but since this nothing, nada J

For me this has changed from a competition to an overhaul of my lifestyle, yes there will be times when I want a treat but it can’t be a daily occurrence. I need to establish which of the food groups are the triggers for my IBS so will need to implement them individually before promptly removing them from my diet again.

Overall this has been a positive experience for me; my confidence has increased as my inches have dropped off.

Thanks ladies for all the support, I really believe that you have all made it so much easier to do this challenge and hope that we can all carry on supporting each other once the challenge has been completed.

Hi I’m Magz, a 36 year old married mum of two girls (18 and 2 – huge age gap!) and I attend bootcamp twice weekly. I have suffered with depression on and off since my early twenties and have felt incredibly low in the past year.

8 weeks ago I was two and a half stone overweight, miserable, argumentative, tired all the time, my get up and go had got up and gone long before and my self confidence had dwindled to an all time low. I found aerobic classes boring and repetitive and the gym was no better because I could slack off too easily.

A good friend of mine was doing bootcamp and judging by her facebook statuses she was loving so I asked her what it was and she led me to the website. When I read ‘drop a dress size in 4 wks’ I immediately wanted to sign up. All I could think about was being a whole size smaller so I signed up on a whim….. then panicked like hell about looking like a blob, not being able to do it, making myself look stupid, not keeping up, feeling self conscious etc – but I’d signed up so I HAD to go!!

It’s now 6/7 weeks since I signed up. I am almost a stone lighter, my body is starting look toned, I have more energy, I am happier, my confidence is back, I want to go out and do things and I look forward to exercising because I actually enjoy it. For me, doing exercise outside is really energising. I don’t feel restricted like I had done in the past in a gym or hall, I feel free. I’ve had sessions in the rain, high winds, frost and am looking forward to the snow! Each session is structured differently so it’s never boring and I like not knowing what we are going to be doing when I make my way there.

I’ve made some great new friends at camp and the trainer is supportive, thorough, approachable and always there to give you a boost when you need it.

My friends have noticed the change in me, my husband much prefers his ‘new’ wife, my girls love having a fun mum and most importantly I am loving ME!!

As much as I love early morning squats and lunges, what really makes Charlie’s bootcamps dynamite is her commitment to staying on top of nutritional research, all of which she makes accessible to her girls via the support OUT-FIT site. You might think that you’re eating healthfully already… and then you read the extensive nutrition plan that Charlie has compiled. It is an absolute eye-opener, and when in combination with regular bootcamp sessions, gets incredible results! Since starting bootcamp, my personal nutritional ideologies have been completely rewritten in my mind, and they continue to be tweaked here and there as I do more of my own research.

I started Cambridge Bootcamps a year ago when I moved to Cambridge and wanted to meet some like-minded people. I love to exercise and thought this was a great way to keep fit and meet other people. I haven’t been disappointed! Cambridge Bootcamps has motivated me to exercise throughout the year. I love the feeling of finishing the 6.30am bootcamps and knowing that I have worked hard and I still have the whole day ahead of me. I leave feeling energised and ready to take on the world! It’s also such a beautiful way to start the day, watching the sun come up – even in winter! It doesn’t take you long to get warm and the fresh air is invigorating! However for those of you who really are not early morning people, there are a range of times that will suit every woman! Charlie and her team of trainers will ensure you work hard and I’ve also met some great people who have continued to inspire me to stay fit even when my own energy levels have been low.