Before and Afters
Nisha Bathe August 2010
I started working out at BDHQ on August 10, 2009 (9 months after I had my baby). I was still 20 lbs over my pre-pregnancy weight and I had just about had enough! I searched the internet for bootcamps, thinking that would be somewhere to start, and I ended up at the BDHQ website. I went in for a consult and ended up having my first workout session that day with Lovisa. For 3 months I worked out 3 days a week, doing 1 hour personal training sessions. I lost 15 lbs by mid October - then I took a bit of a break and did some travelling before I returned to work after my maternity leave. On December 10, 2009, I signed up for the 8 week personal training Promo (4 x 30 min sessions and week along with 1 class). Whoever would have thought that I would be at the gym at 6:30 am twice a week? I even worked out on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day! By February 2010 I had lost another 6 lbs. Now I have lost a total of 28 lbs - I weigh even less than I did before I had my baby - 10 lbs less! Thanks to those at BDHQ that have helped me along this fabulous journey!
Mike Strangeway July 2010
Trish Chan June 2010
Two years ago, my friend and I were both lamenting the fact that we needed to lose weight and get in shape. We had both considered trying a bootcamp but didn't know much about any of them. After some research and some positive word-of-mouth reviews, we decided on BDHQ. The first class was at Cedar Hill Rec. Center. I looked at some of the other regular bootcampers and thought there was no way I could ever be in as good of shape as they were. I wore exercise pants and large long t-shirts, attempting to somehow cover up several years of babies, eating too much and no regular exercise. I weighed 143 pounds and I'm only an inch over five feet! My body fat was 34%, well above the "ideal". When the trainer said we were going to run the Cedar Hill loop I almost ran straight back to my car! However, I had paid my money and I was going to DO this!
I dutifully filled in whatever I ate in the book, and made sure I got out to three bootcamps per week. The first month was pretty painful and humbling. I recall one bootcamp at Mount Doug where I thought it was quite possible I was going to throw up halfway up the mountain and I wasn't even running! I could only do three push ups and the idea of doing 100 bicycles was laughable. After only a month I dropped a few pounds and started to think maybe there was some hope. Within three months I was down 10 pounds - amazing! It is now two years later. I have dropped 30 pounds, my body fat is 18% and I can run faster and longer than ever, I can do 30 push ups on my toes without stopping and 100 bicycles is completely within my grasp! Could I have done this on my own? Not a chance! It was the fantastic support, guidance and encouragement from the trainers that made this happen. I know it's not in my nature to push myself as hard as Michele and everyone pushed me. They had confidence that I could do it and that made all the difference. I will be forever grateful to every one of the trainers who has helped me on this journey. I'm not stopping any time soon! I plan to be Bootcamping for many years to come!
Julie Sweeney June 2010
Kristen Sands - January 2010
Take my word for it; Kristen has lost wayyyy more weight since this after pic was taken!
Jodie's Success Story
Before I joined the Biggest Winner program, I was an unhealthy woman who didn't care much about exercise or nutrition and it showed in the size of my body and my energy level. I tried every diet out there. I needed a change in lifestyle or else I would just continue to gain weight. I was already at the heaviest I had ever been, weighing 243lbs. My first meeting with Michele Shorter made me feel so empowered about the journey I was about to take with her that any anxiety I had quickly faded.
Every workout is different and the trainers push me out of my comfort zone. They have also educated me in the way that the body functions with food and exercise which has shown me a whole new path to personal fitness. I have seen results that go beyond pounds or inches. This program has given me control of my future and the way in which I choose to face it. I now have the skills and the support of the trainers to continue to lead an active lifestyle which has increased my self confidence and provided me with more energy to meet my life's goals and desires. I ran my first 8km a race and then followed up with my first half marathon last week!! I am a new person both physically and mentally.
After 32 weeks I have lost 70 pounds and will be continuing on with the program until I reach my goal weight. I thank Michele for starting a program like this because it literally saved my life. Exercise can be intimidating for people who have a lot of weight to lose and I will forever be indebted to my trainers Michele, Fiona and Lovisa for constantly encouraging me and supporting me throughout my weight loss journey.
Terri's Success Story
For my 40th birthday present, my long time boss bought me a gift certificate to Body Dynamics. He has seen me experience many things in life, including a struggle with weight. What he didn’t know though, was just how much this gift would mean to me and how it would be the catalyst that changed my life.
I have to admit, I was very intimidated my first morning at bootcamp. I didn’t know whether I would show up and be a big girl amongst a sea of tiny bodies or how I would be accepted into the group, let alone if I would be able to complete a full workout. But what happened is that I showed up to people of all sizes and fitness levels. I was encouraged throughout the whole class to do what I could, and maybe just a little more. And that’s what it’s all about. You go, you do your best, and when you think you’ve done your best you hear a voice saying 30 more seconds, or 10 more, or sprint to the top. And you know what? There is always more left in you than you think. And the trainers know this! And this is just one of the things that I love about bootcamp.
I also love the variances in the workouts. No day is like the other but you always leave knowing you’ve completed a full body workout. That morning workout got me geared up for the rest of the day. I left there knowing I’d done my workout for the day and had the endorphins pumping to prove it. It’s the most efficient way to workout.
Working out next to other people is more motivation than one would think. You either want to keep up with the person next to you, or do better than the person next to you. That was my train of thought, and how effective it was!
Now aside from the obvious physicality of bootcamp, there was another HUGE part to it. It was nutrition. You are given a book at the beginning that has your starting measurements, weight, body fat etc. But also included is a food guide and journal. I was expected to write down everything that I was eating and bring it to each class so the trainer can look it over and make comments or suggestions. I have to admit, when I started bootcamp I had it in my head that I was just going to do the workouts and not change the way I ate. Looking back, this is hilarious. What changed it for me was that a few weeks in when I was noticing my body and weight changing, and it was O.K (not great) I thought..hmm…so if I actually started eating a bit better maybe I would see more of a change. And that’s what happened.
I started out with an over-all goal of losing 20-25 pounds and getting ‘fit’. But what I soon realized is that as soon as you are getting close to meeting your goal, you have to re-set it. You also can’t assume that what you start out wanting, is what you will want when you finish. I’ve gone above and beyond where I thought I would, and it’s only because I’ve allowed myself to be challenged further than I ever thought I could. I’ve had the trainers and others challenge me but most importantly, I’ve pushed myself. Seeing my body change week after week was what kept me motivated. I was inspiring myself by how dedicated I was to the process of getting fit.
I would not be sitting here 50 pounds lighter, more fit or svelter than I’ve ever been if it weren’t for bootcamp. I do not believe I would have accomplished all that I have in the time that I have if I had tried to do this on my own. I’ve had the BEST head start on the rest of my life because of bootcamp. I’m ready for anything now.
In 6 months of bootcamp (24 weeks):
- 208.5 pounds to 172.5 pounds = 36.5 pounds or 17.5% if my total body weight
- Size 16 to a Size 10
- Body fat – 40.5% - 31.5% - 9%
- Chest – 4 ½ inches
- Braline – 6 inches
- Upper thigh – 3 inches
- Mid thigh – 3 inches
- Arms – 2 inches
- Waist – 5 ½ inches
- Lower waist (belly button) – 2 ½ inches
- Hips – 8 inches
- Total – 34 ½ inches
