Sussex Bootcamps have successfully built a new way of exercising and have altered peoples approach to ‘getting fit’.

Seven weeks ago Becky Fuller and Shelley (me) decided to join Ben Davis of Sussex Bootcamps on a four week training regime.

Becky wanted to loose weight after having her second child.  Shelley is on a sponsored diet to make money for the work required on the playground at her son’s school.  Two good reason to attend. 

At first it was really hard as exercise came in the form of lifting the glass up to the mouth or walking to the shops.  But as time went on it became surprisingly addictive. 

When and where did they do this?

Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 18:15 at Hazelwick School in Three Bridges. The cost is £110. Now why would you not just go to the gym I hear you you ask.  For many reasons. The support and encouragement you receive from the instructors and fellow members is just something you do not find in a gym. Becky and Shelley made friends with the rest of the group which really helped them in their quest for weight loss.  Becky said “you all go through the same gruelling sessions together. Both Shelley & I found it motivational and inspiring. I have lost a total of one and a half stone and can fit into clothes I didn’t think I would ever fit into again. It was worth every penny”.

Shelley decided to keep a short diary of how the four weeks went and how she felt about each session.

Bootcamp Journal

Monday 3rd August – Day 1

Before: - Feeling a bit nervous about tonight, anxious even.  Can’t let anyone down!  Worrying I won’t be able to keep up, and will end up a mess on the floor.  Have made a pact, no alcohol for the whole 4 weeks.  This is going to be tough.

After: – Well that wasn’t as bad as I thought it was going to be.  The exercises are no too bad.  My wrists ache a bit due to my arthritis but I refuse to make an issue out of it.  No aching yet.  Did I push myself enough?  I think so.  Basic exercises, sit ups, skipping, running and plenty of great toning exercises.

Wednesday 5th August – Day 2

Before: - Not so anxious this time.  We are a group made up of woman bar 1 man and everyone has been really nice so that makes it easier to turn up again.  Been working in the sun all day so feeling a bit tired.

After:- Damn!  That was really hard today.  My thighs are killing me.  I feel so much worse than I did after Monday.  That will teach me for taking it so lightly.  We did the same exercises performed on Monday so I was shocked at how much it took out of me.  I’m keeping my fingers crossed it will get easier.  Don’t want to get fearful of going.  What is it they say, no pain no gain.  Damn them poets!  Felt a bit faint today but put that down to the heat I had been in most of the day.  Didn’t drink as much water as I should have.  On a good note the rest of the group are lovely and we get to move around to meet and work with others in the group. We are all gelling already, and I love that. Ben, the trainer, gave us a nutritional talk and put the whole protein, carbohydrates, fats into perspective for me.  He made it sound so easy to understand.  I needed that lol.

Friday 7th August – Day 3

Before: – My legs are still killing me! Today is boxing day which I think will be better on my poor body right now.  I feel a little apprehensive but am focusing on the fact it is only four weeks, not four months or years.  Makes me feel better.  Have done well the last couple of days on my diet so am feeling a bit better about it all.  Just ache, badly. 

After: – Did I say boxing was going to be easy?  Well how wrong was I!  I perspired profusely with this exercise, but I was not alone.  Ben worked us as hard as usual but always reassuring us we only had to work as hard as we could and no harder.  We are all working as a ‘team’ and encouraging each other, which really helps.  I had a great time today.  It was tough but felt good and was lots of fun with the other participants.  Getting back to feeling excited about the next session again.  Still hurting but not so much. 

Monday 10th August – Day 4

Before: – Feel a little more confident today but have a bad headache. Not feeling my best to be honest. But I am still going. Can’t let the ‘team’ down.

After:-It was mainly jumping about today in some form or another. The skipping is great fun but I get so breathless doing it. Found my shin bone was painful to touch after this session. I am sure it will go away and was just a cause of all the jumping, which my poor little body has not done for some years lol.

Wednesday 12th August – Day 5

Before:- Not feeling well at all today. Been diagnosed with potential swine flu so have to miss tonight. Should be ok for Friday as I have been unwell for a while now, so if I do have it, it should be non-contagious by now.  Just hope I have not passed it onto any of the ‘team’.

Friday 14th August – Day 6

Before: – Still feeling a bit rough but must get back into the swing of things, or this feeling might consume me!

After: - Couldn’t interact completely today.  It was boxing again, which I really enjoy, but had to sit out of some of the turns due to my breathlessness and lack of energy. Damn, must get well again.

Monday 17th August – Day 7

Before: – Feeling a bit better today. Looking forward to seeing how much I can manage to be honest. Still feeling a bit flu-ey. Just got to get rid of this silly cough now. Plenty of water consumed, ready for the session.

After: – Ben was absent today so was ably subbed by Steven.  It was different but quite refreshing. Funny enough the time seemed to fly by on this session. Not sure if this had something to do with a different trainer. Maybe it was because I am slowly getting better. Who knows. Enjoyed the session, not aching so much now.

Wednesday 19th August – Day 8

Before:- Feeling a lot better today and really looking forward to today’s training. It’s nice to know Ben is back. Not that we missed him of course….lol. The ‘team’ is really starting to gel now. We have been through so much together in such a short amount of time. So I also look forward to seeing everyone.

After: -It was a really hard training session today. Lots of up and down, push ups, burpees, running and various other excruciating exercises. If this had been our first day, we would never have been able to cope, so it is amazing how far we have all actually come. The ‘team’ all looked shattered. We had a chat after about how much better we are looking mind you, and how better we all feel, keeping to a healthy eating regime and the exercises chopping inches of our waist lines. It is starting to get addictive. Am I crazy, probably.

Friday 21st August – Day 9

Before: – Looking forward to the session once again. Feeling 100 times better, cough subsided. The enthusiasm comes from the results, not the actual training. I have been able to put tops on that would not even go past my chubby shoulders in the past. When you can see the results, it really hits home at how good it is and how good I feel.

After:- Phew!  Another week over and done with. Only one more week to go. Yhipee!!  We were inside for the first time today, raining.  Sophie was our trainer for today as Ben was bunking off again lol. Boxing today.  Think I may have damaged a muscle in my shoulder today. Really hurt, but I was brave. Love the boxing so it was not too much of an effort to persevere. Went home soaked with perspiration again. Time for a cold shower.

Monday 24th August – Day 10

Before: – I can’t believe I have made it to the last week in one piece! It has been such a great adventure and I am looking and feeling great! Can’t wait to get there today. Shoulder is still a bit niggled but I will be fine and take it easy.

After: – Loads of different training exercises today. Lots of sit-ups and leg work. Starting to adore skipping!  I remember when we first did skipping, I was so out of breath I found it hard, but as time has gone on my breathing seems to have gained in endurance. Had a laugh with the others again today, which makes it all so that much easier.

Wednesday 26th August – Day 11

Before:- My shoulder is killing me today. Had to pop to the doctors yesterday. Got some Ibuleve Gel which has helped some.  Think it was having the window down in the car on the way home last week, the breeze encouraged my arthritis to play up. Hate getting old! Dreading not being able to keep up today.

After: – That was hard work, but I feel so fit now. Had trouble doing some of the exercises which included the arms but didn’t let myself down with any of the others. The bond between the group is so great and appreciated, letting the group down is not an option, for me anyway. I am sure no-one would think anything if I wasn’t able to, or for any other members either, but of course the relationship we all have means they would have encouraged me if I needed it. Nice. Can’t wait for Friday, but feel a little sad the 4 weeks are over and I may not get to see the others again

Friday 28th August – day 12 FINAL DAY!

Before: – Feeling excited and sad at the same time as this is our last day. I have already made my mind up that I am going to come back for another 4 weeks. Mad, yes. Fit, very!!!

After:- Wow! 4 weeks of gruelling exciting bootcamp completed. I have dropped at least one and a half dress sizes, especially on my hips and thighs, and feel fantastic!  All I have to say to anyone now is…..can’t wait for the next 4 weeks to start!! Bring on the 7th October!

Shelley is now into her third week of the next four weeks regime and is still going strong.

This sounds great! When is the next one?

The next Sussex Bootcamp in Crawley starts Monday 12th October, ’09. If you have any questions or just want to get your name down, please contact Ben on 01444  340030 or visit their website. Sussex Bootcamps are generously offering any reader of Crawley Happy Times a 10% discount when quoting Ref CHT3 which is only valid for the next Crawley training course on the 12th October. Good luck and don’t forget to let us know how you get on.

Shelley interviewed Ben on completing the last session of the four weeks. You can see it below….