How to get abs after 2 kids (the story, program & results)

Guest blog post written by mom/student/super-woman Alicia Norton…

What got you started?

Seeing someone else go through their own transformation is motivating. It makes you think that you can actually do it yourself.

My friend Crystal raved about how much she loved Bootcamp, so I started looking at her Facebook post to see what it was about.

Was there a defining moment that made you decide to join? 

I was so unhappy with my appearance and health that I knew I had to make a change. I was turning down invitations with friends, because I didn’t want to put on a bikini or didn’t like the way I looked in my clothes.

I was also battling high blood pressure. I was tired all the time and had no energy. I started running, but experienced swelling from my high BP.

The running alone wasn’t getting me any results. I was tired of my appearance and feeling sorry for myself. So I finally said, enough was enough.

I didn’t let anyone know I was going to boot camp. I signed up online & figured why not try it. I showed up the first day and Crystal, who didn’t know I was coming either, was there.

She walked me through the workout that first day. I came back 3 more days that week. When I tell you I was sore, I mean I was sore!

What were some of the initial fears and struggles you had?

I initially feared that I wouldn’t be strong enough or in good enough shape to keep up.

I was worried that my health issues would hold me back. Some of the workouts I saw online scared me. How would I ever be able to flip a tire that big? I mean come on, I’m 5 foot tall. The tire is bigger than I am. Weighs more than I do.

Do you remember your first personal victory?

So…guess what was one of the workouts my first week of Bootcamp? You guessed it, tire flips. I remember my third day of boot camp Derek mentioning that the next day we would be flipping tires.

Right then, I thought to myself that I would just skip the next day. I mean how could I do it? Me, yeah no! I went home that night and seriously I lost sleep over flipping that stupid tire.

I got up the next day and thought about something Derek said the previous day. He explained that someone would be there to show you proper form and to assist you in flipping it, so not to worry if you had never flipped a tire before.

So I decided to put on my “big girl panties” and I went to boot camp. Rich was my trainer that evening. He got right down there, showed me exactly where to place my hands and how to position myself. He stood beside me as I nervously put my hands under the edge of the tire and flipped it. It wasn’t pretty, but it was accomplished.

So now 3 months later, I just finished my first challenge where I flipped that little ole tire 16 times in one minute!

Not only am I not intimidated anymore, I have no issues throwing it around and making the tire look like it belongs to a smart car. 😉

What are some goals you have accomplished already?

I started boot camp on June 17, 2015. For the first 2 month of boot camp I went 3-4 times a week. I was dedicated to being there each week, but had a lot going on personally in my life.

I missed many days due to health reasons and per my doctor’s orders. I was getting frustrated because I had lost some, but nothing that you could see.

I did feel a little better though. I felt I was getting a little stronger and I noticed I actually had some muscles forming. It just wasn’t the progress I wanted though.

I had been naïve in my assumption that I was doing what I was supposed to in order to see results.

I attended a free nutritional workshop, hosted by Derek, and realized that I wasn’t making progress because of my eating habits.

At that time, I was under the most emotional stress of my entire life.I would sometimes walk into boot camp drying my tears from the happenings of my day and put on a smile by the time I reached the door so no one would notice.

I wasn’t eating at all during the day and then eating anything and everything all night as I stayed up late to complete my school work.

Then I did something crazy and signed up for an 8 hour muscle retreat.

Yes, you read that right. I attended a workout that was 8 hours long. Something happened that day.

I knew I had made friends at boot camp and I knew I had made progress with my physical abilities. What I didn’t realize is that I had made GREAT friends at boot camp that stood there pushing me when I felt like I was dying. I realized I had trainers, that even in the craziness of the day, devoted their time to making sure I pushed myself.

I didn’t look at the arranged workouts of the day and think I couldn’t do it. I looked at them and told myself “Bring It”.

The leg portion of that day is what really sticks with me. I had such determination, that I even surprised myself.

Derek held out his hands to assist me on an exercise and I refused to take them. (Sorry Derek I promise it wasn’t your calluses, lol) I had just decided in that moment that assistance was for chumps.

Well I must have done something right, because I was pleasantly surprised when the trainers presented me with some swag afterwards for killing it.

So about five weeks ago I decided that I would kill my first challenge at boot camp. I took before pics and swore I’d never show them to anyone.

I followed Derek’s meal plan with no cheats or slip ups. I came to boot camp six days a week and had PT with Sara 2-3 times a week.

I pushed aside my schedule and made room for myself (we all know how hard this can be). I pushed myself to increase the weight I used and work harder than I had.

I put in the work and dedication to get to where I wanted to be. I started walking into boot camp with a smile that was not plastered on there for appearances, but yet brought on by the fact boot camp was a place that made me light up.

So I laughed with friends, sweat my ass off, and took my aggression out with sledge hammers and bats.

I must have done something right, because I just finished 10th for overall points (out of almost 200 boot campers) and was recognized for most body fat % and inches lost. Not too shabby, if I say so myself.

So when I took these after pics just 5 weeks later I wasn’t ashamed of where I started anymore. Where I am at now, physically and emotionally, yeah those after pictures say it all.

What future goals do you have?

I reached my goals for the challenge and I am proud of myself for getting back to the fighter I have always been. So I am not stopping now.

My new goals are being formulated this week. I want to make them specific so I know how hard I have to fight each day to make them happen.

What I do know is that I want to lose more body fat, targeting mainly my arms and legs.

What would you tell someone in the same situation as where you started?

If you are tired of sitting at home feeling sorry for yourself, then this is the place for you.

If you aren’t sure you can handle the workout, but you want to change yourself, then these are the trainers you need.

If you want an excuse to stay the same, then keep telling yourself you can’t do it. You’re probably right. Last time I checked you can’t do something you’ve never tried.

So get out of your own head, face your fears, and find what I have found. My confidence, strength, and the person I had let go of so many years ago.