Guest blog by bootcamper: Stephanie Oeder
When you are a single mom it’s easy to make excuses for why you don’t have time to do things for yourself. “The house needs to be cleaned.” “Dinner needs to be cooked.” “There’s soccer practice and games and after school activities.” or “I’m just plain exhausted!”
For me I think the excuses were multiplied by the fact that I happen to be a teacher too. I am so used to giving everything I have to others and often put myself last.
Fitness and my health just were not a priority.
Sure I had done “exercise” before. I tried a gym membership and lasted 2 weeks before. I told myself I am just too busy to go. I was so busy that I didn’t realize my weight, health, and happiness were spiraling out of control.
It didn’t take long to pack on the pounds. It started out small. I noticed my clothes fitting more tightly. Then my joints began swelling.
It got to the point where I was exhausted climbing stairs. I knew I was unhealthy but I still didn’t think I had the time or energy to do anything about it.
That’s when my friend Swarna asked me if I would do bootcamp with her. My response was “Sure, I’m not very athletic but I will try.” I was never athletic at all to be honest. I didn’t play sports. I didn’t even own a pair of gym shoes but I had made a commitment to try and I couldn’t back out now.
I finally signed up when New Port Richey Bootcamp had a two-week special. I figured I could go a couple of times during those two weeks and if I looked like a total fool or hated it, well then at least I tried.
It was the week of Thanksgiving, which is funny to me because that is usually the time of year people pig out and here I was starting a new fitness routine!
My first night I was terrified.
I was worried the trainers would take one look at me and say “Why is this girl here?” but I had my friend there to support me and reassure me that I could do it and so deep down I knew It would be okay.
The first night was brutal. A list of 25 different stations were on the whiteboard. Push ups and V ups and Burpees Oh My!
It hurt and I was out of breath.
Derek and the other bootcampers never made me feel out of place. I felt like I belonged and with encouragement from my friend and text messages from Derek I kept going back.
Sometimes you need people telling you not to give up and get your butt to bootcamp. The great thing is everyone is rooting for you to succeed!
I realize now that it is okay to have a little me time!
I still get sore or winded or feel the need to vomit when I work out. I am not the strongest or fastest or most coordinated at all but I know I am doing things I wouldn’t have been able to do 7 months ago.
I am so thankful to have people in my life who continue to encourage me and tell me how I’m doing a good job and how I have inspired them (most of them being fellow bootcampers). I feel such a sense of pride about myself that I have never experienced before.
Now I know I can have it all, it’s okay to have a family and career and a healthy lifestyle too.
I really do feel like super mom!
My kids are seeing this example of good health and fitness. I feel better than I have ever felt before! I feel so blessed to have found New Port Richey Bootcamp. What started out as a 2 week trial has turned into a whole new life for myself and I couldn’t be more excited about the future to come!
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……..Derek here.
Stephanie has been a very determined person since her first day at bootcamp.
One common characteristic among all my most successful clients is how they handle failure and use it as fuel.
Some people get discouraged when they can’t do something. Some people get ANGRY!
There has always been a look in Stephanie’s eyes that says, “ya, I’ll be back to kick your ass”.
It’s that little curl of her lip, tilt of her head and a pissed roll of her eyes and she is right back at it, ready for the next challenge.
There is a lesson to be learned from Stephanie. She doesn’t make excuses!
Sure, she could make plenty of them. She started her journey on Thanksgiving. She lives over 30 minutes away. She didn’t have any previous athletic ability. She was over 40% bodyfat.
But…the hardest journeys equal the sweetest success.
Stephanie has now dropped a crazy 11% bodyfat and is now more agile, stronger and athletic than ever before!
Improvise. Adapt. Overcome. Do not ACCEPT failure.
Your story is just beginning and yet already so motivating.
Congratulations on your success so far and I’m excited for your future.
Committed to your fitness success and the next phase of your journey,
Derek Kuryliw, Certified Sports Nutritionist & Personal Trainer Slim Fit Diet & Fitness, CEO/Founder
for questions or comments [email protected] or 727.851.SLIM
To join the madness and try 2 weeks of UNLIMITED fitness boot camp sessions for only $1, click here —–> www.NewPortRicheyBootcamps.com
