Resurgence Health and Fitness Austin Boot Camp

Bootcamp nickname(s): MAYDER

Occupation: Event Planner and Owner- Platinum Weddings and Events; President and Founder of Nuptial Essentials Curriculum and Instruction; and Mother to my children (Noah, Emerson and Abby)

Bootcamper Junkie: Since March 2008

Years in Austin: 14

Interests: Baseball (go Red Sox and Round Rock Express - no Yankee fans in this house), my kids, being at the beach, traveling to Maine, country and 70’s and 80’s music, spending time with friends

Activities: tennis, attending baseball games, shopping, hanging by the pool.

Favorite Bootcamp workout: A.Y.A.W. (the ass you always wanted drill)

Leat Favorite: Running (just had to add that in)

Favorite Hangout: My backyard (since there is not a beach close by)

Childhood celebrity crush: Rick Springfield (hands down)

Must-have CD if stranded on a desert island: Eagles- Hotel California

Her Story

One night while visiting with my street friends, Ann and Suzette, the conversation turned to trying bootcamp. I had always seen the sign at the entrance of our neighborhood but thought, who would be so dumb to go to bootcamp when they can do it on their own? After all, for 20 years I had been ‘working out’ on my own. I considered myself fit but as always there is room for improvement.

The first day of bootcamp I thought I was going to die, seriously die! I watched everyone else looking as though they were sailing through and I wondered when in God’s name is this going to be over.

Many things were said to me on the first day of bootcamp (well, to the entire group) but the things I remember the most were: 1. Work with what you have, and; 2. STOP WALKING.

In all the years I have been ‘working out’ I was trying to achieve the ‘perfect body’ only to finally realize that I will never have the size 0 body (thanks to obtaining the pear shape body genes from my mom). When I felt my heart rate increasing I would walk (because I did not want to hurt myself). I came home that day and told my husband that I did not walk but I probably would not go back since I was pretty sore. He asked, “Are you getting a refund?” I said “No”. He said, “Since when have you become a quitter?” WOW, he said the “Q” word! And coupled it with losing money. I could go on and on but the story goes like this:

I have been doing bootcamp almost 2 years. I am used to the 5:30am workouts (I am not saying I like getting up that early,hahaha). Since working out is not my passion, when I started to see more results from 12 hours of working out (3 hours per week, 4-week session) then I ever saw working out on my own 5 days per week, I was converted. I have met a fantastic group of ladies and we hold each other accountable by carpooling and pushing each other in the morning. Not long ago I noticed I was in the front of the group and that was a fantastic feeling. I actually miss Bobo yelling at me to work harder when we are not in session. I feel ‘icky’ when I do not work out. The days I have bootcamp, my attitude is better which makes my day better. My biggest accomplishment to date, fitness-wise, was with my bootcamp girls. We ran the San Antonio Half Marathon. Yes, I did! I ran and did not walk. I am not saying it was the most pleasurable experience of my life, but neither was the first day of bootcamp. In my mind I kept hearing STOP WALKING and knew that I was not going to walk at all. At the finish line, Bobo was there to give us a hug. It seemed only appropriate to have him there since he started us on this whole craze.

So, now, I would like to pay it forward. I am approaching 38 years old, have three kids, a husband and two businesses and I could not run one mile 2 years ago. I can come up with any reason to not work out. It is because of bootcamp I have been able to run a half marathon (or even have a desire to do so). Bootcamp is hard, but the most rewarding things in life are not easy. To know it only takes 12 hours out of my month, makes it a little more tolerable. It is a pleasure to know someone who is as dedicated to other people and wants them to succeed. The amount of money I wasted on gym memberships over the years will by far exceed the amount of time I have spent on this workout regime.

The things I have learned over the course of the past year and a half are:

1. Fat does not take a day off
2. People look different at 5:30am then they do at 10:30am
3. Running still sucks, but it feels pretty rewarding to have your name announced at a marathon
4. Working out in the rain and cold is miserable, but so is 100 degree heat. The best thing is it is only one hour of your day
5. Plank position splats should be an illegal move
6. I am still deciding whether or not sprinting up hill is better than running longer on a flat service. The verdict is still out.
7. Things can hurt on your body that you never thought existed
8. Personal relationships are enhanced from bootcamp
9. Working out with friends is the way to go
10. I cannot believe that I miss it when we are on a break

Amy Mader