(No relation to Doug Chapman)
If it's too long I can shorten it :-) I just love our workouts!! never thought I'd feel like this in my life....
I, like many others at HyperfitUSA, had friends that were already 'part of the gang' and I thought Hmm....I bet I could do this. My first boot camp class I remember Doug telling me "Some people here are competitive....Don't over do it on your first day by trying to keep up", it's like he already knew I was a competitive person too! I laughed when he said we were to do "Knees to Elbows" and asked Melissa G to demonstrate this crazy activity. When she jumped up to the bar and brought her knees past 90 degrees and actually touched her knees to her elbows with what appeared to be no effort...I realized that I was in for a workout that I've never done before in my life.
I joined boot camp on August 5th. That prior June I did a hike at the Grand Canyon, I descended 2350 Ft down and back in 7 hours (lets put this in perspective...that would be like climbing up and down the Sear's tower stairs almost twice). I was tired after my hike....but I will say to this day that I've never been more tired and sore...even after the Grand Canyon...then I was after my first boot camp class. I kept thinking to myself...when did my building add all these stairs?? Never noticing them until after boot camp!My goal when joining boot camp was simple. I had sustained a stress fracture in my lower left tibia and could no longer run any sort of distance but wanted to keep up my physical activities while I healed. I knew that boot camp had some running but unless it was a Murphy day (and for those of you who have not experienced such fun....just wait!) that I could manage the moderate running we did. I was surprised by my strength and how quickly I was able to learn the techniques. Boot camp was a love/hate relationship for the first month. I was addicted and wanted to become stronger....push myself harder...but was always surprised by how each workout would create a new way for my muscles to ache :-)
I'm now on my 7th month of Boot camp. In January I added CrossFit. Again, I'm always surprised by our workouts. I'm surprised by my strength and my ability to do what Doug and the rest of the trainers ask of me. For those of you who are considering adding CrossFit to your workout...all I can say is DO IT. I see why my fellow boot campers who do CrossFit are so great at our workouts! CrossFit adds a whole different level of strength to your workout. I was intimidated by the weights, but quickly realized that it's Mind over Body! I've dead lifted my body weight. I've done overhead squats with 65Lbs in my hands! I never thought I'd feel like this in my life. I crave our workouts, I make it my priority to get my workout in. If I miss my 6am, I try to hit noon. Though I've not shed pounds of weight, my body shape has changed significantly. I'm leaner, stronger, firmer :-) it's great!-Mandie Chapman
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