Just joined bootcamp - what kind of results can I expect?

[wigwam1973]

In an attempt to get a bit fitter and tone up generally, I have joined a boot camp program run by the local leisure centre. It's 2 hourly sessions a week, early morning, and runs for six weeks.

I'm determined to see the course out (have paid upfront after all!). DH doesn't think I'll last it, and I'm determined to prove him wrong.

In your expert opinion, what kind of results (if any) might I see after 6 weeks. It's a tough hour of resistance exercises and circuit training type things, but I'm still eating my normal diet and drinking the odd glass of wine here and there.

Be honest, is my stomach most likely to remain as it is?

Thanks.

[MoshiMoshi]

Well done for committing! My local Bootcamp runs 20 sessions a week and you can do any or all of them which suits me well juggling it with the kids and the other activities I like to fit in. I go on average 3-4 times a week and saw serious results after my first month in terms of all over body conditioning - this was great as my top half tends to be woefully under toned and my core was very weak after having 4 kids. However, I also do quite a bit of running and some cycling, as well as one session of pilates and horse riding a week (ie 2 hours of pilates and riding). To be honest, my diet has changed too as I am trying to have a low fat diet after being told I have (gasp) borderline high cholesterol. So I suspect that has had an effect too. Anyway, the net result is that less than 2 months after starting Bootcamp I have lost half a stone without trying too hard and am back into all of my pre-pregnancy clothes which is really nice as I can wear my entire wardrobe again.

As your commitment is for only a six week period, to get the best out of it I would recommend knocking the booze on the head if you can cope with that (I don't drink alcohol) and try to reduce your intake of fatty food and unnecessary sugary stuff (so no sweets, cakes, biscuits, puddings etc). You don't say what your normal diet is but cutting out unnecessary calories and eating only nutritious stuff is not such a bad thing to strive for. Apparently sugary food is ageing on the skin (eek!!)

Good luck! Bootcamp is great fun and a good supplement to an active lifestyle!

[wigwam1973]

Thanks Moshi - I am v impressed with all the exercise you do (makes my little boot camp effort seem a bit pathetic really, but hey, it's better than nothing!)

I will try to cut out sugary stuff - easier said than done....

Any other boot campers out there?

[MoshiMoshi]

PS my DH, a lifelong exercise-phobic man, has become so addicted to Bootcamp he is up for the early session before work at least three times a week! The changes are so noticeable on him that he is really motivated to go! He has lost about 10lbs so far but is far more toned and muscular so I suspect his fat loss is far greater than the scales suggest. A lb of muscle is a smaller mass than a lb of fat and he definitely feels smaller and more compact when I hug him. Good luck and enjoy!