In an earlier blog I mentioned I try to get to Boot camp 2 - 4 times a week.
I do this at the hour of 6:00AM, usually arising at 5:00AM in order to have my morning coffee and then stroll down the hill to a neighbourhood school yard with a mat, water and weights in hand. When I tell people I do this they are shocked that I put my body through this. When I invite people to give it a try, they scoff at the early mornings.
And I am OK with that.
Boot camp has become a ritual for me and an almost sacred one. I arise while the rest of my family sleeps. I have the house to myself, and the opportunity to slowly come to terms with how the day will unfold. Some mornings I listen to the early news, some mornings I muse upon my own reflections. It is "me" time.
I have never been a gym person or a team sports person. Although I have tried running, it never felt very natural to me, and I am not certain my body was designed for long runs. And, then one day I tried Boot camp and I loved it.
I loved being outdoors, I loved all the diverse exercises, and I loved the energy I used and the energy I gained. Currently I have the honour of an instructor that straddles the politically incorrect fence, injecting laughter, honesty, and fun into the workouts.
She offers this 6 days a week.
Her company slogan states "We kick Butts! (YOURS)".
Monday to Friday she targets specific body parts and cardio for each day. In the classes we have a refreshing mix of males and females, young and old, from every working background. (Word has it that there is a city counsellor in our midst).
Saturday morning group is filled with working moms, and amidst the stretches, running hills, tabatas, increased heart rates, and sweating, we talk about our children, our husbands, ourselves, and our lives. We laugh, we snicker, we gasp ( both from exertion and various discussion topics) and we have been known to cry. There is a great deal of sharing, authenticity, and honesty.
All the while, watching the rest of the world wake up and get on with their day.
It ends up costing approximately $10.00/session and I am grateful that I am able to participate in this. Most of my fellow Campers are working, and although geographically it is very accessible for our community, there are many who cannot financially afford this luxury.
For those who cannot make the 6:00 AM class, the instructor also offers two other later classes. For me and my family, the 6:00AM class works best. If I don't exercise first thing in the morning, there always seems to be something else that gets in the way as the day progresses, whether that something is work, homework, kids activities, or just the rest of life.
Despite the early rising, it is a wonderful way for me to clear my head, focus, do some cardio, and laugh. It allows me to HEAL from within on many levels. It is a great activity for me now at this time in my life. I sometimes wonder how long my body will endure this, but I know that this is working very well for me now.
Boot Camp, anyone?
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