Bootcamp Success Stories
Angela Dillard
When I first heard about QSA, it was at a presentation Vaughn did at Praise Cathedral. It sounded right up my alley, but I thought I can do this on my own and get the same results. Boy was I wrong. A few months later, QSA offered their 21 day challenge and I thought, “Hey, it is worth a try”, since my efforts on my own had failed miserably. Well, I was hooked from that first day in May. I have never had to “lose weight” but, the muscles and the endurance I have gained is phenomenal. I have run 2 Mud Runs, 1 5k and an 8k, all in the last year. I never would have had the energy to do that before boot camp. And…..I HAVE A BUTT!! I know that is a weird thing to say, but I have never had one before and have always dreamed of a day when I would have a muscular butt and legs. Well that day has finally come, and it is all because of Upstate Bootcamp for Women and their trainers. I really enjoy having the accountability & encouragement of the other women and the QSA trainers. Without them, I would be laid up on the couch every night with a bowl of ice cream in hand. Now it is all about energy and supporting other women on their quest to a healthy self.
Thanks!
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Melissa Stevens
I joined Bootcamp 2 years ago because I was looking for something more to change up my workout routine. I had been running for a while, I had also tried fitness classes at other gyms but I was at a standstill with my fitness. Since then, I have lost approximately 35 pounds and have seen a big drop in my body fat % as well! I’m stronger than I have been in a very long time! I love coming to class, knowing I’m going to get a great workout with a great group of girls! I know I will be challenged and pushed past what I thought I was capable of. I have told many of my friends about bootcamp – I’ve been asked many times what I changed in my workout routine to get results. I tell them all to come try it – you will not be disappointed!
The bootcamp instructors at QSA are always encouraging and very helpful! They are so good at helping you to push your workout to the next level – wherever your personal level may be. I know I can count on them to correct my form, push me when I feel like giving up and make the workout fun all at the same time! They are always eager to help!
Thanks for everything!
Melissa
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Kim Love
I have been a member of QSA for over 2 years. I originally joined because I was bored with my current workout and needed a change. Within the last 10 months, I have lost approximately 20 lbs. Which I attribute to eating healthier and attending boot camp at least 4 days each week. I enjoy boot camp because the classes are never the same, therefore you don’t get bored.
The instructors are always there to give you encouragement. They are great about providing alternative exercises if there is something that you either can’t do or have problems doing. The classes allow you to work at your own level, whatever that might be.
Thanks,
Kim
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Ellen Philbrick
The reason I joined bootcamp was to get in better shape, I had been running, but knew I could improve. Since I joined bootcamp, I am in much better shape, I cut a minute and half off my mile, plus I can do a ton of other things I never could before.
What I enjoy the most about bootcamp is how the workouts are different everyday. I never get bored with the workouts. I also love working out with the girls in my class, they in-courage me, push me and keep me accountable.
Jason is a great trainer, he pushes me every session. He will give me alternate exercises to accommodate my shoulder injury. He’s a ton of fun and I love that we can joke around in class while we are working hard.
I would recommend bootcamp to anyone, it’s fun, challenging and you will be in the best shape ever!
Ellen Philbrick
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Patrice Hoerster
“I wish I were a little more articulate in live interviews, but am glad to have a second chance to share my bootcamp story. Upstate Bootcamp for Women has helped me make significant changes in my life in numerous ways. Read on to find out more!
Life Before: Breakfast consisted of Pepsi and Rice Krispie Treats. Lunch wasn’t much better; perhaps burgers, fries, pizza or something similar. Dinner might be chicken nuggets or something else frozen. Basically not a piece of “real” food during the course of a regular day. Eveything was frozen, fake or sugar.
2009: Cancer, chemo, surgery, radiation, steroids, fatigue and exhaustion. I always enjoyed walking and thought I was keeping up, but the scale started off high and continued to creep higher.
July 2010: On the scale at the doctor for another cancer treatment, the scale hits 211. “OK, that’s it!” I was mad! I returned to work and asked a coworker where she did that bootcamp thing. I showed up at QSA a few days later.
One year later, I’m still at bootcamp and going strong. Now, it’s just part of what I do three days a week. On the other days, I now have energy to walk, run, or hike–I can’t sit still!
Upstate Bootcamp for Women has helped me tremendously with nutrition. Now, it is second nature to think about what I am putting in my body to fuel it. My daily staples are greek yogurt, nuts, seeds, veggies, and fruit. It is easier to make conscious choices about food. When I do indulge in treats like ice cream or cake, I will opt for a child size ice cream or enjoy a cup cake rather than a regular slice of cake. There are still bad days, but I am aware of them and know how to turn it around.
The physical results of bootcamp include a weight loss of 45 pounds, my blood pressure is back in the normal range, my bad cholesterol is down 40 points. Best of all, I’m working on pulling together my third wardrobe!
In Vaughn’s book, one of the chapters is about exercising because your motivation is to “Participate in Life.” That’s my motto. Cancer interrupted my life, and I intended to enjoy every next minute of it! Because of the energy I get from bootcamp, I can take advantage of the opportunities and adventures life presents to me. Earlier this year, I set running as a goal. In March, I ran a one-mile fun run and in September a 5k. A few weeks ago, I ran another 5k and beat my September time by about 2 minutes. For 2012, I’m thinking about Zip lining!
The support you get from the instructors at Upstate Bookcamp for Women doesn’t stop at the door. There is support through email and posts on Facebook that offer encouragement, challenges, and information about nutrition and tips on steps to success. The schedule offers a selection of locations and times to meet your needs in any given week. The monthly assessments help guide your progress. The instructors help you modify the program to what you can do, then help you do more, as you advance in your fitness level.
I hear many people say, “I need to lose weight”, or “I wish I could do that.” To those people, I say, “Then do it.” Start moving today. Sitting in the chair isn’t going to get you to your goal. Upstate Bootcamp for Women is a great place to start. I won’t kid you, it isn’t easy. But aren’t you worth the effort? Life is waiting for you. Learning a healthy lifestyle and whipping yourself into shape will help you embrace life. Think of yourself as an investment. You are worth every penny!”
Patrice Hoerster
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Tish Pitman
I joined QSA Bootcamp for Women in January of 2010 during one of the first 21 Day Rapid Fat Loss Bootcamp offers. After spending most of my life with running as my primary exercise, I was beginning to experience some running related injuries to my feet and knees, and was looking for a way to exercise that could help me be fit and healthy, and that I could participate in well into old age. In Joshua 14:11, Caleb says, “I am still as strong today as I was in the day that Moses sent me.” He was in his eighties referring to a time in his forties when he was physically strong and able to accomplish the purposes God had for him. I am in my forties now and want to do all I can to take care of myself so that I can still be used by God in the same ways in my eighties if that is His purpose for me! Upstate Bootcamp for Women is definitely helping me do that. My two great friends, Allyson and Leisa, started just before me and convinced me to try it out. There were many, many days that Marcus worked out just the three of us, but our husbands always heard us come home to say, “Today was the hardest ever!” Over the past two years I have become much more fit overall and lost most of the weight I gained in the last fifteen years after having children. I even recently just met a goal and bought my first pair of straight jeans and boots! Although getting up at 5:25 a.m. is not my favorite activity, bootcamp at 6:00 at the Cheer Center is definitely one of my favorites. I love seeing my friends there and enjoying the fellowship we have while working hard together. I also love the fact that we never know what Andy has planned for the day. I never get bored and it is always a challenge. Marcus and Andy both have done a great job of motivating us, pushing us to our limits, making sure we do the hard things like having good form and stretching, trying to get us to eat well, and generally keeping us from being lazy when we could do more. I love that I am “done” at 7:00 a.m. and can know I have already accomplished something hard that day that is good for me and done my best. Colossians 3:23 tells me that whatever I do, to work at it with all my heart, as working for the Lord, not for men. I believe that includes taking care of the body He gave me as best I can. To anyone considering joining us at bootcamp, I would say, “Just do it!” Having qualified, excellent instructors plan your workouts and help you meet your goals takes a lot of excuses away. It will be hard; you will be sore; you may even want to quit. But, don’t. It will be worth it.
Tish Pitman
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