5:20am. Alarm goes off. Snooze for two minutes. Fight with yourself about why on earth you’re getting up this early. Creep out of bed, trying to wake neither partner nor pooch.
5:50am. You and 15-25 other women gather at Greenlake Park with yoga mats, weights and sleep still crusted in the corners of your eyes. Rain or shine, thunderstorms or gusting winds, you’re all there together. You are met by an incredibly energetic woman with an encouraging smile. She somehow contains the power to motivate you through an hour of the most challenging and rewarding workout you’ve ever experienced, all before the clock strikes 7am. Welcome to Kimae Dolan’s Seattle Weight Loss Boot Camp.
Evidently boot camps have been an oft-discussed fad in recent health and fitness magazines. But I’d never heard of them until my uncle in Toronto started attending an all-male fitness boot camp this spring. He raved about his change in attitude, his increased strength and cardio-capacity. I thought I’d love to try something like that, but could not imagine ever finding a reason to get up so damn early. But just before I moved to the Emerald City, one of Gene’s good friends asked if I’d be interested in joining her at an all-women’s bootcamp. She’d already been through four weeks, and definitely wanted to return. I agreed, hoping that the combination of cost and an obligation to meet up with a friend would get my butt out of bed. As it turns out, boot camp itself would (almost always) prove reason itself to wake up.
Over four weeks, Kimae helps you to gain strength, tone and confidence through consistently challenging circuit training. She emphasizes form to help avoid injury, explains the benefits of each exercise, and tailors each workout to ensure a full-body workout. Before I started bootcamp, I had not had a consistent cardio regimen in almost a year. While in India, I practiced yoga regularly; however, I did not keep up with my running or cycling habits. Within four weeks, I had greatly increased my lung capacity, and was back to running 3 miles and taking long bike rides without gasping for breath. At bootcamp you can also expect to do hundreds of different types of crunches (I used to avoid ab work like the plague), push-ups galore and weighted arm work. And while I am not a “boot camper” to lose weight, many of the women out there with me do have such goals, and they all seem very encouraged by their results.
The term “boot camp” is almost misleading in regards to Kimae’s program. She doesn’t yell or scream or belittle you. Instead, she shouts out encouragement and ensures that you are working without strain or pain. She also structures the hour in such a way that women of all fitness levels can get a great workout. I’m definitely at a higher level, and I find that the longer I’m at bootcamp, the harder it gets. The program is also such that you get out of it what you put in; in other words, it will always be as challenging and effective as you allow it to be. How empowering!
Finally, the most enjoyable aspect of Kimae’s program, and the real reason why I will continue to return is my fellow boot campers. There is something deeply inspiring about dozens of women rising with the sun to take care of their bodies (and minds)! I’ve watched women grow with me in strength and confidence. There are always women out there who are faster and stronger than I am, and these ladies challenge me to push myself every morning. Having B there (friend who first introduced me to boot camp) is also incredibly motivating, as that girl kicks butt with the weights and push-ups. I’ve met a bunch of great women through boot camp, and would highly recommend it as a way to increase your fitness level and meet other dynamic, energetic women. To quote Kimae, get out there and play!
SUCK IT IN!!