My girlfriend Julie called and said you need to come this boot camp workout with me. Its insane and you are going to hurt for a week. I had to think about it for a bit, because hurting for a week doesn’t sound like something that interests me. I have enough aches and pains, to purposely inflict more seems rather sadistic. She said that her legs hurt so much so could not sit on the toilet…really, nah not for me! The very little voice in my head said JUST DO IT while I simultaneously throw a few more Cadbury eggs into my mouth. I really just have no motivation, somehow I have grown comfortable in my tight clothes.

I need to loose weight and maybe some real butt kicking is what it is going to take. I was terrified to actually commit to it, but before I could say no she said she would pick me up before 9:00am. The thought of not being able to do a push up or run for that matter was too much to think about. The hell with it, worse things can happen.

We arrive at the complex and the trainer was a specimen of perfection, arms and abs that I don’t think I even had at 18, and she’s had two kids to boot. It started with a “warm up of jogging”, or “walking” whatever we are comfortable with. My girls were well supported so I gave it a go. Immediate flashbacks of freshman year of high school when I did track and in our first meet I was so far behind that I just ran right out of the race to the bathroom. Needless to say, that was my last time running, short of being chased by a lion, but thankfully that hasn’t happened yet. I think I would be eaten.

Then the real work started, polymetric jumping jacks, mountain climbers, planks, push-ups and a slew of other activities that made my heart feel like it was bursting out of my sports bra. All I can feel are my wobbly bits moving on their own accord. I started laughing because the only other alternative was to cry. The trainer asked if I was ok and that its normal the feel out of breath, my goodness it was that obvious. My friend asked if I was sweating and the answer was a BIG yes!!! usually I just get damp, maybe all I needed to was up the intensity.

We then started a circuit of several activities that consisted of jumping with two feet up onto a bench, throwing a weighted ball into the air and catching it, abs with wights, kettle bells and such. I honestly didn’t think I was going to make it. At one point my friend and I were facing each other, red faced, short of breath and sweaty and I had to turn away because I was going to wet my pants laughing. But before I thought I could not make it, we were stretching and it was all done.

I felt fantastic, I felt like I ran the Boston Marathon- maybe not quite, but in my world it was that momentous. However before I sneak out, the trainer said I did a great job and would love to see me the next week. Really, I was like a school kid getting praise from her teacher. I was elated and I need to go next week to not only to prove to myself that I can do it, but maybe do just a bit better.

So what you need to survive a boot camp workout are the following:

1. A friend who pushes you to do it
2. Water
3. A great sport bra
4. A good night sleep
5. A mustard seed of motivation
6. The rest is up to you.