Guest Blogger: The Night Before My 1st Boot Camp

Emily Jones will be a Guest Blogger during our 8 Week Go Commando Race Training Program that prepares individuals to run a 5K, 10K or Half-Marathon. The program will consist of 2x a week of the Nationally Recognized Boot Camp Challenge workouts in addition to group runs on Saturday mornings.

Emily will be participating in the 10K on October 18th and sharing her workout and training experience here.

I’m Emily and I’m starting the Go Commando Boot Camp Challenge 10K training tomorrow!  I’m nervous about not being able to walk the next day, but also super excited because I’m confident the Boot Camp Challenge is going to produce the results I've been struggling to achieve on my own.

Three years ago, I was in the best shape that I've ever been in and had recently dropped 35 pounds, was working out 5-6 days per week, and had completed my first half marathon.  Not too long afterwards, I was expecting our second child and I used the pregnancy as an excuse to stop running and watching my weight.  That’s common, right?  Please tell me I’m not the only one?!  I delivered the cutest, chunkiest baby.  Seriously.  All 10.7 lbs. of him.  We just celebrated his second birthday this weekend with lots of cake and ice cream and sadly, my chunkiness is not nearly as cute as his and I am beyond ready get this Boot Camp Challenge party started!

I’ll be running the Go Commando 10k on October 18.  I began in April with the Couch to 5k plan on my own and have built up some base mileage, but I’m looking forward to the Saturday group runs with the Boot Camp Challenge participants the most.  I have a competitive nature and the group setting is what I need to push myself.  A trainer like Courtney Mambourg telling me to push away from the cake doesn’t hurt either.  I’ll be posting regularly throughout the 8 week Boot Camp Challenge and I’m looking forward to sharing my experience and progress with you!

You can register for the Go Commando 5K, 10K or Half-Marathon here:

http://gocommandoclarksville.com/

Or Sign-Up for the Go Commando Training Program here:

http://gritfitwellness.com/register/

Boot Camp Challenge & My Fitness Pal 101

I registered for a Boot Camp Challenge Session!


Now what....


Few Tips Before You Start:


1) Water will be your best friend. It might not be a bad idea to purchase a 20-40oz water bottle


If you plan on attending a evening class, be sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day. How much? Great question answered here: http://gritfitandwell.blogspot.com/2014/07/the-worst-calories-hydrate.html


2) Exercise Mat and/or dumbbells. We don't encourage the purchase of much equipment, but if you have these two items, you can workout wherever! Your Pilates Mats/Exercise mats are usually thicker if you are looking for extra support.


Dumbbells- Beginners (5-8lbs) Intermediate (10-12lbs) Advanced (15-25lbs)


3) Eating. If you do not eat a good breakfast, lunch, snack etc. or if you decide to skip all of the above and attend a 5:30PM class, you might be seeing stars before the warm-up ends.


Early mornings- I always suggest a little something, something before a 5AM or 6AM boot camp. A handful of almonds or nuts, 1/2 piece of fruit or 1/2 protein bar, 1/2 toast + peanut butter, not much.


Evenings- A GREAT breakfast (protein, veggies, fruit, complex carb), great lunch (protein, veggies, complex carb) and a snack (protein, fruit, complex carb) 1-2 hours beforehand will help provide the much needed energy to make it through your first few classes.




One of the best and most unique features of our program: Ongoing Nutritional Guidance which means...food journaling!


There are many, many benefits to journaling your food.


Boot Camp Challenge prefers myfitnesspal.com or the myfitnesspal app.


If you have another journaling too that you are more comfortable with, that is fine, as long as you are journaling.


MyFitnessPal 101:

• Website. Yes, using the app to log food makes life easier, however we do suggest logging onto the website first to navigate through MyFitnessPal.
• Add Courtney, username courtmam as a Friend
• Click on Settings under My Home tab
• Profile Privacy Settings
• Friend Only View OR
• Password Protected (if you prefer more privacy)
• Update Diet Profile
• Change the settings to fit your profile
• YES, you need to be eating more than 1200-1400 calories a day
• Update Diary Settings
• Nutrients tracked: We want these nutrients selected- Carbs, Protein, Fat, Sodium, Sugar
• TRACK FOOD! MyFitnessPal makes it convenient to look up food and keep your frequent and most recent foods saved.
• To Print/Share (website only)
• When it comes time to turn in food journals
• Click on "Diary"
• Bottom of page is a Orange Tab "View Printable Diary"
• Select Date Range
• Print or Send link via email or Export to PDF & attach in email
• Optional
• Update Profile with pictures & goals
• Input Exercise (consider BCC= Circuit Training)
• Food or Exercise Notes
• Update Weight & Measurements

Other information needed before starting a Boot Camp Challenge Session:

• Consent Waivers
• Health History
• DR Release if needed
• MEASUREMENTS- no one wants to be measured/body fat tested in the beginning, but its a great way to track progress!
• Assessments- Push-ups, sit-ups and 1 mile run.

Your trainer will always be available outside of class so please do not hesitate to ask questions, share concerns and be ready to work hard.