Final day, Champneys boot camp, Henlow Grange.
We queued nervously for our weigh in this morning after our 7am run/power walk, the last at the end of an exhausting, but exhilarating, week.
I was determined to wear the same jeans I wore for my first weigh in and not cheat by jumping on the scales with light weight joggers weighing 3lbs less which would give an inflated result. At the end of my punishing week, my weight loss was 3 1/2 lbs and a total loss of 8 cms around my vital statistics.
At first I was disappointed because I was hoping for a 4- 5 lb loss, and I know I couldn’t have worked harder. But I have to bear in mind that my ability to exercise at full pelt was hampered on two days, quite considerably on one of them, following a leg injury when I pulled a ligament or muscle and I couldn’t stand on my leg without wincing in pain.
We were each given personal reports showing the results from the Ki armband monitors we wore each day which recorded our levels of activity and the calories we burned. I was delighted to see that I exceeded my target to burn 2,600 calories each day, burning as many as 3,655 calories, the equivalent of a 1lb weight loss.
When I questioned my trainers about my weight loss, they said it was lower than others because I led a more was active than them before I joined boot camp, and this makes it harder to achieve a quick weight loss. I certainly feel my jeans are baggier and I can fasten my belt tighter by two notches; I plan to bin my fat day jeans by the end of the month.
The results of my fellow boot campers was very interesting and demonstrates how very personal and complex weight loss can be. Two super guys achieved an astonishing result by losing 1 stone each. One of them worked himself extra hard as his goal was to lose 1 stone, and he really sweated and pushed himself to the limits to achieve, which was fantastic considering he skipped Saturday’s programme to go to Wembley to watch his beloved Chelsea team play. Yet the other guy did not have anything like the same physical ability to match this, though he still worked his hardest, and yet they still achieved the same weight loss.
We were all gutted when our lovely larger lady who also pushed herself to the limit, and beyond, ended up gaining 2 lbs in weight, while still losing inches when she was measured. This was clearly evident to us all and we anticipated a huge weight loss for her. At the end of the day, the reduction in inches, while very encouraging, is very demotivating after an exhausting week of constant activity, some of it quite punishing, and a low calorie caffeine free diet. I suspect the extra weight was muscle gain and that her weight loss will show up on the scales in the next week or so as her body continues to adapt. I’m hoping that will happen to me too.
Age is no barrier to boot camp as one of the ladies in our group is a very youthful 61-year-old, she was so impressive, with our youngest in their twenties. I was so impressed to learn that one woman had just retired the week before boot camp, what an imaginative treat at the end of your working life! As the week progressed, we could all see the improved levels of fitness in each other. Boot camp really suits all those who are young at heart and will get stuck in to whatever exercise is planned without winging about it. Boot camp is meant to be tough and take you out of your comfort zone, and it’s essential to remember that; it’s not for wimps; the rain drenched walk through soggy fields epitomises that. Everyone was magnificent, and I feel privileged to have been part of such an inspiring group.
Looking back, there were some moments at the beginning of the week when I never thought I would make it to the end as the continuous exercise was so hard, and the tough love of our trainers Richard and Lewis was more than we could take. But they made it great fun, and we all appreciated their huge commitment towards us, the long hours they put in, and the challenging and varied activities they planned each day, none of which were repeated. Richard particularly amazed me with his hoola hoop skills and I couldn’t resist buying one for myself to work out in the garden.
I felt my biggest achievement was my improved stamina for running which was pretty much non-existent as I prefer power walking. I also really enjoyed the different circuits, working out with weights and our terrific Zumba class with Charlotte, who left us begging for more. And the good news is that by the end of the week, all my aches and pains had vanished thanks to the various therapies I had had during the week to relieve them, most of which were included in the boot camp package.
Richard told us that we would make new friends for life and I fee this is true. My fellow boot campers were such an amazing bunch, including a couple of comedians with great wit and humour, as well the zany, and each and every one of them were good natured and supportive of each other. There is even talk of one of our group hosting a follow-up boot camp at his home in Majorca, only this one will include alcohol!
I stopped off at a supermarket on my way home to stock up on fresh, healthy food and carry on my good work. I also plan to book in some personal training sessions at my gym to build up on my improved fitness level. I’m hoping what I have learned and achieved in the last week will stay with me for life.
I started off my Champney posts by referring to Jenni Murray who is fighting the flab, and suggested she should join our boot camp. I would like to repeat this because I am sure she would reap tremendous benefits from it too. Go on Jennie, give it a try!
Update 13 May: Great news, the weight is still coming off, my scales show I have lost 5 lbs! Yay, I feel incredibly motivated 🙂
Update 14 May: More good news, my scales this morning show I lost another 2 lbs, so a 7lb weight loss in total. The Huffington Post has also published my story about Champneys boot camp.
*I was a guest of Champneys.
Firstly I must say a very well done to you Ellee but i must also add that if i had spent £1195 I would be devastated with the results and thats just for the basic package so i presume that includes no treatments.
I have had better results using my fitbit http://www.fitbit.com/ which cost a fraction of the price and is mine for ever.
Oh and BTW none of my walking holidays have ever cost over a thousand pound for a week 🙂
Hi Sally,
As I said previously when you commented on the price, all those on the course thought it was very good value for money as it includes all our meals and beautiful accommodation and the full use of their facilities, full time attention from two fully trained fitness trainers and daily pampering treats. I’ve actually lost 7lbs now and come away incentivised to make changes which will benefit my future health and well being for ever, I hope. People come to Champneys boot camps because they want to make a personal investment in themselves, and none of those in my group had any regrets that I am aware of.
Hi Sally, I thought you would like to see this comment from Androulla, one of my fellow boot campers, which she has just left on my previous Champneys post. Yes, you do get treatments every day included. And fitbit, although a handy device, only monitors a fraction of the activities compared to the Ki armband which we used.
“Great blog Ellee. Bootcamp was great! Really enjoyed getting to know our lovely group and the fitness activities were such fun, especially the team games. I do not agree with whoever said it is for rich people. I am certainly not a rich person (not with money anyway) I work very hard in a part time job and saved hard for that week. And it was well worth it, really good value for money. We got breakfast, lunch and dinner (all healthy, nutritious and delicious food) numerous classes and outdoor training/games/circuit training/walking/running, the list goes on…)advice and talks about healthy eating and lifestyle, keeping motivated etc and lovely comfortable rooms with all the mod cons. I accept that I am fortunate enough to be in employment in the current economic climate and have the choice about what to spend my hard earned money on, but I am by no means wealthy. The other people on bootcamp were all ordinary working people too who were down to earth, good company, and most of all keen to make themselves feel healthier, fitter and better about themselves. I greatly recommend it!”
Well done, Ellee but this kind of “camp” is out of most people’s financial reach.
Hi Ellee, i must say how fantastic you looked when i called in to see you at the weekend. It was definitely obvious you had shed those pounds and you were looking healthy and happy.I think it is actually very much worth it, as it includes all the food, personal attention from a trainer and treatments each day. Wow, you couldn’t get a week’s holiday at a top hotel with all that thrown in for less that’s for sure.You seem very motivated and inspired and if that’s the least anyone gets from it i would pay that price. Well done to you and keep it up! x
Thanks Liz, that’s the plan 😉
Hi Ellee , I saw you a few days before you went to Champneys boot camp and can really see the difference… what an achievement, you look so much healthier,slimmer,toned, radient and seem to have so much energy…all the hard work and determination has certainly paid off for you.
I also think it is very good value for money staying in beautiful accommodation, meals, full use of facilities, daily pampering,and full time attention from the fully trained fitness trainers, and at the end being healthier and having a better fitness level and staying motivated to carry the good work at home to benefit your future health. Well done Ellee you look amazing. x
Tina, you are too kind. I’m just back from my early morning workout at the gym and intend to keep up the good work. I lost another pound, btw, making a total of 8lbs.
Glad to hear you are keeping up the good work Ellee. I echo Drou and your comments on the value we received. The 6 treatments included in the package would have cost £200+ to buy separately and I came away feeling completely re-energised which doesn’t often happen for me after a regular week’s holiday! Obviously it comes down to personal choice and if I hadn’t been able to afford the week as well as my usual holidays I expect the boot camp wouldn’t have won. However, for anyone who wants and can afford this type of holiday I think it is good value. It’s also worth noting that Champneys have offers on from time to time so if you manage to take advantage of one of those you may be able to get the week’s package including all treatments, meals and activities from £800.
Hi Helen, it was lovely meeting you at boot camp and I hope you are keeping up the good work at home. I’m just getting ready to meet friends at Prezzos, but I’ll be at the gym bright and early tomorrow 🙂
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