Day Seven- D-day the weigh in.

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• New You Boot Camp

Posted by Samantha Castle on October 19, 2008 11:24 AM

Breakfast- Scrambles eggs and bacon

Even though it was our last (half) day at boot camp there was no respite as we were all up as usual at 5.30am for our normal route march in the morning's darkness.
I have to admit that raising with the larks had become second nature by the end of my week at boot camp but I believe this was only because we dropped straight into bed as soon as we were dismissed each night at around 8.30 to 9.30pm, otherwise the early mornings would truly be a killer.
Anyway, we all made the effort for one last time as we marched along the country lanes for a couple of miles, we then jogged or speed walked back to the house by which time daylight was cracking.
The rest of the morning before breakfast was spent boxing in pairs taking it in turn to either hold the pads or to hit with a combination of jabs, hooks and upper-cuts. Staff Nesbit and Penn had obviously decided we weren't going to be let off with an easy morning as the Rocky soundtrack was belting out and the two new instructors also made an appearance to see what we were made of, I knew then it was going to be a tough session before weigh in. So the next hour was spent going along a long line of pads giving it our all and boxing as much and as hard as possible.
I could only wear one boxing glove as I couldn't make a fist with my left hand after my waterfall death-plunge yesterday but I gave it a good go- my right arm was really aching afterwards.

I was one of the first people to be weighed in before breakfast along with Michelle and sister's Sue and Julie. To say I was a little disappointed with my weight loss would be an understatement as after all the exercise- approx12 hours a day, that I had participated in during the past week and the complete change of diet- no dairy, wheat, sugar, alcohol, etc I expected a big difference not a measly loss of just 4lbs!
I had gone from being a complete couch potato, eating my lunch at my desk, sitting on my bum not leaving my office chair for eight hours a day and being completely inactive at home relaxing and watching television and eating my pasta or potato based evening meal in front of the box to the total opposite and only lost 4lbs. After all the running I had been made to do I really had hoped for a more inspiring weight loss. But I did lose 6.5inches from my body including 2inches off my bum and 2inches off my waist which is a good result, however after more and more of the girls got weighed I realised how insignificant my weight loss was, one girl (who didn't look like she had any weight to loose) lost 9lbs and just as many inches, another (who like me did no exercise before New You Boot Camp) lost an incredible 16lbs and 15inches. According to one of the ladies who had been at boot camp before if you carry on with the exercise and healthy eating regime after boot camp you usually lose more weight the next week.
Now I'm not convinced it was merely a case of me not trying hard enough with the exercise because being active for 12 hours a day instead of none is a massive difference to me and my body. But what I do know is that had I forked out over £1,000 for the 'drop a dress size' experience I would have been even more disappointed with my results. However for the next three weeks leading up to my holiday in November I shall preserver with the GI diet and the exercise plan. Part of the boot camp experience is the aftercare- you are sent away with nutritional information, advice and recipes and a realistic exercise programme to continue with at home. So I will carry on being as good and disciplined as possible, apart from a couple of big nights out, keep in touch with the other girls and compare notes on our experience- so watch this space!
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Day Six...continued

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• newyoubootcamp.com

Posted by Samantha Castle on October 13, 2008 6:06 PM

After badly bruising and cutting my left hand, right elbow and bruising my left thigh and bum cheek while gorge walking I was glad to get back to the house to rest my weary limbs.
We were treated to a hearty evening meal of Thai green chicken curry with noodles which everyone woofed down gratefully and later in the evening once we were all showered and spruced up we were invited back to the communal dining table for our last evening together as a group.
We were greeted with a glass of champagne and the welcomed heat from the massive dining room fire place in full flame. As we took our seats at the candle lit table we were given goody bags, for making it to the end of the week, by the camp's adoptive 'mum' Kate and then our two instructors for the week Staff Nesbit and Staff Penn proceeded to praise our efforts and handed out individual completion certificates to each of us charting our ups and downs throughout our time at boot camp.
Staff Nesbit presented me with my certificate and congratulated me for my efforts and for not moaning about each activity we had to tackle. Me not moaning- surely he had got the wrong person!? Anyone who knows me knows that I like to have a moan about anything challenging, but I am very grateful for my certificate and am also glad I am one of those who actually completed the course.

Out of 21 girls five left the course before the end of the week for various reasons from giving up to being ill and I wasn't one of drop-outs (for a change). It was a lovely evening if not a tad emotional as we all reminisced about our personal journeys and the hardships and physical struggles we had all encounter to get to this stage. But tomorrow was just another day activity-wise at boot camp despite it being the last so we all headed off to bed before 11pm in preparation for our last 5.30am start.

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Day Six- What doesn't kill you can only make you stronger.

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• lifechangingactivities.com

Posted by Samantha Castle on October 11, 2008 11:05 PM

Breakfast: Boiled eggs
Lunch: Peppered mackerel salad
Evening Meal: Thai chicken curry with noodles

This morning we marched in the opposite direction to our usual route and after a few miles ended up at the big hill we walked up on our first evening at boot camp many, many days ago. We were then split into our usual teams of yellow and green (my group) together and red and blue (the faster and fitter group) together. We then had to go up and down the hill several times- first speed walking three times, then going up backwards walking three times, then side steps three times and so on until the instructors thought we had done enough, it was backbreaking stuff and extremely tough on the old legs.
Back at the house we had an outdoor abdominal workout and arms session, then after breakfast we all took part in a timed proper military Speed Agility Quality (SAQ) course devised and lovingly laid out by Staff Nesbit. There were nine different stations on the SAQ course either based round a huge log, sets of cones, a rope ladder or several smaller logs. After a quick run through by Nesbit to show us how we should travel through each station (e.g. jumping, sprinting, knee lifts, sidesteps etc) we separated into nine smaller groups of three and began our three minutes of pain tackling whichever SAQ station we were on. We had to go round all nine stations twice and were all absolutely exhausted by the end of it, but when Nesbit told us we had got a quicker time second time round the course it raised a few satisfied smiles throughout the group.
After lunch we prepared for our last field trip of gorge walking and abseiling. It was already a very cold and wet day so we packed a change of warm clothes and donned our swim suites and walking boots and set off to meet our guides for the afternoon from Life Changing Activities (.com).
Once at the site, within the Brecon Beacons, we got into the wet-proof gear they had provided for us, helmets and harnesses, we did look silly but we all looked the same so it was quite funny. We then split into our two teams and we set off up this gushing ice-cold river. Everyone was helping each other with outreached hands and words of encouragement as we took our first tentative steps into the torrential downpour of icy river. There were some nervous tears and a lot of sharp intakes of breath as we all stepped in but before we knew it we were negotiating the slimy stones and rocks hesitantly making our way up the river. Despite the cold and wet I was quite enjoying the gorge walk as I couldn't believe I was actually walking up a mountain river in October, its madness. That was until I slipped and plunged in the water, twice, but both times I landed on my bum so it didn't hurt as there is still plenty of padding in that area, mores the pity. Michelle, who I was partnered with (and always am because we make each other laugh even when we're crying), did really well as she's not a swimmer and some of the sections of river were at bust height. The tour guides who had organised our afternoon of water torture were really encouraging throughout the walk and full of local knowledge to help take our minds of the thought of drowning. We then negotiated two smaller waterfalls using climbing ropes and a lot of muscle from aqua man Nesbit before we reached our final destination- the 17 foot waterfall. We were then given the option of either abseiling down it or go back to the warm coach and get changed- well all week I've opted for the easy option so I went for it and put myself forward being the stupid, stupid girl that I am.
I absolutely hated every moment of my abseil as I basically fell down the waterfall bumping off every part of the rock face as it was so slimy and the water so fierce that for a virgin abseiler like myself it was near impossible to get a foot hold, it was a horrendous experience and I felt like I was drowning for most of it especially when I was upside down under the flowing water at one point. My only saving grace came when I hit the bottom, I could hear Staff Nesbit shouting my name so I focused on that and crawled on my knees towards him, by this point I was in shock with my left hand bruised and bleeding and finding it hard to catch my breath. I practically ran back down the hill towards the coach to keep warm and to get as far away as possible from the waterfall. At the coach I got changed into my warm clothes mooning the sheep and not caring who saw my bruised bum as I changed and once onboard I was given half an apple as a snack. Half!?
I think I'll stick to admiring waterfalls from afar in future rather than trying to climb up, down or in them- never ever again.

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Day Five- Another day another mountain

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• www.droveholidays.co.uk

Posted by Samantha Castle on October 9, 2008 10:47 PM

Breakfast: Eggs, again
Lunch: Butternut squash soup and a rice cake
Evening Meal: Celery soup and Bolognaise made with shredded courgettes instead of pasta and quorn mince.

Woke up to another nice crisp morning indicating that it was going to be a lovely fine day again, went on our usual morning walk then back for more boxing and relay running in teams. Staff Nesbitt was very moody this time and not taking any slacking, even though it was only 6am, within one hour he handed out loads of punishments including- extra running, press-ups, squats for anything and everything, moving not moving, folding our arms, talking- anything! But I took it in my stride.
After breakfast we went on our 'epic' walk, which I have been personally dreading. I would call it more of a hike myself as we were heading to the Brecon Beacons and once off the bus the harsh reality hit that we were actually expected to hike up Black Mountain. For eight hours of my life I huffed and puffed, moaned, groaned, almost cried, wanted my mum but by half way through I found myself encouraging others and actually enjoying myself and really appreciating the view and the outstanding beauty of the place. Half way up the mountain we were given the choice by our tour guide Sandra from Drover Holidays that we could either take the easy route along the middle of the mountain or carry on up to the top, well life is hard enough and I always try to take the easy option that's how I am programmed but other people wanted to tackle the top so as a group we had to soldier on, I felt a little annoyed that I actually didn't have a choice at the end of the day but then again if they had never given me a choice of an easy option and told me the only way was up I would have excepted it. After a lot of wheezing and moral support from the girls in my group, especially Michelle, and motivational words of wisdom from Staff Nesbitt when I was feeling weak- I mad it.
Once onto one of the three ridges we stopped for a snack of hot butternut squash and ginger soup with a rice cake, which was well deserved and much needed. We then hiked down the other side and had a break and a pleasant surprise as Staff Nesbit cracked open the chocolate (we are allowed a little dark 80% choc now and again on the GI apparently) Despite the pain and the mental turmoil I made the whole journey up and down and I feel thoroughly exhilarated for doing it, and not for anyone else but purely for myself (and to burn calories!).

Back home and we had a really lovely tea which almost tasted 'normal' but there was no rest for the wicked as we were back to the exercise with a full-on session of abs and arms. Everyone looked like zombies, I was just going through the motions as I was so tired but as always we all got through it and flopped into bed around 9pm, tired but with a slight smug feeling.

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Day Four- Pedal to the metal

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• www.doverholidays.co.uk

Posted by Samantha Castle on October 8, 2008 9:48 PM

Breakfast: Eggs
Lunch: Roasted Sweet Potato, tuna and salad
Evening meal: Prawn Stir-fry

Up as usual at 5.30am for our morning wake-up route march, but this time thanks to a lot of stretching last night before bed and first thing this morning, I managed to keep up with the rest of the group- so I must be improving, either that or the rest of the girls are getting slower with fatigue! However on the way back to the house we had to do jogs and sprints so it wasn't a quite walk in the park after all, and all before breakfast.
After breakfast we stayed inside and did an aerobics workout, I have fond memories of countless sessions in the gym doing legs, bums and tums and fat burning classes so it was well worth working up a sweat for. We also did another session of arm exercises again was slightly more bearable now that my fitness levels are improving.

The instructors made us work for our lunch by asking us, in groups, to devise three 20 minute circuit training classes- one indoors and two outdoors (in the driving rain). We decided on an abdominal workout for the first, times relay racers and physical leg exercises for the second and an arm workout using logs (not my ideal choice of pain) and then we could eat a very well deserved lunch.
We were then taken out for the rest of the afternoon by the Drover Holidays tour guides on a mountain biking trail around a local reservoir. It wasn't as easy as it sounds though, as always with boot camp out bike ride consisted of a lot of hills, which taught us all how to use the gears correctly and gave us thighs the size of Geoff Capes. But what goes up must come down and we went down those hills extremely fast, so fast that every time we reached the bottom we fell about laughing at each others faces splattered in mud we were all completely covered in it by the end of the afternoon and despite the bitterly cold driving wind and rain (and numb bums) we all really enjoyed the afternoon.
After our evening meal we were allowed a little bit of a rest period in the form of a team quiz. We had to answer correctly a number of general knowledge and music questions within our Field Gun Crew teams- and guess what? My team, Air Fleet Arm only went and won- again. Amazing!
Flopped into bed around 8.30pm.

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Day Three- Things can only get better, I hope!

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• New You Boot Camp

Posted by Samantha Castle on October 7, 2008 9:18 PM

Breakfast: Seed and nut cereal with rice milk
Lunch: Chicken with Quinoa (healthy alternative to rice apparently)
Evening Meal: Haddock and vegetables

Woke up at the crack of dawn and as usual we went on our routine warm-up walk (route march). On the way back this time we did relay work, which consisted of power walking, jogging and running along the country lanes, which so far has always been in the rain, but it's not so bad as we come straight back to the house for breakfast.
I think the instructors Nesbit and Penn are taking it a bit easier on us today; perhaps they can see how tired and stiff we all are and how hard we've been working!
We started off the next hourly session inside in the warm and dry with another abdominal workout and another boxing session which was really fun as we did it to the Rocky soundtrack- very inspirational and very enjoyable.
While I have been here I have been getting to know the other ladies in the group a little bit more day-by-day and they all seem to have similar reasons for signing up for Boot Camp, mainly because they want to get fit and start an exercise plan and also to hopefully loose a bit of weight too. Interestingly most of them had read about the camp in either a newspaper or magazine article, and a few had been recommended by friends- so it seems this extreme form of detox and fitness is a very popular alternative to the health spa.
We had another session with the nutritionist, Diane Green for the next hour, she talked more in depth this time explaining the concept of the GI diet. I'm still confused I'm sure GI stands for GI Jane, anyway I then managed to wangle my way out of the outdoor circuit training which was our next task as I was seeing Diane by myself for a one-to-one. She just advised me to cut back on pasta and wine (not my precious wine- I can't live without my daily glass of Shiraz) she also gave me some handouts on skin problems. I still had to join the out door session but luckily only for the last half, which is a good job as they were using logs as weights but I did complete all the running tasks- which is absolutely unbelievable for me.
Back outside but this time it was for a competition which helped to encouraged team building amongst the group. Basically we were put into three teams and the one I was in was called Fleet Air Arm and in these teams we had to re-enact the Royal Military Cannon Run, except our cannons were made out of wooden logs and massive barrels. Our team really geared ourselves up for the racing, putting war paint (mud) on our faces and chanting. After running with our cannon over a 200 meter distance three times and re-building it three times along the way my team was declared the fastest and the overall winners. We were given a little wooden trophy for our efforts- it felt good to be part of the winning team as that barrel was really heavy to run with I can tell you.
After another relay running session outside, which I again completed we had our evening meal.
The evening was taken up with some outside rugby practice a bit more dame running and then finally stretches before we flopped into bed at 9.30pm.

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Day Two- Stiff as a Board

Posted by Samantha Castle on October 6, 2008 9:44 PM

Breakfast: Eggs
Lunch: Mushroom Quiche and Salad
Evening Meal: Pea & Mint Soup followed by Chicken

You've probably heard of restless leg syndrome, well last night I was suffering from heavy legs, so much so that every time I turned over I woke myself up as I tried to drag my stiff and weary body into a different position, everything is stiff from the bust down so I didn't get much sleep! I woke up very moody today.
After roll call we went down the road on a route march, the further we marched the further I fell behind as my little legs just couldn't stretch into stride without causing me to huff and puff and grunt in pain but I managed it to the bitter end.
After breakfast we went inside the house out of the cold crisp October morning air, to do a boxercise class and then leg circuit training. Then we had a talk with the nutritionist Diane Green, who advised us all to follow a GI diet which includes butter- I can't believe she said butter.
After that we were worked like mad by the instructors during an outdoor military style circuit which included log jumping, dancing like David Brent (The Office) rope ladders and sprinting.
It is such a long day that by the time you get to lunch you want to go back to bed, anyway after a yummy lunch we went for a four hour hill walk with some very helpful and interesting guides (from Drover holidays) who took us up a local hill called Physicians Well then over a ridge and back down the other side, Although it was very tough going on my already tired legs I made the effort and gave it my all and actually enjoyed it and felt a slight sense of achievement by the end of it.
Once we got back to the house we did some more stretching which is really helping my legs feel slightly more like a 32 year-olds rather than a 92 year-olds, in fact I was quite disappointed to see that they still wobble like jelly when I walk even though they feel like lead.
In the evening after our well earned evening meal we were sat down by the instructors and female staff member Kate to have a little chat about our feelings and how the whole experience was going for us, which was nice. I didn't say much just that I felt tired but I did feel a slight improvement in my fitness levels, which is also nice.
Off to bed now to have another sleepless night.

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New You Day One- Burn Baby Burn

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• New You Boot Camp

Posted by Samantha Castle on October 5, 2008 9:14 PM

Breakfast: Eggs (because I don't eat porridge)
Lunch: Tuna salad with boiled eggs
Evening meal: Lentil soup & chicken and spinach

Up at 5.30am again for roll call outside in our wet weather gear as it was raining again, unfortunately some girls were late so we all had to start the day running round the house six times as punishment, and it's a very big house. I felt like I was going to be sick during the run but it was soon over with.
We then did some boxing moves and some well earned stretches and before I knew it we were back inside for breakfast. Today we stayed inside and did a load of arm exercises with weights and then some abdominal work, which I loved because many years ago in my twenties I was a big gym bunny and always exercised my abs, wearing cut-off tops in winter just to show off my washboard stomach. Bring it on!
After a lovely snack of a packet of seeds (?) I was starting to relax and enjoy myself but unbeknown to me our two instructors- Staff Nesbit and Staff Penn had planned a military exercise of rolling around in the mud pretending to shoot the enemy, which in hindsight was good fun, but at the time was very tiring and again- not being used to 'army' life, felt a little silly.
We then took part in a really good log carrying exercise and running with the log, which needed a lot of coordination and team work but we managed to pull it off.
After lunch we had to prepare for a run in the rain, but as usual some of the girls were late for roll-call, 11 of them in fact, so the whole group then had to run round the house 11 times as punishment and that was before we had even started our fartlic training- which in layman's terms means building up speed. As you can imagine I found this task almost impossible, but I did it through gritted teeth. I can believe how far I am pushing myself it's a massive improvement from doing nothing day-in-day-out I can tell you.
And as if that wasn't strenuous enough we then set out on our first epic hill walk up one of the many beautiful hills in the area. It was all going well until we had a rest and I found out we were only half way. I was already getting short of breath by this time and panicking about bringing up my lunch and then all of a sudden I felt like I couldn't breathe and started hyper-ventilating and crying, my first anxiety attack! Luckily Staff Nesbit was straight on hand calming me down with a breathing exercise, after that I was fine for the rest of the walk, especially the down hill part.
The evening was spent doing more abdominal exercise, stretches and a nice early night as we all flopped into bed at 8.30pm.

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Knowing me Knowing you- Introduction Day at Boot Camp

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Posted by Samantha Castle on October 4, 2008 8:51 PM

Evening meal: salmon and green vegetables, drinks: fruit tea and water- lots of water!

Today was introduction day at the New You Boot Camp and although it was fairly easy going getting to know all the girls in my group I did end up finding out exactly how out of shape I really am. And I really regretted the sneaky MacDonald's breakfast I had on the way to boot camp because I nearly brought it back up after only five minutes of exercise.
An hour after arriving, at 2pm, at the very hard to find location, we had to get our kit on and go straight out to do a fitness test in the cold and wet.
I knew I would have to run and do exercises I didn't like but I didn't count on exactly how military our training regime would be, as soon as we arrived here we were taught how to march in formation, and we were all given a number, which felt a little stupid at first but once I found my stride I was soon shouting "left, left, left right left".
After our evening meal we went out on a night walk up a near by steep hill for a couple of hours, looking like a school field trip kitted out in head lights and reflective jackets, it was tough but it was a good way of getting to know the other girls in the group by having a good chin-wag along the way.
There are 21 girls here in total with an age range from early 20's to 60's and with varying levels of fitness who have all payed between £1,000 to £1,600 for their stay.
Thanks to the earlier fitness tests (six laps running round a field and timed sit-up's and press-up's) we are now in smaller groups depending on our fitness levels, and yes I am in the slower group with the older ladies!
I guess this way it will give me something to aim for during my week here by proving to myself and the instructors that I can actually improve (I can't believe I'm talking in this motivational manner already!)
A couple of moments of fear and anticipation during the day- so much so I felt like going home, which I couldn't even if I wanted to because they've taken our car keys away, its for our own good apparently.

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A new me at the New You Boot Camp!

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• New You Boot Camp

Posted by Samantha Castle on October 2, 2008 11:50 AM

Penny Pinching Weekly News reporter Samantha Castle is off to a secret location somewhere in South Wales after being offered a free week at a weight-loss camp, a favourite with celebrities called the New You Boot Camp.
WHEN Big Brother celebrity Jade Goody emerged from a two-week SAS weight-loss boot camp two stone lighter, with a flat stomach and honed limbs, I knew I had to give this weigh-loss malarkey a go so I hastily excepted an offer to drop a dress size without really thinking about what I was letting myself in for.
During my week away, beginning this Friday, I will be pushed to my limits by ex-military trainers at a secret women-only boot camp based in the Brecon Beacons, where I will be expected to sleep in army-style bunk bed dorms of 12 people and use communal wash and shower facilities.
The first of these boot camp was held in 2007 with the aim of giving a quick kick-start to healthy living.
Now more than 40 are run throughout the year across the UK, from the Welsh hills to Devon beaches.
A typical day consists of trekking, bike riding, circuit training, obstacle courses, yoga and tribal dancing, I will be working out from 6am until 7pm.
At the camp I will be searched for 'contraband' at the start of the week so that I'm not tempted to cheat on the weight-loss programme. And I will be fed a 'back to basics' menu with no alcohol, chocolate, cheese, milk, red meat, tea and coffee or fast food.
Log-on to www.pennypincher.northwalesblogs.co.uk everyday this week to view my daily diary updates and pictures from inside the New You Boot Camp and check out next weeks Weekly News to see how you can be in with a chance of joining the New You Boot Camp and dropping a dress size in a week with our exclusive money off vouchers!
Check out the boot camp at: www.newyoubootcamp.com

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