Why I wake up at 4:40AM
By Kelli Calabrese
It’s been almost 3 years since I started waking up at 4:40 in the morning. I was always an early riser, but 4:40 was early even for me when I made the decision in October 2006 to come out of retirement and get back in the trenches with clients. I wake up at 4:40 not because I have to, but because I am inspired to meet the 50 – 60 women who are among the few, the busiest, most talented devoted women I know, the women of Argyle Adventure Boot Camp.
Part of me felt sad that 5:30 in the morning was the only time these women could find to work out and the other part of me was moved that they would make such a grand effort to become healthy. I imagined that working women would make up a majority of the class and I was only partially right.
A registration came in from a stay at home mom who was home schooling 5 children under the age of 11. Another was from an attorney who worked in Dallas and her afternoons were spent leading a brownie troop and growing an organic vegetable garden. Another from a woman who had a husband in Iraq who would exercise early before getting her children up for school and herself to work. Another registration was from a grandmother who found herself unexpectedly raising her young granddaughter and needed something to help her boost her energy. Another was forced to go back to work when her husband lost his job and she no longer had the luxury to work out mid morning. Some of the women are breast cancer survivors, many have had multiple orthopedic surgeries, others have had hysterectomies, and two have even been victims of stroke.
One woman in her early twenties was abused and is determined to lose 100 pounds. Another gained 80 pounds after a family trauma and now proudly wore shorts for the first time in almost a decade. One woman got off of her anti-depression medication after 10 weeks of camp. Still another dropped 60 pounds in 6 months and found the confidence to get out of an abusive relationship AND ask for a raise. Another woman is on her way to losing 30 pounds as she is awaiting her toddler’s second brain surgery.
I also have campers who have converted from vacations sitting by a pool to adventurous getaways that include mountain biking on single track trails, rock climbing and hiking for days on end. Those are the ones you will create the greatest memories from.
Adventure Boot camp is a place for stress relief, laughter, friendships, physical break throughs, a sense of accomplishment and when needed prayers!
I’ve come to the point where I pity those who are sitting back and saying, “One day I’ll do something about my health”. You may have reasoned with yourself to say I CAN’T participate because it’s too early, it’s too expensive, I have a treadmill, I won’t know anyone, it will be too hard. Or maybe you’ve said, BUT I have a gym membership, I could exercise at work, I’m not fit enough, I’m about to order those video’s off of the infomercial, I’m waiting for after the holidays or I have an injury.
There isn’t anything I have not heard. You can fill in your own the blank. What I can tell you is that over 400 people of the Argyle community who travel as far as North Richland Hills on mornings for the past three years are seeing, feeling and living the difference because the made the choice to join. They have rid themselves of the baby fat, the muffin tops, the thunder thighs and the double chins. They have replaced them with a smaller waist, slimmer hips, shapely shoulders, sexy thighs, beautiful posture, unstoppable energy and confidence. They are off medication, have energy to spare, are back in their skinny clothes, some become competitive and look and feel the best they have in their adult lives.
The reason I was inspired to write this today is that one of my beloved campers, one of the most fit, was diagnosed with cancer this week. The initial exam indicated ovarian cancer, but it turned out to be lymphoma. She had a cantaloupe sized mass near her small intestine. Her lymph nodes are enlarged. I’m not exaggerating when I say this woman could grace the cover of any fitness magazine and she has the most beautiful personality to go with it. She is one of the ones who took care of her self. Last year she had a normal pap smear. Last week she did not. You never know or can question why, but you can guarantee that life is going to throw you unexpected curve balls.
Doesn’t it make sense that you want to be in the best shape of your life to handle what ever is tossed your way. Wouldn’t you want the strongest immune system, the strongest bones, joints and muscles, the best mental ability and clarity to be able to best handle and recover from any physical or mental illness?
Even fit people are not free from dis-ease, however those who are fit have a higher quality of life, a longer life, are in less pain, earn more money, have a more positive outlook, stronger immune systems, are sick less often and spend less resources on doctors visits, medication and not feeling well. Her doctors said she has an 85 – 90% chance of survival because her health and fitness are excellent – so much so that she did not have a single symptom.
If you have been waiting for the stars to align, I’m here to tell you the time is now. I have done a lot of things in my 23 years in the fitness industry and I can promise you that I have not seen anything as successful, fun, productive, cost effective, body shaping, health producing or life enhancing as Argyle Adventure Boot Camp.
I invite you not to take my word for it, but to read the many testimonials from women just like you who once thought it was not possible, who once were intimidated and now are enjoying a fit body and the support they have from the incredible women at boot camp.
Let me also mention that the men’s camp has equally as compelling stories, from the man who lost 17 pounds and gained a 6 pack in 4 weeks to the man who is on his way to losing 80 pounds. No excuses, just results.
I am on a personal mission to reach those who are frustrated, who know there is more, who are uncomfortable in their bodies, who fear disease, who don’t like the idea of being on medication for life, who aspire to get their bodies back. The time is now! Next camp begins October 12th. Register at www.ArgyleBootCamp.com or call 817-490-1296.
Argyle Adventure Boot Camp was voted Best Place to Work Out in Denton County 2008 and 2009. Kelli Calabrese was voted Personal Trainer of the Year Denton County in 2007. Join in and become your physical and personal best.
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