Bartonville Woman Loses 30 Pounds and Reclaims her Life

Her story will ring true with many of todays in demand women who put their self care at the very bottom of their long to do lists. Danna Bond a 43 year old mother of Jackson (10) and Jared (9) had always had an athletic build. 3 years ago her husband John decided to expand his 6 Day Dental & Orthodontics practice from one to five locations. At the same time, the boys were getting more involved with traveling sports, homework was becoming more intense and the housework seemed never ending. She put on 10 pounds.

Danna says, “I would try to get to the gym, and it would last about two to three months and I would stop. I always had great excuses for quitting. I said stuff like, "I'm just going to be 10 pounds over weight and enjoy my life."

The stressors in her life continued to mount as she and John decided to relocate to the country and build a home. That meant almost 5 hours in the car every day for Danna as she shuttled her boys back and forth to Liberty Christian School. Danna packed on another 10 pounds and started some medication to help ease the anxiety. Danna says “I looked everywhere I could for a reason why I just felt yucky. I looked everywhere but in the mirror”.

Danna put on another 5 pounds, trying to sell their land, clean up their rental home and find another place to live closer to Liberty Christian School. She stepped on the scale and it read 192 pounds. She went to the doctor and was shocked to hear she had high blood pressure. This was her first health issue!

As she was driving home from the doctor, she received an e-mail over her blackberry from Liberty Christian School announcing they would be the host location for a women’s outdoor boot camp. Danna says, “I just sat in my car and cried. I felt miserable. I am generally a very happy, active, fun person but I had become stressed out and depressed. My kids were affected by my moods, and my husband who is so supportive could also see the negative change in me”

Danna took that brave first step and emailed boot camp instructor Kelli Calabrese. Camp was starting the first week in January and it was the week before she was suppose to move back to Bartonville. She was only going to be able to make the last 3 weeks of the 4 week camp she almost backed out, but instead opted for a private consultation with Kelli. “This was one of the most important parts of my weight loss”, Danna said with a smile. “Kelli pointed out the negative talk in my mind which was reaching out and effecting my decisions and my world. She was not going to sugar coat things. She measured my body-fat and let me know, it wasn't so great. I weighed in, we talked and Kelli honestly made me feel like I could do it. She is soft-spoken and motivating at the same time. I was ready. We talked about healthy eating, alcohol intake, portion sizes, dining out, food quality and more.”

Danna showed up at Argyle Adventure Boot Camp at the start of week 2. “Kelli was so awesome. She was organized and efficient so we could get the most results from our time. She always knew what she was going to do and camp was run like a well oiled machine. She talked to us about nutrition, past client success stories and the important of rest. The information was empowering and helped to pass the time. Boot camp for me was more than just exercise. It was the conscious decision to make a change. I knew that trying to push myself wasn't working and I needed an inspiration. That was where Kelli came in”.

“I knew I had to eat right, exercise, and drink water but I also needed Kelli. I needed someone who I felt really cared about my individual goals and obstacles. Kelli is so accessible and knowledgeable. Boot camp for me has been life changing. I am now 162 pounds and still working towards my goal of 155-157. My blood pressure is down. I can wear the jeans from the "skinny" section of my closet. I have more energy, I am happier, my kids and husband are happier.

Danna realized how important it was to be a role model for her children and it became an inspiration for her. Instead of feeling guilty for taking the time in the morning to exercise, she realized it was a necessity for her to be a great mom and wife.

Danna says, “I will be signing up for my fourth session this week. I was one of the original dozen ladies who got up in the ice and the snow and just plowed ahead. Kelli was a "constant" in my complicated and busy life. She grounded me and kept me moving forward. When I had a couple of setbacks, I emailed her. She responded quickly and compassionately with helpful advice and empathy. We receive daily emails from Kelli with articles to read or a helpful tidbit to get us thru the weekend. I look forward to what she has to say to keep my positive momentum going forward”.

Boot camp for me now is a way to start my day. It is something I do for me. I love stretching in the morning and watching the sunrise. It feels right. Is it as fun as a big lunch with friends, no, but when you get out there and get moving, you understand why its important and why it works. I enjoy starting out each morning with other women whom I have come to admire greatly for their own personal commitment. Every person has a story. One girl found out her mom had cancer, she left for a one session to care for her and now she is back-stronger than ever. One woman I talked to had four kids and the oldest is seven. I know the sacrifice it must take for her to get up and come to this camp and the chaos she goes home to in getting the kids ready for their day. One mom I talked to has two teenagers and two toddlers, she rarely gets to bed before midnight but there she is every morning with a smile and encouraging word for the others. It is the people like this and the genuine leadership and inspiration that Kelli provides that keeps me coming. I am now part of a group of ladies who, are making their fitness a priority. As a mom, a wife and a hard worker, I rarely put my needs first – and I paid the price. Now I know better. There is no better gift to give to yourself and your family than the gift of health and happiness. Besides, I’ve seen the alternative of what not taking care of yourself does for your family and I’m never going back to that”!

Danna recommends, “For any woman who wants to make a personal change in how they feel about themselves and their bodies, I recommend you call Kelli. It doesn't matter what fitness level you are at-it will be for you”. The boot camp is not a militaristic style and there is no competition (except with yourself). There are different speeds and modifications for every exercise. I will be at every boot camp as long as Kelli is teaching them.

If I can put my name, weight and medical conditions out there for the world to see, then I must feel very strongly about what Argyle Adventure Boot Camp has done for me and want the ladies of the community to know that you can do it too.

Danna is now off her medication and shares, “You have to want to make the changes in your life, have the willpower to eat right, have the courage to ask for help, and the desire to show up and do your best. The first step to this is believing its possible and then finding the right formula to get you the results. For me that formula was Argyle Adventure Boot Camp. I’ve never looked or felt better. For more information go to www.ArgyleBootCamp.com or call Kelli@817-490-1296 or e-mail Kelli@KelliCalabrese.com