Fittest Loser boot camp offers columnist diverse experiences
While I never experienced military boot camp firsthand, whenever the subject comes up my thoughts turn to my late son John's time up at Great Lakes Naval base.
His letters, filled with stories of midnight trainings, sleep deprivation and woe, remain close to my heart.
Reading John's accounts of boot camp, written by his hand on those Sunday afternoons so long ago, brings his spirit to life for me.
I knew that a fitness-style boot camp was on the agenda when I signed on for the Fittest Loser competition. But, not many details were revealed about these Saturday boot camps, and it seemed to me at the time that an element of surprise was part of the program.
I've always been a morning person and the early morning call at 5 a.m. for me didn't ring any schedule alarms.
Living in Oak Brook Terrace, Push Fitness in Schaumburg is a drive, but easily doable on Saturday mornings at 6 a.m. And, there's something special to take away from being awake and present for a sunrise.
My trainer, Josh Steckler, owner of Push Fitness, shared few details about his boot camp program ahead of time. When pressed for more information, Josh smiled wryly and said, "It will be challenging."
As someone who likes to know the obstacles coming, I had to settle in and embrace the surprise. One aspect I did know about our upcoming Saturday boot camps - and was looking forward to - was getting to work out with the all the contestants.
I enjoy writing about food, but just as much, I like attending events and meeting people.
No amount of research can give you as much insight as will in-person contact. It's been priceless to me over the years.
In this contest, I'm not actually a contestant, but am much more than just a reporter. As a food professional, appearing vulnerable seldom wins the day. But, here, that level of honesty with the other contestants helps build trust.
I set the stage by sharing with everyone my story, before the Fittest Loser contest introduction hit news stands.
Having that kind of skin in the game allowed the contestants to see me less as a journalist writing a weekly article, and more of a mother working through the death of her son.
Truth be told, that first boot camp took my breath away and showed me how woefully out of shape I had become.
In contrast to our individual trainings, Push Fitness boot camp tasks you to dig deeper into your body and soul, not just for you, but for your teammates as well.
It inspires you to want it badly enough, to get out of bed at 5 a.m. and give it your best.
There is an air of competition in the studio, but it's tempered by the sincere desire of all my fellow contestants to see everyone win their health and fitness battles.
While we all come from different places and reasons for joining the contest, we have all experienced failure with weight loss in the past.
Saturday morning boot camp is our chance to do battle together, and win.
I like that the trainers team us up in different pairs every Saturday morning, giving the opportunity to experience diverse exercises and get to know each other.
Together we struggle with "the stairs" and at the end, wait in anticipation for our turn on the scale.
My personal goal is to improve my stamina during the week, which will help me train better in boot camp.
Just when it looks like there's nothing more we can give in boot camp, I feel the energy of my late son John all around me and the team.
And that makes it all worthwhile.