WoW! Boot Camp » Testimonials

“You all are doing great things for Athens.”

admin — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 18:26:44 +0000

Dear April and Michael,

I just wanted to thank you all so much for sponsoring the YMCA group runs and for all the support in general. The only reason I was able to run the 13.1 miles is because of training with a positive group of people those Saturday mornings. The training program was outstanding, and really prepared me to do my best on Sunday. Thanks again for all the support. You all are doing great things for Athens.
Best wishes,

- Marielle

I Am No Longer a Manatee

admin — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 19:35:58 +0000

I have been overweight all my life. I had never really tried any diets or anything until I was in my mid-20’s. I lost and gained the same 30-40 lbs. for quite a while until I had my son in 1998. Ironically, I was at my lowest weight when I got pregnant. After giving birth, I suffered from depression and then 3 years later went through a divorce. During the divorce I lost quite a bit of weight due to the stress. I spent some time healing and trying to figure out what direction I wanted my life to take. After much thought I decided to go back to school. I was working a full-time job and being a single parent I had convinced myself that I had a full plate and my health would become first priority after graduation. So while undertaking all that in my life my weight kept creeping up, and up, and up until I was the heaviest I had ever been. I graduated in June 2007 and it wasn’t until March 2008 that I decided it was time to do something about my weight. The push that started this lifelong journey was the defective digital picture frame on my desk. It would freeze periodically and the most common picture was one of a manatee. There would be days I would look at that picture and think to myself “that’s what I look like – big ole body and little bitty head.

Jennifer - 2 years ago

I wasn’t quite sure which direction I wanted to take. I wanted someone to know who I was and care if I showed up or not. I wanted to meet “real women” you know the kind – with kids, career, home – probably the very type person you are. I was not too thrilled with the idea of joining a gym. I also looked into a personal trainer but after doing some research I knew that it was too expensive. I remembered seeing an ad for WoW! Boot Camp and thought I would check out the website. I still wasn’t too sure of this decision but told myself that if the digital picture frame froze on the manatee again that I was going for it! Well, I am sure you can guess what happened!! Yep, manatee! I took a deep breath and signed up for the first month thinking that I would at least give it a month – after all I was only committed for a 3 days a week for 4 weeks. I knew that I could do anything for 4 weeks. If it wasn’t something I enjoyed then I didn’t have to go back – not a whole lot of commitment there. When I went for my first assessment I was amazed at how April really seemed to want to get to know me—what I was here for and what my goals were.

The first day of boot camp finally rolled around and I was both excited and nervous. April told us to do the best we could and not overdo it. I thought I was going to die! For someone who had not worked out in years – what a shock! I was slow and came in last in everything we did. April and Karen did nothing but encourage me and make me start to believe that I could do it. The day was beautiful and when the class was finished I felt proud that I had completed an hour of exercise that was harder than any class or video that I had ever done. I can’t say it was a walk in the park because it wasn’t. IT WAS HARD!! The next class I was there again – ready for more and it was still hard. At the end of the month I was pleased that I had not only lost weight but I had lost inches too. Granted it wasn’t a whole lot but it was more than I had lost last time I had attempted to lose weight! One month turned into two, two turned into three – hey, what’s wrong with me…I actually LIKE this stuff?!?! While I wasn’t breaking any speed records I was feeling good about myself, and I just felt better.

Jennifer – in her “Goal Weight outfit”

After 6 months of boot camp I decided to my first 5K. One of my WoW! friends had said that she did her first 5K after completing 6 months of boot camp and if she could do it so could I. I came in next to last but I had finished and I was still alive! Ironically, there were only 2 people in my age group so not only did I cross the finish line I received some hardware to boot. There is nothing like the feeling of crossing the finish line knowing what you have accomplished – that you have finished something that no one can take away from you. I now run most weekends and enjoy myself almost every time. There is something so empowering about crossing the finish line, whether it is an “official race” or just going out and coming back home. The fact that I have this time for myself with nothing but my thoughts and ipod has become my therapy. It has reduced my stress and just makes me a happier person and a better mother to my son. There are so many amazing things I have learned about myself and one is that I can do anything as long as I have the proper training and a great support system.

There is no way on this earth that I could ever thank all the women who have come into my life through WoW!. We are all there for different reasons and all bring unique elements to the class. These women love me for who and where I am. They believe in me as much I believe in them. We have become more than workout partners – we are friends and truly care for each other. These women have inspired me every step of the way – from the ones that can run marathons to the ones that are still walking their first mile. They encourage me when I am struggling that day for whatever reason – whether it be physical, emotional or spiritual. If you are thinking about WoW!, please just sign up for the first month, it will be the hardest thing you have ever done but I am proof that the rewards come if you stick with it.

Happy & Beautiful Bride!

wowapril — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 15:47:23 +0000

April,

I had to show you these…. the following are some before and after pictures from my first, 7 consecutive months of boot camp. WoW! How amazing?!?! I look at these and think, I can’t believe I used to look like this!?!? I still have so far to go, but it’s amazing to me at how far I have come!! I don’t have my measurements with me right now, but I know I lost over 25 lbs. The first few pictures are from when I found my wedding dress and tried it on for the first time. I couldn’t even zip up the size 12 sample dress!! I remember the first time I tried on “my” actual dress… the boutique couldn’t believe the transformation! They had to pin my dress with clamps so it wouldn’t fall!! Each fitting the clamps had to be a little tighter. I had to have 3 different dress fittings as the seamstress had to take in close to 10 inches!!! Luckily, the seamstress was so talented and she did a wonderful job in putting the dress back together! I just can’t believe the difference!

Thank you for all that you do for me and for other members of WoW! Boot Camp! As I have said many times, I am forever grateful to you, Michael and Natalie!! I have never been more satisfied with a workout as I am with WoW!. You push us when you know we can give more and when we feel like giving up, you keep pushing – never letting us give up on ourselves! Somehow you make us want to come back again and again! THANK YOU! Your team is amazing, and I’m so THANKFUL to be a part of such an amazing program. I found a WoW! Boot Camp flyer today at lunch…. it has your before and after picture on it. I took it and have it on my desk to remind me every day of how hard work and dedication pays off!! And, so I won’t be tempted to eat that candy bar I’ve been craving! haha!

Thanks for everything!! You’re the best!!

WoW! Boot Camp – It works!!!!!!!!

Katie Day

BEFORE

AFTER

Happy&Beautiful Bride!

wowapril — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 15:47:23 +0000

April,

Thanks for everything!! You’re the best!!

WoW! Boot Camp – It works!!!!!!!!

Katie Day

BEFORE

AFTER

Taqueria LaParrilla’s Jovita & Alonso… what inspirations!

admin — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 17:37:38 +0000

“It’s really really hard to put in words how appreciative and thankful Alonso and I are — our journey with WoW! has been and continues to be positively life-changing! There aren’t enough words to describe how grateful I am to have joined WoW! I would have never believed the positive impact it would have in my lifestyle.

Before

“At first, my obvious goal was to lose weight – I really wasn’t thinking of being ‘fit’ — yeah, yeah ‘healthy’ was somewhere there in the back of my mind – I just wanted to be thin – little did I realize how goooood it feels to not only be at a healthy weight, but have a healthy mind, acquire an active lifestyle and completely change my attitude and relationship with food and exercise. I’ve acquired a much more positive attitude at home and work—I notice that I let go of the little nuisances of life so much easier now.

Now!

“I am truly thankful for the wonderful comradeship with the WoW! girls – it’s hard to explain how important it’s been to me to have that source of encouragement, motivation and strength. Never would I have thought to participate in a 5k, ‘Fun Run’ or much less a ½ marathon without the support received at WoW! I continue to look forward to my Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning WoW! workouts, I’ll be there for the physical activity but most importantly for my mental and emotional energy dose!” – Jovita

Taqueria LaParrilla’s Jovita&Alonso… what inspirations!

admin — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 17:37:38 +0000

Before

Now!

"…motley and varied group."

wowapril — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 12:21:12 +0000

I never would have entered or run in a 5K event without my fellow Work Out Warriors! You should be proud of what you have helped all of us accomplish and the tremendous support group that has developed! Such a motley and varied group that has come together with the common goals of feeling and looking better – it’s amazing and awesome. To think that so many women are willing to come together at 5:30am three days a week in the heat, rain, cold, etc. to push themselves physically past any point they thought they’d ever accomplish – it’s hard to believe, until you realize the feelings of accomplishment and control they take away from the experience and take into their everyday lives. All of us benefit from the experience and greatly appreciate what you are doing and have done! Thank you.
Kris

“…motley and varied group.”

wowapril — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 12:21:12 +0000

"Guess what"!?!

wowapril — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 12:13:17 +0000

April,

I just had to tell you… I just ran a whole mile at the gym!!!!!! I’m so excited!! I’ve been trying to do this for what seems like forever. Granted it wasn’t a very fast mile. However, it was a mile without stopping! I don’t know if you were as excited as I the first time you ran a whole mile, but I’m so proud of myself!!! I’ve worked really hard this week and will continue to do so! Now, the goal of wearing a bikini on my honeymoon doesn’t seem to unrealistic!!!! I have proven to myself that I can do this!!

Thanks for being our encouragement, supporter and confidant! I’m so happy with bootcamp and so glad I’m able to be apart of such a great thing! Thanks for doing what you do!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Katie

“Guess what”!?!

wowapril — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 12:13:17 +0000

April,

Katie