"I lost 40 pounds (and 9 inches off my waist!) working out with Stephen and achieved my wedding goal weight."

I first heard about Stephen from a random google search for boot camps in the Pasadena area.  I was newly engaged and desired to get in shape for my wedding.  I found myself completely unmotivated and could not get to the gym to save my life.  I'd never worked out with a trainer before and, quite frankly, thought it was a waste of money (I had the mentality of: why train with someone, when you can just do it yourself?).  But, weeks turned into months, and I still hadn't done anything to move in the direction I wanted to head.  So, I reached out to Stephen to find out more information about the classes.  The morning class was the one that best first my schedule.  Working out in the mornings and outdoors was the last thing that appealed to me. But, there was something about Stephen's demeanor and practical approach that I thought couldn't hurt.  I also appreciated the fact that running was not part of the program.  I loved when Stephen told me "I don't need you to pay me to watch you run".  Hilarious.  What did I have to lose?  Absolutely nothing.  So, I took the leap and started out.  It was the best decision.   

Within the first week of class, I noticed changes in my body.  By Friday, I knew there was a difference in my midsection.  As the weeks progressed, it was a thrill to take measurements and see the pounds melting off.  I was reshaping my body, as I toned.  As I focused on eating cleanly and getting enough sleep, I noticed increased endurance during workouts.  Stephen was with me all the way, encouraging me, and always being willing to give me pointers on areas I had questions about.  It was exactly what I needed.  Due to his guidance, I embraced a mantra of eating right, drinking water, sleeping 8 hours, and putting forth my best effort each training session.   Those simple things paid off.  As people noticed my weight loss, they'd ask me how I did it. No one (including myself, when I really thought about it) could believe it was from just 3, 45-minute sessions a week and a diet that was completely satiating. 

Working out with a trainer takes all the guess work out of exercising.  I started calling it a lazy-workout, because that's the way it felt.  All I had to do is show up and do the planned workout.  I don't know why it was so difficult for me to see how beneficial workout out with a trainer could be.  I loved not having to plan my workouts and just show up and work hard.  At the gym, I'd typically end up straining a muscle from working out on equipment incorrectly or with the wrong weights, and I'd get bored from the same weekly routine. With Stephen, there was no fear of injuring myself and the sessions were always different, interesting and challenging. 

I'd strongly recommend Boot Camp Pasadena to anyone that desires to lose weight or get in shape.  It's a simple equation (eat right + exercise efficiently + sleep) to reach your weight loss goals!  I lost 40 pounds (and 9 inches off my waist!) working out with Stephen and achieved my wedding goal weight (or, what I like to call, my 'carry me over the threshold' weight).  I felt absolutely wonderful on my wedding day!  I knew I put forth the time and effort and the results speak for themselves!  I'm so grateful for Stephen and his program.  I feel fortunate to have benefited from his expertise.  Thanks, Coop, for all you have done for me!  I appreciate you so much!

How Our Birthday Girl Lost 18 Pounds in Seven Weeks

Happy Birthday to Nicole.

Nicole recently finished our 7 Week Paleo Challenge and lost 18 pounds, and 26 inches.  I am so proud of her :)

Here's what she had to say...

"Hi Stephen and Marie,

For too many years I’ve struggled with my weight, and not until my husband happened upon www.bootcamppasadena.com did I find any success.  I’ve done the lemonade cleanse, Nutrisystem, Herbalife, Jenny Craig, Atkins, and none of them worked.  But I know for sure you’ve got the winning formula: boot camp + Paleo diet.

For the first 5 weeks, I was tracking 100% on the diet and getting 8 hours of sleep, and only missed a couple of boot camp sessions.  The last two weeks I slipped up on a few days by eating a few bites of cheesecake, a ½ slice of pizza, some bread while dining out, ate a spicy chicken sandwich, and nibbled on my son’s curly fries.  I didn’t fall too far off the wagon during the entire 7 weeks, though, I’m happy to say.  The best part was having my family’s support in my getting to bed by 10:00.  I’m usually running around doing last minute chores or catching up with paper work, but everyone pitched in to make sure I got to bed by 10:00.

One of the best parts of the diet for me was that I could satisfy my sweet tooth with fruit.  That was what really saved me.  I completely swore off desserts which has been a weakness.  I eliminated rice and pasta, which had been the primary portion of my family’s dinners.  We replaced the white portion of our meals with deliciously cooked fresh vegetables and had a large salad at each meal.  Cutting back on eating out has saved us hundreds of dollars!  Another unintended benefit of the Paleo Challenge was my husband losing 20 pounds and my son losing 6 pounds.  But, the direct benefit of the challenge was my losing a total of 26 inches in my target areas and 18 pounds (so far).  I’ve gone from a size 12 to a size 8, and I think I need to get smaller shoes, too. I’ve attached before and after photos (scary!) and my target area chart.

I’ve gotten compliments from family, friends, coworkers and boot campers - and it feels wonderful!  My son told me that he used to have trouble giving me a hug around my waist, but now it’s easy.  That really moved me to tears.  I’m looking forward to continuing until I reach my healthy weight of 125-130 pounds – and then maintaining a healthy level of fitness.

Thanks so much for the Challenge!"

Woman Loses 15 Pounds in the Boot Camp Pasadena Paleo Challenge

My weight at the beginning of the challenge was at 169 lbs, knowing I had gained 18 lbs within 5 months after stopping the lactation/nursing process of my infant son. The weight gain became one of the factors of my depression.  I was accruing anxiety and panic attacks with the medications for my depression.  Having physical and mental limitations with my body, affecting me, I was not able to continue the boot camp due to my carpel tunnel and tendonitis of the wrist and arms.  This challenge made it quite the experience to attempt weight loss.  I was on my own, since I was not able to have a mentor or trainer monitor my progress.   Measurements were not taken before the challenge as I felt it would discourage me.  I allowed the fitting of my clothes to guide me and instruct me if I was either gaining, losing  or remained the same.

In my attempt to begin this change of a new beginning through Paleo, it turned into a great and much bigger challenge for me.   My exercise was very limited, it consisted of plenty of power walking, jumping rope, jogging, and running. Attempting to track my disciplines in writing was not an easy process.  Keeping track became a memorization tactic.  I would not call this a diet because I was still eating real food just not the extras.  This challenge became a family affair.  My partner attends the boot-camp and also joined the Paleo challenge. This began to motivate me, not to turn back or give up, though I had my moments.  This included our three children; how we ate, and how active we remained, along with sharing the same intake of foods we had to encounter for the challenge. Meanwhile accumulating the energy needed to pull us through.  The urge to cheat was always a thought, for the sake of the kids and ours.  With the cheating came the circumstances: the extra push and training the following day, or simply eating in moderation.  Parking quite some distance to get to and from our vehicle when going somewhere. Our eating habits that we become too familiar with according to our upbringing seem so natural and worth the good eats. 

Allowing myself to sleep the recommended time gave me plenty of energy to exercise and have three actual meals.  Learning from the Paleo challenge showed me that real food is just simple. The first two weeks and the last two weeks became the hardest.  The food portions became smaller and my hips followed.  I began to use a belt to hold my pants up, when before my hips and thighs would have sufficed.  I did not have drastic results at the end let’s just say I do not have the extras hanging off my body.  Final weight is 154 lbs, 15 pounds lighter,.  I was able to walk up a steep hill last night with no trouble while trick’or treating with my 21 month old felt wonderful.  I am currently able to go a few weeks without my medications for pain and my depression as my life modification has kept me occupied.  I would not consider this a diet.  The Paleo Challenge provides one with energy from morning to night.  I am glad I did not give up at week 2 when all my determination was out the door.

P.S.  We are planning our next Paleo Challenge which will begin on Jan. 3, 2011.  To get news of this Challenge, please sign up here.

This is What It's All About

 

This is why I love what I do.  Some people stress over their lives, work, etc..  I'm one of the luckiest guys on earth.  I get to do what I love, and people improve their lives.

Note: I spoke with this client this morning and she said "thank you".  I appreciate the thanks, but the results came from her.  She showed up, she sacrificed, she trained, she ate well...this is what it take people.

No shortcuts, no gimmicks, no late night informercial crap.  Show up, and get it done.

More testimonials can be found here.