Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Day 10: Back at Bootcamp

It was great resuming my Bootcamp training after missing Day 8 and Day 9 last week. The weather was excellent today – but the field continues to be wet and muddy....very tough for us as our shoes get stuck in the mud and it really slows us down and also takes a lot more of our energy to keep moving.

After the usual warm up, we had to do our “now” customary grunts – i just don’t understand why some team members are still not “team players!”. 7 AWOL team members so 70 torturous grunts.

Today we have 2 circuits so the team were divided into 2 groups randomly.
My group started the “race competition circuit” where the group was divided into 2 teams and we had to compete against each other with the losing team rewarded with 30 grunts! So lots of incentives to do well here.

This race is a weight and running competition. Each team stayed on opposite end of a 40 meter track. And we each had a “sand pipe rifle” that we have previously used. We were then asked to place our “rifles” into a square zone called our “Store”. The objective of this competition is that both teams will have equal amount of “Rifles” in each store – we are then suppose to run to each other’s store and one person can pick up only one rifle from the opposite team’s “store” and run back to our own “store” and put in back in our “Store”. The opposite team will do the same.

While we started with equal rifles on each side, over time of the competition as we run to each other’s store – one team will start to lead as one store will have more rifles then the other. Thankfully, our team started well and we continue to gain a huge lead and by half way, our team were getting more than half their rifles from their store before they could take from our side....a runaway win and when the competition ended, we won hands down! HOOYAH!

We were happy watching the other team suffer the agony of grunts...and in our complacency, we started drinking our water while watching the team....another rule of Bootcamp is that we can only have water breaks when instructed by the Sgt....we must be too happy, we totally forgot (including me) so got caught and from winners....we ended up having to do 15 grunts as punishment for disobeying the “drinks rule”!

After completing our punishment – we moved to the other circuit which involved using the big BAD lorry tyres again! This circuit was not a competition but collective workout. Our team was divided into 3 teams (as there were 3 lorry tyres) and half had to go across to the other end of the track of 20 meters.

Here, we had to do 6 minutes of individual flipping of the tyre from one end by a team member to the other end and another team member takes it back. While 3 members do the flipping, the rest of the team had to stand in line and worked on 5 reps of push ups, squats, Jumping jacks and King Kong push ups – non-stop! Any stoppages meant the Sgt added 30 seconds – we had an extra 2 minutes of punishment. This was tough as the tyres were really heavy....took all our energy to get it across.

Once we completed the 8 minutes – 4 members must then carry on our shoulders these giant tyres and brisk run for 60 meters and back! My team had 2 girls and 2 guys so we guys took opposite ends and the ladies took the front and back...and slowly, we made the round!

It was a tough end to Day 10 – after a well stretched warm down...Day 10 ended with 2 more days to go.....HOOYAH!

Tomorrow weigh in again at lunch time....

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Missing today and Friday.......

I will unfortunately miss Day 8 and Day 9 of Bootcamp due to work commitments.

But for the benefit of my fellow team members - i made sure i sms Sgt S today and will do the same on Friday to ensure i don't contribute to the grunts for the rest of the team.

In keeping with the fitness schedule - will be trying to go to the gym at least twice before Day 9 on Monday!

Blog again on Monday!

Hooyah!

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Lighter days ahead?......



91.1...Its a start - at least this week, trend is reversing back!

Yes!

Maybe i am starting to burn the fats now?

Looking forward to Day 8 tomorrow.

HOOYAH!

Day 7: Washout! But not before the grunts......

Not much to update on Day 7 as the threatening weather was always a concern when we stepped on the field.

4 team members were AWOL – so after our warm up, we had to start on our 40 grunts! The team got to seriously get our act together, i know i was guilty last week of AWOL. Now i know how it feels for the rest of the team.

It started raining while we were doing the grunts but the instructors kept us going! Rain keep pouring down and we were all soaked and tired when we completed the grunts.

We then were about to start on the day’s program and lighting started to strike in rapid succession....it was only then that Sgt S called off the Bootcamp.

Everyone rushed out of the field and Day 7 ended with the promise that the balance 35 minutes will be replaced!

Today is “weigh in” day. Look forward to seeing this week’s numbers!

Monday, January 18, 2010

Friday, January 15 – Day 6 of the Original Bootcamp

Bootcamp started with the usual “grunt” punishment on Friday after the warm up.
4 team members were late so 40 grunts for all!

Noticed the instructors placing 3 stations of cones so was reminding myself to rush to the front of the “rangers” line-up to avoid what happened on Wednesday when standing at the back got me booted up to the higher “Seals” team.

After the grunts torture (i still not feeling any better doing this), Sgt S shouted for us to get into our Delta, Seals and Rangers Group.
Note on Grunts: For friends who doubt the “torture” of grunts – do follow my diagram in my last blog and try doing them! Unless u are super fit, i think you will find it a challenge. I still debating whether it is the jumping up or dropping down that is the real torture or both.

I rushed to the front half of the Rangers line-up. Feeling good with myself as i was definitely in the first half....as we prepare for the realignment, Sgt S ordered, “Rangers whom i placed in the Seals team on Wednesday – PLEASE GO BACK TO THE SEALS TEAM!” All my great planning! In one simple order, my Day 6 training was doomed to be tough!

Sgt S told us that today we will be training in 3 stations for 10 minutes each focusing on “Upper Body”, “Abs” and “Lower Body” in the 3 respective stations.
Seals team were assigned to Station Upper Body first. Rushing to the Station in 20 seconds (to ensure no grunts punishment) we were then asked to each pick up a “sand pipe rifle”, same as the ones from Day 5.

The exercise in this station comprises of stationary exercisers using the sand pipe rifle plus crawling exercise from one end of the cone to the other end about 30 meters away.

We started with the stationary exercises – as Seals, we had to do 12 repetitions for each exercise. Started with push-ups while holding the sand pipe rifles on the ground, then stand up and hold up the rifle with both hands going up and down holding the rifle, next exercise was to hold the rifle forward with both hands and again bring it up and down. And the final exercise was to hold rifle up high and squat.....once we complete the stationary exercise, we had to “bear crawl” forward from one cone to the end about 30 meters away. Then we had to do a “reverse bear crawl”, this was the toughest for me as apart from trying to manage balance, my legs and hands are aching, and also don’t forget we had to turn back to ensure we don’t know our team mates as everyone was on different pace.

When we finish the reverse bear crawl, we had to continue with the stationary exercise with the sand pipe rifles and the continue with the crawls – we had to keep repeating these till the 10 minutes were up! Tough!

Station 2 – Abs. This was lead by our Australian Corporal. Here we had to repeat “12 times” again (For Rangers, the repetition is “10 times”) of floor abs exercises like sit ups, jumping jacks etc. Was pretty fair exercise in the first 5 minutes BUT after that, the strain was felt and my stomach/abs was burning! And as i work on this blog entry on midnight Sunday – I am still feeling the pains here!
The final 5 minutes was really bad as the burning feeling was bad. When the set ended, the Corporal made us do some stretches that temporarily helped the pain sensation to get us going into the final station.

Station 3 – Lower body. Here, we each had to pick up a small sandbag – first time using sandbags. We were warned that anyone that dropped the sandbag during the 10 minutes exercise will had to do 30 grunts!

So for the next 10 minutes, you can see all of us holding tightly to our sand bags! Similar to Station 1, we had sets of stationary exercises followed by running ahead 30 meters and back again holding tightly to our sandbags....then repeating the entire set again.

Focusing on lower body – the exercises were squats, forward lunges, jumping squat and sumo squat....then off to the run forward and back.......a team member’s sandbag dropped during the run (I must say it gets really heavy after 3 minutes of holding and doing exercises)...so she had to do the grunts....

Day 6 ended as usual when it has already turned dark but the warm down session always helps.

Time passed so fast – we are now back to Monday and Day 7 will be happening soon....had some good food all weekend but hopefully that doesn’t impact my Tuesday weigh in......

Till Day 7....Hooyah out!

Thursday, January 14, 2010

“Grunt” punishments and continuing Day 5



As we waited for Day 5 to start, was told by my team mates that because 5 team members didn’t turn up on Monday without notification – going AWOL (me included as i couldn’t find the mobile number to sms – will save the number in my mobile from now) plus a team member attending without Bootcamp t-shirt, the entire team had to do 60 grunt punishment exercises before they start the session! It was really tough – i felt so sorry that i was responsible for 10 of the grunts.

Firstly to explain what grunt punishment means – it is hard to explain (for a person like me who don’t have much exercise training experience) so surf the internet and found some photos to illustrate...essentially, it is the combination of this 2 routine to count for “1” grunt. Go down then jump up.....try it – unless u are fit, after non-stop 20 times, you will feel it!

Day 5 started at 6.45pm sharp – roll call was the first item of the day. Good start for the day as no one went AWOL today! Yeah!

We started our usual warm up routine of jogging, knees up, lunges and stretches. I thought we were off the hook for the grunts but it was not to be....someone came again without Bootcamp t-shirt so we have to do 10 grunts before the start.....and as we hit the field to start, half way thru, we were told some of us not doing right, so additional 10 grunts added! So in total 20 grunts and it was tough......

We were then put into our 3 groups of Delta, Seals and Rangers – because we had such a big team in rangers, we were randomly (mostly the guys at the back) placed into Delta and Seals team. I was put into the Seals team....lesson learnt here is to stay right in front of the line in the rangers group so that i don’t get moved to the other teams again! Because i went to the Seals team, i had to follow their longer time count! Never again, from now on, I will be staying right in front!

It was a 3 stations exercises again...and i can see for the first time we will be using props for some exercises. But for my first station, it was still cardio exercises.

Station 1: Cardio exercises. We had to do 40 seconds followed by 10 seconds of Cardio exercises. Cardio exercise including Jumping Jack, squat thrust, Star Jumps, Mountain Climbers, Squat jumps....this was a really tough station. I think because I am starting from ground zero of fitness level, i just could not keep up with the 40 seconds workout plus 10 seconds rest on each routine...we had to keep doing that for 12 minutes, and because a few of us stopped (including me) time was added on – another 2 minutes of hell.......the end was welcomed gladly

Station 2: Sand Rifles exercise. In this station, we were made to carry a rifle - “rifle length pipe filled with sand” . We had to hold the rifle horizontally on both hands high up with arms raise, run forward with arms kept up at all times. Then after 10 meters kneel down and get back up, continue running to the next cone 10 meters ahead for the same and the final 10 meters of the same. We then have to jog back. We had to do this for 4 minutes and for every one that stopped 30 seconds were added...we ended the first set with 6 minutes as we had 2 minutes added on punishment. The final set in this station was the same running but instead of kneel, we had to go down on our back and do 3 sit ups on each 10 meter cone....this was a 4 minute run too...we had 1 minute added on here.

I didn’t feel as bad as station 1.

Station 3: Biggest Tyre I ever seen! In this final station we were divided into teams of 8 and 4 was sent to each end of a 15 meter track. When the exercise started, one member starts squatting down carefully and lifting the big tyre to flip it forward. Flipping in from one end to the other end on the team member on the other side then takes it back to the other end. Sounds easy but a combination of this being our final station (after 2 long hard ones) plus the big tyre, we are soon to realize, is very heavy! Some of the ladies had trouble lifting it.

And while we wait for our turn, the rest of the team had to do push up and squat holding positions – tough and painful wait......in fact, i find this part tougher than the tyre flip. I was actually happy with the tyre flip. Despite the heavy tyre – i find this as the one exercise that i could actually do well!
Great way to end Day 5!

After the important warm down session – it was HOOYAH! And looking forward to Day 6 of Friday.

And hope that tomorrow i will wake up with less DOM pain....

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

From 91 to 101? ......




The result is in...Unfortunately, my quest received a minor setback today. As u can see in the official “weight result” certified by buddy Chok, the machine showed a 0.4kg increase!!!!!!

Many Questions raised on this set back:

1. I was told that sometimes, when u start an exercise program, u have to gain weight first. So is this a positive 0.4kg gain? Do we have to gain first to reduce later?

2. Maybe the many DOMs pain i felt last week was my muscles busy re-generating and firming up – hence this additional weight is from firmer muscles?

3. Maybe the machine in KLCC is faulty today and gave an inaccurate reading?

It looks like my quest is not taking a direct easy route forward....maybe like in the movies, the underdog/hero had to experience setbacks first before achieving his goals.........

So many questions......I am more dedicated then ever to step into Day 5 of Bootcamp tomorrow to burn more fats.....till the next weigh-in.......the battle continues.....

Missing from Day 4 of Bootcamp

An anti-climax for Day 4 of Bootcamp as I failed to turn up, too much work load today that attending Bootcamp was an impossible option.

But will look forward to this afternoon lunch time, as together with my buddy Chok who will certify the weight result – we will go to the original weighing machine in KLCC to do my weekly weigh-in. As promised, the weight result will be posted on the blog certified by Chok!

A note of reminder, as i said when i started this Bootcamp adventure – I am trying this program solely from a physical exercise program to lose weight strategy. I have kept my food intake and diet absolutely unchanged.

I figure with tough bootcamp physical exercise and unchanged food intake – that has to have a positive difference to No physical exercise and similar food intake!

As mentioned, i am trying to find the “least sacrifice” program of going from 91 to 81 – and i am excited to see tomorrow’s weight result!

Sorry No Hooyah today........ Hooyah will be back on Wednesday for Day 5!

Sunday, January 10, 2010

OF 1Bombs and 1Bootcamp....Day 3

Friday, January 8th 2010 was the day that clearly shows that Malaysia, being led by the present ruling Government is politically trying to separate us. This was the day that our Christian churches were torched across Klang Valley. My friends, I think if we are to look around us – of our fellow Malaysian friends of all races, we as Malaysian are already and have mostly been practicing the 1Malaysia respect and friendships amongst each other. But unfortunately politics of our ruling government are trying so hard to tear us apart.

I must admit that on Friday I had to consider carefully whether to attend Day 3 as our Astaka field was near a church but I was happy that I decided to proceed.

As we gathered waiting for our Day 3 session to start – I looked around us and I saw hope. I was surrounded by men and women of all Malaysian races (all Malaysian races were represented!) and also expats of all nationalities. And as we talk and share with each other, mostly about all the muscle pains that all of us are experiencing, I definitely could not see what the fuss were all about! We were all in 1harmony and I can truly feel that we were sharing together with no regards to race, color, religion......this gives me HOPE - it feels good to be in a 1Bootcamp where race and religion has no role to play – we sweat and share pains together as Malaysians.

If we ever catch the disrespectful bombers or even the “cow head” protesters of last year – I suggest that we should just throw them all into this bootcamp...and maybe we can knock some “unity” sense into them.

Ok – enough about politics.....Day 3 was going to be a wet one. The field was wet and muddy from the heavy downpour all afternoon. And it continued to drizzle when we all got to the field to start our warming up (and with my recent research info on DOMS – I paid serious attention on the warm up session!)

After the usual warm up routines – we were then put into our teams.....our first taste of Bootcamp discipline was ordered upon us. A team member arrived late – the result was all of us team members being made to do 15 crunches! Bad start for me as i was hoping to save all my energy for the challenges ahead, and now got the punishment to deal with! I hope no one goes AWOL or late next week – I don’t think i can deal with crunches very well!

Day 3 was again focused on time based exercises. Again there were 3 stations – each led by a Corporal. And upon the first whistle, we were instructed to get to each respective stations. My team got the cardio station first.
Station 1: In the Cardio session – we were asked to do cardio exercises which included mountain climb exercises, jumping jacks etc- on 20 seconds full paced routine followed by 10 seconds of rest then continue 20 seconds followed by 10 seconds and so on. It sounded “fair” when it was explained – 20 seconds was not too long and we have 10 seconds of rest!

Again – like all other optimistic assumptions that i have made this week in Bootcamp – how wrong was i! The intensity of an “all out” 20 seconds workout, with the corporal breathing down you, followed by just 10 seconds of rest proved to be a very very challenging station! This is because the fast paced of the 20 seconds of cardio exercises was not fairly compensated by the 10 seconds of rest. I could barely catch my breath during the 10 seconds and the next 20 seconds started again!
It was 8 minutes of hell! And again, because a few of us – including me, stopped at one point or another, the corporal added another 1 minute of agony.....so I was thankful when our 9 minutes was finally up.

We were then given 2 minutes to run and drink some water and proceed to Station 2. A few of us didn’t arrive at Station 2 within the 2 minutes and the entire team had to do 10 crunches! These additional punishments really add to the tired misery! I sure hope we can start getting more discipline as a team as i can’t afford to do crunches every time! I hate that, it is painful!

Station 2: Here we had to do an “army style” duck down body flat to avoid “Bullets” after 2 large steps forward. Body must be flat on the ground. We had to keep doing this till the end of the 20meters, then do a “bear crawl” back to the starting point. 3 minutes of this.

Then, the routine changed to 2 steps followed by ducking to ground but with 2 push-ups then jogging back FAST at the end of the line....after 3 minutes, we change to ducking on our backs for 2 sit-ups and jogging fast back for the final 3 minutes.
In this station, I was happy with the “ducking” routine of flat on ground, 2 push-ups and 2 sit-ups. But because of the muddy field – this was the exercise station where ALL of us got MUDDY all over! This was truly the real welcome to BOOTCAMP! The killer part of this station was the “bear crawl”, we had to bear crawl on a push up position and wow – it really hurts, it was bad and this really got me! I started feeling giddy after 2 rounds and had to stop a few times. I had my head down resting but was then instructed by the corporal to “put my head back up” as head down could result in me vomiting!

Station 2 ultimately knocked me out.....by the time I went to the final Station 3 – I was out of breath, out of energy and body was aching all over......Station 3 will be horrible. And I was right.

Station 3: Here, we had 6 cones placed around us and as explained by the Corporal, each cone represents an exercise and we were split equally between the 6 cones. The exercises in each cones were: Army crunch, Crunch with jump, Push ups, King Kong push ups (normal push ups plus having to do a one hand on ground and one hand reach to heart routine rotating both hands), sit ups and finally a legs flip on back exercise.

Again it was time based 40 seconds, followed by a dash to the next cone to do the next exercise and so on – we had to keep going until 9 minutes was up......I started at the crunch with jump.....and the next 9 minutes were blur to me......by now, the mind was willing but my body was breaking down....so started doing all the exercises slowly.....till time was called.

By the time we finished warm down and a final HOOYAH! Shout by all, it was already dark....for the first time, everyone was dirty muddy and wet – our first true bootcamp experience. And it was a timely way to end the week – one week of Bootcamp experience.

This has been a week full of PAIN, full of discipline to keep pushing myself harder to not give up, to complete each task as well as i could. Can’t wait for Week 2 and my only wish is that i stop feeling as much pains on my muscles – DOMS please stay away!

Friday, January 8, 2010

This DOMS is killing me

This really is a torture - painful everywhere and movement is limited. If i were to drop a dollar on the ground, with the pain i am feeling now, there is a good chance i will leave it there!

Decided to do some research on DOMS and see if there is anything i can do - turns out, nothing much!

WedMD's advise was - "Sore Muscles? Don't Stop Exercising!" Imagine that!

Some of the points i gathered from my research:

"The aches and pains are simply indications that muscles are adapting to your fitness regimen." says Carol Torgan, an exercise physiologist and fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine. It's also a process of muscle conditioning. "If someone does an activity, they will be inoculated for a few weeks to a few months -- the next time they do the activity, there will be less muscle tissue damage, less soreness, and a faster strength recovery."

Here are some tips for dealing with soreness after exercise:

•Wait. Soreness will go away in 3 to 7 days with no special treatment.
•Try an Ice Bath or Contrast Water Bath. Although no clear evidence proves they are effective, many pro athletes use them and claim they work to reduce soreness.
•Perform some easy low-impact aerobic exercise to increase blood flow. This may help diminish muscle soreness.
•Although research doesn't find gentle stretching reduces soreness, some people find it simply feels good.
•Gently massage the affected muscles. Some research has found that massage was effective in alleviating DOMS by approximately 30% and reducing swelling, but it had no effects on muscle function.
•Try using a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication (aspirin or ibuprofen) to reduce the soreness temporarily, though they won't actually speed healing.
•Don't forget to warm up completely before your next exercise session. There is some research that supports that a warm-up performed immediately prior to unaccustomed eccentric exercise produces small reductions in delayed-onset muscle soreness (but cool-down performed after exercise does not).

So there you go - there really is NO CLEAR SIMPLE MAGIC PILL TREATMENT.....looks like DOMS will be here to stay all this month!

Its Friday now - pretty soon it will be Day 3 of Bootcamp!

Thursday, January 7, 2010

Delta - Seals - Rangers ....and DOMS ( Delayed onset muscle soreness) again.....

Survived Day 2 of Bootcamp. Equally tough and as i type this blog entry, i can feel DOMS all over, not looking forward to waking up tomorrow – lots of Deep Heat lotion tonight!

Day 2 started promptly at 6.45pm – it was great to see that almost everyone from Day1 turned up! We started with the Sgt shouting out our names followed by either “Delta”, “Seals” or “Rangers”.

“Siang Lin, Teoh – RANGERS”....and as i look around me, looks like my prayers were answered – I am in the BOTTOM TEAM....its better to take it step by step from ground zero. YES!

We were then asked to group based on the team names – it was then clear that:
- “Delta” was the top group
- “Seals” 2nd group
- “Rangers” last group

There were about 5 people in Team Delta, 10 people in Team Seals and the rest of us in Team Rangers! We were told that our activities will be based on the level of the 3 groups....Yes!

After the same warm up session, (this time – i made sure i pace myself well. Don’t want to make the same mistake again!) we were split into 3 groups (mixing us up as there was obviously not enough Delta and Seals members to balance whatever activities planned for) – each led by a Corporal and we were directed to 3 different corners of the field.

My team started with the “Abs” session – here we were asked to do a series of repetitive exercises that focuses on the abs which includes crunches, sit ups etc....Rangers category members were asked to do 12 repetitions for each sets before switching while the Delta and Seals members had to do 16 repetitions for each set..... From the word “Go” we started and we had to keep doing and repeating - NO STOPPING as the Corporal will come up to you and push you forward! We didn’t know it was going to be for how long, just keep going....only after about 4 minutes we were told its 8 minutes....at 4 minutes, i was almost done! The pains started...it was getting worst each second....somehow, with the urging of the corporal that will stand on top of u if you stop - 8 minutes eventually was up!

We were given 3 minutes rest – then move to the next station, “Push up” exercises...which included Push ups, King Kong Push ups, Triangle Push ups and 2 sides push ups – trust me, whatever names given to these sets, all were TOUGH stuff! And we started our 8 minutes and again, by the first set, i was not well  and with this Corporal, life was tougher as anyone members stop too long, he adds another minute to the session! In total, we had to add 3 extra minutes (not me!) and it was super bad....!

Our final station was for “Squat” exercises – by now, i totally forgot what names the Corporal there gave to each type....i was now moving on limited movement and moving very slowly.....so i was not very effective here, very slow movements and eventually 8 minutes were up!

And our final even for Day 2 was a competition between the 3 groups, we were all put in a circle and while the rest of the team half squat, one member will run the full circle around the team and the Corporal will then tap the next team member when the first runner comes back to position and revert to half squat. The team that finishes first did not have to do some penalty exercises that the 2nd last and last team had to do. And am happy to day that my team won this challenge so we got to watch the 2 team go thru their penalty exercise! YEAH!

So after warm down – we walked back to our cars, while the pains remains the same...I think i feel slightly fitter...and hopefully continues to get stronger on Day 3 on Friday.

HOOYAH!

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

DOMS - A Painful "limited movement" Tuesday

I barely survived Tuesday! As predicted, woke up with aches all over. Struggled thru the day.......

But interestingly, the Sgt must have read my mind as I received an email instruction from him for tomorrow and he included the advice:

"Some of you may be a little sore from the exercises that you did yesterday, be aware…. This is completely normal and a great start to the month! What you are experiencing is DOMS (Delayed onset muscle soreness), in short, it's your muscles repairing themselves from microscopic tearing of the muscle fibers. It's not a bad thing, and should only last 2-3 days at the most. The best way to lessen the ache is to get moving (It's always worse first thing in the morning because you have been lying still all night), Go for a jog, go to a cycle class or go for a brisk walk. Do not miss Wednesday’s session because you are sore. The session will help that feeling to go away a lot faster."

Looks like there is a Scientific term to my suffering today - DOMS! Hope i don't keep getting DOMS!....

And as ordered by Sgt S - DO NOT MISS Wednesday's SESSION! I guess I will be there tomorrow......BRING IT ON!

The Original Bootcamp - Photos from Michelle




D.N.F. Bootcamp Day 1

“D.N.F” sadly stands for “Did Not Finish”. Yes everyone – it was bad, really bad.........

It is midnight now of Day 1, and I am thankful that I survived Day 1 – but boy, it was really tough. Well, maybe it was not suppose to be that tough and I WAS JUST THAT UNFIT!

As i attempt to finish this blog to share with everyone my experience, words cannot explain the muscle pain and the occasional “lack of breath” that i am still experiencing now – 4 hours after we finished Day 1 at 8pm just now!

Monday started positively – good start in the office, meetings going well. And at the back of my mind, excited about the Bootcamp at 6.45pm. And yes, was constantly drinking water as instructed thru out the day.

Made sure i organized my time and be at Astaka Field on time. Did well when i got there at 6.15pm! good start!

People started walking to the meeting place – differentiated by newbies like me in our assorted t-shirts and the veterans in their “Original Bootcamp” t-shirts. But all friendly people – all of us in all sizes and shapes.....

6.30pm paid our registration fees and also got our own new “Original Bootcamp” t-shirts and by 6.45pm, everyone was in their Bootcamp t-shirts! I got myself an XL t-shirt but immediately regretted as it felt a bit tight, should have gone for XXL as this must be Asian XL that don’t feel like the usual XL that i fit well in . But Michelle and Alex who came to support and take some photos for me suggested i stick to the XL t-shirt and hopefully, by the end of the month, this XL t-shirt will feel loose from the weight i should have lost then!

When we were called to the field by Sgt S and his 3 assistants – 1 Corporal and 2 Lance Corporals, we were given the first basic instructions which included:
1. We have to address them all by their RANKs at all times
2. There will be the need to keep proper attendance and timing on every training day as our “future team” will be penalized with extra workouts if one of our members break any of the rules – this will be “Peer pressure” big time!
3. We have to workout only in our “Original Bootcamp” t-shirt

After the briefing, the approximately 60 of us (about 40 newbies and 20 veterans of Bootcamp) was ordered to start slow jogging in 2 lines......so we proceeded to about 20 minutes of warm-ups of jogging, stretching, lunging..... MISTAKE 1 here – i should have taken it super easy during this 20 minutes as i was about to suffer.....suffer real bad.

After the warm-up, we started the Assessment Tests. This is conducted on every 1st session of each month. This will be used to divide us into teams – and as our timing of each assessment is to be put on the website for our records, Sgt S encouraged the veterans to use this assessment test to compare if they have improved from their previous Assessment Tests.

2 Assessment Test was conducted – both Time based test....and it was really really really challenging.

Assessment Test 1:
A 3 repetition sets of a series of exercise comprising of – 2 rounds of the 200meters track, 10 push-ups, 10 crunches and 15 sit-ups! All these must be done within 15 minutes.

This was the toughest test for me! Maybe because i started by “overestimating” my fitness level – I should have paced myself.....Set 1 went strongly for me. But by the end of the 15 sit-ups of Set 1, i knew that i am in trouble – I was already out of energy!!!!! And i have 2 sets of the series of exercises to do!

Trust me – it was not easy for an unfit guy like me. As I struggle to complete Set 2 – my mind has started to wonder if indeed I had made a big mistake. Is Bootcamp really for me? Will I come back on Wednesday? Do i really need this? Is staying at 91kg really that bad?

I struggled to complete Set 2 – was already walking most of the 2 rounds of running and by the time i came to the push-ups, i was really taking my time....I was not going to make it thru this assessment.....

And true enough, as i completed the 2 rounds of running of the finally 3rd set – Sgt S shouted “Times Up”. Anyone that didn’t complete the full 3 sets were given “DNF – Did not finish”. So i am now in the DNF group.....but at that moment, i really didn’t care, I was more concern with the cramps that i was starting to feel and also I wasn’t breathing so well too – i try breathing hard but somehow i don’t seem to get enough Oxygen....maybe its time i slow down on the ciggie and cigars......

We were given 10 minutes to rest – and we were told to NOT SIT DOWN, just keep slow walking around or we will be of worst shape for Assessment Test 2!

Assessment Test 2:
Running 8 rounds on the 200meter track = 1.6km within 15 minutes.
This was challenging for me mostly because I was still recovering from the first test! So it was a struggle....as I slowly push pass round 5, I really felt that this was not for me.....too tough........

But as i run pass round 7, Sgt S shouted “13 minutes”. I was 1 round away from completion of the test and there is still 2 minutes to go! So with all the remaining desire and will in my body – I pushed forward and HOOYAH! I completed the 8th round and test at 14 minutes 1 second – 14.01!

So no “DNF” for me this time.....!

As we wrap up the session with some warm down exercises – I thought to myself, maybe i need to stick to this and see if i can push pass the pain barrier. Afterall “No Pain No Gain” .

So as i call it a night (I can feel the muscles and body aching), I think i will give this a chance. I will be there on Wednesday for Day 2, Bootcamp......

Of course, that is provided i survive tomorrow when i wake up.......HOOYAH???

Sunday, January 3, 2010

All set for tomorrow - What is the Original Bootcamp?

Been sticking to mostly water the whole day, will continue to do so all of tomorrow till 5.30pm when i start my drive to Padang Astaka, PJ where for the next 4 weeks (hopefully), will be the field that I do battle and attempt to succeed - 3 times a week (Monday, Wednesday and Friday) from 6.45pm till 7.45pm. Better not be late on Day 1!

For friends who don’t know what the Original Bootcamp is, I just got a facebook invitation from the organizers to join the Malaysian Bootcamp Facebook group.

This is what the Group says it is:

A military inspired, outdoor group personal training program that utilises discipline based motivational techniques, Corps Training has been scientifically designed to achieve serious results, seriously fast, no matter what their current fitness level. (www.bootcamp.com.my)

ORIGINAL BOOTCAMP achieves significant improvements in the following areas in just two weeks:
- Fat Loss
- Muscle Tone
- Muscular Endurance
- Agility
- Cardio-vascular Endurance
- Muscular Strength
- Speed


Tomorrow is the first day of work for 2010 – so apart from kicking start a Great New Business Year, I look forward to the start of Bootcamp........ It is exciting charting new unknown adventures......and this one, at least I know it will be something good for me!

Good night and looking forward to the challenge ahead tomorrow.

And look out for my update on Day 1 - Bootcamp! If i am still in one piece after the session, will update at night, if not..........Good luck to me!

Saturday, January 2, 2010

"Original Bootcamp" - the REAL deal for me?

I love food - all kinds of food. Hence, losing weight will never be an easy task. I figured if losing weight comes from either:
a. dieting (sacrificing all the lovely food that i hope not to give up) or
b. physical exercise

Let’s first try (b) physical exercise, and this time, try to stick to it with discipline and commitment and see if it would be enough to bring me to 81! If it works, then i can continue to enjoy all my sinful favourite dishes and maybe evolve this into a “food blog”........

With this in mind – let’s hope the “Original Bootcamp” will bring the desired results.

Plan A: the “Original Bootcamp” – HOOYAH! ("Hooyah" was how the organizer's email was signed off - maybe it will be our bootcamp inspirational chant)

Upon my registration – i promptly received a Welcome Email from the organizers - Giving me instructions on my Monday 4th January time and venue. The email also spelt out what to bring, what to wear....what to do before – i am most “worried” about the warning section of:

“Preparing For Day One
To prepare for your first session, we suggest that you drink plenty of water the day before to hydrate yourself properly. It is too late to start drinking it on the day of bootcamp.”


So Sunday will be all about drinking water and holding off the red wines and my macallan whisky!

The “Original Bootcamp” starts as a 4 week program: “that ORIGINAL BOOTCAMP is not about yelling and hundreds of push ups. It has been scientifically designed to motivate individuals to challenge themselves physically, mentally and emotionally, with the sole objective of achieving their health & fitness goals.”

I like the sound of it. I feel inspired already! I won’t make any bold “targets” for myself for now – let’s survive Day 1 first on Monday......survive my new task master – I have been assigned a “Sergeant” in the email! For now, in the interest of confidentiality let’s call him “Sgt S”

And finally, i take comfort from the Task for Day 1 - which is suppose to focus on “Pre-training Assessment”

“Pre-training Assessment
The assessment has two major goals, to advise your Instructors as to your current fitness levels so that they can place you in a team that will challenge you, without asking you to do more than you are physically able, and to give you a reference point so that you can see just how much you have improved over the 4 weeks.”


Maybe I can start from the bottom group with the least strenuous sessions........maybe its not as hard as it sounds – BOOTCAMP!

In the mean time, got to make sure I have ample stock of bottled water for tomorrow hydration – and maybe got to buy some isotonic drinks for Monday – probably Gatorade – if its good enough for Tiger, it should be good enough for me!

Friday, January 1, 2010

Welcome 2010 - after 35 years.....now the hard work starts

All the ground work done. All plans laid out.....

December 30th: With the help of my colleague, Registered for the "Original Bootcamp" with my first session starting on January 4th. More about this tomorrow.....

December 31st: Walked around KLCC after lunch with my 2 colleagues and found a weighing machine - one that needs 3x RM0.20 cents to operate and comes with some fortune telling advice and lucky number (which shall be kept confidential)! The Weight printed - 91kg

Target set: LOSE 10kg - to 81kg..... a challenge indeed - for as long as i can remember, i have never weigh close to 81kg! Always higher!

January 1st 2010 - over New Year's lunch with family, the idea raised by my facebook bejeweled "i can't believe she can score more than 400k points in 1 minute" sister (after lots of laughing when i explained my new year's weight loss resolution via Bootcamp) that I should blog about my "Quest to go from 91kg to 81kg". It must be the spirit of "New Year's Resolutions" with all the good intentions and resolutions....so the suggestion was accepted and with the help of my tech savvy brother - the "91 to 81 Blog" was born and here i am now rushing my first post to be published on January 1st!

I look forward to sharing my "hopefully" successful quest to be a "lighter me" here. And hope that keeping this blog will also help me keep the discipline to make it happen this time! Friends have laughed at all my premature schemes / investments over the years - going to the gym, try yoga, hire a personal instructor (2 actually), personal 1 to 1 pilates.....some how...it never lasted and i am still 91kg!

2010 - I challenge myself to make it happen now - not getting any younger and hopefully i can finally make my Doctor proud as he constantly tells me to "exercise and get your weight down!"....starting with the "Original Bootcamp" - Jan 4th 2010....my quest begins

ok - here goes my first ever blog post! HAPPY NEW YEAR 2010!