Note
from Suz: Today I'm going to feature Chris Berman's Navy SEAL Women's
Fitness Camp! Note
from Suz: Today I'm going to feature Chris Berman's Navy SEAL Women's
Fitness Camp!
www.navysealswomensfitness.com
There's something very cool going on -- right now, both while I'm writing this AND while you're reading it. A group of readers -- right this very moment -- are working hard to get physically fit, some for the very first time ever in their lives!
A group of my readers
decided that they were going to take Chris's challenge, and attend his women's
weekend fitness camp out in California. But my readers are very smart --
they figured it would probably be a good idea to train and to get in shape before
heading for California. With Chris as their long-distance coach and
mentor, they've been hard at work for months. (Photo: Melissa
and friends, on a visit to San Diego, stand near one
of the "plaques" each BUD/S class makes.)
Here's Melissa Welch, one of the organizers of this group, with her answers to some interview questions I asked:
1.
A group of readers -- some of whom are lifelong couch potatoes -- going to a
women's fitness camp run by Navy SEALs??? Whose idea was this? Tell us more
about it! (Photo: Melissa and friends on the famous O-Course Cargo
Net. Hey, where's Muldoon? But they look like they're doing just
fine by themselves!)
Melissa: Personally, I had just started to get back into working out and was trying to find some focus. Someone posted a link to Chris' website on the TeamTen's group page. I went to check it out and thought "I can do this.". At the same time I emailed Chris for more information, I posted to TeamTen to see if anyone else was interested in attending.
To my surprise, enough women were interested, that I started my own group. After exchanging several emails with Chris, he decided to participate and give us training advice as we went.
We have hit some bumps in the road, but we have made some fantastic progress.
2. Where is this camp?
Camp takes place in Southern California. We board a ship, The Great Escape, in Long Beach and take it to Santa Catalina Island. We anchor off an uninhabited part of the island. We travel by zodiac (a boat) to the island for various activities.
3. What exactly will you be doing on your weekend with the SEALs?
There are various kinds of activities offered at camp that meet all different levels of abilities. Included are: mountain biking, trail running, hiking, kayaking, ocean swimming, snorkeling, rock climbing, SEAL PT and the Death Course. All events are optional.
But what makes this camp different from other adventure experiences, are the instructors. This is the only Navy SEAL conducted training program for women in the world.
(Photo:
Melissa and friend came to one of my signings and we all did a push-up to
support the efforts of the gang going to the fitness camp!)
4. How, exactly, are you preparing for this physical challenge?
This is definitely a lifestyle change for most of us. We are not only exercising for the first time in years, but most of us have completely changed our diets. Only with the right fuel for our bodies can we begin to face the physical goals we have set for ourselves.
As a group, we all have been working with several different videos offered by Scott Helvenston. Scott is a former Navy SEAL instructor and has a series of videos focusing on Navy SEAL Training. Please see Scott's website for more details:
http://www.sealtraining.comAlso, each member has focused on different cardio workouts. Each of us has found our favorite workout - swimming, running, walking, biking, etc. Several of the ladies are running for the very first time. Some members have met at different 5K or 10K races so they are able to compete together. I even have a few training for triathlons. Remember, all former couch potatoes!
The average group member is working out between 5 and 6 times per week, anywhere from 1 to 2 hrs a day. It is hard work, takes a lot of commitment, but the results are worth it.
5. What's it been like working with Chris Berman?
Chris is fabulous. He is an amazing source of motivation and he has limitless amounts of energy. He is truly committed to helping women succeed. Working with him and this group of ladies has been a once in a lifetime experience.
6. What, exactly, are you getting from this?
Other than sore muscles? LOL!! Actually, these women inspire me on a daily basis. Some have overcome major physical obstacles, others have had personal stresses, but they get up everyday, push their limits and succeed. They are proof that if you set your mind on something, make a commitment, and sweat a little, you can accomplish anything.
7. Tell us some of your individual success stories.
This group is about individual success, but it is also about teamwork. Keeping each other motivated, and striving for our goals. We have a list of what we call Chris-isms, things Chris has said when we needed a shove in the right direction.
One specific comment comes to mind, "but most importantly, I will be happy to see whoever stays in for the long term and shows up to camp. And if any of you don't get down to those low numbers, but you have improved and you are feeling better, then ignore the numbers and be happy...I will be. If you lose 1 pound or 100 pounds, the point is that you have chosen to change your lifestyle and you have taken the first steps...".
With this said, I try to focus on group accomplishments. So as a group we have lost:
240lbs, 147 inches, 95% BFC and reduced our resting heartbeat by 95 beats
But the biggest success is that 42 women, most who had never worked out or just stopped, have changed their lives. Many have inspired spouses, family and friends to move in the same direction.
8. Wow, that's fantastic! Is it too late for interested readers to get on board?
Our (session of the) camp is closed at this time. Chris doesn't plan on doing another private charter like this in the future. But there are several other dates with open spots (for readers interested in taking the challenge). Dates for 2004 are already up on Chris' website: http://www.navysealswomensfitness.com/
Thank you, Melissa! And hoo-yah to the group! Keep up the good work!
That's all for now! Be sure to come back for tomorrow's installment in the Countdown to FLASHPOINT!
See you tomorrow!