Her Story

My husband had begged me for years to join the forces of people that worked out. It was something I just never tried. I didn't need to work out, I felt fine, I ate whatever I wanted and I still fit in a size 10 that wasn't so bad. The average American is a size 10 right!? Well, one day I woke up and that size 10 started getting tighter and tighter. So when he sent me the e-mail advertising Michiana Bootcamp for Women I thought to myself "Well what is four weeks, I'll workout for four weeks, get back into those clothes, and be done with it!" Boy was I wrong!

On July 23rd, 2007I started my first "bootcamp" with Jim at Bicentennial Park in Elkhart at 5:30 in the morning. I was scheduled to attend the camp 3 days a week. I remember calling Jim on Sunday night before the camp started and telling him that I had company and I wasn't sure if I would be able to make it to the first day of camp. Jim said I'll see you at 5:30 tomorrow morning- so I went. We had "testing" that day and for the first time in my entire life I ran a mile, it took me almost 13 minutes to get around the track 4 times. I couldn't even run the entire way, I had to stop and walk. I kept thinking to myself that if I didn't die that day I could just skip this whole thing and at least say that I tried it.

Well I didn't die that day and some driving force kept getting me to go back and see what Jim had in store for us. I was there every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for the first two weeks. I remember waking up on Saturday morning after the first two weeks of camp and telling my husband, "I miss camp today; I wish we had it on Saturday!" Well, after picking him up off the floor from fainting I decided that I needed to start attending camp every day. What was happening to me? I don't like to run, I don't like to exercise, and now I have this inner voice saying "you should try it every day." And so week three started and I attended camp every day for the last two weeks.

I clearly remember the day that I knew my life was changing. I was at Macy's on the Friday of week three and I thought to myself, I need some new clothes. I have been working hard and there was a great sale going on so I gathered some size 10's and headed to the fitting room. They were too big, I had to go back out and get 8's. Right then and there in Macy's dressing room something came over me and I called my husband screaming with joy because it was working. I loved it! I am currently wearing a size 4 and just last week bought a pair of dress pants in a size 2.

Well, needless to say I have spent the last 6 months working out with Jim. I have attended two outdoor bootcamps and spent every week day since October 1st in the gym at 5:30 in the morning. My life has changed so drastically in the past 6 months I don't even know where to begin telling you.

It really has nothing to do with the size of my pants anymore. That is so insignificant now. I have more self confidence than I've ever had. I am eating healthier, which makes me a happier person. Since I have found a way to spend some time for myself I have also become a better mother to my children. Jim not only changed me on the outside but he awoke a whole new person on the inside. I am getting to know a new me and it is a great feeling.

I went from being a stay at home mom with no self confidence to a Certified Fitness Professional. The reason I chose this new career path was to help others create the same success that I have grown to love. Jim was not only my personal trainer throughout all of this; he also became a great friend. I felt like he took me under his wing and guided me through each obstacle that I faced along the way. I wouldn't be where or who I am today without him.

Carole Stevens