Day one, how was I ever going to do this? One week goes by and there I was stiff and sore, but still going. One month down and off we go to Hawaii and boy was I feeling good about myself. I was actually developing muscles and feeling stronger and fitter than I ever had been. That was almost a year ago and I have been attending boot camp on a monthly basis.

I have gone from barely doing one pushup to doing 20. I have shaved 40 seconds off my 1/4 mile and have now made running part of my fitness routine. I am training for a 10 mile road race in July of next year. I have lost countless inches and pant sizes and I have come to the realization that the number on the scale is only one measurement of my success.

I look forward to boot camp because it has become my new obsession. Nothing stands between me and bootcamp and it is my first priority when scheduling my day.  The trainers and staff are so supportive and helpful in making this workout work for me. If there is an exercise that you are having difficulty with or if you are not in the correct form, they are quick to give you that small adjustment that makes all the difference in the effectiveness of the exercise.

All boot campers are encouraged to work at their own pace, but I do feel accountable to my fellow 10:00 am campers if I miss a day. I truly feel that we have developed into a close group that looks out for each other and more importantly, cheers each other on in all our accomplishments. We even go for coffee on Fridays to celebrate our week of achievements!

So where am I now in my life? I’m happier, healthier, stronger, and most importantly, absolutely dedicated to making fitness a daily part of my life. AlaskaFit has brought me to this phase my life and for that, I thank them. But mostly I thank myself for following through with my promise to me.

Did I climb Flat Top on my birthday.? Of course I did. Was there any doubt? No way!

Bud Wilson

“I was your average gym rat…I enjoyed the folks at the gym and my trainer,
but we did mostly the same stuff year after year.
The boot camp (I started Feb 1, 2011) got me out of my gym rat rut
because the workouts are always different.” 

I am almost 69 and have been working out and active all my life.  During the 5 years prior to AlaskaFit I was your average gym rat, working out with weights 2 times a week with 1 or 2 days of cardio workouts on my own, very little running, mostly biking and hiking.

I enjoyed the folks at the gym and my trainer but we did mostly the same stuff year after year.  The boot camp (I started Feb 1, 2011) got me out of my gym rat rut because the workouts are always different and involve lots of very active running/cardio.

I thought I knew all the gym exercises but I bet I have learned 20 new ones this year.  I also like the friends I have met and marvel at their dedication.  The workouts are as hard and challenging as I make them.

I have lost 8 pounds and some waist line inches and have improved balance and flexability.   I am in much better shape than when I started.

I would recommend AlaskaFit to everyone.  We have lots of  different body types and levels of condition in our class and all of us are very supportive to new people.  Good professional and knowledgeable staff keep things fun and interesting and injuries to a bare minimum.  Those new to working out need to take it easy for the first month and gradually build up their conditioning.

Sherri Normand

“AlaskaFit’s bootcamps were something totally different than what I was used to.
Besides losing weight and inches, I am the most fit I have been in years!” 

I have been exercising since I was 15 years old.  My mom was the one who introduced me to it and it has been one of the joys in my life.  I had always been in organized classes at the gym/health club until I moved to Alaska in 1998.  Since that time I have pretty much been a “home” exerciser, working out to DVD’s in my living room.  The one thing that I really missed was attending a class and being with other people who loved to work out as much as I did.

I found AlaskaFit in August of 2010 when I was sent an email from a friend about AlaskaFit’s first Best Body Challenge.  When I received this email, it really got me thinking about stepping outside my comfort zone of working alone and at home.  Also at this time, I had also been dealing with a lot of health issues that had kept me from being regular in my exercise regime.   I threw caution to the wind and signed up for it.

I found out that AlaskaFit’s bootcamps were something totally different than what I was used to.

First, the instruction from our trainer was superb.  Chris is always coming around and making sure we are doing all our exercises correctly – giving tiny adjustments here and there.   I had never had such personal attention in any other class I had been in.  I was able to start out at the level I was functioning at while Chris encouraged me to do the best I could with what limitations I was dealing with, plus a little more.

Second,  I have made some wonderful friends over my time with AlaskaFit.  Everyone is so encouraging and friendly.  We support each other in our fitness and life goals.  This also helps keep us accountable to showing up for class.  We have even gotten into the habit of meeting for coffee on Friday after the morning class.

Besides the excellent bootcamp classes that are offered, the staff is phenomenal.  Ginny Grupp is hands on.  She knows every member by name, is interested in knowing who they are and what their goals are.  That is also something different from what I have experienced in the past.  Her staff (Michele, Kim, Jade, Chris and Heather) are always so friendly and super helpful.  They make you feel like you are the most important thing. You feel like you are part of their family.

The results that I have seen with coming to bootcamp on a consistent basis have been awesome.  Besides losing weight and inches, I am the most fit I have been in years.  I can run longer and faster, do more sit ups and more pushups.  We are always doing something different in class which confuses our muscles, so I am always sore.  It’s never a dull moment.  :o)

AlaskaFit offers the whole package when it comes to getting healthy.  Besides the workouts, the personal support and encouragement, they offer top-of-the-line nutritional counseling too.  I found out I had to eat more to lose weight!  That is so opposite of what I had learned in the past.

As for me and my journey so far, I couldn’t do without AlaskaFit and what they have done for me.  The support, the encouragement, the workouts and nutritional counseling have been invaluable to me in the past year of dealing with many personal and family challenges.  I would highly recommend AlaskaFit to anyone who is looking to change their life for the better!

I look forward to the coming year with AlaskaFit.  I can’t wait to see where I am at in December 2012!!!

Faye Sullivan

“I am a ‘converted couch potato!”
Even my doctors are surprised at the progress I have made
and am continuing to make.  All my ‘numbers’ are in the normal range and
I have lost about 50 pounds.
Best of all, I feel great!

I first met Ginny in 2009 when she was conducting “stretch breaks” for employees in my office.  She also was teaching a yoga class in the building fitness center.  At that time I had some health problems which prevented me from beginning an exercise program, but I knew I had to start taking care of myself — and soon. I was overweight, out of shape and developing some health problems because of it.  I  joined Alaska Fit in June 2010 starting with a “special” 21 Day Bootcamp.  After the first 3 weeks I had lost 5 inches!   Amazing!  I was hooked.

Since then I have seen steady progress in inches, flexibility, balance, strength, and weight loss!  My run times, pushups, crunches, etc. have all improved dramatically.

Even more amazing is the progress I have made medically.  Not only was I overweight but my blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugars were elevated as well.  Even my doctors are surprised at the progress I have made and am continuing to make.  All my “numbers” are in the normal range and I have lost about 50 pounds.  Best of all, I feel great!

And, I actually enjoy the workouts!  They are challenging but everybody can work at their own level.  I always feel good afterwards — sweaty and tired, but good.  I know that for my own health I need to continue my new lifestyle.  I have added a yoga class twice a week to my routine and am even thinking about a few other activities I would like to add.  It might seem odd to some, but I am now a “converted couch potato.”  Looking for more ways to exercise?  Seriously!

AlaskFit is a great way to get in a “full-body workout” over the course of a week.  All those little muscles that are ignored when we only focus on one or two favorite activities, will find new life.  You will be surprised how much better you feel when you move toward a healthy lifestyle.  Even baby steps make a big difference.

My life before joining AlaskaFit was…Eat, sleep, go to work, eat, sleep, go to work…

I never had much time or energy left over.  Now I not only feel better, I have more energy.  Even though I am busier than ever I am not nearly as tired at the end of the week!

Ginny has been an inspiration and is always the cheerleader for any and all successes!  She has a wealth of knowledge and can always come up with great ideas to overcome any struggle.  The trainers work hard to keep the workouts interesting with lots of variety.  Because there are all levels of fitness in the classes, the workouts need to be challenging for everybody.  They do a great job in motivating each of the class participants.