On the plus side, the one-week break between camps is like looking forward to a holiday, which is actually also good for your health. But there are other pros of course... I tell myself as I contemplate signing up for another.
There I was doing jumping jacks (my worst) in the parking lot at Kirstenbosch at 6:05am on Monday, 16 September - the day I started the camp and just about every other day for the next four weeks. I had to laugh. I guess I shouldn't have been surprised when I was awarded the Miss Congeniality title on the last day (check out ABC's Hall of Fame). Like Shakira's hips, these dimples don't lie: it was crazy fun!
Day one of week three, Monday, 30 September was 'Women's Health Day'. Women's Health (as well as Skin and Body Renewal and Garmin) sponsors ABC. A glorious day meant we worked out in the garden as opposed to the foyer at Gate 1 when it was raining. We did workouts from the magazine and online, i.e. twist from side to side with weights; jump squats; push-ups from the wall; side skates, skips; bicycle crunches with three pulses to each leg, the number increasing week-on-week (from one throughout the first week, to four during the fourth).
Warm-up always entails jogging and jumping jacks, sometimes arm movements and toe taps onto beacons, and other inappropriate activities for before sunrise, but don't get me wrong, everyone chooses to be there, and perhaps what keeps campers coming back besides Kirstenbosch being the best place in the world to do gym and someone's "morning meditation" I overheard, it's the combination of all this and the intense workout at the same time that does wonders for your body, mind and soul.
Jason Barnard, our trainer, does push you to your limits, but everyone works at their own pace, and it helps to have a hardcore trainer who has a sense of humour. Jason always has an alternative for women with injuries or who experience discomfort when doing certain exercises, such as tricep dips in my case, which is pretty personal trainer-ish if you ask me.
On Mondays and Thursdays you do full body, on Tuesdays and Fridays you focus on upper body and core, and you do cardio and legs every Wednesday - Jason's favourite, especially the last one. How he looked forward to this day and how we dreaded every minute of it.
We hiked on the Tuesday during week three, did a loop from Gate 2 towards the beginning of the Skeleton Gorge trail and coming out at the other side of the garden. My mum joined us because you're allowed to 'Bring a Buddy' during weeks two and three. She was in her element as I staggered behind. I like to think of this as one of my "off days".
The first and last Fridays of camp are assessment days, intended for you to compare results and gauge your improvement over the four weeks.
| My assessment - scores and progress: | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Exercise | Week 1 | Week 4 | Improvement |
| Push-ups | 34 | 40 | 6 |
| Sit-ups | 28 | 33 | 5 |
| Skips | 65 | 82 | 17 |
| My measurements - before and after: | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-camp (cm) | Post-camp (cm) | Improvement | |
| Tummy | 86 | 81 | 5 |
| Waist | 76 | 72.5 | 3.5 |
| Hips | 87 | 83 | 4 |
| Thigh | 45 | 40 | 5 |
| Calf | 30.7 | 32.5 | -1.8 |
| Arm (not flexing) | 26.5 | 24.5 | 2 |
I didn't measure my weight because firstly, I don't own a scale and secondly, losing weight wasn't my goal. In fact, you're likely to gain muscle weight when exercising. What's more, in addition to exercise, a healthy, balanced diet is essential to losing weight. That's why ABC has a resident dietician to whom you can direct any nutritional queries.
On the last day, we had a mini award ceremony where Jason handed out certificates to each of us. Mine had a 'Perfect Attendance' sticker on it. I didn't miss a day because I had made a commitment to myself, but recognition is always rewarding.
From the other side, I can't imagine starting my day any other way, and going to the gym just doesn't weigh up. But then I'm an outdoor kinda gal.
My goal quickly changed from getting fit and bikini ready to maintaining my fitness all summer long and to living a healthy lifestyle in general. I haven't necessary lost weight, but I'm definitely more toned. Ultimately, it's about feeling better about myself and that I definitely do!
The following camp's already underway, but registration's open for the next one starting 18 November. Register now. Just do it! Nike style, darling.
