MySpera - Trusted Professionals

Want To Lose Weight? – MySpera “The Camp Transformation Center”

Like many, I ignored my health for years. Eating whatever, not staying “active” except for a weekly round on the golf course (riding in a cart), and gravitating to loose fitting clothes by going up in size or sporting a comfy pair of sweatpants at home to mask the growing girth, at least in my mind. I would look in the mirror and know that I needed to lose (some) weight, but felt it was manageable. I was wrong.

What is your “WHY?”

Needing new shirts for work my wife purchased 2 new shirts for Christmas. They were really nice shirts, and I was happy to have something new to wear. However, knowing her previous attempts to purchase shirts for me on past Christmas holidays where they were too small (they were XL in 2013, and XXL in 2014), I looked at the size tag which said 2XB. This size was unfamiliar to me. Then I looked at the label which gave the brand along with Big and Tall. Being 5’10” it was clear which side of “and” I was wearing. The shirt fit great, and I even wore it out the next night. But, in my mind a battle was waging…to accept my justly earned specialty boutique clothing options, or make a commitment to change.

Later that same evening I was scrolling through Facebook and came across a sponsored ad that read, “Looking for new challengers for our Laguna Hills location.  Lose 20 lbs in 20 Weeks for FREE” with a before and after picture of a person who had visibly lost a fair amount of weight. Consumers are inundated with weight loss ads everywhere, but what intrigued me about this one is the person shown was likely in their mid-30’s to early 40’s and was not being featured as an obese person who amazingly transformed to a chiseled model. This was a regular person who was overweight and didn’t particularly look athletic, but the after picture had a more athletic build and boasted an authentic, glowing smile. I went forward to the website and saw picture after picture of the same thing. People were losing 20, 50, or 100 lbs or more. Understandably it was impossible to believe people were losing 50-100 lbs in 20 weeks, but it was clear that The Camp Transformation Center was changing lives because every “after” picture had the same glowing smile.  Whether it was a coincidence, a cosmic wrecking ball dropping directly into my newsfeed, or my smartphone/TV picking up my voice saying the words “2XB” or “Big and Tall” then delivering custom content, it was an unmistakable opportunity that I had to explore further, and I signed up on December 26, 2015.

Commitment to Oneself

One week prior to the beginning of the challenge, every new participant must attend the group orientation which sets expectations and provides all tools needed for your challenge. The meeting is set at the work out facility which is adorned with murals of superheroes and before/after pictures of past challenges on the walls. The room was clean, open, and with exercise equipment along the perimeter the large mat.  In my orientation I would say that out of the 40+ people attending, most were just like me which would be classified as considerably overweight or obese by today’s standards. This contrasts the typical cross fit gym or workout facility where the patrons are generally in good shape which can be intimidating for some to be exposed for who they are by comparison. Getting fit when you are not the least bit fit is a humbling experience.  But, if you are surrounded by those who are just like you or who have gone through the same challenge, there is no feeling of being judged. Some of the trainers and staff members were “campers” and transformed their bodies and lives and know exactly what every individual attending will experience.  The Camp attendees, trainers, and staff quickly become a close-knit family with all of the support that you might expect from your own family. Everyone knows each person’s name, every pound lost is celebrated, every fear and step backward is shared and overcome with supportive dialogue, and everyone wants to see every camper succeed. It is truly a remarkable journey.

Time To Pay The Piper

Upon accepting the Challenge each camper agrees to attend 30 workouts over a 42 day period which is 5 workouts a week. Personally I would attend 5 and sometimes 6 a week. Each workout is 50 minutes long where the typical time is spread out with the first 10 minutes used as a warm up, and then 40 minutes of cross fit with usually 10-12 stations. The class size varies depending on the time of day. For me, I would attend the 6 a.m. or 7 a.m. workouts, and class sizes range from as little 3 people to 30 people. Regardless of the class size, it was never crowded because each station would have 3-4 people.

Every veteran camper will tell you the first week is the hardest, and it definitely is. For most, this is the first time exercise has been part of a daily routine in a long time and all that comes with it. Soreness can be mitigated by using the supplements the camp offers, and specifically Glutamine. I fully expected to be in excruciating pain in the beginning, but taking the Glutamine with my protein shakes I experienced only mild soreness from the onset and very little as the weeks progressed. Second, your diet is drastically changed from what you are used to consuming. The trainers say that diet is 80% of the weight loss challenge, meaning 80% of your weight loss is achieved by the diet they have proven works. The type of food one can eat is limited, but how one prepares the food is limitless. In fact, one of the veteran campers, MooMoo Jackson, has created her own Cookbook, and I recommend every camper find her on Facebook and incorporate her recipes into their mealplan. It will make the diet no longer seem like a diet. Still, even with the food variations the cookbook provides your body is detoxing from the workouts and clean eating. Some experience headaches (I did on da 3-5), others just want to lie in bed and sleep after their work out (I did on day 3). But, for most these negative feelings subside after the first week. By the end of the 2^nd week the food was “fuel” and not meant for enjoyment, and weeks 3-6 the weight was coming off easily and I was looking forward to working out.  

The trainers push everyone, but they will modify each exercise to each individual’s ability and physical fitness. The exercises use little to no weight in many classes and body weight is generally sufficient. Squats, lunges, push-ups, burpees, and general movement are typically incorporated depending on the day. Surprisingly, I have yet to attend a class where the exercises or stations were the same. They were always different and challenging working different body parts. One day we focus on upper body exercise, the next lower, the next full body, and each day offered something different to challenge our bodies.

The Real Cost

Nothing is free, and I was under no illusion that joining a gym or other workout facility wouldn’t come at a price. At the orientation before starting the challenge the cost was revealed. It was $497 to participate in the Challenge which lasted 6 weeks and compared to other cross fit facilities that cost $140+/mo can seem expensive. However, once the challenge was completed, if you lost at least 20 lbs and achieved your corresponding weight/BMI you could receive a refund for the full amount. The catch was the weight/BMI condition. For my 5’10” height I would need to lose 80 lbs to receive a refund, and obviously that could not be achieved safely in a 20 week period. But, if one loses at least 20 lbs in the 6-week challenge, you are allowed to roll the money over to a 2^nd challenge, a 3^rd challenge, and so on at no additional cost. So, if you ended up completing 3 challenges over a 4-5 month period, the average cost works out to about $100/mo, but is fully refundable if you meet the recommended BMI.

The Result

It is nothing short of amazing for me and most every camper I have met. That reminds me,  I need to change my profile pictures on everything. Personally and officially on the challenge I lost 24.8 lbs in the first 6 weeks and just finished the 2^nd challenge losing another 21.2 lbs for a total of 46 lbs in 2 challenges. Unofficially, I have lost 51 lbs because when I weighed in at the orientation there was a week before the challenge started, and I lived it up.  But, I would say my weight-loss is average compared to most. There are some campers that have lost over 40 lbs in the first challenge and 60 lbs in 2 challenges.  There are campers finishing their 3^rd challenge who have lost 100 lbs. I have thrown out all of the fat clothes and back down into clothes not worn in 4 years. Clearly it’s almost time for me to update my wardrobe, but I am starting the 3^rd challenge on April 18 and will lose another 20+lbs. I am 45 years old, and my energy level is through the roof, I have a good relationship with food, and exercise outside of the camp most every day either by taking long walks or going to my other gym to lift weights. If you have been thinking about changing your life in the same way, I trust The Camp Transformation Center which has 35 locations throughout southern CA. Check out their website and YELP reviews.

http://www.thecamptc.com/

http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-camp-transformation-center-laguna-hills