Boot camp members, Andrea Messam (left) and Bridgette Ffrench (right) working up a sweat last Wednesday, October 28 at the Shakti Mind Body Fitness Centre boot camp class. While Keisha Shakespeare-Blackmore is having a warm time in the background with lateral pull down. - Contributed photos

Just when I thought I was getting the hang of it all, here comes the numerous sit-ups, using a ball and push-ups in plank position. But, it's boot camp, so I should have expected this!

It's been a month of boot camp and so far nothing but hard work. I have never heard of doing abdominals in a plank position before, (you lie face down on your elbows with legs outstretched, resting on your toes while pushing up and down). The first time I was told to do this exercise, I wondered what it was. But, I assumed the position and after the first 15 reps and with the same number to go, it was as if I had suddenly been transported into the movie sequel Saw. I felt as though the killer in the movie was ripping my stomach out with one of his tools. Nonetheless, I fought on and I completed them.

After previously taking comfort in the thought that counting calories was easy, I had to eat my words. I have come to realise that maintaining a healthy diet is quite challenging. It is hard work, especially in this economic crisis. Buying healthy food is super expensive!

During the first couple of weeks of boot camp, I stuck to my diet. Every day I made sure I cooked my lunch to take to work, along with snacks. I only bought water. But, in the past two weeks, I have strayed from my diet: I ate a tiny slice of cake at Flair's 25th anniversary party.

'Drill sergeant' is back

I also had Chinese food one evening and exceeded my calorie intake that day. I accept full responsibility for the Chinese food and for missing two days of exercise. But the guilt remained and now that my 'drill sergeant', Michael Fisher - gym instructor - who was overseas, is back, I can burn up to 650 calories in a one-hour spinning class with him.

Aside from my slip-ups, boot camp has been going well. I believe this could be something I could love. Wow! I guess all the fitness gurus at Shakti Mind Body Fitness have indoctrinated me. Although I love to work out now, abdominals and push-ups are just not my thing. And I have a feeling my instructor, Tiana Douglas knows this, because every so often, she increases the number of abs we do. She also lets us do an advanced version by using a ball. I am still sore from this, but as they say, 'no pain no gain'.

keisha.shakespeare@gleanerjm.com

Boot-camp instructor, Tiana Douglas, assists Keisha with her underarm pull-down exercise.