“Before I started with Tanja, I was 205 pounds and not very active. I went down to 163 pounds and started doing triathlons”.
“I have met my goal of losing all my baby weight and then some!”
I started stroller bootcamp when my son was 3 months old. I was looking for a way to lose the baby weight and some of the extra weight I had put on over the years. By complete chance, I found a Facebook posting advertising a session of stroller boot camp and signed up right away. I started to notice results right away and thanks to Tanja, I have met my goal of losing all my baby weight and then some! I look forward to bootcamp every session (even the rainy and snowy ones)!
It’s the Little Things
“I started boot camp,” my niece said, “and I feel so good!” Who would have thought that a chance encounter with that niece at Starbucks would lead to a forty-something first-year teacher like me, for the first time in her life, be able to do fifty pushups a minute and run 6 k? Certainly not me! But that’s exactly what happened.
Although I had completely been neglecting exercise at the beginning of (and before!) this school year, in the midst of the busyness and stress of it all there was this little inner voice that kept telling me I really needed to shape up (literally). So after that chance Starbucks encounter, I decided to join boot camp, too – as Tanja’s early morning class fit my schedule perfectly.
And was I out of shape! The first class, I could only do 11 pushups (ladies’ ones!) before collapsing. After that class, I doubted I could really cut it, as muscles I never even knew I possessed let me feel it, every excruciating step of the day, as they protested their rude awakening. Slowly, but surely, though, as I attended more classes, muscles stopped protesting quite so loudly and started shaping up. Eventually, I was able to progress from being in the bottom of the class to the middle of the pack, and now I’m close on the heels of some of the most fit (watch out, Kari!).
Progress has been rewarding in so many ways. I had been challenging my Grade 7 students to improve their overall fitness by exercising in general, and by doing pushups in particular, and it has been so much fun to be able to participate right along with them, and to hold my own with the top boys of the class. Not only that, but I can run the track along with them. I’ve always thought that I “couldn’t” run but, Tanja’s ability to constantly encourage and push me (mentally) beyond where I think I can go has increased my stamina till one day, while doing a run/walk on the Vedder/Rotary Trail, I was somewhat shocked to find that I had been able to jog all the way from Lickman to Peach Road! That was the day I saw clearly that the only real barriers to accomplishing goals that seem beyond our reach are most often mental ones we have erected ourselves.
The paradoxical increase in energy that I have felt as a result of being more energetic and fit has been a real bonus, too. When I get up at 5 to go to boot camp, I have much more energy at the end of the day than when I get up later and skip the exercise – and the feeling of driving to work in the morning, knowing that I’ve already got an hour of boot camp under my belt, isn’t so bad, either!
All in all, I’ve been amazed at how far I’ve come and how good I feel after only four short months, and I look forward to where I’ll be after the next four. One thing, though, is certain: Tanja will not stop gently but oh-so-firmly pushing me past my comfort level!
“I have lost weight and toned up everywhere!”
I first joined Boot Camp in May of 2010. I had started noticing that my clothes weren’t fitting as well as they used to and that I was always tired at the end of my work day. Prior to starting Boot Camp I has started going to the gym and running but it was difficult to stick to a routine and stay motivated. My fiancée Bruce had already been working with Tanja on a one on one basis and had mentioned he was going to start Boot Camp and that I should come along; and I have been attending ever since!
Since starting Boot Camp, my clothes fit me much better and I have even had to get rid of some that no longer fit because they are too big! Physically I have lost weight and have toned up everywhere. I have also noticed an increase in my overall fitness level; hiking, running and even walking up flights of stairs is much easier. I have also been paying much more attention to the amount and types of food I eat and buy; at least during the week! Boot Camp has definitely improved my overall health and fitness and I am not nearly as tired at the end of the day or week. I have met some really great people who motivate me to show up and get through the workout. The group workout format is excellent as it encourages accountability.
I would recommend this class to anyone who is looking for motivation to have a fun and challenging full body work out in one hour either before or after the work day. Anyone who is looking to slim down, tone up and work on their overall health and fitness. Also, anyone who is looking to workout in an encouraging and fun atmosphere.
“I have lost over 30 pounds and am in the best shape of my life.”
I joined boot camp to lose weight. In just 3 1/2 months I have lost over 30 pounds and I am the best shape of my life. If I can do this, anybody can. I have been overweight for over 10 years and tried every diet out there. There is no secret to how to lose weight, proper diet and regular exercise are all that is required. It is hard work, and you only get out what you put in, but the rewards are worth it. My fitness level went from just about zero to finding myself hiking and running outside of bootcamp a few times a week. With Tanja’s positive motivation, it has been a fun experience. The group environment gives me motivation not only to attend on a regular basis, but to also achieve a higher level of fitness. And it’s a lot more fun than going to a gym!
“It’s amazing how quickly my fitness level improved!”
I first joined Ascend Fitness Boot Camp in May 2010.
I had been “convinced” to ride from Surrey to Seattle in the BC Cancer Foundation fundraiser in June 2010 and with my love of hiking, I had booked a trip to Borneo that included a 2-day hike to an elevation of over 13,000 feet. I knew my fitness level had dropped off from previous years and realized I would have to quickly commence on a focused fitness program in order to meet these goals. This is where Tanja’s boot camp came to the rescue.
Ascend Boot Camp was the answer to improving my cardio, endurance, and strength. The intense, but fun, bootcamp sessions are always challenging. They are geared towards almost any fitness level and it’s amazing how quickly my fitness level improved. One year later, and I am still going strong twice per week. I love it! It has kept my weight stable over the past year and every bootcamp day I feel energized (both physically and mentally) at work. I also look forward to the monthly fitness challenges that have included some awesome trail running, hiking up Elk Mountain, snowshoeing and a wicked stair workout.
I would recommend Ascend Fitness to anyone wanting to achieve a healthier lifestyle while enjoying the benefits of a regular cardio and strength workout.
“Before I started with Tanja, I was 205 pounds and not very active. I went down to 163 pounds and started doing triathlons”.
Before I started with Tanja I was 205 pounds and not very active.I started going to the local gym trying to get back into shape with not much success.I had noticed Tanja woking with clients one on one, after some time i got the courage up to ask about personal training.
Tanja helped me learn about how to eat properly and to exercise to get results. My weight went down to 163 pounds and i had started doing triathlons with Tanja’s encouragement.
After time I had started with Tanja’s boot camp which I enjoy very much. It gives me the opportunity to workout with other people, from beginners to experienced exerciser. Also, the workouts are different all the time.
Fitness with Ascend Fitness has changed my body and my mind. Exercise helps me with deal with day to day stress and keeps my mind active.
For anyone thinking about getting into shape, I would encourage them to call Tanja.
