How Personal Training Boot Camps Will Pump Up Your Self-Esteem

It’s no secret that being sedentary leads to poor quality of life. As you get older and your bodychanges, if you don’t exercise on a regular basis either on your own or under the direction of a personal trainer, you end up aging faster.

After countless hours spent on the couch watching television, plus snacking, drinking, and perhaps even smoking, your body rebels. You suddenly find yourself older than your actual age.

Tasks there were once considered simple, like climbing the stairs, bending over to tie your shoes, or even taking care of your personal habits in the bathroom, become a chore. Why did you skip your shower today? Because it takes too much effort. You become depressed and you don’t look in the mirror anymore because you don’t like what you see. The once good-looking vibrant person who had an entire life ahead of him is gone-baby-gone. Who do have to blame? Yourself.

But the good news is all is not lost. No matter what your age, personal trainers are now offering boot camps that invo lve a variety of mostly outdoor exercises and designated stations that combine cardio with strength training. These mini-camps, which take only an hour or two out of your weekend, are designed not only to get you back in shape, pump up your muscles, and reverse the adverse effects of aging, but they are also designed to pump up your self-esteem.

They can also be a heck of a lot of fun.

According to a recent report by David Dewar, a clinical hypnotherapist, exercise is one of the biggest self- confidence boosters around. Full stop. It helps you look and feel better since you will be losing weight while strengthening your muscles. Your stress level will lessen, your energy reserves will increase, and you will realize a sense of achievement.

Admittedly, getting started can be a steep uphill climb. But this is where group classes like boot camps come into play. They provide camaraderie, motivation, and the support system you need to keep going. They also boost your self-esteem as you achieve specific goals.

Here are some other ways group fitness and boot camps can boost your self-esteem.

Motivation

Boot camps make training fun. You don’t dread your workout. You look forward to it. Group classes are the perfect tool for “social exercisers” who tend to get bored easily.

A Variety of Fitness Options

Not all boot camps are alike. You can look for a boot camp class that’s occurring near you and then simply choose the one that best suits your fitness goals and your personality.

Accountability

When you sign up to participate in a boot camp, you find yourself accountable for showing up and putting in the effort, even if it’s pouring out.

Keep in mind, group fitness programs of any kind are comprised of like-minded people who have made the commitment to get off the couch and get their bodies and minds into the best shape of their adult lives. You will learn to love yourself again, and you will also make new friends in the process.

-- Mary Clark is a recently retired and decorated Colonel in the New York State Troopers. One of

the highest-ranking female law enforcement officials in New York State, she served for more than

three decades. Today she devotes herself to helping others achieve their life goals through a

combination of physical fitness, achieving an optimal mindset, and life balance.