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The Results are In

Posted October 5th, 2010 | 3:46 pm | By Jennifer Haskett | 2 Comments

{Photography Carlo Mendoza}

After four weeks of pushing myself to new limits, early mornings, and attempting exercises I had never heard of (or previously feared), it’s over. Today is results day. There will be no new routines or instructions today. Just a redo of my fitness test, recording of measurements and compare it all to my first day of bootcamp. I’ve been working hard and I want to see results. I feel great, have learned a lot but I’m going to be honest, I want to see changes: inches lost and better results than Day 1.

When I initially signed up for Best Body Bootcamp, I definitely had some preconceived notions. A lot of them involved visions of the Demi Moore in GI Jane. Thankfully, it was nothing at all like that! There was no yelling, no tears and no working out in the pouring rain. Well, no rain until today that is where I kicked my routine of push-ups, crunches, jumping jacks, planks and sprinting in front of trainer Roger and fiancé Dave. Roger diligently times, then at the end of it all pulls out the measuring tape.

The news is…I lost six inches overall! On top of that, I doubled the amount of push ups I can do, cut the time it takes me to run suicides in half and have a increased my abs strength. I can’t believe I’ve achieved these results in just four weeks. Added bonus: this news comes on the day I receive a call from my bridal boutique Sash and Bustle that my dress is ready for pickup. Read the rest of this entry »

advice » belle-to-be

The Final Countdown

Posted September 28th, 2010 | 9:30 am | By Jennifer Haskett | 1 Comment

{Our Weddingbells Wedsite!}

Heading into the fourth (and last) week of my Best Body Bootcamp sessions, I can’t believe it’s almost over—and surprisingly, how much I’ve enjoyed them. On day one, all I could think was “why did I sign on for this?” Pre-bootcamp my idea of working out was 30 or 40 minutes on the treadmill, the occasional yoga class, and after dinner walks—to get coffee. Now I look at me: I run “suicides” (I love/loathe them), I do “burpies” (combination jump/squat/push-up) and “scorpions,” and I am slowing becoming a plank champion. But these successes still don’t have me feeling overly confident about what comes next week: the fit test. Oh, and the measurements. Read the rest of this entry »

advice » belle-to-be

The Beauty of Bootcamp

Posted September 21st, 2010 | 9:00 am | By Jennifer Haskett | No Comments

My bootcamp motivation: trying dresses on at Sash & Bustle in Toronto. And no, it’s not the dress.

It’s my third week of bootcamp and I have to tell you: I’m addicted. I love the routines (minus those suicides run, right Roger?), I love how it’s all fitting into my schedule and I love the results I am beginning to see (hello biceps, my old friend). In fact just this week I almost doubled the amount of push-ups I can do. Gold star! I also realized this week another great thing about kicking up your workout routine pre-wedding: stress release. After my bootcamp and post-workout stretching I feel relaxed and ready to take on the day. This is a welcome feeling as lately, my days are wedding obsessed and not just because I work at a wedding magazine. Read the rest of this entry »

advice » belle-to-be

Timing is Everything

Posted September 14th, 2010 | 10:45 am | By Jennifer Haskett | 4 Comments

My busy desk

With less than three months until my wedding day, there are still a few loose ends to wrap up. Like, for example, our entire cocktail reception. Oh, and the invitations. Fresh from the printers, we need to get stuffing those envelopes and get them out the door. Plus, at Weddingbells, we’re in the thick of our next issue (Spring & Summer 2011 is looking beautiful!) and shooting almost everyday. Needless to say, my schedule is hectic. So working out is hard to fit in right now (isn’t it always?). But here’s the thing: my Best Body Bootcamp sessions happen before my day starts. Before I loose track of time, miss my opportunity to hit the gym, and promise myself I’ll go the next day. It’s a vicious cycle that I often cannot break. Read the rest of this entry »

advice » belle-to-be

An Introduction…

Posted September 2nd, 2010 | 8:00 am | By Jennifer Haskett | 5 Comments

My fiancé Dave and I on our engagement day.

Allow me to introduce myself: I’m Jenn, Art Director and Contributing Editor for Weddingbells. I’m also a bride-to-be! With just under three months left until my wedding day (November 23^rdat the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn, California), and a strapless dress on order, I wanted to kick-start my workout to look California-girl-gorgeous! So when I was presented with an opportunity to participate in a bootcamp, I jumped at the chance to team up with the crew at Best Body Bootcamp.

WEEK ONE

Apparently bootcamp happens in the AM. Really early. Before work, before coffee, before sunshine. But it’s Day 1, and I’m up! Although I’m nervous (and hating my workout wardrobe), I am also excited to, well, have my butt-kicked. I arrive at the park (my bootcamp is outside) and meet my trainer Roger who’s also the owner of Best Body Bootcamp. I have tons of questions for him—I’m pretty sure he’s wondering what he has signed himself up for. When he reviews the routine with me which includes “scorpions,” “suicides,” and “sumo squats,” I’m wondering what I signed myself up for. Read the rest of this entry »