What to Expect at a Weight Loss Boot Camp

For those of you who are hoping to shed pounds and reshape your body, there are any number of weight loss options that you can explore. One of these is a weight loss boot camp – which is not for the faint of heart. These programs are modeled after military-style boot camps, with a specific focus on helping the participants lose weight rapidly while transitioning into a healthier lifestyle. If you’ve seen the reality show "The Biggest Loser" you already have an idea of what a weight loss boot camp is all about. These programs require a considerable level of commitment, and for those of you who are sufficiently determined, we want to share a few tips on how to navigate this workout regimen…and come out with a better, healthier body.

• Set a realistic goal: Motivational speakers, life coaches, and anyone else who’s an expert in self improvement will tell you that setting clear, measurable goals is a necessary first step towards achieving success – in whatever it is that you set out to accomplish. This is no different when joining a weight loss boot camp program. Work with your trainer to set a goal that will push your beyond mediocre results - aim for the best case scenario and just maybe you’ll achieve or surpass it!

• Create a support network: The expectation of a weight loss boot camp is that it’s meant to be difficult. Which is why it is very important to enlist the support of those around you – that goes for family and friends, but this also applies to the other participants in the boot camp itself. Since you’ll be spending time with these people and experiencing a similar set of challenges, it can be tremendously helpful to bond with them and work together towards a common purpose.

• Make sure the behavioral changes are sustainable: We’ve all done it before…we go on a strict diet to lose weight, only to see the weight return within a couple weeks of going off said diet. With a weight loss boot camp, participants should be focusing on permanently changing their exercise and eating habits. So, if you’re engaging in an activity that cannot stand the test of time it is important to notify your trainer and reassess the details of your program. Incremental improvements, that lead to permanent change, are so much more valuable then major, ongoing fluctuations!