Spring’s here and things are beginning to ramp up for our BOOT CAMP.  I thank God for that.  I also want to thank my Recruits that have hung in there during the cold weather and especially during the relocation.  Things are coming on and thank you.

I want to say that I absolutely, and I mean absolutely, love what I do with the USMC Fitness BOOT CAMP.  I love the fun we have during warm-up and the verbal jousting we sometimes do during the huddle.  I love the exhausting workouts.  I love leaving feeling like I’ve truly done something.  I love the chance to make fun of the new people.  I must say I especially enjoy the opportunity to call out, in a spirit of USMC Fitness love of course, the slackers.  I even love the early mornings – well kind of.  I especially love having a part in helping people get a handle on the fitness element in their life.  The whole package deal, as far as I am concerned, just rocks.  As long as the Lord blesses me with the ability, I plan for USMC Fitness BOOT CAMP to be a major part of my life.  Thank you Sgt. Ludlow!

Now having said that, let’s think about what’s important – I mean what’s truly important.  While we spend a lot of time focusing on what some may call the superficial, weight loss, muscle ton, physical ability and so on, there’s something much more important about you than that.  What you are on the outside is not who you are!  You’re not defined by how many push ups you can do (Some of you need to be very thankful for that one.).  You’re not defined by how far or fast you can run.  You are neither defined by the number of sit-ups you can do in a minute, nor by the number of times you come to BOOT CAMP.  What truly defines you is not the OUTER, but the INNER.  You are defined by what you are on the INSIDE!

Today was a great day.  We had a good number at BOOT CAMP.   And then a good part of it I spent talking with a couple of friends about some of their fitness goals.  We met at Starbucks (another thing I’m thankful for by the way), and we just drank coffee and talked about life.  In the course of all of this, one of them told me about an amazing video.  It’s about a lady named Susan Boyle who was a participant in an English talent show.  Her moment of glory will touch your heart!  We are so superficial in the US and it apparently isn’t much different over there.  On the outside this lady didn’t “look” the part, she wasn’t thin, shapely or even what you’d call remotely pretty -but when she opened her mouth her beauty shown forth.  They smirked and scoffingly laughed at her UNTIL she opened her mouth.  You see what she had on the inside far surpassed what they saw on the outside.  It’s amazing – just amazing.  This is a must see video.  Please go and watch it – you’ll be the better for it I promise.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lp0IWv8QZY

So the next time you see someone and you’re inclined to judge them by their appearance (we’ve all done it), their size, their color, their age or some other none factor, think of Susan Boyle and think again.  You’re defined by who you are on the INSIDE.  That being said, everyone’s welcome at BOOT CAMP – big, small, tall, short, pretty, not so pretty…just come on down and join the fun!

Be Healthy and Live!

Les 

Fitness and exercise are constant goals of many of us.  So many times, however, we fold when it comes to getting the work done.  It’s probably because of the “too” problem.  It’s too early, too hard, too exhausting, too time consuming, too…..    The bottom line is if you and I want to live healthy lives we must make measured, responsible changes in order to do so.  Obviously sleep and diet are a huge part of it, but so is exercise.  So if the “exercise” portion of this has been the problem for you, of maybe all of the above, here are four words for you to contemplate.

The first is OUGHT.  We all ought to be exercising.  We use this word all of the time.  It’s a word that denotes a sense of obligation and/or responsibility.  It seems reasonable to suggest that your personal fitness is your responsibility.  You ought to be exercising!

The second word is CAN.  You can do this.  You can get up early.  You can do it in the cold.  You can discipline yourself to go the extra mile.  You can make those measured and responsible changes in your life.  You can live as someone who is fit and healthy.  You can exercise.

The third significant word is WILL.  Do you have the raw determination to do what you ought and what you can?  The word “will” denotes strength of mind and resolve.  I’m reminded of the story (true by the way as far as I know) of Napoleon.  It was at the battle of Marengo and the great leader thought that they were defeated.  So he turned to his drummer and commanded him to beat a retreat.  The drummer responded, “I don’t know one.  My master never taught me one.  I can beat a charge.  I can beat a charge that can wake the dead.  Do you want me to beat a charge?”  History tells us that the great Napoleon was so moved by the young man’s words that he said, “Alright then, beat a charge!”  He did and that battle was added to the great victories of Napoleon.  Do you see the significance of resolve here?  This courageous leader thought that he was done and was ready to give up, but a young man carrying drum – whose master never taught him how to back up – lead the great Napoleon on to victory.  Incredible!  One other Napoleon story:  when he was finally defeated, before the end, his enemies shouted to his army and said, “Surrender or die.”   To which his soldiers responded, “We know how to die, but we know not how to surrender!”  With that they fought to the death.  Friends, we need more will and resolve in our lives.  Raw determination friends!   Do you have the will to do it?

The last word is HAVE.  What good is ought, can or will if at the end of the day you cannot say, “I have done it!”  This morning in the 24 or so degree weather I 13 recruits who today can look you in the eye and say “I have!”   Way to go Lindsey, Vince, Amy, Blake, Aaron, Pam, Kendra, Lexie, Sean, Brian M., Jana, Kim and Sandy.  You rock!

It is my hope that you will think about these words: OUGHT, CAN, WILL and HAVE.  Take them to heart and join the rest of us out on the Quarter Deck at 5:30 for USMC Fitness BOOT CAMP!  Until then, drop and give me 20!

What a week! The coldest day in five years and we had ten recruits out on the Quarter Deck this morning! Hats off to those recruits (Rick, Pete, Blake, Sean, Aaron, Kim, Dan, Donna, Lexie and Brian) who expressed dedication, devotion and an unwavering desire to stand out in the crowd! In my book you are the “Real Recruits of Genius.” As some would say: Here’s to you Mr. (or Ms.) outdoor freezing cold BOOT CAMP recruit – while everyone you essentially know is tucked away in their cozy warm little bed, snug as the proverbial bug in the rug, you’re getting dressed to go exercise in the freezing cold elements. You’re not distracted by the fact that there’s nice warm church gymnasium within site in which you could easily do your exercises. No, you pick the spot on the asphalt next to the nearly frozen-over pond to do your deal. Some may think you’re courageous while others say you’re crazy, could it be a little of both? You got that right! You, of all people, know that it’s not only about fitness, being strong, cut, lean and drop dead gorgeous – it’s about bragging rights! Big time bragging rights. You live for the moment wherein someone asks you: “How’s your morning going?” You throw your shoulders back and say, “While your sissy, bed-wetting self was in bed – I was at BOOT CAMP.” You long for the moment wherein you come into the break room and you can push all of the donuts to the side and firmly set your bottle of water down on the table and say – “This bottle turned to slush this morning!” While they look at you thinking you’re an idiot for pursuing such a fitness course, you flattered by the thought. You are, Mr. / Ms. BOOT CAMP ice cold weather dude/chick – the Real Recruit of Genius!

There’s a term in aviation known as:  “decision speed.”  This term technically denotes the maximum speed an aircraft can obtain at which the pilot can continue take off or stop at the end of the runway.  Because each airplane is different, the speed is relative to that particular craft.  There is a significant correlation here with fitness.   We can either choose to “take off” into a life of health and fitness while we are relatively young and healthy or we can chose otherwise.  If we put it off we need to realize that “decision speed” is fast approaching. 

The day will come wherein the inevitable consequences of a life void of exercise and fitness will take its toll and one will find himself confronting serious obstacles like excess weight, back trouble, diabetes, etc.   Then, being up in age, overweight and having to deal with all of the other challenges that naturally befall mankind, with the body now at a point at which it cannot handle intense exercise like it once could, the change of lifestyle is much more difficult if not impossible.  Had the individual just made a fitness decision before “decision speed” they could have bought themselves so much quality of life in later years.  So what am I saying?  I’m saying make a decision – a decision for fitness and stick with it.  Until next time – drop and give me twenty!

Sergeant Les

Fitness Instructor

USMC Fitness BOOT CAMP

Have you ever thought about motivation?  What is it essentially that compells you to do what you do?  Have you ever contemplated what makes other people do the things they do?  What possesses an individual to choose to endure pain as opposed to comfort?  What moves a mother, in an instant, to risk her life to save her child from a dangerous dog?  What motivates a father, without second thought, to risk it all to protect his family?  What compels a soldier to join a volunteer force in a time of war and brave the dangers of death for his country?  For a few these questions may be a puzzle, but for most it’s quite obvious – there’s a higher good.  In each of these situations there’s something greater than themselves.  Something is viewed as being far more important than personal comfort and safety – it may be a child, a family or even a concept like freedom. 

I believe there is a correlation here with fitness, although admittedly on a lesser scale, but still a correlation.  What makes an individual take the time and the energy to push his/her body to the limit day after day in pursuit of fitness?  What madness compels someone to sign on for USMC Fitness BOOT CAMP?  Again, there’s a higher good – a personal goal and an internal longing to be fit, healthy and comfortable with one’s body. 

I’ve been affiliated with BOOT CAMP long enough to realize that it’s not for everyone.  Not everyone is going to remain excited.  Not everyone is going to be pumped over falling out into a dark church parking lot at 5:30 in the morning, let alone to do Marine Corps fitness!  Not everyone is willing to be pushed day after day to do more.  Not everyone is willing to resolve to be engaged.  Not everyone one is willing to make physical fitness a part of their life.  And that’s alright.

What must be remembered, however, is that the battle is not won (whatever it may be) unless someone is willing to engage and fight!  No pain no gain.  If you are currently over weight or out of shape, there is no way you will win the battle of health and fitness unless you make changes in your life.  So, how bad do you want it?  How bad to you want to loose those excess pounds?  How bad do you want to fit into that outfit once again? How important is it to you to be on the path for a long and healthy life with your family?  Just how important is it? This is the question that only you can answer and the decision that only you can make!  Each of us must dig deep within ourselves to find the resolve and disciple to go after it! 

Surely you’ve heard the cliché, “If not me, who?  If not now, when?”  Who is responsible for YOUR physique?  Who is responsible for the care of YOUR body?  It’s not your spouse’s obligation.  It’s not your friends’ responsibility.  You and I are it!  So, WHEN are you going to engage and pursue it?  That is a choice that only YOU can make!

USMC Fitness BOOT CAMP Collierville:

We’ve had another great week.   The “cult” is growing!  We had another record this week with 27 recruits on Wednesday out in the parking lot at 5:30am with their mats and dumbbells.   We’re well on our way to having forty recruits.  Way to go Collierville!

Evening Class:

The evening class is growing as well.   Remember that we meet every week day at 5:30pm; however, on Wednesday evening we’ve moved it up 15 minutes.  So we begin at 5:15pm and conclude things at 6:15pm.  Recruits can come to either class or even both if they so desire.  We’ve had several who’ve been going to both consistently.  Barbara did the BOOT CAMP thing nine times this past week!  Way to go Barbara!

Weight Loss and Spot Reduction:

Many times I’m asked, “Sgt. Les, how can I loose this _______?”  (You can fill in the blank)  The thing to remember is that we loose weight like a snowman.  In other words, weight is lost in a gradual way all over.  So those problem areas will go away as you become more and more fit.  So just hang in there, be disciplined and consistent!

The “Ducks” merited respect in our part of the country.  I’m not sure just how that mascot was chosen; I remember being told that back in the early days the football team skipped practice to go duck hunting and thus became the “Havana Ducks.”  Be that as it may, this small town in central Illinois, the home of the “Havana Ducks” made the papers all over the state.  When my class was going through our school was developing its basketball legacy.  I remember the slogan, “Second in state in 78 and just as fine in 79!”  Several years later we placed 4th in state in basketball two years in a row (82, 83).  What a great time and what great memories!

Through the kindness of “Tator” (Rhonda Taylor one of my former classmates) and several others I’m sure, I’m included in the invite to the reunion.  I am so very thankful for that.  Going back and seeing friends, some of which I literally hadn’t seen in 25 plus years was really something.  If you’ve ever been back to a reunion, you know how it goes – you walk in hoping you’ll find someone you recognize.  (How embarrassing it is to be unable to recognize or remember a classmate!)  Then you hope that you’ll find someone you can talk to, etc.  Well, as the evening of our reunion progressed it became like old times.  We ate, floated the river boat in Peoria, met new friends and talked about old times – what a great night.

Besides the whole basketball thing, some of my most memorable times were in English class and cruising the DQ.  Our English class was something else.  I had a lot of fun, but I’m afraid I didn’t learn much.  You name it (spit wads, dropping our books at a certain time, talking, passing notes, etc), we did it.  I know that three, possibly four, of our English teachers decided to get out of teaching after our class went through.  No joke!  Looking back I’m sure we could have been more respectful, but man what fun times we had!

But where are the DUCKS now?  Some are in Havana still, others in Canton, Springfield or Peoria.  Still others have moved off to Chicago, California and Memphis.  I hope that wherever the 1983 DUCKS end up, they are all pursuing their dreams, standing true to what they believe and going after life full-blast. 

Friends, this life is the only shot we have.  Right here, right now – this is it!  It’s not a trial run; it’s not a dressed rehearsal.  That being said, may I respectfully encourage us all, friends, BOOT CAMPERS and fellow DUCKS to go for it!  Just do it.  Pursue it with every ounce of your being.  Don’t sit back and watch everyone else address their challenges, climb their mountains and conquer their giants while you’re not.   Let’s engage!  Let’s get enthused!  Let’s go after it ourselves!  GO DUCKS!

Recently I received an email from a friend about “Team Hoyt.”  When I visited the link I found a video of Dick Hoyt and his son Rick who were competing in a triathlon.

Rick, who at his birth in 1962 suffered a loss of oxygen from his umbilical cord being coiled around his neck, cannot walk or talk.  Their website (http://www.teamhoyt.com/) states: “For the past twenty five years or more Dick, who is 65, has pushed and pulled his son across the country and over hundreds of finish lines. When Dick runs, Rick is in a wheelchair that Dick is pushing.  When Dick cycles, Rick is in the seat-pod from his wheelchair, attached to the front of the bike.  When Dick swims, Rick is in a small but heavy, firmly stabilized boat being pulled by Dick.”

Amazingly with the help of computers they learned that Rick was able to communicate.  According to the website, “In 1975, Rick was finally admitted into a public school. Two years later, he told his father he wanted to participate in a five-mile benefit run for a local lacrosse player who had been paralyzed in an accident. Dick, far from being a long-distance runner, agreed to push Rick in his wheelchair. They finished next to last, but they felt they had achieved a triumph. That night, Dick remembers, ‘Rick told us he just didn’t feel handicapped when we were competing.’”  I invite you visit the link and watch this touching story. http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=8cf08faca5dd9ea45513

Personally, this story is hits close to home, for my youngest child, Nicholas, has Down Syndrome.  His diagnosis, was like that of Dick’s I’m sure, such a shock.  However, now at age 6, he has provided our family with such an amazing learning curve of joy and challenge.  What’s beautiful about the story of Rick and his son Dick is that they grabbed their obstacle by the horns and they became the better for it.  They took that situation of a disability and transformed it into one of purpose and joy.

Whatever obstacles we face friends, life goes on!  How does Rick and Dick’s courage and determination make you view your “reasons” for not striving after excellence?   Like them, we need to have such a passion for life and determination to conquer obstacles that we constantly press on toward excellence in our lives.  Let’s stop with the excuses and just resolve to do it.  Then day by day and step by step make your life what you want it to be.

BOOT CAMP!

Make USMC Fitness BOOT CAMP part of your day!  Come early, work hard, believe in yourself and face your giants!  It is a great feeling to have gone to BOOT CAMP before most people have even gotten out of bed!  Jump in and given time – coupled with determination, hard work and consistency – it will not only change your physique, it will change your life!

So where are the recruits?  They fall in every weekday morning with me in the parking lot of Faith Lutheran Church at 5:30am.  Bring a mat, some weights and a CAN Do attitude and come join the fun!

FREE MONTH!

To our recruits, when you bring a friend who joins at full-price you’re awarded with a FREE month for BOOT CAMP!

For your continued health and fitness,

Sergeant Les

Few things evoke as much pleasure for me as finishing a task and then scratching it off my list.  Done all done – mission accomplished!  The next day I’ll just make another list and start all over again.  Inevitiablly though, there will be some tasks that are not completed at the end of the first list so I just “recycle” those and put them on the new list.  I must admit that there have been quite a few that have been recycled over and over and over again.  Things I dreaded to do, things like a laborous quote for a job or a meticulous drawn out project, etc.  These items stay there until I get sick and tired of rewriting them on the new list and just determine that I’m going to knock it out. 

I’m afraid that this is what many people do when it comes to their personal fitness.  They may make a goal: ”I’m going to loose 30 pounds.”  “I’m going to get back in shape.”  “I’m going to start exercising.”  “I’m going to get down to my ideal weight.”  Many great and needed goals are set, but they die in the follow through.  Personal fitness just remains on the list as a dreaded distant objective that for one reason or another is never addressed, let alone tackled.

That’s all fine and good when it comes to painting the trim on the door or fixing the leak in the sink, but not when it comes to your personal health.  You see the window of opportunity to “get back in shape” is not an indefinite thing.  The longer we wait to regain fitness in our lives the more diffiicult it will be to acquire.  Not only that, all of the time we wait we live without the comfort, joy and peace of mind of being fit and in shape.  You and I have just one body and just “x” amount of time to care for it. 

That being said, let’s make some fitness goals and then go after them with every ounce of our being.  Just do it!  See it – Want it - And go after it!  If you’re in your thirties, choose to go into your forties fit.  If you’re in your forties, determine that when you hit fifty you’ll be trim and healthy.  If you’re in your fifties, don’t let up – just keep on keeping on.  I was speaking with a friend just last night who was telling me about a man he met in his eighties who was out at the track running wind sprints!  Many people who are his age have already expired or have someone else caring for them – he’s out running!  For any of us to get to that level, we’ve got to get started.  We must set realistic goals and then go after them. 

So what about BOOT CAMP?  Too early?  You can get up if you truly choose to.  Too hot?  You’ll get through it, others do.  Too challenging?  You can work hard and do what you can and increase in strength and endurance.  Whatever the excuse is, deal with it and join us tomorrow morning at 5:30 in Faith Lutheran’s parking lot.  Together we can become better than we are now!

For A Better You,

Sergeant Les

When is the last time that you had a wake-up call?  When is the last time you looked at your life – I mean really looked at where you were and where you are headed?  Self-examination is one of the keys to personal growth.  Sometimes we do it on our own.  Other times a conversation or perhaps a friend may spark an evaluation of one’s life and/or paradigm.  Still yet other times it may take a life changing event like the loss of a friend or a blindsiding diagnosis.  I pray that that will never be the case with any of you, but most likely, if we live long enough, such tragedy will inevitably frequent our lives.   

A year or so ago Tim McGraw produced a song about this very thing-a wake up call – a call not just to live but to “live like you were dying.”  The song entitled just that, “Live Like You Were Dying” speaks of one who received a life shattering diagnosis.  Ironically, it was when this person realized that he was really dying that he truly began to live!  Note the words:

Verse 1
He said I was in my early forties, with a lot of life before me and one moment came that stopped me on a dime.  I spent most of the next days, looking at the x-rays, talking bout’ the options and talking bout’ sweet times.  I asked him when it sank in, that this might really be the real end, how’s it hit ‘cha when you get that kind of news?  Man what did ya do?  He said…

Chorus
I went skydiving.  I went rocky mountain climbing.  I went two point seven seconds on a bull named Fu Man Chu and I loved deeper and I spoke sweeter and I gave forgiveness I’d been denyin’   And he said some day I hope you get the chance to live like you were dyin’ .

Verse 2
He said I was finally the husband, that most the time I wasn’t and I became a friend, a friend would like to have.  And all of a sudden goin’ fishin, wasn’t such an imposition and I went three times that year I lost my dad.  Well I finally read the good book, and I took a good long hard look at what I’d do if I could do it all again.  And then…

Chorus
I went skydiving.  I went rocky mountain climbing.  I went two point seven seconds on a bull named Fu Man Chu and I loved deeper and I spoke sweeter and I gave forgiveness I’d been denyin’   And he said some day I hope you get the chance to live like you were dyin’ .

Bridge
Like tomorrow was the end and ya got eternity to think about what to do with it?  What should you do with it?  What can I do with it?  What would I do with it?

Chorus
I went skydiving.  I went rocky mountain climbing.  I went two point seven seconds on a bull named Fu Man Chu and I loved deeper and I spoke sweeter and I gave forgiveness I’d been denyin’   And he said some day I hope you get the chance to live like you were dyin’ .  To live like you were dyin’ (4x)

Hats off to Tim McGraw!  When I heard that song for the first time, I thought “whow, isn’t that the truth!”  Why does it take a tragedy to wake us up?  Why must one’s life be on the verge of falling apart before they truly start to build relationships?  I don’t know, but I am confident that the time to live is now-not when this is fixed, not when that is situated or when those things are handled, etc.  The time is NOW!  If you’re going to live life to its fullest – do it now!  Do it before your loved ones pass from this life, before your friends move off, before your health has deteriated and before your time has expired.  Just do it! 

One thing that helps significantly is addressing the needs of your body.  There are three things your body must absolutely have: Food (nutrition), Sleep (rest) and Exercise (USMC Fitness BOOT CAMP!!!)  Alright, someone could possibly stay fit with other exercise programs I’ll reluctanly admit, but BOOT CAMP is a great and encouraging way to do it.   So I’ll be looking for you as we fall out Monday morining at 5:30am with a mat and weights in the church parking lot.  Have a great week end.

For your continued health and fitness,

Les

We’ve had a great week!

Our attendance is growing and we added to our number four new recruits.  Welcome Donna, Beverly, Maribeth and Aaron!  It’s great to have you on board!

Don’t forget

Recruit a friend who joins at full-price and you receive a free month!