#versusat

It takes a lot of courage to step outside your comfort zone for the first time. That is what boot camp is for many people. It's the "jump off the cliff" and not knowing where you will land, but they know deep down it's worth the try. Pictured here are three ladies from my Oak Grove Primary Athletic Training class, Deedré Coll, Devin Walsh, and Jessica Coulter who did just that! They took that leap and found out one year later they had completely changed their lives for the better. I am so very proud of these ladies and how far they have come since their first day at boot camp. I am even more excited to see what this next year will bring for them! Below are Devin's and Deedre's stories as they reflected on their past year with Versus AT class! So inspiring!

May 1, 2013 Boot Campers to May 1, 2014 Athletic Training Veterans! Devin, Deedre and Jessica (who made it to about 8 months pregnant before she had to take a mini break! See you soon Jess and good luck!

|| DEVIN'S FIRST YEAR, as a Versus Athlete! ||

My two sisters and I joined Versus last May for the same reason lots of other people probably do.  We wanted to lose weight and get into better shape.  Before Versus I had little to no energy and was very unhappy with my physical appearance.  I had tried lots of exercise and diet plans in the past but was never able to keep the weight off for any length of time because I didn't make any long-term changes where physical activity and eating habits were concerned.  

I read the success stories on the Versus Strength and Conditioning website and felt inspired to give it a try even though I was quite intimidated since I have never considered myself to be an athlete.  Being in a small group setting with co-workers was very appealing to me and I liked the fact that others would be taking this journey with me as well as holding me accountable.  I also liked the fact that we would have a personal trainer who would show us exactly what to do.  

Coach Jamie was very patient in guiding us through the exercises during Boot Camp.  She encouraged us to push ourselves.  She celebrated every success and congratulated us when we reached a milestone no matter how small it seemed.  The first time our workout included burpees I was barely able to lift myself off of the ground!  I was hopeful that Jamie was right when she said although it wouldn't get easier we would get better.  She told us to "suck it up" on the days we complained and wanted to quit.  I needed that extra push and was thankful she cared enough to be tough on me!  Before long I actually looked forward to the workouts even though they were always physically and mentally draining.  I felt myself gaining confidence as my stamina improved.  The encouragement from the other ladies in the class, friends and family members made me want to continue.

The most memorable day I have had at Versus so far was the day Coach Jamie brought out huge sandbags that we were to carry on our shoulders while running from cone to cone in a relay.  We kept asking how much they weighed and she wouldn't give us an answer.  At the end of the workout, which I completed successfully, by the way, she told us that they weighed 40 pounds!  This happened to be the amount of weight I had lost since beginning athletic training. Jamie said she wanted me to see (and feel!) how much weight I had been carrying around just a few months earlier so I could get an idea of how far I had come.  On that day it really began to sink in!  The exhaustion of carrying around that extra weight had definitely taken its toll and I made a promise to myself that I would never go back!  I have lost a total of 42 pounds and have dropped several sizes.  I still have a long way to go to get to my goal weight but I know in time I can do it.  There are days when it is extremely difficult and I continue to struggle with clean eating but the important thing is that I have stayed with it for an entire year and have no plans of quitting!  That is huge for me! I love the fact that Versus Strength and Conditioning is a community of people at many different fitness levels who have felt the same struggles I have.  We have all made a commitment to make a healthy change and with the help of our coaches, family members and friends we will get there! 

|| DEEDRE'S FIRST YEAR, as a Versus Athlete! ||

My friend Bethanie DeFatta told me about her success with Versus.  I was ready to make a change in how I looked and felt.  I actually called Steve and inquired about starting a group at Oak Grove Primary without really knowing what I was getting myself into.  I sent an email to several school friends to see if they were interested, and the rest is history.

Five teacher friends, my sister, and I started our boot camp on May 1, 2013.  The first day was kind of laughable in that we all realized how out of shape we were.  However, we all showed up again for the second class that week.  By the third class, I was literally crying.  I was doing what Jamie had asked of us, but the rate in which I was doing it was pitiful.  I was more mad at myself for letting my weight get so out of control.  I was overweight when I had both of my girls which left me with about 50 pounds to lose.

This year when I participated in the 2014 I Am Versus Challenge, I gained lots of confidence.  When the six week challenge was over, I felt like I had really accomplished something.  The accountability was exactly what I needed.  I was extremely determined to earn the maximum points each week by eating clean and completing the regular assignments plus the homework.

Even though I have only lost 20 pounds, I am down three dress sizes, and I am stronger than ever.  I now face each workout knowing that I can surpass previous goals and hurdles. My friend Tanja Baxter (OGP AT member!) and I even pick up an extra day at the gym each week which provides us with a way to "mix it up" and use other equipment that is not available for outdoor classes. 

Jamie is our main coach and is responsible for my success.  She always knows exactly how far she can push me and she encourages me in a friendly, fun, yet firm manner that keeps me coming back class after class, week after week.  Quitting is not an option with her, and that is something that she has transferred to me.  For me, it wasn't a monthly commitment or a yearly commitment.  And it wasn't about a gym membership.  It is truly a lifestyle change- one in which I am glad I decided to take part in.

AWESOOOOOOOOME LADIES!!!!!!!