The Rocky Fitness Challenge

Source: By Lisa Ryckman, Health & Fitness Editor, Rocky Mountain News
November 16, 2004

Lisa Lowe hasn't let a bad back get in her way. Maria Gonzalez's kids work out with her. Aurora police officer Judy Lutkin no longer eats doughnuts. And Diane Vollmer still hates to exercise.

But she does it anyway.

A few days after their initial assessment at the Denver Athletic Club six weeks ago, the nine moms in our Rocky Fitness Challenge had signed up as new recruits at Bootcamp360 in downtown Denver, where Denise Tryner - Drill Sgt. Denise to them - runs them ragged.

They love it.

"No matter what their goals are, the only way to get there is by doing what they are supposed to do," says Tryner, who is happy to hound them if asked. "I'm proud to say that each mom gives 150 percent all of the time, and it's definitely showing in their results."

The moms have two sessions a week at Bootcamp360, but they're working out on their own as well - many of them six times a week, a beneficial combination of strength and cardio training.

That requires carving out time for themselves, a new experience for stay-at-home mom Kevala Kenna, 25. She says that's been her greatest success, though it has meant putting year-old Addie Rose in the rec center's day care for an hour, a tough transition for them both.

"I never understood the implication of taking care of someone else more than you take care of yourself," she says. "I'm in autodrive, giving and giving and giving. I forgot that I need anything."

Making changes in their eating habits has been tough, but the moms are working on it, and they're helping their families work on it, too. Our challengers keep exercise and nutrition logs to help them focus.

"I always thought I was a little wacko when it came to food. I call food my addiction," Barb Richardson says. "Knowing what is good for you and changing your lifestyle are two separate things."

Lowe says she lives by advice from Drill Sgt. Denise, who told the moms not to waste calories on something you just like: If you're going to have a treat, make it something you really love. And if they do have that second piece of pie at Thanksgiving, remember it's just a moment - when that moment is over, start fresh.

There have been obstacles, to be sure. Vollmer amazed herself by working up to a three-mile run, then had to stop for two weeks after she injured her leg by putting inexpensive insoles in her running shoes. Patty Foxx seemed to reel from one physical setback to another, everything from chest pain to an abscessed tooth.

"At 51, it's not as easy to bounce back," she says. "Boot camp is very tough, and aerobically, I'm not in as good a shape as I thought. But I'm getting there, slow but sure. I think my biggest success thus far is in not giving up. It would be easy to do, but with the support from the rest of the team and Denise, I've managed to work through it mentally."

All the moms credit Bootcamp360 with making the challenge fun and successful, but they also rely on the encouragement they get from each other.

"They've been a strong team since day one. They always support each other, cheering each other on, reminding one another that they can do it," Tryner says. "I often remind them of their first day, how much stronger they are, how good they look and how far they have come."

They all know how far they still have to go, and they're right on track.