Outdoor Boot Camp

With crisp fall weather still before us, now is the time to lose weight and get fit with Debi’s Original Boot Camp for Women. Here’s why this program will give you a better body—and a whole lot more.

By: Ken McEntee
Date: 10/10/2007
Debi Balmert and her daughter, Diane Quimper, invite you to step outside.

And while the weather is nice and cool, why not take advantage of the chance to get in great physical and emotional shape with Debi’s Original Boot Camp for Women, held in the clean, fresh air?

If you’re a little over-weight—and I’m not saying you are, — you would be in good company. According to Debi, two-thirds of Americans are right there with you.

That’s why Debi, owner of Debi’s Personal Training, started the Boot Camp program. During a typical four-week Boot Camp, you can expect to lose about five pounds of fat.

“We’re not talking about five pounds on the scale, which could include water or muscle,” Debi explains.”
We’re talking five pounds of actual fat.”

Her prop—an actual, disgusting five-pound blob of simulated fat—illustrates her point. At least I hope it was simulated.

The Boot Camp is being offered during early morning hours—that means around 5:30 a.m.—in Middleburg Heights, Avon Lake and LaGrange, and during the evening in Strongsville, Avon Lake and LaGrange.

As long as the weather cooperates, Debi
will keep the programs outdoors.

“Working out in nature is invigorating and relieves stress,” Debi insists. “People are cooped up inside far too much. During our early morning sessions we’ve seen shooting stars and beautiful sunrises.”

The Boot Camp involves more than physical exercise.

“We include mind, body and nutrition in the program,” Debi says. “We have a holistic nutritionist who will help you to improve your diet. We do visualization and focusing on goals. But the key is fun and camaraderie.”

The goal of the Boot Camp is to inspire people to set new standards for success.

“We want to help people realize they are capable of being more than just average,” Diane says.
Debi and Diane are not your routine trainers. To keep things interesting, they tend to get a little unconventional—like using pumpkins as medicine balls.

“Doing creative games and using toys and props increases the fun and camaraderie in the class, but it also makes the exercises more effective,” explains Diane, who is also known on occasion as Devil Barbie. “When you keep doing the same exercises, your body gets used to it. When you do different things your muscles have to respond differently. In our class you never know what to expect.”

Boot Camp begins with a pre-evaluation, which includes a computerized body fat analysis and a success packet, which includes everything you need to know to get a jump-start on a new life.

“Our classes have all ages and all shapes and sizes,” Debi says. “We’ve had students as old as 82 years old.”
Limitations? No problem. And no excuse.

“Anybody can do our exercises,” Diane insists. “If you have a special condition, we’ll show you how to modify them so you will still get great results.”

Another great thing is the cost.

“Our program costs about one-third to one-fourth the cost of a personal trainer,” Debi says.
Along with the Boot Camp, Debi also offers corporate wellness programs—like the “Be Your Best Challenge” that can be done onsite at your office.

“The goal of the six-week program is to encourage healthy eating and exercise habits for life,” Debi says.
Holistic nutritionist Kim Handley not only works with Boot Camp and corporate participants on proper nutrition, but she’ll take groups to the grocery store to teach them how to shop.

Her Grocery Shopping Adventures are scheduled for interested groups and are typically held at Heinen’s, Trader Joes or other area stores.

“Kim helps with issues like misleading labels,” Debi said. “For example, Frosted Flakes claims to come from whole grain. But at some point, so does beer.”

Diane says proper nutrition, along with exercise, is key to a healthy life.

“With food, premium fuel creates premium performance,” she says.

Four-week Boot Camps will be held Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, at 5:45 a.m. at the Middleburg Heights Recreation Center beginning October 16 and October 23.

Strongsville Boot Camps will be held Mondays and Thursdays at 6:00 p.m. at the Angel House Center for Art and Creative Life Change, starting October 15.

Call 440-355-6100 for the class schedules in LaGrange and Avon Lake.

A special men’s Boot Camp will start October 22, at 5:30 a.m., at the Middleburg Heights Recreation Center.

The sessions will be held Mondays and Fridays, with a special Wednesday homework assignment.

For more information, call Debi’s Personal Training at 440-355-6100 or visit
www.GotGut.com.

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