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Two Year Burniversary



Day One, Year One, and Year Two Progression with Zach in the right size of clothes
Two years ago, Burn Boot Camp-Asheville opened their doors for orientation. This is when I sat in the parking lot and honestly thought about not showing up. I remembered I had said I would be there, and I knew I was far from being alone walking in to that sea of people. I listened to stories, admired the people on the Transformation Wall and felt a lot of energy. 

This is also the day I met Sara, my day one. We did a workout with Devan Kline, the founder of Burn Boot Camp, and I left part of the way through. I left for a few reasons. Charles had to work third shift that day, and I wanted to get home to talk to him about Burn. Then, I had overwhelming fear and anxiety about what I was doing there, what was expected and if I was going to be able to do those things.

I showed up the next day, December 4th, for my first full camp with Zach at 4:30.

First Camp, 12/4/2017

When I started Burn Boot Camp, I was 403 pounds. The first year I had a hard time finding my focus. I carried a lot of stress from relationships, my employment and many other contributing factors. I had a hard time finding consistency and really figuring out how to beat obesity. I failed at a commitment to Zach to begin a journey. He had worked so hard for me to put together goals, expectations and so much more that I completely took for granted. I failed a lot the first year. I yo-yoed with my nutrition. I just did not take it as serious as I should have, to be completely transparent.

Year two something triggered fire in me. In February, I made the decision to take back my purpose and work harder than I had ever worked towards my goals. I reached back out to Blue Sky for constant accountability and guidance. Although Zach had been more than patient and helpful with nutrition, I knew I had had so much success with them before that I needed to get that tool back in my journey. 

Since February, I have lost 67 pounds as of last week's weigh in. Today, I had my focus meeting with Zach. I wore my same clothes from my day one photo, purple tank and gray shorts. These clothes were my every day workout clothes for weeks. They would be washed and dried every night for me to wear the next day until I bought more. Since they were so important at the beginning, I wanted a photo to compare the progress of then to now in the same clothes. I was completely shocked at the outcome.

Since I began my weight loss journey, I have lost a total of 40.5 inches. 31 of those inches have been since I have been at Burn Boot Camp. Specifics for each area that is measured is 15.5 inches have been lost from my waist (13in since Burn); 15 inches off my hips (8in since Burn); 4 inches total off my right leg; and 6 inches off my right arm. Blue Sky does not measure your arm or leg so I have no comparison of those two from beginning to now. Total weight loss as of today is 149 pounds since I began this journey.

How do I feel about all this? There are a lot of emotions that take over when I reflect on the photos I took today. Joy was the biggest one I felt because I never thought I would be able to see myself changing and losing the weight that I knew was holding me back for years. Joy because I am free of the deep depression that took over my life for so very long. Joy because I am achieving goals with an amazing support team filled with love, patience, gratitude and celebration in all I do. 

I also feel a lot of emotion, but I have not actually cried yet. I am trying to figure out exactly what and how I should feel. I am forever thankful for the people I have met and gained to be a part of my life throughout this journey. I have also this feeling of the need to push harder and truly focus so that goal in February will be under my belt with me only working towards another one. 



Day One, Year One, and Year Two
Same Clothes, two years apart, 12/2017 (Left) and 12/2019 (right)







Bring On Year Three!

Thank you to everyone that made Burn Boot Camp-Asheville possible. You sincerely have forever impacted my life, and many others, with so many things from a healthier lifestyle to life-long friendships. I know I can speak for many when I say that you will never understand the impact you have made on our lives. Zach, Amy, Maya, Carrie and Jenny, you guys saved me.










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