By Lei Lydle, Founder and Editor Last Updated: 7/26/2006 10:14:39 AM

Maybe you have heard of "Bridal Boot Camps" or other Fitness Boot Camps in the media... I know I have seen several special reports on the subject. One of the first to offer a Bridal Bootcamp was Cynthia Conde, celebrity trainer and author of the book “Bridal Bootcamp, Look Fabulous On Your Big Day”. According to Cynthia, her Bridal Bootcamp is a balanced fitness and diet plan specifically designed for brides-to-be.

Conde was inspired to create and then trademark her program “Bridal Bootcamp” back in 2001 after she helped a client lose more than a 100 pounds for her wedding. Due to the success of her group classes and one-on-one personal training sessions, coupled with the enormous amount of media attention she receives in the U.S., Conde has created a whole new untapped niche market targeting brides-to-be. This phenomenon has created “wedding bootcamp” like training centers across the country.

Conde has worked as a fitness expert and celebrity trainer for 15 years and has trained celebrities including sports athletes, radio, tv and film personalities.

In March 2006 Cynthia Conde launched her first U.S. national contest sponsored by Gold’s Gym for the Spring Bride “The Bridal Bootcamp Fitness Challenge” an intense twelve-week fitness and nutrition program, designed to get a bride-to-be into the best shape of her life, for the most important day of her life. Conde’s energy and determination to get her clients into great shape is present in the Bridal Bootcamp Challenge. The program outlines 4 keys to success that will make any bride look and feel amazing on her special day.

In July of 2006 Conde will host another “Bridal Bootcamp Fitness Challenge”, this time for the Summer Bride. Conde’s also plans to have another contest in January 2007 for the international bride. Conde is currently negotiation a reality tv show deal based on her popular book and program.

Boot Camp in My Town

I live in Atlanta and Cynthia Conde isn't in Atlanta, so a few years ago, I did some research and decided to take a local bootcamp fitness program targeted at brides. I wanted to get in shape and test this type of program to see if it really worked. Following is my story and a diary of my experience with Operation Boot Camp in Atlanta:

My Boot Camp Experience

I have decided to take on the Operation Boot Camp offered by Atlanta Kick. I know I actually got married a few years ago, but I am taking the class so I can evaluate it and share my results with you.

The Operation Boot Camp (a.k.a. Bikini Boot Camp) is a 30-day program designed to whip you into shape for your wedding, bikini season, or any special event. My personal goals are to tone up, lose 3 to 5 pounds, get more energy and learn better fitness habits.

Girls (and guys), I have to tell you I am a little bit nervous about this. I had my first child 20 months ago and I am in terrible shape. With the exception of taking my daughter for walks, I hardly ever exercise...but now I will be required to work out pretty strenuously for 30 days straight. I just know that I am going to be extremely sore for the next few weeks but I think it will be worth it.

My Boot Camp will begin this Monday at 6am. Yes, 6am. Yikes! I am NOT a morning person. If I can just get up and make it to the morning workouts on time, I will feel like I have really accomplished something.

Orientation

I went to the orientation class this past Thursday night at Atlanta Kick. While I was there, a kickboxing class was in session. That looked like fun! What a great way to release stress!

I arrived at the orientation about 2 minutes before it was supposed to begin. I was terrified that I would be yelled at and embarrassed if I was late. No one was late so I don't know if the Boot Camp staff would have yelled or not. However, 2 people did not show up and Lauren, the Boot Camp administrator, said that they would receive some sort of punishment in the form of push-ups or something like that.

The Eating Plan

The eating plan is not too different from my current eating plan. That is great for me because I am already accustomed to eating more healthily. However, I do cheat and eat whatever I want from time to time. And my big vices are regular Coca-Colas and chocolate chip cookies - both of which are no no's during Boot Camp. I think I will allow myself an occasional Coke and/or cookie so that I don't go completely crazy when Boot Camp is over and pig out.

Another biggie is that you can't drink alcohol for 30 days. I am not a big "partier" but I do look forward to my weekly Girl's Nights which usually involve several margaritas and cheese dip. However, for a few months now, I have been getting terrible hangovers so I am kind of looking forward to the excuse not to drink. I can still go to Girl's Night - I just can't drink! This is definitely for the better.

Weight Loss

They told us at orientation that we can expect to lose inches and maybe a few pounds. But this isn't a quick weight loss plan. You can't expect to lose 20 pounds in 30 days -- that just isn't healthy.

However, they did suggest we weigh ourselves in the days just prior to Boot Camp and then again AFTER Boot Camp to see how much weight we lost. They do not want us to weigh ourselves during Boot Camp though.

I have weighed myself so I am ready. No, I am not sharing my actual weight. But I will let you know how much weight I lose, if any. I am also going to measure my waste, my thighs, my upper arms and my rear end before and after so I can document how many inches I lose in those places.

The Schedule

The Boot Camp staff puts together a workout schedule for each Boot Camper that is designed to fit your personal schedule. They do allow make-up workouts if for some reason you have to change your schedule.

My Diary

Over the next 30 days I will be documenting my experience with the Boot Camp. You all are welcome to write in comments about your experience or just write in to give me some support. I am sure I will need it!

9/5/2003
Today I went to Target to buy some new workout clothes. It has been so long that I don't even have anything decent to wear. I didn't have time to try on the clothes while I was in Target because I had to pick up my daughter from pre-school. So, I just bought a few things in a size that I thought would fit and went on my way. After my daughter went to bed, I pulled out my Target bag and started trying on my new workout gear. Uggh! Nothing fit very well. Now I have to take most of the clothes back. Lesson Learned: Try on your workout clothes before purchasing.

9/6/2003
Today I pulled out my personal Boot Camp schedule to write all the dates on my calendar and compare with my husband's schedule. He travels with his job and I have to make sure that someone is going to be here to babysit my daughter while I am off working out. After comparing our schedules I found that I am going to have to re-schedule a couple of dates. I think this will be ok with the Boot Camp, I am about to email them my requested change. I will keep you posted!

9/7/2003
I went to Target to return the workout clothes I bought but I was unable to find anything to replace them. So I went next door to Galyan's but I still couldn't find anything I liked. I guess I will have to make do with shorts and t-shirts that I already own.

I also went to the grocery store to stock up on food for the Boot Camp eating plan. I am supposed to eat several small meals a day and something like a protein bar can count as a meal. Running this Web site and being a new mom keep me super busy so I stocked up on protein bars and shakes. I also got a lot of fresh fruits and veggies as well as fresh chicken and turkey for dinners, eggs and Go Lean cereal for breakfast and canned tuna to eat whenever... Oh! and I bought tons of bottled water.

Boot Camp starts tomorrow at 6am and it is 8:21pm now. I am signing off now so I can get in bed by 10pm. I have to wake up at 5:30am - scary!!

9/8/2003
Well I made it through my first official day of Boot Camp. Waking up at 5:30am wasn't so bad. The only problem was that I kept waking up during the night to look at the clock...4 more hours...3 and a half more hours...2 hours and 15 minutes...until finally my alarm went off. I shot out of bed because I did NOT want to be late.

Today we did some fitness tests - how many pushups, situps etc. that we could do in a certain amount of time. This was hard for me but I didn't quit. At one point I thought I might, well, "toss my cookies", but I never did...

I have to say I had a great time this morning. All of the Boot Campers were so supportive and friendly. The instructors were equally as supportive but they also stayed on us to keep pushing us - which is what we are paying them to do.

Anyway, I left the workout feeling energized and my husband said he noticed that I was in a better mood today. That's wonderful!

I didn't have much trouble with the eating plan for most of the day however I was hungry no matter how much I ate. We must've burned a lot of calories this morning! However, I did have dinner plans with my girlfriends and when I got to El Azteca I was starving. I ate 4 or 5 small chips with salsa while I waited for my dinner. I don't know if the chips are fried or not but my hunch is that I probably should skip the chips. I drank only water and I only ate the chicken and vegetables from my fajitas. (I skipped the tortillas and sour cream.) I wrote down everything in my notebook and I am happy to say that I was able to get in all of the protein, vegetables, carbs and waters that I was supposed to. So far I am loving Boot Camp!

9/9/2003
I was so sore today I could hardly move! But, I had to get up and get going because I had back to back meetings all day. This was a tough day for me because I was so busy I had trouble fitting in the various small meals. I didn't get to do my "homework" workout until the evening. I took my baby girl for a brisk 30 minute walk and then I did the scheduled workout which was tough - 25 push-ups and 100 crunches. I didn't have much trouble with the crunches but I could hardly do the push-ups because my arms were so so so sore. I really struggled with the push-ups. I think it took me 20 minutes to do them all.

One other thing I noticed were bug bites on my arms. Mental Note: Use bug spray before the morning workouts :-)

9/10/2003
Today I had my first kickboxing class. I didn't know anything about kickboxing so I was kind of clueless. Atlanta Kick includes kickboxing gloves and wraps in the price of the Boot Camp which is very convenient.

Anyway, the kickboxing classes are on mats so you are barefooted. (Something I didn't know so I thought I would share.) Also, here's a tip: Don't wear your engagement ring, or any other ring for that matter, to kick boxing. You could hurt yourself or your ring when you are punching the bag!

I have to say - I am really loving this Boot Camp so far!

9/12/2003
Yesterday was a homework day and nothing too eventful happened but today was my second 6AM workout. I had no problem waking up at 5:30AM but I did notice that I forgot to flip the "on" switch on my alarm clock. Luckily I had also set the alarm on my watch as a back up so it went off and woke me up.

The morning workout this morning was really fun. We did a lot of sprinting with cones. It was kind of like Field Day in grade school. Remember that?

I was really tired when I got to the park for the workout but I was super energized afterwards. So far this week I have noticed the following changes in myself:

• I've been in a better mood.
• I have had more energy.
• I feel less stressed.
• I have been sleeping wonderfully.
• My skin seems to be glowing.

I think it is probably too early to see any difference in my body shape but I do FEEL slimmer and my husband noticed my arm muscles earlier this evening :-)

9/17/2003
This week I have been super busy but I have been good about eating all of my small meals. Fitting in 6 small healthy meals may be one of the toughest things about Boot Camp.

Anyway, I had homework workouts Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Homework workouts are harder for me because I don't have anyone here to push me. On Monday I went through the whole day and almost forgot my workout - I remembered at 8:30 at night and then I had to do 200 sit-ups. Ouch!!

Tuesday morning I had the 6am workout. There was a lot of running in this workout and one of the instructors, I think his name is Jeff, decided to pick on me a little. I really was doing the best I could but it was nice to have someone pushing me to try harder. I have to admit, I felt a little queasy at the end but those who know me would agree that ALOT of things make me queasy!

Tonight, I had my conditioning class at Atlanta Kick. I thought this class was hard but fun. I had never used a lot of the exercise equipment that is used in this class and although I think I looked like a spaz - it was fun. The young lady in the rotation in front of me, who is a bride, was extremely nice and helped me with most of the exercises.

It's 9PM now...I have to make my way towards the bed now so I can get a lot of rest for tomorrow's workout!

9/18/2003
Ok - today was the first day that I really felt like I was in a "Boot Camp". When I originally signed up for the class, I envisioned instructors in army gear in my face telling me to do more push ups. Well, it isn't like that at all. The instructors do "push" you to work hard but they don't yell at you or anything.

However, this mornings 6AM workout consisted of running to different places ("stations") in the park and doing assigned exercises - push ups at Station 1, sit-ups at Station 2, etc. This is where it felt like a true Boot Camp. The grass was really wet and we just had to lie down in it to do the exercises. I was soaked and had grass all over me!

I think most would consider me a "girly" girl but I felt pretty tough today. :-)

9/19/2003
Fun fun fun! Today was absolutely the most fun day of Boot Camp yet!

I have to admit, after yesterday's workouts in the wet grass, I wasn't too excited to hop at out of bed this morning at 5:30am. Various excuses of why I couldn't make it this morning kept running through my head... "I threw my back out", "my daughter isn't feeling well", "I think I have the flu" ...anything to get me out of the workout... In the end my integrity won out and I crawled out of bed.

So what was so fun? Today we split up into 2 teams and we played soccer. It wasn't normal soccer though - there were at least 4 balls in play at all times and anytime the other team scored, my team had to do push-ups.

I have never played soccer so I didn't really know what I was doing and at times I was a little scared of the ball hitting me in the face (it happened to one Boot Camper), but the time flew by. I couldn't believe it when they said it was over - it seemed a lot shorter than the other workouts but it wasn't.

I know we probably won't but I hope we do this workout again!

9/22/2003
This weekend was hard. My husband came home on Saturday afternoon from a walk with a box of a dozen donuts. I was so mad! How could he tempt me like that? For what it's worth he did apologize. He didn't realize how much I would want one...and I wanted one so bad! BUT, I was good and I didn't event take one bite!

Tonight I was scheduled for Kickboxing Class. I was so excited about it all day until about 6:50 when my babysitter called and canceled. My husband was in a meeting and I didn't know when it would be over - so I was stuck with no one to keep my daughter. I called Atlanta Kick and Heidi said that I could schedule a make-up class if I couldn't be there and to do a homework assignment tonight. I was bummed - I really really like Kickboxing. But at a couple of minutes after 7, my husband was home...so I quickly gathered my gloves and ran out the door. I made it to Atlanta Kick with several minutes to spare! The class was so fun. I think I may sign up for Kickboxing Class after the Boot Camp is over...

9/25/2003
This week has been really tough. They say the 3rd week of Boot Camp is the hardest - and it might be. I think the 1st week was really hard so I'm not sure which is worse. Anyway, as hard as it is I have survived so far and I have less than 2 weeks to go....

I've told several people about the Boot Camp and every single one of them said in one form or another - "well they won't know if you cheat". OK probably not. But why would I cheat? What's the point of doing this if you aren't going to go for it? It is hard but it isn't impossible and if I cheat then I won't be able to reach my desired goals.

And, you know what, I've had a cookie here and there. I think that if I am craving one to the point that I can't think about anything else then I need to just eat one and eat it slowly to savor and enjoy the taste. If I don't do this, then I am afraid that I will totally pig out on like 10 cookies when Boot Camp is over and I don't want to do that.

And, each time I've eaten a cookie, I have told the Boot Camp instructors about it by writing it in my log book. If I were to eat too many they would make me do push-ups or something.

I am determined to follow the Boot Camp rules to the best of my ability...anyone can do this for 30 days and it really does work. My body already looks very toned and so much better. My husband has commented several times on how good I look - woo hoo!

10/2/2003
This week has been really difficult for me. My baby girl caught a virus at pre-school and I had to re-schedule a couple of Boot Camp workouts so that I could care for her. THEN, I caught her virus, of course, and I have had to re-schedule this entire week! The Boot Camp administrators totally understood and have been very flexible and accommodating in re-scheduling my workouts.

While my daugher was sick I stuck to the eating plan and did several homework workouts so that I wouldn't fall behind. Then when I got sick I found it more difficult to eat several small meals but I did the best I could. I have also tried to do at least a few conditioning exercises each day but mostly I have been trying to get a lot of rest so that I can get better and complete my Boot Camp!

10/12/2003
This week was the final week of Boot Camp. On Tuesday we had our final Physical Fitness tests and I was actually amazed by the results.

Keep in mind that I really only completed 3 weeks of Boot Camp at this point because I had to take a few days off because I was sick. In 3 weeks time I was able to improve the number of push-ups that I could do tremendously. When I started, I am a little embarrassed to say that I could only do 5 regular push-ups and 10 assisted push-ups (knees bent) for a total of 15 in one minute. After only 3 weeks of Boot Camp I could do 17 regular push-ups and 19 assisted pus-ups for a total of 36 in one minute. I was able to triple the number of regular push-ups that I could do and double the overall total.

I saw the greatest improvement in the number of push-ups but I did improve in every aspect. I was able to do 15 more full sit-ups in one minute than I was able to do in the beginning and I improved my time in both the timed distance run and the timed sprints.

Of course, I have been mentioning the changes in my body all along, and let me tell you, I lost inches everywhere! My thighs are thinner, my waist and rear end are smaller and my arms are thinner. I weigh the same as when I started so that tells me that I lost some fat and gained some muscle. I am able to fit into my size 4's and that is great for me since I am 5'7" and just had a baby last year.

I have also noticed that I haven't really stopped eating by the eating plan - even though Boot Camp is over. I guess I formed a habit of staying away from cheese and fried foods because now, when I look at them, I just don't want them! I have also continued to workout on my own and prior to Boot Camp, I hated working out.

All in all, I highly recommend this Boot Camp. It is well worth the money because it is like having a personal trainer 5 days a week for 4 weeks. If you think about it that way, the fee they charge is WAY too low. I am recommending this Boot Camp to all of my close friends. If you need to get in shape for your wedding, and you don't live too far outside the city of Atlanta, you should really give this Boot Camp a try!

Have You Taken Any Type of Fitness Boot Camp?

Please share your experience below!

6 Comments

Submit Comments...

		Anne from Westfield, New Jersey says...
		I am definitely an old bride. I was widowed at 40 years old and am getting re-married at 49. I need to lose 40 lbs in 11 months and get firmed up. Any bridal bootcamps in Northern or Central NJ? Help me! Wedding Date: August 2006
		Posted: 10/12/2005 6:59:22 PM

		Julisa from Boca Raton, Florida says...
		I'm interested in attending a bridal boot camp for my wedding too!! Could you tell me what the cost was and possibly guide me to one in my area? Wedding Date: February 18, 2006
		Posted: 10/2/2005 9:53:08 PM

		Linda from Long Island, New York says...
		I'm looking to take Bridal Bootcamp in NY, any suggestions as to where I can go? My email address is LPanetta25@hotmail.com
		Posted: 9/30/2005 3:31:15 PM

		GEORGINE from HACKENSACK, NEW JERSEY says...
		WHERE CAN I FIND A BRIDAL BOOT CAMP IN MY AREA? I WOULD LOVE TO TRY IT. Wedding Date: 10/15/06
		Posted: 9/22/2005 4:25:07 PM

		Robin Coleman from Cleveland, Ohio says...
		I would like to know where I can take a bridal boot camp class in my city. My email address is Robin.Coleman@remingtoncollege.edu Wedding Date: 04/23/2005
		Posted: 12/13/2004 11:28:38 AM

		Debbie from Atlanta, Ga says...
		OK, so I'm an old bride, but I just had to write about Bootcamp because I'm an addict. I took the bootcamp in April of 2003 (it's called Bikini Bootcamp in early summer). I started off thinking that the lbs were just gonna fly off me - I mean, when you see the program, you'll understand. Anyway, I was concerned I couldn't get up for the mornings...and who has time to eat well. But, they do such a good job of making it a team experience and even play games to keep it fun (not to mention a kick-butt workout). The log book really keeps you honest & they offer lots of help to fit all sorts of lifestyles so you can eat better. I was traveling at the time & they helped me figure out portable snacks & good choices for dining out. The last two weeks I really watched what I ate & gave it my all. I ended up losing 1 dress size and 8 lbs (you do gain muscle so the lbs loss was probably more substantial). But the most exciting news for me was the way my body changed. I've always HATED my arms and for the first time I could actually see some definition and was proud to wear sleeveless. I say I'm an addict because I've continued to do the a.m. workouts all summer with new groups of bootcampers. And I'm no the only one who's either continued in the morning or taking a second or third consecutive bootcamp to keep going! If you're serious about wanting to get into shape fast - then I highly recommend this program! Wedding Date: 4/1/2000
		Posted: 9/18/2003