Date of Boot Camp Attended: July 18th 2009 Luxury Boot Camp and April 30th 2010 Back to Basics
Occupation: Office Manager
Age: 30
Where you live: Dublin Ireland

Your Story:

New You Boot Camp changed my life. I was 5ft 1 and very over weight. I weighed 14stone 4 pound and was very unhealthy and unfit, the clothes that I was wearing were 16 on the top and 18 on the bottom.  I had tried everything from fad diets to diet pills but they had never worked and the weight would always go back on.  I was reading a book by Jade Goody and got to a point where she said she had gone to New You Boot Camp for two weeks and lost two stone. The minute I read that I jumped off the sofa and Googled what boot camp Jade Goody went to. That was the moment I knew if I go ahead with this, things would change like I always wanted to happen.   Something inside me told me this is it Sarah this is how you can change your life. And it did I have lost 3stone 11 pound so far!

Before New You Boot Camp I was very down and never went out. I started putting on weight when I was about 24 or 25 years old, and never put a stop to it. Before I knew I was going on 29 and hadn’t had much of a life because my weight.  I was always sick and in hospital with illnesses related to being obese, I couldn’t go up or down stairs without being breathless. I know that no matter what weight you are you can always enjoy life but when you are not happy with your weight or yourself like I was it can stop you wanting to have a life.

I stopped going out with my friends, shopping for clothes on a night out seemed impossible as in my head I was as still the size 10 or 12 and not the size I actually was. I hated being out with my slim friends as I always thought I looked horrible.  My friends would get loads of attention out and I’d be the one to stay sitting the whole night getting drunk. I lost contact with most of my friends because I never did anything with them and they got sick of asking me and me saying no all the time. I lived in my room in my mother’s house watching TV and eating crap and did not even have a proper relationship with my family because I was so depressed.  Looking back I can now say I hated myself and what I had become.  At weekends I used to stay in bed till the afternoon and go to bed about 10pm every night. When I was younger I used to be so close to my younger sister but our relationship had changed as she didn’t like the person I had become as I would always get moody with her and pick fights with her all the time. I relied on my mother a lot because I hadn’t many friends left but that relationship with my mother disappeared because she was always telling me to lose weight and I always argued with her when she mentioned it.

My sister got married in January 2009 and I was asked to be her bridesmaid.  I didn’t want to do it because of my weight but knew I had to. She couldn’t have the style of dress she wanted for all the bridesmaids because they had to fit around me, which made me feel awful.  It came to the wedding I knew I looked well but didn’t feel it and was very uncomfortable for the day. That was the night I said to myself I have to change my life start losing weight. It went over three months after the wedding (I still hadn’t lost any weight) till I read Jades book. When I googled New You Boot Camp I kept it to myself and I rang the booking number and enquired about it. I knew from reading all the amazing success stories on the web page that this was for me this is how I am going to lose my weight. The girl on the other end was lovely I told her what I weighed and that I had no fitness levels at all, she told me that they get different people from all shapes, sizes and ages and made me fell comfortable about booking it.  The first person I told was my mother, she said “very good” but I knew she was saying to herself she won’t do it. Then I told my older sister Louise and my friend Valerie who never gave up on me and stayed in contact. That was it I had booked it and started to shop for the kit.  The day I set off for New You Boot Camp I sent my mother a message while waiting for my flight saying “mother I am getting on this flight and going to change my life around, I am not going to be depressed or down anymore and going to lose weight” I then set a goal for myself that I was going to wear a dress for my 30th, which would be the first time ever since I was a kid.

At New You Boot Camp I lost a massive 11lb and 7 inches, my attitude changed I was very positive and happy again.  I felt good in myself and really enjoyed being me again. The day after boot camp when I was at home I got up at 7am and went on a hill run! This was a New Me!! I wouldn’t be the person I am today if I didn’t go to New You Boot Camp.  If I can do it anyone can.  If anyone reading this is thinking twice about going don’t it’s a life changing experience and you will enjoy every moment of it.  I enjoyed it so much. I  am 3 pound away from losing 4 stone in total.  I have gone back for a second week as I loved the experience so much and how it made me feel about myself!

Your Experience at New You Boot Camp: 

The first day I got there we had an introduction, fitness test and weigh in. I couldn’t even lift myself up for the sit ups or runs, I had to walk.  The first full day was hard, everyday was hard for me.  On the first day I thought I can’t do this.. but as I had told aunties and friends at work what I was doing I knew I couldn’t give up.  The group and staff where lovely and everyone pushed each and looked after each other. On day three I remember walking back to the meeting area after lunch and talking to one of the other girls, I said “I am never eating another take out or McDonalds again” she laughed but to this day a year later I haven’t. One of the days we did coastering, I have the biggest fear of water and heights and I can’t swim. But I did it thanks to the lovely staff and my group. I jumped off cliffs into the sea that was a big achievement and I remember thinking if I can do this I can do anything!  I found once I got past day three the aches and pains started to ease and go away.  I hated the hill walks because they were so steep, I was always upset walking them at the start but it got easier and the other girls where so helpful and got me through it. I started to love getting out of bed early and having a routine.  It was the hardest week of my life but I wouldn’t change it, it was so worth it.

At the end of the week we were all called in to a private room to be weighed and measured again.  I went in stood on the scales and was told I had lost 11lb I was so shocked. The camp leader asked me if I was not happy with that and I said yes I am thanks but I was in shock I lost that much!  I walked down the stairs to where the staff and rest of the group were and they asked how id done, I said I lost 11lb. They looked at me and said are you happy I said yeah but I was so shocked I couldn’t even react.  It was when I left the camp and was waiting on the train to the airport that I realised. I was sitting there on my own and I said to myself out loud “Oh my god”I have lost 11lb. I text everyone in my phone even the friends I have lost touch with, the text said “I just lost 11lb in one week” It was that moment that made me realise that if I can get through a week at boot camp I can achieve anything!

How has it changed your life?:

I was coming through the airport thinking my mother is collecting me I wonder if she will notice the difference. I walked through the arrival doors and saw her standing there and she looked right through me. Then she noticed me and said something out loud to herself and ran over to me. Before I went to New You Boot Camp my skin, hair and nails where in a horrible state from my bad diet. I said to my mother what did you say and she said she was looking for me saying why hasn’t she come through yet then looked at me, looked again and said oh my goodness that’s my Sarah!  She said I looked 5 years younger my skin had a healthy glow and I looked amazing. She rang my older sister and said wait till you see her. We went straight up to my sister and she said she couldn’t look at me. It’s like looking at a younger Sarah.

Once I had returned home I was determined not to waste the great week I had and to go back to my old ways. I got up at 7am on the next day and I went on a run. I kept up the exercise and the new way of eating. I even moved out of home and am now living on my own. I have a great relationship with my friends again and love going out with them.  My friends said it’s great to have the old Sarah back. Thanks to New You Boot Camp my life has changed back to what it is.  I just celebrated my 30th and yes I wore the dress I said I was going to wear and loved every minute shopping for it.

I’m a total different person now, I have so much confidence and I love going out. I love my life again and spending my time with friends and family.

What would you say to anyone thinking of booking on?:

Don’t think twice just book it. Talk to friends or family that will support your decision. It will be the best week of your life. You might not think it at the time but when you finish the week you will be so proud of yourself.  The food is lovely and will fill you up you will never be hungry for the week.  And the difference you will notice, your skin will be like a babies, and your hair and nails will be like new. I want to go back just for that!

How much weight and inches did you lose at New You Boot Camp?

First – 11lb and 7 inches.

Have you gone on to lose any further weight or set any goals for your fitness: eg 10k, Marathons etc – ?

I am now 6 stone lighter and my journey started with you July 2009.
*