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Tim & Soophie were the first couple to take part in the Bootcamp Ireland Wedding Chellenge! What a journey it's been! We first met Tim & Sophie at Electric Picnic 2009 where Bootcamp Ireland were leading the Festival Fit programme. 
They recently got married at a beautifl ceremnony in Kilternan with a magnificient afters in Shankill in the celubrious Rosedale House. Sophie was a stunning bride and Tim was the dashing groom! We had a chat with Tim & Sophie to see how they got on and to see if their Bootcamp Wedding Chellenge was all that it lived up to be and to see if they achieved their fitness goals for the big day! (If you'd like a re-cap on all their previoous Blog entires during their Wedding Challenge, just click on an Article on the right hand side of the page!) __ Bootcamp Ireland (BI): Well congratulations Tim & Sophie, you are now married! Well done and congratulations to the both of you. How was the wedding day?
Sophie: The wedding was perfect! It was a really great day. We were blessed with the sunny weather and managing to have all Tim's overseas relatives arrive on time (except for his Uncle who was coming from New Zealand who got trapped in Paris) just as the Volcano kicked in. The ceremony and reception was everything I imagined it would be and more. We’ve never had our family and friends together before for a celebration so I think that's what makes it very special: to be able to share a day with the one person you love with everyone else who you care about. It was perfect.
(BI): Remind us all of your goal for joining Bootcamp Ireland for the Wedding Challenge.
Sophie: Well for me it started when we won the Bootcamp Electric Picnic tickets 2009 tickets. Part of the prize was a free Bootcamp class that took place at Electric Picnic. I have to admit that at first I wasn’t overly chuffed with the idea of having to do a workout in my wellies after a long night, but when I did it, I couldn’t believe how good it was and how great I felt! I definitely used muscles I never knew I had. So after that, I was keen to join and give it a proper try. I wanted to get away from simple cardio work like running etc. that I do by myself anyway. I don't do any core work by myself so I thought Bootcamp Ireland was the ideal workout to work not just for cardio, but also for muscle tone too. I have realised over the years that it’s not so much about what you weigh but about body shape too and I also just really wanted to tone up. I felt that the wedding day would be a good goal to get toned up and in shape without the pressure of having to shed pounds of weight!
Tim: Mainly because it had been a long time since I regularly partook in physical activity and I felt like I needed some! I used to be fit and be able to just get up and do sport, but felt that the fitness was slipping away so I just wanted to get it back!
(BI): That's great! Have you had fun at the classes and have you managed to reach your goal?
 Sophie: Well, of course I’ve had fun! There have been fun moments but I’m not gonna lie and say that Bootcamp is "fun"! It is hard work at first and not so much "fun" but I really found that after a few classes it does get easier in the sense that you know what you're in for and you find yourself achieving and getting closer to your goal! It really does becomes fun then..after the initial slogg. I think that at first, I was a little unfit in and found the core exercises tough. I found them hard physically but after a few weeks it gets easier and the focus comes off the work and towards having fun during the workout! Which is great as the odd game here and there gives you a mental break from the tough work where you're busting a gut with the circuits!
Tim: Mostly yes! Although I know that I need to keep it up! I've been getting on the mountain bike lately and really enjoying it...even the uphill bits which I dont think I would have, had it not been for Bootcamp!
(BI): What have you enjoyed the most about the classes? 
Sophie: I really enjoyed the variety of the classes and the different Instructors. I think some of them are hilarious! I found them really encouraging and motivating (in their own unique Military way) and I think that that is key to a good workout. Also, I found the team games to be really enjoyable too! I mean, it’s quite a unique way to workout and it really makes it fun because everyone is in the same boat striving towards the same goal. Tim: The power lunges!
(BI): What difference did it make to you in your daily lives?
Sophie: For me, exercise is key to alleviating stress! I have quite a "highly strung" personality so I find that working out really helps me to relax. I definitely found my energy and concentration levels boosted; especially the few hours after the workout. It took the slump out of the Winter Evenings...even though the couch was way more tempting! But that endorphion rush after the Bootcamp classes and the energy boost afterwards was worth the effort.
Tim: It definitely made a difference to my general frame of mind and helped with my clarity of mind and focus. I think leading up to the big day it was good just to eat out and not think about the million things that were needing to be done!  (BI): What have you learned about your body, fitness and general well being since being in Bootcamp?
Sophie: Well, I’ve learned that fitness and working out is not just beneficial for maintaining a healthy weight, but also for toning up your muscles and making you feel stronger in general! I always shied away from core muscle work (i.e. burpees etc) because I found cardio and fat burning to be more important. But from the Bootcamp results, I’ve realised that It’s not more important and that both are essentail to developping your fitness level.
Tim: It doesnt take much to keep yourself fit, so long as its regular (as in two or three times a week) and intensive enough for your level of fitness! The trick is that it isn't a chore, its just somehting that ends up becoming habit, which makes it a relaistic way to get fit and active!
(BI): Sophie, you mentioned you wanted to lose a bit of weight for the big day. What kind of exercise and diet did you incorporate with your Bootcamp training. Well, as I am prone to weight gain (family history etc.), I’ve always been interested in maintaining a healthy weight and being happy in my own skin. I really didn’t want to try and ‘lose weight’ and to get overly involved in dieting before my wedding. I’ve heard stories and seen friends who have become too involved in weight loss for a wedding and I didn’t want to change myself, but just to really feel toned and comfortable in my dress. Over the years, I have come to believe that moderation is the key; not necessarily giving up something for good or doing exercise everyday. But instead, to decrease my portions of high calories foods such as chocolate/alcohol and to make sure I get exercise at least 4 times a week (walk, run, Bootcamp).
(BI): Has being involved in Bootcamp inspired you to get involved in any other activities or events?
Sophie: Not necessarily to get involved in other events, but it has made me even more convinced that it’s important to incorporate activities into your everyday life. I’ve just started mountain biking in the forest which is lots of fun, so I'm hoping to do that more often! Tim: It's made me realise how great it is to be outdoors again and getting fit and active!
(BI): Tim, you mentioned that you were naturally quite fit. Did you find that you could push your limits in the classes and what kind of difference did you notice in your fitness?
Tim: I found the running around fairly easy, while the LME work more challenging. I think Bootcamp Ireland is great because it's really up to you to push yourself and you can always do that, no matter how easy you think the particular exercise might be!
(BI): Finally was there a moment from a class or a memory that you'll take with you from your classes?
Too many to mention...I'm thinking of slipping around in the rain, being shouted at to !push it out" when all I wanted was a cup of tea and a warm shower, but most importantly I’ll remember the fun and how fit I got at Bootcamp! :)
Mine was when it started snowing during the class in January. It started to snow just at the beginning of the class and I just did not want to be there! But pushing through it and coming out the end with a great sense of achievement and what's evne better is I didn't even feel the cold I was working up such a sweat! Roll on the summer sessions! 
Bootcamp Ireland, along with every Bootcamper wishes Tim & Sophie a lifetime of happines...and fitness :)
Thanks for being the first and a great Bootcamp Ireland Wedding Challenge Couple!
Some photos were kindly contributed by Clare Deignan and Mark Earley (www.markearleyphotography.com)
Tim: Mainly because it had been a long time since I regularly
partook in physical activity and I felt I needed it! I used to be fit and be
able to just get up and do sport, but felt that this fitness was slipping
away; basically just wanted to get it back. |
