DumBell Gives Back: Honolulu Zoo Charity Boot Camp!

On Saturday, August 4th, over 40 families came out to support the Honolulu Zoo at the 2nd DumBell Fitness Boot Camp for Charity! Our goal was to raise $1,000 for the Zoo's Education Department, but true to form, our recruits were more generous than we could have imagined! The final total raised for the Zoo was $2038! We are overwhelmed by your generosity, and are so proud to have you all as part of the DumBell Fitness family! We can't thank you enough for such a fabulous morning. Plans are already in the works to make this an annual event! We hope you enjoy these photos from the day! 

Trainers Alison Fournier, Cheri Kendall, and Alicia Palmer starting things off with a quick run! 

Obstacle course! 

It wouldn't be a Boot Camp class without push-ups, would it? 

Can't forget to work those biceps! 

We loved that so many recruits brought their families with them to work out! 

Looking good, Alison! 

One of the cutest recruits of the day! 

Nice job, Cheri! 

Does this photo even need a caption? 

Several spouses came out Saturday! 

Abs!
 

Everyone was working hard! 

Two loyal DumBell kids! Check out those great t-shirts! 

The "tots" camp agility course! 

Trainer Michelle Raigan with the DumBell kiddos! 

Duck, duck, GOOSE! 

Even kids love bear crawls! 

Crab walks! 

The Zoo set up educational activities for school-aged children! 

Making treats for the Zoo animals! 

The kids also colored animal masks!  

Special thanks to our trainers for such a great workout! (thanks also to Alicia Palmer, who isn't in this photo!) 

Showing off their true selves!

Thank you again to EVERYONE that came out and supported the Honolulu Zoo! 

DumBell Success Stories: Heidi Holloway

A big shout out to today's amazing Success Story, Ford Island recruit Heidi Holloway! 


When Heidi first moved to Hawaii, she had gained 15 pounds. "I had let myself fall back into a very lazy routine," recalls Heidi. "I knew after all the hard work I had done before moving here to reach my goal weight, I needed to find a new program. So when a few friends of mine mentioned Boot Camp and how awesome it was, I got on the wait list knowing that  accountability was exactly what I needed to get back on track!" 

Heidi pre-boot camp

Outside of Boot Camp, Heidi swims, bikes, and runs on her off days. She has also recently started competing in triathlons!

"Nutrition has always been a big challenge for me. I am a pretty picky eater and I don't like wasting money to try things and then find out I won't eat them," says Heidi. "I decided to sign up for DumBell CORP and I learned a lot about the quality of the food I am putting in my body, and I have been trying to stick to as healthy and clean of a diet as possible! And even more so, I'm trying to instill healthy eating habits in my children. I have heard Christina say it before, and it has become a common phrase in my house, 'When you know better, you do better', and I am doing everything I can to make sure my family knows the right choices to make!"

Initially, Heidi was most motivated to attend Boot Camp only because she'd paid for it. "Now, it is more of a how-much-harder-can-I-push-myself-today motivation! Working out or running on my own, I don't push myself as hard as I do with other people around. I am for sure the person who is competing with my neighbor, whoever that may be. I may not win every time, but either way I am pushing myself to the limit everyday!"

Heidi can't name just one favorite part about DumBell Fitness Boot Camps. "I love the style of the work out, and I love the program and all the people in it are AMAZING! Christina has exactly the right balance of push and encouragement for me. Without fail, when I am feeling like I can't finish a set of burpies, she bursts out with one of her Christina-isms and I am somehow able to to push through!"

"Heidi was already on a weight loss journey before entering Boot Camp," says trainer Christina Landry. "The DumBell Fitness program built on that success and took Heidi to another level. I loved watching her blossom into the triathlete she is today. Heidi is constantly challenging herself, whether it be with more weight or resistance at Boot Camp, or a new race around the island. And she does not keep her new knowledge a secret; she has transferred her healthier way a life on to her husband, children, and other friends. Seeing Heidi's success is proof that lasting changes can happen and a new level of fitness can be achieved on a continual basis. As I and many of her friends already know, Heidi's  drive for overall wellness and fitness is contagious. She is a great role model for our community and I am honored and humbled to be a part of her journey."

"I just want to say to everyone involved in DumBell Fitness, and especially Christina, thank you so much for helping me become the strong and confident BADASS that I have always wanted to be! And to anyone just starting out, if I can do it....then that must mean it is possible! There is absolutely nothing holding me back, and that is an amazing feeling!" 

Looking great, Heidi! 

Wednesday's Winners: Lillian Lee

We are excited to feature Ford Island recruit Lillian Lee as today's Wednesday's Winner! Congratulations, Lillian! 


"I began Boot Camp on Monday March 26th, weighing in at 176.4 pounds, " says Lillian. "On June 27, I weighed in at 161.2 pounds. I have a lost a total of 15.2 pounds and 11.75 inches, despite taking a vacation in August!" 

Lillian before joining Boot Camp!

Lillian's workout routine is three "magical" mornings a week at the Ford Island MWF 0830 class, and she is still searching for her favorite cardio workout. "I've done a couple SPIN classes (no ma'am!), a couple Zumba classes, and some other offerings at the base gym. Nowadays, you'll also catch me moving during my children's sports practices (even if it's just walking or stretching) instead of just sitting and waiting." 
 
Lillian is focusing on healthier choices, moderation, and monitoring portion and serving sizes. She also added eating breakfast everyday to her routine. "The 'new me' still enjoys her favorite treat, but much less frequently and in a smaller container!"

Christina has enjoyed watching Lillian's success. "Lillian was one of my many peer pressure enrollments! I would see her walk her little dog around Ford Island while we, the MWF 0830 group, worked out and I would always yell in her direction that she should join our group. (I'm a huge fan of positive peer-pressure!) I could tell that she was just trying to keep up during her first month. However, by the second month she was doing more than keeping up! She was working out harder, lifting more, running faster, and even smiling occasionally during the workout! Her success is proof that sometimes we all need just a little encouragement, a little push to make ourselves better. Lillian is well on her way now, and I love seeing her physical and emotional overhaul."

"I love that every routine has been different the entire duration of my time attending Boot Camp," says Lillian. "My trainer is NOT predictable and she is sincere about empowering individuals. You may hear your name from time to time for the good, the bad, or the ugly. Christina lets you know she is ALWAYS observing, when you least expect it! Everyone has their own story about how she inspired them; she has been able to encourage and improve such a diverse group of spouses. Thank you for letting me share my part of the story."

Christina and Lillian showing off those biceps!