exactly what we need to know. And if we don’t hear it the first time and get it, God will send us the message again and again until we do get it.

I was somewhat sceptical about what a blond, gorgeous, muscley-type body builder would be able to teach me. We are so different from each other, different ages, different lives, different goals and are complete opposites – physically! How can she possibly know what I need to know to get my life back on track?

I listened because I was determined to get as much out of the weekend as I possibly could and then some! Well, the more I listened, the more I learned and the more I realised that maybe we did have a something in common. I liked what she was saying and I liked her positive, confident attitude. Somewhere along my journey I lost mine and I felt if I paid attention to what I was being taught I would be able to get it back! That was very exciting for me because I would not be where I am in my life without it and was feeling lost not having it.

I went home Friday night mulling over everything to which I had been exposed. While my brain was excited and stimulated about what it was processing, my muscles were screaming in agony to what they had been exposed. Little did I know to what I was going to be subjected on Saturday! I was still sceptical about what this blond, bombshell could possibly teach me. I DID like that she emphasised that we were all there to work at our own pace and get out of phat camp what we could and that it was not a competition- that we were there to support each other. Boy, did that ever release a lot of tension, because I was most likely one of the oldest and heaviest women there.

We were given a lot of handouts which I read and re-read. I kept getting the message that I can tailor my own eating program and tailor my own exercise program. If I stick to the basic guidelines, I can’t go wrong. Things were looking up for me and I was beginning to feel like I could take back control of my life and more importantly at my own pace. I am only competing with myself!

I was hearing the message but it just wasn’t quite clicking for me, for whatever reason. I’m not a stupid person but something was not getting through to me. I do understand that it takes a proper diet and a proper exercise regimen to make a difference – cause and effect. I got that message a long time a go. So what was holding me back? Could it be those achy muscles I never knew even existed before Phat Camp? Could it be every fibre in my body screaming for mercy and please don’t go back on Sunday?

I felt a little light was flickering, trying to turn on but not quite making it. I felt it was in my best interest that I persevere and keep on with the camp. In my body’s best interest and the ability to get as much out of Phat Camp as I could personally, I bowed out from joining everyone for dinner Saturday night and spent the evening pouring over the handouts from Friday and Saturday. As much as they made sense, I had as many questions!

I understood that I would be able to take away with me the ability to train at home following Jenny’s guidelines. Heather inspired me with that. I do have the opportunity to work out at a gym. I was able to line up a deal with Hilton LivingWell gym, for whom I do artwork for their marketing campaigns in exchange for a membership. I’ve been doing that for about 6 months now. However, this is on a short term basis and may not be long lived so it was fabulous to learn, when it comes to an end, how I can do what is required from home! It was good to see how I can do my own cardio program and create my own workouts.

BUT the light still hadn’t switched on. It was still flickering in the shadows. I reread my handouts Saturday night and headed back to Phat Camp Sunday morning, with my note pad loaded up with questions; although a part of me was saying why waste your time, you’re not going to get it. But I was getting bits and pieces. I just wasn’t able to put them all together and get the whole picture. I did get a light bulb moment when I finally understood that my inconsistent diet was not helping me no matter how consistent my exercise was. But my life is so chaotic and stressful at the moment so I was having a hard time dealing with how to establish a consistent eating plan.

Then came another seminar – how to pack a cooler. Don’t ask me how or why but this short little seminar made everything click. Phat Camp isn’t just about how to exercise and how to diet. It’s about making a commitment to a life transformation. Without the commitment, the transformation will not occur. It was in this seminar that I actually “got it” because I was given the tools of how I can change my eating habits and still function in the real world with my friends and colleagues. I wasn’t going to have to shut myself off from the world for months while I transformed myself. I could do it by living out of a cooler!

As inspiring as Jen Hendershott is, it was the normal everyday woman in the class who were also inspiring me. These are my peers, my contemporaries who live the life I live, who are doing it and accomplishing what I want to accomplish. If they can do it, why can’t I? Armed with the tools I need to transform my life, all I have to do now is to plan a consistent eating and exercise regimen.

Thank you Jen for showing me the tools and helping me set the boundaries and guidelines for which I need to transform my life and thank you to ALL the ladies at Phat Camp for providing me with the motivation that I’ll need to keep me on the straight and narrow and stick to it.

Thank you Jen and Heather. I only wish I had more time to pick y’alls brains. And I do agree with you Jen, that Phat Camp does need to be promoted more as an all encompassing, motivational, informational, educational event and not based on what you’ve achieved through your fitness although for a lot of women that is a strong pull. For myself, I would come back because of you and what you’ve taught me but it was the description of motivation etc. etc which made me decide to attend in the first place.

I’ve already received an email from a girlfriend, to whom I had sent an email Saturday night, who said “it has obviously done you a power of good as I have not heard you sound so cheery in ages!!”