Boot Camp

 Last year in May 2012, I started my boot camp training in Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico. My best friend Noe was my boot camp trainer. He was talking to me about all kinds of exercises that he would show me for the whole month of May.  First we started off with warm-up’s every time. Then we were walking in the ocean water and he also got me to run on the beach with him. He would say to me, “Come on Julie, you are falling behind!” So I would say to myself  “O.K, Julie you love running so go full speed ahead! You can do it, you know you can.”  While I was running on the beach I visualized myself as a bird because I was feeling free and happy. I was running all three different ways; running forward, backwards and side-ways too, I was getting my legs strengthened by running and jumping the waves in the ocean.
We also did soccer skills on the beach. I started running along with Noe and we were laughing and having a great time with each while passing and kicking the soccer ball on the sandy beach. The ball kept on rolling into the ocean so I had to run into the water to get the ball out so I could pass it to Noé. One of the exercises was that I would kick the soccer ball on top of a curved snake line that Noé drew on the sand. This helped my concentration and helped me train my body balance. I enjoyed this very much as well!.

I also did swimming in the pool. My trainer timed me so I could improve my own record. I swam freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly styles.

Finally I practiced my karate forms almost every day. This was a lot of fun and hard work!.
I’d like to share with you that I even won first place in forms, and second place in sparring at a national karate tournament in Philadelphia, PA.

I always love exercising my body to get in shape not just for my karate but also for fitness. This makes me healthier and happier.