Boot Camp Adventures Update – May 2010

I’d like to dedicate this month’s article to my late husband Paul William Butrym (June 7, 1958 – May 14, 2008).

Back in March of 2006 thanks to Tiffany Dennis, Paul’s Boot Camp became a new adventure on this little island.  I remember the very first morning of class I was 70 lbs heavier than I am today.   We had a very good turn out and the group became a team after just a few weeks.  We worked out every morning and each class started with a morning prayer.  We met every morning as we do now from 6am to 7am and for 3 years I had Paul yelling “kick it in, Vicki Lyn”.  I am so thankful that his group got started and changed my life.  I remember laying down the minute I got there and just thought about how I wanted to go back to bed.  It was hard, I will admit that.  I hated every minute of it. I could not run, I could not do a sit up, a push up… nothing and man did I cry at times.

It took time and a lot of dedication to get me where I am today and that is because Paul had a way with him when it came to motivating people.  He would make you feel good about yourself and always encourage you to do just a little more.  Paul had a lot of people he trained and they all loved him.  Paul is dearly missed on this island and he touched a lot of lives.  Paul was all about fitness from the time he got up in the morning, till the time he went to bed at night.  He was always doing something to keep him healthy and fit. And as most of you know this is the reason I keep this class going in his memory and collect donations only.  I am trying to give that motivation and inspiration to someone else and see how a little exercise can change your life as it did mine.

I lost Paul two years ago to a bad disease called alcoholism.  No matter how healthy he was this disease still took him at a young age.  No matter how strong and fit you are the bottle will win if you have that alcoholism gene.  My father died the say way Paul did also at a young age and it is a horrible death.  In the past few years people here on Tybee others have also died from drugs or alcohol and it is sad to see it happen.  For me drinking is not an option in my life anymore.  I have had my days of drinking and a lot of good ones.   But I also have to know my limits and my limit is none today.   Unfortunately Paul could not stay sober for long periods of time and one day it killed him on a very short bender.    God rest his soul and may peace be with him in a happier place.

Life was very hard in the beginning after his death and it took almost a year before I felt normal again.  As time has gone on you realize that you will be fine.  I know in my heart that keeping his morning class going and helping other people has made me a stronger person today.  I was able to continue his legacy and 2 years later I am still continuing this adventure.  I ask for donations only and these donations now go toward volunteer vacations with the National Hiking Society.  It really gives me something to look forward to and gives me a goal.  I am nowhere at the level Paul was in fitness but from the little bit I know from his teachings I have been able to pass on to a few more lives.  Everything happens for a reason they say and I honestly believe our paths crossed for a reason and I will continue on life’s journey.

It has been a long cold winter and it just is not the same without the warmth of the morning sun and the dolphins, but a few of us have continued on through the winter.  It seems to be easier to get out of bed now that it is not so cold, but summer warmth has not touched us in the mornings as I would like.  I crawl into my Jeep every morning and manage to keep going.  We managed to skip a few weeks this past month and felt so sluggish and tired all the time, but once we started back up again it was like a re-charge on my old battery.  I feel so much better now that we are back in the routine.  Believe me you, I try to think of an excuse every morning but when people are counting on you it makes you a little more responsible.  I still have a long way to go in the fitness career, but the little bit I do and the people that I meet makes me want to continue on this fitness journey.  Please call me or email me for more information and everyone is welcome to this class.  I am looking forward to meeting new people that are here on vacation that join us during these summer months.

We have also started a Belly Dancing class on Monday nights at the Tybee Arts Association from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.  It is really fun, and it’s a great core work out.  I am enjoying the benefits of posture and hip motions.  I still don’t get how someone can move ½ their body one way, and the other ½ another, but that is why I am there so I can learn this.

If you want more information on the class please contact ddraqs@yahoo.com.

Boot Camp ADVENTURES!

So how is everyone’s “New Year” coming along?

It is always good to start off the year by trying to do something different than the previous year.  It’s also hard to change old habits and sometimes January 1st comes and goes and we are still making excuses not to exercise and that next Monday never comes.

I am one of the ones that always has an excuse for procrastination.  One of my goals this year is to stop dilly dallying and just keep myself moving.  It has been a real slow start this season and the cold weather has kept those vacation cottages a little more vacant than last year. For those of us that depend on tourism, January takes a bit of getting used to.  Seems like we go full force in the summer and then fall slows down a bit and once the holidays are over, the tourist are gone.

I do so much better when the pressure is on.  Don’t be surprised if you see me disappear this time next year for the month of January – just to get away for a while and try something different and be warmer – maybe I’ll work on another volunteer vacation somewhere.

By the way, I’ve made the decision not to go to Alaska this year – my wallet’s saying no.  June will be here before you know it and so will my money if I’d chose to go somewhere, so I’ve signed up for a volunteer vacation in Maui this September instead.  That gives me a lot more time to get the airfare saved up.

I will be going to Lao Valley National Forest to work in the rainforest for a week.  I’m so glad I have made the decision to do this with the National Hiking Society – gives me a lot to look forward to and I can travel and meet new people.  Maybe Alaska will happen next year.  Demery Bishop suggested I find 5 people to sponsor me and I kind of gave him a funny look, like okay.  He did offer to be the 6th sponsor if I could find 5 more, so any takers?

Now, back to Boot Camp! We have been at meeting in the Tybee gymnasium, Monday – Friday at 6:30 a.m, and I’ve changed it up to a 40 minute workout through the winter months.  We were inside last year through May, but I’m hoping if the warm weather ever comes and stays with us we can go outside on the beach again in March.  I have to say working out in the gymnasium is not at all any replacement for working out on the beach and having the sun rise.  Plus it’s really hard to work out with the heat on – it just makes it very uncomfortable for us to use that facility.  It’s also less exciting as you never know what you are going to see on the beach at 6:00 a.m.

We have seen an alligator, the Amish woman swimming with dresses on, huge trees swept up on shore after a big rain, beautiful sunrises with shrimp boats passing, and weddings, and of course those dolphin we all love. We do have the season of gnats, mosquitos and horse flies, but it is well worth it.

I seem to push myself more when we work outside.  There is just something about working out on the beach and there really are no words to explain it – if you haven’t tried it yet, please come join us this spring and try it at least once.  Remember, I do this for donations only and that helps with my business license, beach permit along and recertification.

I have met so many visitors’ to the island that come and work out with us and some of them become good friends.  This month we have a new visitor, Tari Marcou who is a Buckeye from Ohio State.  She has been visiting tor the past few months and likes it so much that she’s going staying through the month of February.  She is a Tour Guide, lives in Ohio and does tours in Washington, D.C..  In her time off Tari has the opportunity to travel.

Tari’s been attending lots of meetings here on Tybee and various Tybee functions.  You’ve probably seen her around the island with her dog, Molly.   She’s also been helping out with Polk’s Fresh Market on the weekends. Tari and Judy have kept me going this year, and no lollygagging.  They’re both there every morning before me.  Oh, yeah, Tari also rides her bike every morning.  Way to go girl. Welcome, Tari my new friend! I will be sad to see you go!

I’ll end now with a few tips for the month and I hope to have a lot more adventures to share with you this year.. Oooh Rahh.. and thank you for reading my column.

1. Commit to an exercise routine. This may seem like an obvious tip, but dedication to exercise is the single most important thing you can do to get fit in 2010. Attitude goes a long way when sticking with exercise, so decide to enjoy yourself.  After all, you ARE doing something wonderful for your mind, body and mind.
2. Scheduled workouts. Put your exercise time on the calendar along with your other important appointments.  You’ll be much less likely to bail on a workout session if you make time for it.
3. Work out with a friend. Find a friend with similar fitness or weight loss goals and partner up for your workouts. Exercising with a friend will not only help motivate you, but it will keep you interested and be way more fun than working out alone!
4. Treat yourself to new fitness apparel or gear. A new moisture-wicking gym shirt, running or cycling shorts, running shoes and/or a heart rate monitor will get you in the mood for fitness.
5. Vary your workouts. Get involved in different sports or activities. Don’t limit yourself to 30 minutes on the treadmill – get outside and run, ride, walk, play, surf, kayak or anything else that sounds like fun. There’s WAY more than one way to work out – and it never has to get boring!

Boot Camp Adventures

Vicki Lyn’s BOOT CAMP “ADVENTURES!”
by Vick Lyn Bytrum

Happy New Year everyone!

Once again it is that time of year to look at the beginning of the year again and ask yourself, what can we do different this year.  It is always hard to change your routine and I know how it is when you say this is what I am going to do on January 1.  I have learned in the past not to make New Year’s resolutions, they just do not work for me.  If I am going to do something different, I have to do it when I am ready.  But everyone is different and I wish everyone well on their 2010 adventures.

2009 was a great year and I had a lot of good changes in my life.  They are all positive and I feel like a can do anything today.  I am proud to say that a lot of new adventures came my way.  I ran an 8k run here on Tybee and finished 15 seconds under an hour which to me is amazing.  I ran the Shamrock run with a broken elbow and beat my time in the 2008 run by 2 minutes.

I also received my Personal Training Certification, continued my writing for the Tybee Times, put my time in for the year at the fire department.  I was in two scenes for the Last Song Movie and I am one of the fire fighters and I am honored that I was able to be a part of that. Was part of the Tybee to Savannah Ride and the Poker Run for Joyce Harrison Cancer Awareness Foundation.  In the past few months I have gone on a last minute vacation, which introduced me to Volunteer Vacations.

There is so much more I would love to do in 2010 that I am excited about life’s new adventures.  I am planning another Volunteer Vacation to Skagway, Alaska for 9 days in June.  The problem is the airfare right now is so high, but I have faith because my guardian angel is always watching over me.

It was very exciting going to St. John, USVI on a Volunteer Vacation.  One of my cousins lives in St. Thomas so she picked us up at the airport and I was able to spend a few hours with her before we sailed off to the next island.   It was an experience working with the National Hiking Society and rebuilding trails.  The very first day we were working I turned around and there was a man that had a Tybee Island Marathon t-shirt on that was from Missouri and that was pretty cool.   We stayed at Cinnamon Bay Campground with 20 strangers and it was tough in the beginning but after a day or two it was really nice.  Debra Brooker and I woke up at 5:30 every morning and had breakfast, packed our lunches and off to work we went.

It was hard work and you have to be the right person to go on something like this.  We shoveled, pick axed, pulled boulders, hauled dirt and collected many buckets of rock.  We built a bridge on one of the trails and also had the opportunity to finish that trail on day 2.  The previous group started the trail and we finished it.  If you ever go to St. John and go to Jumbie Trail think of me.  We saw tarantulas, iguanas, wild donkey, hermit crabs, soldier crabs, tree frogs, very large caterpillar’s, mongoose and many very huge termite nest.  We came back around 2 p.m. in the afternoon and if you didn’t have kitchen duty that day, you were free to go to the beach, walk the trails, kayak, snorkel, nap or whatever you wanted till dinner at 5 p.m.

We had outdoor showers and they only provided cold water.  Once you got your head wet it was very refreshing.   I did not put perfume on after my shower though, it was bug spray.  Thank God for Deet.  We had a council meeting at 7 p.m. and discussed what we were going to do the following day.  I met some good people and have all intentions of keeping in contact with some very good friends I met.  Two of the women I met are also going to Alaska so that will be a good reunion.  They are only asking for 10 volunteers for the Alaska trip.  We have to hike a mile everyday to the site we will be working at with your shovel, pick axes back pack and anything else that is needed to do the job and did I mention bear? I am looking forward to next year because it is a low budget way to travel alone and when you get there, you are not alone.   By the end of the week working together as a group you are like family.  The best part is you were part of something and it made you feel good at the end of the day.

I hope you all have a good year and plan on new adventures in 2010.  Boot Camp is slow this time of year and there are a few of us that sill get up in the morning and go to the gymnasium.  I have moved the time to 6:30 a.m – if  that half hour makes a difference for you, please come and join us.  We’ve started Jillian Michaels Level 1 routine, so come and join us.  Please call me at 912-598-3000 any morning after 5:45am and I will be up.  I also want to thank you for reading my articles, attending Boot Camp and supporting me throughout the year.

Onward and upward in 2010!
Vicki Lyn

Vicki Lyn Butrym teaches a fitness Boot Camp Class offered to all on Monday – Friday, 6am to 7am at North Beach Parking Lot (next to Gulick St). For more information contact: Vicki Lyn Butrym, Tybee Island Sunrise Boot Camp – In Loving Memory of Paul. W. Butrym.
Contact Vicki Lyn at 912-598-3000, or e-mail: vickilyn62@gmail.com.