Camper Spotlight: Ernie South

Peachtree City boot camper Ernie went from 230 lbs to 195 lbs but that's not all he was able to lose-read his story of decreasing his medications and fitness journey below.

WHAT BROUGHT YOU TO OPERATION BOOT CAMP?
After getting to the heaviest weight of my life, 230lbs., I had managed on my own to get down to 195lbs. but couldn’t seem to get any lower. I knew I needed some help and that’s when I found OBC via an internet search.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN CAMPING?
I started in February 2010. On my 4th day of camp, I sprained my ankle and had to take a month off. During this time I received numerous emails from the instructors and some of the campers inquiring about my recovery and providing words of encouragement. I’m now into my 6th month of OBC and am proud to say I have not missed a single day of camp.

WHAT WERE YOUR GOALS YOUR FIRST MONTH?
Each month I set at least 2 specific goals; even if I don’t achieve them by the end of camp I am much closer to them than what I was at the beginning. In my 1st log book my goals were to lose 10lbs. and improve my mile run time by 1 minute. By the end of the 1st camp I had lost 15lbs and ran the mile 2 minutes faster. I continue to see improvements in my fitness each month; in Oct., I ran a half marathon!

WHAT HAS BEEN THE MOST SURPRISING THING ABOUT OPERATION BOOT CAMP?
The most surprising thing to me about OBC is how much fun it is. Sure, getting up each day to make it to camp by 05:15 a.m. can be a challenge, but by the end of the workout I feel great. Also, there is not a day goes by where I don’t find something to laugh about during the workout.

HOW HAVE INSTRUCTORS HELPED YOU?
The help and encouragement you receive from the instructors is the primary reason why I continue to come back to camp each month.

HOW HAS YOUR LIFE BEEN IMPACTED BY OPERATION BOOT CAMP?
When I 1st started OBC I was taking 4 different medications for health reasons. Since that time, my Dr. has reduced my medications to the point that I’m now only having to take 1 of these and that particular one the dosage has been cut in half twice! My goal is to be completely off meds within a few months.

WHAT HAS BEEN THE MOST CHALLENGING PART OF OPERATION BOOT CAMP?
The most challenging aspect of OBC for me has been the nutrition piece of it. At one point in my life I did exercise, but I’ve never purposely considered eating right until I started OBC.

ANY UNEXPECTED BENEFITS?
My wife and daughter, who is living at home while she attends college, have both benefited nutrition wise as a result of the change in my eating habits.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE WORKOUT?
I would say my favorite workouts are those that involve both anaerobic and aerobic exercise. For example, the one we call 20-20-20.