Lean Out Lakeland was the one of best things to ever happen to me!!
 I accomplished things I never thought where possible. Not only did it help me physically but mentally I believe I am a better person. What I have learn from this program will be the foundation for the rest of my life.  The one thing I tell my friends it is not a diet it a lifestyle change and now I have many of them eaten better and exercising.
 
To my team mates and others who came to the 8:30 class  I Love You all !!! Thank you for words of encouragement and for pushing me during our workout sessions !!!
 
Thank you for the opportunity to turn my life around !!!!
 
~Miguel Vidal

I attended the Strategic Wellness Lean Out Lakeland program to jump start my weight loss.  At the time, nutrition was not important to me.  But with an open mind, I attended the meetings and learned so much that I looked forward to hear what was coming next.

I cameto change my body, but ended up changing the way I eat as well. Truly was a life changing experience for me!

Thanks Whitney!

~Sharon Ruth

“Lean Out Lakeland was a wonderful experience
teaching me how to eat and workout for the rest
of my life. Great accountability and super friendships.
Thank you!”
-Dr. Carol Ebersole, Watson Clinic LOL Client
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“I have really enjoyed the recipes - giving me more
nutritious options. I find I don’t have to have
sweets every day anymore. My clothes are fitting
much looser and people are noticing me leaning out.
This works and I feel great!”
-C. Intentional Nutrition Client
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Boot Camp is awesome and I highly recommend it.  Every workout is different and fun.  The group and Whitney are motivating and help keep you accountable.  After 5 weeks I am implementing better nutrition and realizing hard-core exercise (even when I don’t want to) makes a huge difference! 
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A Great work out session.  It has given me the boosts of energy that I needed.  Good fun.  Looking forward to the next one.
~Andrew
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"I saw great progress towards my goals!  I enjoy how encouraging everyone is and keeping each other on track.  This program is a blessing.  It makes me feel so good!  I want to be healthy when I'm old and now is the BEST time to start!  I truly love and enjoy being a part of this program."
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"The education about changing one's nutritional habits is invaluable!  I've implemented changes in my diet and saw IMMEDIATE results.  I appreciate the fact that every workout is not the same! "
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"It was SO challenging getting there at 5:30 am!  But it was SO worth it!  My husband has lost 10-15 pounds during this 6 week session and he wasn't even in it! "
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"This 6 week Boot Camp experience has changed my life in that I have lost weight, have more energy, am definitely more healthy and have cut out most harmful things to my body"
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"My kids are definitely benefiting from what I am learning!  This program is for the whole family!"
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"My favorite part of boot camp is learning about the workouts the night before in our e-mails and the Eat to Live program.  I feel SO much better and having lost 12 pounds, am lower than I can remember being in my adult life.  Thank you!

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My goal when I started Lean Out Lakeland was just to finish all
8 weeks and not quit. I wanted to lose weight, obviously,
but really wanted to not give up on myself.
I made all 8 weeks and will be signing up again for
the next boot camp! I’m done with giving up on
me!”
-A.B. LOL and Strategic Boot Camp Client
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“My main goal was to eat better and lose weight.
During this program I was able to do both. After
my surgery I thought I would never get back to
myself and I am almost there!”

-J.M. LOL Client
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I am proud of my hard work and sticking with it.  I’m proud of changing my diet and eating habits.  I’m proud of the way my body shape is changing and how I look!

I’m eating much healthier.
I’m exercising daily.
I’ve eliminated caffeine
I’ve eliminated the use of sugar and sugar substitutes.
I’ve basically eliminated breads,rolls, crackers, etc.
I’m eating more vegetables and many different kinds.
I’m eating good lean protein in small amounts.

I feel I can continue this program forever.  I really feel like I’ve made the transition to a healthier lifestyle.  Keeping a positive attitude is natural to me.  I’m generally optimistic and surround myself with positive, fun, health conscious people.  My friends have learned from me and supported me 150%!

Im very proud of myself for my hard work the last 6 weeks and for sticking it out!
I have learned so much about myself.  I’ve had a great time and learned that I can do more than I thought.  I have enjoyed the comraderie of the people in the class, the encouragement and watching others succeed and work so hard has been an inspiration for me and truly kept me going stronger and harder than I would have without them. 

Thanks to all of you!
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Thank you, Whitney, for everything!

Your positive outlook along with your knowledge is remarkable and a winning combination for anyone wanting to make a lifestyle change. 

While I’ll miss you all and am sad the session is over, I am very happy with the results!
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When I met Whitney Cabrera late in 2008, I knew that I had met the right person and the best program to lose the weight I had been struggling with for over 2 years.  I had lost 50 pounds on and became “stuck”.

Under her care,  and through Strategic Boot Camp and Transitions Nutrition, I lost another 40 and am sill losing!

Strategic Wellness Boot Camp has taught me how to take my weekly challenges to a new level of fitness, how to push myself to make my body stronger, how, what and when to eat along with setting goals so I could achieve and meet what worked for me in meeting those weekly challenges.

If you are struggling with your weight, strength or just want to learn how to take better care of your body, this program will meet your needs and more.  You will meet similar people struggling with the same issues that you are.  Friendships are developed with terrific support and encouragement with each passing session.

Wow! Am I ever pleased with these results. I wanted to let you know about my Doctors visit today. When the Nurse weighed me it was the first time in a long time that their Office scale would weigh me. That felt really good. Then when she took my blood pressure it was 120/80. The Doctor came in and I told him that I had quit taking my cholesterol, blood pressure and sleeping pills, and the only thing I was still on was aciphex. He didn’t believe the blood pressure reading so he took it again with the same results.

Pretty amazing isn’t it. I told him about you and what I was doing. He thought that was great and told me to keep it up. He also said that I could quit taking the aciphex when the last pill was gone. He said my heart even sounded better then ever.

Besides the things mentioned above, I’m sleeping all night with the exception of one trip to the restroom. Before starting this plan I was up every hour and would often sit up and watch TV for hours. I also wasn’t sleeping in my bed much but spending most of the night in the recliner. My breathing was labored but now I breath much better. My ankles were swelling after working all day but now they are normal. Sandy said that my snoring was even better. I have sleep apneia but that also seems much improved. I’m not waking up gasping for breath. So. all I can say is thank you ,thank you ,thank you for helping improve my life.

My new journey started in January this year.  My intention was to manage the stress better in my life through some exercise.  I am of the firm belief that we are “whole creatures”, body, mind, spirit and if we aren’t taking care of one of those areas, then we suffer greatly.

My general doctor was telling me 25 pounds less and the other doctor was prescribing more stress managing medication.  My family was not impressed yet, if you know what I mean.  In fact, they were saying “your happy pills aren’t working”.

Once I began boot-camp I realized how physically UNfit I had become.  I couldn’t do many repetitions (if any) of the exercises with any manner of finesse.  Over time, I was able to master the motions and more exciting was that I could think more clearly, sleep more soundly and the anxiety was diminishing.  A HUGE plus was that my body was shrinking.

I thought I knew a great deal about nutrition before I began.  However, I have learned so much more than I ever imagined.  Once I started proper nutrition to the proper exercise, I rapidly saw and felt the results!  During the summer, we were challenged in a contest.  The “before” picture convinced me that I still had quite of bit of work to do!  My daughter took the picture of me in a bikini I found from when I was in my 20’s and I was appalled at how I looked after 7 months of so much work and discipline.

Now how I looked was not my initial motivation for this journey, although I knew it would be a great side benefit!  However, now I had to do something about that excess stuff that did not belong on me.  I really disciplined myself over the 8 weeks of the contest.  I actually did the homework AND I really followed the nutrition faithfully more than ever.

What has happened is that I am now probably the most physically “fit” than I have ever been in my whole life.  I FEEL so much better and know how to listen to what my body needs.  I feel awful when I eat the wrong stuff even if I thought it might taste good.  In fact, I don’t crave the wrong stuff much anymore.

I can walk up any stairs without being tired.  I don’t groan when I have to park far away from the door of the store I’m going to.  I LOVE breathing easier for any task I attempt.  I’m strong enough in my arms, legs and abs to know that I’m less likely to injure myself when I need to lift something or be involved in some activity that requires physical strength or dexterity.

In total, I have lost 34 pounds, no idea how many inches, 4 pants sizes (actually almost 5 since I had almost outgrown the last larger size) and 22% of my total body weight.  Most people that see me now mentioned that they didn’t view me as someone who really needed to lose weight.

I love being lean and eating smart!  I’m hoping that I have preempted some of the genetic health issues that are in my family by taking care of what I can and not abusing myself.  I am constantly reminded of the Bible verse that my children learned when they were small.  “My body is the temple of the Holy Spirit” 1 Corinthians 6:19.   I am convinced that we are to take care of ourselves!!!

First of all I have to say Whitney, you are so encouraging!

I am so glad to be finishing this weight loss journey with you cheering me on! You are what I needed to get to the final goal. I was never overweight as a child.  As a teenager I was a size 5 and still thought I was fat!  When you have curves and all your friends are a size – and 2, you think you’re fat.  Ahh.  To be that fat again!

I actually didnt get overweight till i was 21.  I got married at 24 and just kept getting bigger somehow until i was the size you see in my picture.  I spent many years yo-yo dieting losing the same 20 several times.  I pretty much wasted my 20’s and half of my 30’s being fat and letting it consume me.  You know the, “I will do that when I’m thinner” or “I don’t want to go do that because I’m to self conscious because I’m fat.”  sort of thinking.

I have not had an Entemanns donut since I started my weight loss..  I guess it is a sign of the fat times..so i refuse to even buy them.  I can now admit (which should be really embarrassing) that  I used to hide those donuts. I would eat 3 or 4 in the morning for breakfast and then hide them so no one else would eat them. After everyone went to bed at night, I would sit and eat 3 or 4 more! Yes, a whole box (and have you

seen the calories and fat content in those things!?) THAT is a dysfunction an addiction.

So it wasn’t just about working out and eating right  I had to fix that way of thinking too.  One day I just decided I would start losing weight.   I couldn’t even do 1 sit up.  Let me tell you, when you lose 50 pounds and you have fought hard and worked hard to lose it. and you look in the mirror and see you’re  still fat.  Ugh!.  Lol!  But I kept going. Something was different this time. Something in me, the determination was different.  It wasn’t about looking hot or getting into those skinny  jeans (that’s just a bonus). It was about my HEALTH!

My mom is very overweight and has a lot of problems because of it. It was about not letting that happen to me.  It was about being 34 and waking up in the morning and getting out of bed and it hurt to stand up! And mostly it was about seeing my daughter head down the same path and that was just not acceptable!

It was truly about changing my life.

I know I will never look like Jennifer Aniston in a bikini, and that’s fine.  I’m happy to look like me, even with my lumps and bumps and little bit of extra skin from being so heavy.

I feel beautiful, yes, but even greater than that, I feel better physically and emotionally! I am addicted to working out now because it makes me feel good and not addicted to those donuts anymore.

I spent too much time not doing anything; so now pushing my body and seeing what i can do is awesome! Shedding that weight has made me, well me! I finally feel and look like me again that’s the best way i can describe it.”

Here is an update on Brandy’s Story the day before  completing her first triathlon at Disney World with an amazing group of mostly first time triathletes from Strategic Boot Camp!

i first joined Strategic Boot Camp at my daughters urging. She had been wanting to try it,  so i finally gave in and we signed up.

Something happened to me there. I found myself surrounded by like minded people that were  dedicated to working hard and changing their lives; people that helped encourage each other and  formed  a little boot camp family. This was not what I was expecting!

What a bonus! I had trained with a personal trainer for a long time and with that and diet I lost about 80 pounds. I still had about 30 pounds to go had hope that maybe  would get there one day.

Well, that one day is now. I dropped 17 pounds in my first 8 weeks of Strategic Boot Camp!

The workouts are amazing! I thought the personal trainer I had before kicked my butt; well Boot Camp kicks my butt! I love it! It’s fun and challenges me. It pushes me the way i like to be pushed. I have lost fat and gained muscle.

In 8 short weeks I can see a big transformation of my body. I have ab muscles!! I actually look forward to going!

I don’t really like Tuesdays and Thursdays now because there is no Boot Camp.  Lol!  I am hooked.

I have to throw in here how wonderful it has been for my daughter. motivating her to want to work out has been a bit of a challenge. But she actually looks forward to Boot Camp and even wants to go twice in one day sometimes.  It’s a great thing to see!”

As many times as I have been asked to share my story it still makes me nervous.  Not sure why though…I guess it has something to do with revealing myself to others.  I can remember having issues with food all the way back to when I was a little kid.  My father once caught me eating the cake decorating frosting from one of the tubes in the baking aisle.  The shame still bothers me today.  When I was about 15 years old I started binging and purging my food, otherwise known as, bulimia.  In college, I had some friends catch me in the act and they told everyone I knew, excluding my family, about it.  From then on, when I ate with my friends they would not let me into the bathroom for at least 45 minutes.  Now the sickness of my disease of bulimia told me that if I didn’t purge within the first 45 minutes of eating then it was useless to do so.  However, the binging didn’t stop and I eventually took myself up to 225 pounds or more.  I never went to treatment for my disease however I do belong to a 12 step program and a lot of my recovery comes from the teaching and support I received from the people there.

All along I had been exercising.  I was an athlete through high school, playing volleyball, basketball, softball and soccer.  I got hurt my senior year, resulting in surgery and then finally when I was 28 had full reconstruction of my knee.  That is why you hear me saying that I shouldn’t be running.  My problem is my self-control.

I started following Whitney’s advice last year, 2008.  I dropped weight and felt really good about myself.  Then I tore my rotator cuff and was not allowed to work out.  I had surgery in January, and went on to be convinced that I couldn’t work out at all.  I then also allowed my eating to go on the brink.  I believe now that I just wasn’t ready to do what needed to be done.

So fast forward to June, 2009.  I was asked by my friend, Jeanie Croes, to come as her guest to Boot Camp.  I was hooked.  I joined in for the summer meltdown contest.  I wasn’t really competing to win, I was competing with myself to reach a weight where I could be comfortable again.  I lost almost 20 pounds during the contest.  Since then, I have maintained the weight loss and have done so happily, not feeling like I am suffering from not getting to eat what I want.  With the help of Strategic Wellness, I have learned how to be safe in my eating, to eat what my body needs, and how to allow myself the opportunity to go off plan every now and then.  I no longer call it cheating.  There is such a bad connotation to that word that I do not use it anymore.  It keeps everything in the positive for me.

I just returned from a cruise, and if you have not ever been on one, let me tell you that there is food constantly available 24 hours a day.  I discussed things with Whitney so that I could make myself accountable for what I did on the ship.  I can honestly say that I did really well.  I allowed myself to have what I wanted but I also didn’t have tons of it.  A lot of the time I didn’t really want much more than I got when on plan so I stuck to salad and protein.  When it came to alcohol, I had committed to two drinks a day.  There were several days I had only one and one day that I had three.  On average, I was under the 2 a day and am very happy about it.  Here is the biggest thing I noticed and I am so thrilled to be able to say this.  This was the first time EVER in my entire life that I was not embarrassed to be seen in a bathing suit.  Can you believe that???  I am 41 and am finally confident and happy with the way I look and how I eat.

I am now a comfortable 172-175 pounds, depending on the day.  From my highest weight that I know of to now, I am 50 lbs. lighter.  This is the first time in all my trials that I believe that I am going to stay this way.  I do not fear the future anymore. I know what to do and have the support in place to help me continue doing it.  I have dropped to a size 12 from a 22-24.  I can grab a pair of jeans off the shelf at a bargain store and not be concerned that they won’t fit me.  Those little accomplishments are huge to me.  I am so glad to have the knowledge of what I have learned in Boot Camp.  I hope that everyone who is considering it gives it a try with an open mind.  There are many of us that have and have succeeded greatly.  Do come and join us!