Carolynn Pierce, October 2013

“I started boot camp late summer of 2012 on a 30 day Groupon.  I was skeptical because I have always been afraid of lifting weights.  I always thought lifting weights caused weight gain which I now know is a common misconception!  I have for the most part been active and worked out doing different programs over the years.  I knew I wasn’t in the shape I was in before children but I didn’t realize how out of shape I was until I started boot camp!  After I had my second child, I had a really difficult time motivating myself to be consistent with working out.  I was disappointed with myself for not pushing myself the way I used to.  I started going 2-3 times per week and eventually worked myself up to 5.  I was so sore in the beginning and didn’t expect to stick with it.

But here I am over a year later at boot camp and I still attend 5 days a week.  Boot camp has significantly improved my biking, running and overall fitness level.  I have lost over 30 pounds and 14 percent body fat.  In addition, I have dropped 3 clothing sizes.  I have never felt healthier or stronger.

Devan is amazing; I could not made it to where I am without his nutrition advice, killer workouts and encouragement.  You will not find a trainer who cares more about their clients than Devan!  All of the women that go to boot camp are very supportive.  My daughters even love boot camp and it’s important to me knowing that I am setting a good example for them.  I would be lying if I said it was easy but it is definitely worth it!”

Carolynn Pierce, Iron Station, NC

    I have two beautiful girls, 5 and 3.5, and a wonderful husband. I work a full time job and taking care of my young kids doesn’t leave me much time myself. Having “guilt-stricken” working mom syndrome was one of my biggest excuses not to work-out and take care of myself.  I was putting my family before my own health, body and needs not noticing that I could be a better mom and wife creating a happier family life.
I found out about Burn Boot Camp through a newspaper article. I was very skeptical about joining the program. I really did not want to commit to something that I truly could not keep up, because I was very good at that My “donations” to various gyms were very well-known.
A few days later, while looking at one of my daughters 4th birthday party pictures I found myself staring at one particular picture which just struck a nerve and made me feel unhappy about myself. That was an eye opener for me.  I knew I had to do something for myself and and decided to try the 14 Day Test Drive. It was very hard at the beginning, but Devan kept motivating me each workout. After 14 days I was addicted.
Overall I lost 28 LBS, 5% body fat. I feel great getting up and being at Bootcamp by 5:30am every morning (This is a big lie, I still hate waking up that early), but it is a great feeling to know that I do something about myself each morning and continue to feel great especially in front of the mirror and any picture I have taken since. I also developed some wonderful friendships through Bootcamp!
I am in better shape now than when I was playing college volleyball! Since I signed up for bootcamp, I ran many races, including my first half marathon, first Spartan and first Warrior Dash and now I am training for my first triathlon. Devan believes in me and pushes me to be a BETTER ME every day!

      Last but not least, I would like to thank my husband for all of his support.  He has helped take over some of the role with the kids and he has been verbs supportive of my self-change program.  Without his support I think I would have reverted to my old ways but here I am – and here to stay.

Ozlem Canturkaran – Fit Mom of the Month – May 2013

Together the duo has done a fantastic job staying committed to 7 workouts per week , a strict nutrition regiment, and strict accountability rules. Thus far both ladies have exceed their own expectations and are extremely proud of themselves. Myself, as their transformation coach, am proud as well but I know we are only half way and I am never completely satisfied. I recently had a talk with both Michelle and Brandi and explained to them that Phase 2 of their journey will undoubtedly bring harder challenges. I was happily surprised with what they both had to say.

My Thoughts Thus Far…

On Michelle

Michelle has found some motivation in her husband J. For the first 4 months of Michelle’s transformation J was by her side every extra workout. I would be pushing their adorable little children in then “dream flyer” red wagon as we ran around Huntersville. J and Michelle were very consistent and each had dropped over 30 LBS . Unfortunately  J suffered an injury to his Achilles tendon and was sidelined for about 45 days. J’s injury combined with death in the family caused Michelle’s full steam ahead momentum to slow. Now that J is healed they are re motivated together and Michelle even asked me if she could do hill sprints after a boot camp work out!  The old Michelle would never WANT to do hill sprints after a workout and that really shows me her mentality moving forward.  Michelle’s mindset has been put to the test 100 times over and she continues get mentally stronger with every challenge. Successful people understand that failure is necessary to recognize victory and no matter how many times you fall you’ll never lay down. I can guarantee you that Michelle will be a complete success in the end!

On Brandi

Brandi has simply had an unreal journey. If you thought finding someone who is mentally and physically capable of dropping 113 LBS in six months is tough, you are right. Brandi is doing an extremely rare thing and making it look easy. But she would stop me right there, and say “Whoa, easy is the wrong word to use!” Let me put this into perspective for you to let you know how extremely mentally tough Brandi Parker is. Out of 168 possible workout sessions Brandi has made it to all 168. Out of 30 weeks of extremely detailed meal logging, Brandi has turned in all 30. Out of 12 weigh-ins Brandi has been to every one not to mention she won $1,000 at a regional Shaklee Weight Loss Contest. Through Thanksgiving, Christmas,  and New Years and all the temptations that come with in Brandi has been virtually flawless. As her trainer, I am NEVER satisfied and there is no such thing as complacency in my world. I have a feeling Brandi feels the same way as she recently accepted a challenge to switch to a full on Paleo Plus Diet and take her nutrition to the next level!

Taking it to the Next Level

I have extremely high expectations as we take our journey into the summer. Brandi and Michelle are more motivated than ever and extremely excited for what is to come. I will be keeping you updated once per month with a blog post on the ladies so make sure you stay tuned and continue to show their support!

If you think this is what someone close to you needs to get motivated, please send them this link to read!

In August of 2012 I approached Brandi and Michelle with a chance for them to change their lives forever. Since then there has been a series of stories on their progress. From Michelle’s amazing resilience to Brandi winning $1,000 and qualifying for a National Weight Loss Contest, you can catch yourself through the links below! If you up-to-date do not bother with the links!

1st Entry – How Brandi and Michelle Decided to Change Their Lives Forever.

2nd Entry – Bump, Bruises, and Burn Bootcamp

3rd Entry- Has Anyone Ever Lost Weight This Fast?

4th Entry -Exclusive Video Interview with Both Ladies

5th Entry – Brandi and Michelle Holding Out the Holidays

It Has Officially Been 5 Months – This is How They are Feeling

Today, I can tell you that both ladies feel amazing. I had a chance to grab them after bootcamp and ask them a couple of questions!

Devan (me): “What was it like staying clean through the Holiday’s?”

From My Point of View…

There is only one word that comes to mind; Incredible. The dedication, commitment, hard work, flawless attitude, and amazing progress is nothing short of amazing! I am so darn proud to be able to work with these two ladies on such a personal level. They teach me something every single day. When I do not feel like going to the gym on a particular day I think of the dedication of Brandi, Michelle, and all of our Burn Boot Camp and MamaBurst family. I am going to continue to push them and we will continue to crush any limiting self-beliefs they have in the process!

They have both sets goals for the half way point coming up in March. I would like to see Michelle hit 50 lbs and Brandi hit 112 lbs! With our encouragement, support and motivation they will undoubtedly succeed!

I know they are in it to win it…and I will be at the finish line as their biggest fan cheering them on!

Well, if you ask Brandi Parker, there is a better gift this year! If you have been following the transformation of Michelle and Brandi then you know they are doing EXTREMELY well. Both gals have put forth an outstanding effort thus far and they certainly  have results to show for it.

But if you ask Brandi Parker, there IS a better gift then fitness this year!

The transformation that is taking place here in Huntersville, North Carolina is being recognized nation-wide! The #1 Natural Nutrition Company in the world, Shaklee, has taken a keen interest in both Brandi and Michelle’s stories. Every year Shaklee holds a nation-wide transformation contest and the winner receives a $10,000 prize! Shaklee was VERY interested in both gals for the contest ,unfortunately, only one could go and they hand-picked Brandi for the Regional Qualifying event in New York this past weekend!

After telling her story in a one minute speech on stage in front of 200 people. Brandi inspired the crowd and won the Regional Qualifying event by a landslide! Brandi and Michelle will continue their amazing journey and Brandi will be headed to Nashville in 8 months for a chance to win the Nation-Wide contest and $10,000!

Whether she wins or not, our Fit Moms Forever community will continue to support both her and Michelle’s as their amazing weight loss journey continues!

If you would like to congratulate Brandi and give her some support you can post a comment on our Fit Moms Forever Facebook Page.

If you would like to find out more about the Shaklee Nutrition plan that Michelle and Brandi are using to allow the weight to fall off click the link below:

Shaklee Cinch Transformation Pack

If you would like to contact Michelle or Brandi personally to get an insight to their experience you can e-mail me at devanklinefitness@gmail.com

I am SO darn proud of Michelle and Brandi!

As you probably already know, Brandi Parker, Michelle Sellers, and I made a committment to take on their obesity head on in our own rendition of the hit T.V. show, Extreme Makeover – Weight Loss Edition. They have agreed to allow us to follow them on their journey through my Fit Moms Forever Blog.

Read how I approached Brandi and Michelle One Month Ago and asked them to commit themselves to possibly one of the most challenging feats a human can face. They both committed without hesitation and are not looking back, not for one second.

Four grueling weeks of 7 Burn Boot Camp Workouts left Brandi with a mild right knee issue and Michelle with painful shinsplints that would hold most people back from pushing themselves to the limit. Not in our house. They both have been able to work through painful boot camps with the support of Michelle’s husband ,J, and her toddler, Lilly, mimicking me by telling Michelle and Brandi to “Push it, push it!” Long story short, injuries did not hinder them one bit.

There were bumps and bruises that took a toll on the bodies of both Brandi and Michelle. But their attitude and dedication has been relentless. Brandi and Michelle have parlayed my Burn Boot Camp for Moms program, a turn-key weight loss meal replacement plan from Shaklee Nutrition’s – Cinch Inch Loss Program, and an undeniable desire to change their lives forever all into the AMAZING results they saw in September.

As part of our commitment contract the gals are required to turn in nutrition logs detailing their Shaklee Program. Once again, not one slip. Of course there is always room for improvement but they both have mastered the most challenging part of this whole journey. It generally takes 21 re-occurrences to form any habit and they have been virtually flawless for 31 days in a row. It is safe to say that both gals are on the fast track to cutting their weight in half!

With that being said….drum roll please…here are Brandi and Michelle’s results from September!

Brandi Parker

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August 29th,2012

Weight – 364 lbs

Body Fat % – 59.4%

Total Inches – 177″

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October 1st, 2012

337 lbs (-27 lbs)

44.6% (-14.8%)

168.5 (-8.5″)

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Michelle Sellers

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August 29th, 2012

Weight – 240 lbs

Body Fat % – 44.6%

Total Inches – 145.5

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October 1, 2012

224.6 lbs (-15.4 lbs)

38.6% (-8.6 %)

137 (-7.5″)

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**Note from me to Michelle and Brandi** – I want to let you know how amazing you both are. I have the utmost respect for both of you for starring this challenge right in the face and owning it. We are going to continue to work and there will continue to be bumps in the road. It it how you roll over those bumps that define you who are. You two are the definition of inspiration I am SO DARN PROUD OF BOTH OF YOU!!  Let’s show everyone how we roll! I ALWAYS got your back!

These ladies have something they want to tell you! I will be interviewing them on camera and will put a  blog post together with their video!

Make sure to encourage them on on our Burn Boot Camp Facebook Page!

From 5:30 am workouts to doing 100 yard sprints in the pouring rain, Brandi and Michelle are absolutely pushing themselves to their limits and beyond. Last week as I finished up with my 5:45 pm Burn Boot Camp I see Brandi and Michelle drive into the parking lot at the same time black clouds begin to roll in. Pouring rain is an understatement. It was like a monsoon of hail size rain drops that literally soaked through our shoes into our socks. As Michelle and Brandi finished up with their 100 yard sprints I could hear the water being squished between their toes from 45 minutes of pure saturation. Talk about dedication? I knew they have what it takes, last week they both began to realize that themselves. This picture is right after our “Rain Run”….look how SOAKED we are!

I explained to them that at the beginning that there will be some bumps and bruises that we face along the way. I addressed it on day one and they acknowledged it. Into week two Michelle’s calf muscles have been extremely sore and Brandi has been faced with a nagging knee injury. An injury may slow down the pace they can move their body, but will certainly not slow down the mindset of these two. I just tell them to “Keep Moving” and keep moving they do. Both knew that things were going to be difficult as they are challenging their body to do something it has never done before, but just how difficult it would be to overcome an injury is a question still in their minds.

Being a professional athlete I know the difference between being hurt and being injured. This week will be a test on the girls. This is one of many unprecedented challenges that they will face throughout this journey. Being overweight and pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone is a challenging enough. Doing it with only one good leg will be a challenge that will solidify the rest of their transformation.

We have a weight in at the end of this week and I am VERY excited to see how much weight both Michelle and Brandi have lost. I know that both ladies are changing and I hear them being complemented every single day from their support system at boot camp and at home. I cannot tell you how proud I am of these two for doing what they are doing. Standing in the pouring rain, staring down the impossible and saying “bring it on”! Stay tuned for a weigh in announcement at the end of the week!