Ask us anything
Posted by Sammie on March 17th, 2010 | 66 comments
This is your space to ask myself or any of our guest bloggers any women’s health, fitness, lifestyle questions that you have on your mind. Suggest a topic or ask something specific. Simply comment on this post with your question.
Comments
What are the best tips and tricks to avoid temptation and fight off junk food cravings?
I’m gonna let Melissa from Sexy Food Therapy answer that one for you darling. Look out for the post shortly.
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Any plans to get the Booty Camp forum up and running for this session? Everyone had such motivating posts.
Absolutely hun! My web team is just refinining it now so that we can get it up and running for you ladies!
Hi Sammie!!
Is the contest avaliable for the US? California is where I’m at…if not..I’m still down : ) Let me know
The contest is open to anyone anywhere
What are your favorite non dairy FILLING small meals and snacks? I have the meals down but like to have snacks or smaller meals in between. It used to be cottage cheese and fruit, wasa crackers and goat cheese, greek yogurt with berries. None of those will be in the diet for the next 8 weeks of the challange. So really need ideas besides fruits and veggies.
question: I dropped the dairy (since friday)and woke up last night with my calf in a knot. It has been a long time since I have had one of those. Calcium? I usually drink milk, eat yogart, cheese and of course ice cream or frozen yogart. what food do i want? The leg still feels knotted. I have already stretched it 3 times today. Suggestions?
i found the right space to ask my questions now.
Hi..I wanted to check a few foods for the challenge
Foods with evaporated cane juice?
Pure juice without added sugar?
Allowed or not?
Thanks
Susan
i want to start with My friend here in Saskaton, just found out about it today, is it realy too late to join? Please let me know and we will join ASAP
You can still enter just send an entry email tonight
hey Sammie,
was wondering if you could give up some examples of starchy foods we can enjoys (every now and than) like… rice or maybe even pasta…is there some sort of wrap or something like that we can enjoy or is that all off limits?
I posted a comment on the other thread but it looks like it was deleted… my question was: Can I still join the challenge? I just found out about it today and would really love to get involved, thanks!
Send in your info hun you’re welcome to join us.
hey Sammie,
Just wondering if we can have the strawberry so good soy milk. I looked at the ingredients and it doesn’t seem to have refined sugar in it…but I only saw original in the list you provided us, so i wanted to double check.
Let me check out the NIP on a carton and get back to you
Hey kathleen,
So when I was at the grocery store today I tried to check out the soy milk. We didn’t have that exact brand but I checked a couple of others out. The second or third ingredient on both of them was evaporated cane juice (aka sneaky reworded refined sugars) so I would say it would be best to avoid this. Try blending some strawberries and stevia into the original soy milk. Haven’t tried it but might have the same effect.
Sammie
Hi Sammie, what is your perspective on the use of natural protein shakes?
thanks!
Thank you for letting me be a part of sundays fitness fun. I am looking at the picture that proves i was there. My comment is “CROPPING” used on many occasions to enhance pictures. Thanks again. I enjoyed my trip to Toronto this week. (ok so I would be lying if I said I enjoyed the french testing) Thanks for the spin class. Congradulations on the competition. ( I am projecting where you will be) Have a great weekend.
Hi!!! Just curious to find out why I really should be cutting out artificial sweeteners? I looked at the calories on a teaspoon of honey and it seems quite high (no?). I usually have Diet coke at lunch (a treat
and then sweetener with my coffee (maybe 1 or 2 in the morning). I have lost about 10 lbs since starting my booty camp the beginning of April (yay!) and wondering why it’s important to cut out……thanks!!!
To try to keep the answer simple, the body doesn’t recognize it as artificial. Meaning it creates and insulin response in your system to STORE sugars etc. in your blood stream. If there is no real sugar there it confuses your body and causes you to hold on to fat. The advantages of honey is that it is natural and your body knows what to do with it so in small amounts it will simply be used as fuel and not provide the same fat storage response.
Hi Sammie, I am in my 3 week in bootcamp ( and luving it!) and I want to start addng some protien powder to my green smoothies in the morning and I was wondering which one is the better one to use, Soy or Whey? I am concerned choosing the wrong one will cause weight gain
when I’m working so hard to lose!!
I personally prefer soy because it’s non-dairy and I find that dairy bloats a lot of people. However you can use whey simply choose an organic protein powder. The main thing to look for on the label is sugar content as well. Many powders are loaded with extra sugar or sweeteners to make them taste better. Try to find as pure of a supplement as possible by reading the ingredients list.
Hi Sammie
I’ve been working out for quite a few months now and have noticed significant changes in my waist and legs but I am still having trouble with my arms! Do you have any suggestions? What are some good work outs for losing the flab on your arms??
Thank you!
Hi Sammie,
I was wondering…is brown rice syrup is alright to have durning the challenge?
Hi Sammie,
Soo..my other half was always going to the gym mostly doing weight training. Big muscles ha ha!!! Then renovations happened and he hasn’t been workig out for like a year and a half and has extreme stress at work. He has gained around the middle and is depessed and I know once he starts working out again he will feel better and get back to the gym. Anyway I have gotten him to start doing the dvd bootycamp workouts with me. Will they help men as well loose as many inches as some of the woman lose?
Also…see your fit dates and it would be fun to have a couples workout doing the bootycamp so these men can see how hard it is!
Sure hun, the workout will work just fine for your boyfriend as well. The large amount of lower body work will blast those calories fast! I’ll think about the fit date with couple doing the booty camp workout!
Hi Sammie,
Wondering if you’d be interested in exchanging links or blog posts?
Thanks, love the blog!
You always here people saying that walking is one of the best natural workouts you can do, so I am asking do you need to speed walk in order for walking to be benificial in assisting with overall weightloss and being healthy??
I have arthritis in my left hip and knee so when I speed walk its not long before I begin to hurt but I love doing my morning walks and like to think they help=).
Please let me know and any helpful tips would be appreciated. Thank you.
I’m of the personal belief that if you want to achieve weight loss you need to get your heart rate up, which is not usually possible with walking. Walking is beneficial, it’s good to keep moving and it will help keep your weight stable however it’s difficult to lose weight if you are only walking once daily. Does your arthritis pain interfere with you using an elliptical or bike trainer? Do you do any resistance or weight training to keep your muscles and bones strong as well as assist in raising your metabolism?
Hey there a while back I saw a recipie for a low fat version of the iced cappacino you did…Is there any way you would be willing to pass that on
Thanks
You can grab any of the recipes by clicking on the “Sammie’s snack of the week” category on the side. That particular post can be found at http://www.sammiekennedy.com/2010/05/16/fitness-models-frappucino/
Hi Sammie
I am wondering whats the best exercise to loose fat on the inner thighs,outer thighs and butt?
I do the booty camp three times a week I also try to get a run in on the opposite days as well. But I don’t seem to see any changes. What am I doing wrong?
Hi there Sammie
I have til the end of July in Toronto and then I’m moving out of the country. I weigh way too much and am healing from two surgeries…I have the ok to exercise and love Booty Camp but it’s still hard to get through…I am doing the workouts at home also…I eat right and am overweight by thirty pounds due to inactivity from healing up, not allowed to walk etc…My question: How can I drop the maximum amount of weight before I leave the country at the end of July? I bought the Vega mix and like it a lot…Should I rent an exercise machine> I don’t like anyone the gyms in my area and they both have bad reviews on line which is too bad really…Can you lend any advice.
Wishing to drop the max in a mth.
L
Hey Lori,
I’m terribly sorry to say but I don’t promote gimmicks or crash programs to lose extra weight because they simply result in a backslide to a point where you are worse off than when you started! What I can say is if you stay active and follow a refined sugar free whole foods nutritional program you’ll have success with your goals. I recommend 30minutes to 1 hour of cardiovascular exercise on a daily basis to facilitate fat loss and stick with your current workout regime with Booty Camp and the DVD to build that lean muscle to burn calories at rest! Remember to sleep well each night and to drink lots of water (3L per day at least) and take a day off between full body resistance training workouts. That should maximize your results!
Sammie
thanks so much sammie. i am sugar free for a while now…doing what you suggest and will remain patient.
the dvd is awesome
Hi Sammie
I just had my first day boot camp on Monday and i loved it. But i have a real sore body, i find it challenging to climb the stairs … Is this normal? Or did i do anything wrong?.
I cant wait to trim down.
Thanks
Sindhu
It’s fairly normal to have greater than average muscle discomfort after starting any new exercise routine. The good news is it usually balances out after the first week. Be sure to keep moving to help flush out the lactic acid and try an Epsom salt bath! Whatever you do DON’T skip your second camp! It’ll help loosen everything up!
I just have a quick question. I have signed on for a 8 weeks camp. So far completed 4 weeks!! My question is about nutrition. I am currently exclusively breast feeding and wondered about the recipes that are recommended. Do I change or add anything on them since I need more nutrition? Do you have any tips on healthier foods for me?
Thanks!!
Hey Bernadette,
Good question. All of the recipes are nutritious and fairly well balanced. Since they are all vegan they are clean and incorporate whole foods. I would consult with your physician to see if they recommend an increase in any specific nutritional element since you are breast feeding. For instance, if they say you need extra protein you may wish to incorporate a meat or vegan alternative as a side or in the recipe as most would be easily complimented with an extra protein source. If your physician gives you an specific elements I may be able to suggest alternatives or additions accordingly.
Sammie
Hi Sammie
Over the last few months I have become interested in becoming a personal fitness instructor. I started with a weight training/circuit training glass and have also taken the booty camp course. I would love to learn how to teach other people and pass on my new found enthusiasm for fitness. Would love to know how you went about becoming an instructor and were you went to school. Thank you and i look forward to hearing from you.
Beth
Is there anywhere I can purchase booty camp apparel?
Hey Katherine,
We are working hard on a new shopping cart system that will allow recruits to purchase Booty Camp merchandise. For the time being there is nowhere that they are available. We’ll keep you posted!
Sammie
Hey Beth,
Since I already had a health sciences background I simply enrolled in the CPTN personal training course to complete my fitness trainer certification. There are many other governing bodies that offer certification as well such as Can-Fit Pro, ISSA and ACE. Take a look at them and see which one best suits your needs and schedule
Sammie
Hi Sammie,
How do you loose the weight below the belly button?
I am 47, 5 1/2 and 117 lbs. I do bootycamp all the time, and at home as well when I’m not enrolled. No matter what and how hard I work I can’t get rid of that roll!!!!! I have read that sometimes the only way after you have had a couple of children as well (which I have had) is to do surgery. Is there any way to loose it without surgery?
Hey there!
I love you’re website and all your tips!
I’m kind of on my last 15 pounds that I want to loose…and its all in my stomach! What is the best excersise I can do to get rid of my “pudge muffin”…or maybe there is certain drinks I should be buying?
Thanks!
Tanya
Hey Tanya,
Losing lower abdominal fat is a huge challenge for a lot of women. I don’t recommend relying on supplements for achieving your goals. One of the major contributors to abdominal fat is refined sugars. Eliminating sugar and alcohol from your diet should help you reduce your body fat overall and in your abdomen. Take a look at the tips provided in my Bootyfication Challenge category. Following this routine should help give you a head start in the battle against the “pudge muffin”
Sammie
Hi Sammie,
I was wondering if you could tell me on average approximately how many calories are burned during a normal booty camp session and also how many are burned using the 15 minute booty camp cardio video and the 30 minute video.
Thanks a bunch
PS I’m lovin my sessions, your instructors are awesome!
Hey Stephanie,
We’ve calculated for the 15 minute Cardio Quickie it burns approx 188 calories and for the 30 minute Cardio workout it burns approx 365 calories.
We are estimating between 700 and 950 calories burned in a session depending on body type and how hard you work.
Sammie
Hi Sammie!
We are now March 2011: you and the DVD crew are maybe already in Puerto Rico!! How amazing!!
When will the Puerto Rico DVD be released? Was this the 1st time there were auditions held for the DVD? How often do you make new DVDs?
Thank you in advance and best of luck with the filming!!
Hey Mercedes
The DVD is to be released for June camps! This was the 1st time we held auditions and are bringing recruits and we’re super excited!!!
We typically make a new DVD every 1-1.5 years
xo
Sammie
Hi Sammie!
I have been doing booty camp for the past 2 months and have joined up for June and July. So far I have lost a total of 8 inches, 1.5 of those from my right arm. My left arm however isn’t doing so hot… .25 inches lost! Is there something I can do to help my left arm catch up to my right?
I don’t want to be lopsided!
Thanks!
Hey Nicole, It’s not uncommon for there to be differences in size on the arms and legs. How large is the difference between your arms despite the figures lost? Were they the same dimensions to start? Also there may be a miscorrelation between the location on the arm that your measurements are being taken from one side to the next, make sure to ask your instructor to ensure she’s being meticulous about the spot she is measuring. Our instructors are great but even the best person can accidentally move the tape up or down.
Hi Sammie,
I want to go back to being Vegan, but have been finding it difficult over the past year when trying to balance with weight loss. I’ve been following your Simple Success food intake list (from the Booty Camp book) every day. I was wondering what you would recommend for a similar food list but for a vegan that would allow me eat a balanced, nutritious meal every day while loosing weight but having enough energy for exercise. This would be a huge step for me, to go back to being vegan but maintain my healthy routine.
Thank you!
Hi Emmie
Eating a vegan lifestyle is certainly very difficult. There are a variety of protein supplements available to vegans ie, rice protein, hemp protein, pea protein.
Some nice meat alternatives would include lentils and things like tofu or tempeh which has a firmer texture and takes on flavours of marinades very well.
Snacking on roast chickpeas is a great way to get some protein into your snacks. Basically as a vegan in order to ensure you have the energy make sure you increase your lentil and complex carb intake (ie slow cook oatmeal, quinoa (great protein source), barley, brown rice)
I hope these tips help out
Sammie
Hi Sammie!
I’ve been a recruit since June 2010, and LOVE booty camp!
Seeing as I’m a regular recruit, I’ve made friends in my class, and we’ve been signing up as a group, to get the $50 discount. However, for Christmas, I got an 8-week gift certificate, which I haven’t used yet, as I had e-mail exchanges with an Evening Client Experience Specialist, asking if there would be a way of me using the gift certificate, while signing up with a group (so I would have a $50 credit). I was told that it was impossible.
I figured that I’d write to you directly on your blog, to see your views on this (and anyone else who would like to weigh in on this issue). I feel that this is discriminating between cash and credit. For example, if I have a gift certificate to a store, and the item I wish to purchase is on sale (with redemption of a coupon), I would be entitled to purchase the item at the sale price, and would then have a balance left on the gift certificate.
I hope that you can reconsider this issue, and allow for me to sign up with a group, while redeeming my gift certificate, therefore entitling me to a $50 credit.
Here’s hoping that I will receive a favourable response!
Dominique
Hi Dominique,
Really happy to hear that you’ve been loving your Booty Camp experience – amazing that you’ve crossed your one-year anniversary with us! Regarding the gift certificate, unfortunately no, it cannot be used in combination with the group discount. The certificate notes at the bottom: “This coupon has no cash value and is non-transferable. Cannot be used in combination with the Group Discount.” Part of the reasoning behind this is because Booty Camp offers a service that we have to pay our instructors to provide (versus a product in the example you provided). I would love to go into more detail, but that would violate the confidentiality of our business model.
We invite you to take advantage of your gift certificate and enjoy your complimentary eight week session and take this opportunity to make a new friend at camp who can jump in the group discount this time around. Next session, all six of you can take advantage of this bonus perk that we’re happy to offer to recruits. Hope that provides a bit more clarification and if you have more questions we’re happy to answer them as best we can at 1-877-76BOOTY (26689).
Are peanuts really a good snack when your working out and eating healthy even though they are full of good fats?
Thanks
Katy
Hey Katy,
Technically peanuts are the lowest on the totem pole of “healthy nuts” to eat. Nuts do offer some great health benefits in the essential fatty acids they contain as well as protein. I would choose almonds over peanuts and even then only 10-12 as a snack because the high “healthy fat” content does equal a quick buildup of calories in your day. Other great options are pistachios, cashews or walnuts
Does anyone know if Sammie is single
Hahahaha well Erick that’s a very flattering question. I am happily taken at the moment
Hi i was just wondering..im 5, 5 and weigh almost 200 lbs. would boot camp be good for me?
im kindda embarrassed.
Hey Alexandra,
Thanks for asking. No need be embarrassed, you should be proud of yourself for doing something to better your health. Booty Camp is a very supportive environment and we’ve had women of all sizes, fitness levels and walks of life in our program. Rest assured you will be embraced in everyone’s positivity
At Booty Camp we always provide ladies with alternatives to each move, and it’s a work at your own pace environment, so you can choose the level you’d like to work at. As well if there is any specific help from your instructor that you’d like, they are always happy to accommodate, all you have to do is ask. I think you will find it to be a fun environment, that will encourage you to push your limits but never judge you or force you to exceed them. You’ll be sore after the first session or two but you’ll see changes in your fitness quickly and the sessions are always different and motivating.
We all have to start somewhere and our instructors just love helping ladies learn what they are capable of and watching them get fitter as time passes. I encourage you to give it a chance for 4 weeks and see how you feel. Let me know how it goes!
Sammie
Hi Sammie,
I was wondering if you know a good place for vegetarian gluten and dairy free recipes?
Hey Jess,
There are a couple of blogs that I really respect that post great gluten, dairy and meat free recipes.
http://www.meghantelpnerblog.com/
http://ohsheglows.com/
http://www.joyoushealth.ca/
Sammie