Sergeant Tony's Blog

The other day I was wearing a Marine Corps t-shirt with,
“PAIN IS WEAKNESS LEAVING THE BODY!”
written on the back.

Standing in line at the grocery store, the lady behind me said, “That’s kind of harsh, isn’t it?” commenting on the message. I just smiled and said, “Of course not!”

It reminded me of Jonathan Edwards.

Jonathan Edwards, the great Colonial revivalist, pastor, theologian, missionary to Native Americans, and President of Princeton was a tough as nails sort, and no sissy boy. He wrote a list of 70 resolutions that he hoped would serve as a guide for the conduct of his own personal life. Here’s one of those resolutions:

“RESOLVED: When I feel pain, to think of the pains of martyrdom, and of Hell.”

Wow!! Now THAT is harsh! Pretty strong language, wouldn’t you agree?

Maybe I’ll quote him the next time we do a set of pushups and people start whining!

But it does help to illustrate the point that I’m trying to make. Most people are quick to bail when things get uncomfortable. Ours is a pampered and spoiled generation, with no tolerance for pain or discomfort and no patience for anything that requires hard work over time.

Instant gratification isn’t quick enough.

Most people will quit before the payoff. Everyone wants to win. Everyone wants to be successful. But few are willing to embrace the pain and persevere.

Every golfer wants to be a Tiger Woods. But few are willing to pay the price that Tiger paid and continues to pay. When he was in high school, Tiger would get up early, go to the driving range and hit over 500 golf balls before school. After school he’d do the same thing. He’d hit golf balls until his hands bled.

Every golfer wants to be a Tiger Woods, but few are willing to pay the price.

I talk to people everyday who tell me that they want to lose weight and get in shape. But after they tell me what they want, they usually tell me why they can’t do it. I hear every conceivable excuse and rationale for why they won’t be successful.

My parents were smokers. They smoked a pack or two a day. I begged them to stop. They told me to mind my own business. I pleaded with them for years to stop. For years they told me it was too hard to stop, they’d been smoking too long to be able to stop.

Then one day my Dad’s doctor said, “Mr. Ludlow, if you don’t quit smoking, you’ll be dead in a year.”

My father quit that very day, after almost 40 years of smoking.

What had been impossible the day before became possible in an instant.

When you want something badly enough, you’ll find a way to be successful.

When you want something badly enough, there won’t be any obstacle too big to prevent you from achieving your goal.

You can have whatever you want, if you want it badly enough.

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WHITEWATER RAFTING!
It’s that time! On August 11th, you could be a part of the mighty BOOT CAMP FLOAT going down the famous Ocoee River, near Chattanooga! This is part of our BOOT CAMP ANNIVERSARY MONTH CELEBRATION! Make plans to attend! Boot Camper’s friends and family are also welcome. Minimum age is 12 years old by August 11. The cost is less than $100 per person for the all day rafting. The price includes all gear, equipment, lunch, and the river guide. Learn more by going to www.ocoee-outdoors.com

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PARTY QUESTION
August’s activities always include a BOOT CAMP ANNIVERSARY PARTY. Over the years we’ve had parties at Boot Camper’s homes and at the Fox & Hound.

This year, I’d like to get your input. Here’s the question.

1) Would you prefer a party at Fox & Hound on a weekday evening after work?

OR

2) Would you prefer a party at someone’s home on a weekend evening?

Please take a minute and let me know. You’ll really be helping me out! Thanks.

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TRIATHLON TRAINING THIS SATURDAY
Saturday morning, June 23 at 0800 at the U of M.

Bring your bike and helmet, along with your running shoes!

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This from Sergeant Tom Dorian:
“It’s not often we hear of business owners donating their time, talent or treasure to worthy causes. This just happens to be one of those stories.
The owner’s of “Apothetique” have decided to donate a portion of their sales to the Blue Streak Scholarship Fund for the entire month of June.
The Blue Streak Scholarship Fund benefits children and their families attending inner city parochial schools. For more information check out BSSF.net.
Apothetique is a cute store for women interested in makeup featuring the “Pamela John” line. They also carry jewelry and clothing as well as other beauty materials.
Check them out. They are located at The Avenue Carriage Crossing in Collierville.
Thanks,
Tom Dorian”

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RUNNING THIS WEEKEND
Clear Mountain Ultimate 10K and 5K are on Saturday, June 23rd at 8 AM. Learn more at www.ultimate10k.racesonline.com

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TONY, DO I OWE YOU MONEY?
Check the blog on the website to find out. www.usmcfitnessbootcamp.com/blog/

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If you’ve been doing Boot Camp for a while you might not know that new Boot Campers get an email from me after they send me their info. The email has a variety of FYI items, including this little gem that everyone will benefit from knowing about.

“USMC Fitness BOOT CAMP is a Marine Corps style fitness program. We do not apologize for that! It’s who we are! We use the term “BOOT CAMP” because of our strong and personal connection to REAL boot camp, Marine Corps Boot Camp! We’re very proud of the fact that our roots go back to 1775 and the founding of The Corps. It sets us apart from other “boot camp” programs that aren’t connected to any branch of our military.

We also have customs and traditions that are taken directly from life in The Corps. For example, when we do pushups, you’ll hear everyone sound off with a loud patriotic “MARINE CORPS!” Sound off with them!

When we bring the workouts to an end, members will stand respectfully, if not at the position of attention, when the group is called to “ATTTEN-HUUHH!” (Attention!) And then ALL Boot Campers will respond with a LOUD and ENTHUSIASTIC “AYE, AYE SIR!” when the group is dismissed.

These are some of the little reminders of our history, traditions, and customs that you’ll enjoy adopting as your own!”

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HATS & VISORS
If you’d be interested in a BOOT CAMP hat or visor for workouts and running, let me know ASAP! The white hats would cost about $25 and the white visors would be about $20. Email me right NOW and let me know what you’d be interested in! Do it! Do it NOW!

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THE 0645 CLASS HAS RETURNED!!!
The 0645, 0830, and 5:45 PM classes follow a Monday/Wednesday/Friday “WEIGHT DAY,” and Tu/Thu “CARDIO DAY” workout schedule.

The 0830 class is being offered for June. It may continue for July. Vote for it by attending the 0830 class!

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“Pain is no evil, unless it conquer us.”
~ Charles Kingsley

To your continued good health and fitness!!

Sergeant Tony

Sergeant Major Tony Ludlow
USMC Fitness BOOT CAMP, Commanding
4888 Southern Cove
Memphis, TN 38117
901-644-0145
www.usmcfitnessbootcamp.com
http://shaklee.net/tonyludlow/main