Sergeant Tony's Blog

OCOEE WHITEWATER RAFTING TRIP AUGUST 27, 2011

WHO: 15 USMC Fitness BOOT CAMP River Pirates

WHAT: All day trip on the Ocoee River

WHEN: Saturday, August 27 at 10am

WHERE: Ocoee Outdoors is the Official Outfitter for The River Pirates of USMCFBC and the top rated outfitter on the Ocoee since 1977. This will be our 7th trip with Ocoee Outdoors.

Ocoee Outdoors is located on Hiway 64 east of Cleveland, TN and about 40 minutes from Exit 5 on I-75 (northeast Chattanooga). (Map and detailed directions to follow) I’ll be staying at the Hampton Inn at Exit 5.

COST: $99 per person for the Full Day, Whole River Float. Price includes transportation from Ocoee Outdoors to and from the river, equipment rental, and lunch.

Hotels closer to Ocoee Outdoors are available and tent camping is possible as well. My personal itinerary will be: traveling to Chattanooga on Friday, spending the night, eating breakfast at Cracker Barrel on Saturday morning, rafting on Saturday, spending the night on Saturday, and traveling back to Memphis on Sunday.

Exit 5, where the Hampton is, has a number of other hotels and is across the road from a mall with tons of restaurants.

PAYMENT AND RESERVATIONS FOR THE RAFTING: Reservations are on a first come, first served basis and restricted to the first 15 who call Ocoee Outdoors with payment. Call 1-800-533-7767. Tell the person who answers that you want to pay for a spot(s) on the “Tony Ludlow Group Trip for August 27th, the all day full river trip.” (Be sure to specify that it’s the all day, full river trip.) After you call and pay, email ME and let me know how many spots you paid for (headcount purposes) and let me know how many t-shirts you’ll need and what size(s). I’m getting t-shirts made for the occasion!

A little boy and his dad found a cocoon.

“What’s that?” asked the little boy.

“It’s a cocoon. It’s a little home where a caterpillar turns into a butterfly.” explained the dad.

Seeing a chance to have a little natural science lesson for his son, the dad took the cocoon inside the house so that the two of them could study the process.

Over the next few days the little boy watched in wonder, imagining how the caterpillar was transforming into a beautiful butterfly, and reporting the progress to his dad.

One morning before the dad left for work, he and his son watched as the cocoon started to move and shake. The little boy got very excited and wanted to know what was going on.

“The caterpillar has transformed into a butterfly and is now trying to get out of the cocoon!” said the dad.

The little boy’s eyes were glued to the shaking cocoon when the dad left for work.

When the dad returned home that evening, he found a terrible thing. The cocoon was still on the counter where he’d left it but it was open at one end. On the floor nearby lay the dead butterfly.

The dad called for his son who came into the kitchen to see what the dad had discovered.

“What happened?” asked the dad. “Did you see it?”

“Yes, I saw it and I tried to help.” answered the little boy, trying to hold back the tears.

“What do you mean you tried to help.”

“Well, I watched and watched and watched and the cocoon was shaking and the butterfly was trying so hard to get out. So, I helped him. I opened that end of the cocoon so that he could get out. But when he got out, he just fell on the floor and never moved again.”

The dad shook his head and then explained what happened.

“Son, the butterfly on the inside of the cocoon is weak and can’t fly. So it struggles everyday to get out of the cocoon. As it struggles to get out, its wings become stronger and stronger. When the butterfly’s wings are finally strong enough so that it is able to break out of the cocoon all by itself, its wings are finally strong enough for the butterfly to survive and fly.”

Over 2,500 years ago, the historian Thucydides, writing about the Great Peloponnesian War, said:
“We must remember that one man is much the same as another, and that he is best who is trained in the hardest school.”

He also said, “The state that separates its scholars from its warriors will have its thinking done by cowards, and its fighting done by fools.” These were the first of many things I read about the history of combat and war when I was a young Marine learning the precepts of leadership in Non-commissioned Officer’s School.

Today it seems the worst things parents can do to their kids is allow them to struggle. I’m a dad. I get it. I understand the temptation to pave the way, fill the pot holes, and take away the road hazards for our kids.

But when things are made easy for kids and then made easier again by parents who overindulge, pamper, and spoil their kids, nothing good results. As a parent, I know how easy it is to do. We want more for our kids than what we ourselves had. We want to protect them from … the things in life … that made us … who … we … are.

Wait, … what?

In the process, kids get robbed of the opportunities to be creative, to learn patience, to cope, to adapt, to improvise, and to solve problems. Everything is given, provided, or arranged by doting, but well meaning parents.

Then parents get in competition with their friends, who are also parents, as they try to keep up with the latest fad, craze, class, camp, or lesson. The Smith’s have their kids in a slew of stuff, so the Johnson’s kids have to join in too! (Relax Smith and Johnson families … I just picked random names!)

In 1776, Thomas Paine wrote, “What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value.”

There seems to be a woeful lack of “dearness” and no sense of value. Everything comes easy, few things mean much, and a vacant sense of accomplishment follows.

Some parents probably need professional scheduling software for their computers and smart phones just to keep up with all of the camps, classes, and superfluous play-dates. Kids are over-scheduled, overindulged, spoiled, and egocentric. They have a colossal sense of entitlement that grows like a cancer and a diminishing sense of respect and knowledge of proper behavior towards adults and their environment. A quick visit to any fast food joint at lunchtime this summer will be more than enough evidence to make my point. Real housewives of Memphis will be in the local Chic-fil-A negotiating with the little darlings to finish their lunch. Or you’ll hear moms begging and negotiating with them to please get out of the bin of plastic balls because it’s time to go to your golf lesson.

Really? Negotiating??

I never negotiated with my children and the only time they said no to me was when I asked them if they’d like to spend the rest of the day working in the yard.

Spoiled little demons learn early on that they are the center of their parent’s lives and that mom and dad’s role is to make them happy and comfortable. The kids aren’t an addition to their parent’s lives … they ARE their parent’s lives. And you really can’t blame the kids. It’s not their fault that their parents are incompetent.

It’s a tough balancing act, I know. But today there’s no act at all. The scales are clearly out of balance and the kids are winning. And society will lose.

When I returned from Japan in 1998, I joined the faculty and coaching staff of a local private high school. The lexicon of new words added to my vocabulary during those first few months included phrases I’d never heard of before like “participation trophy.”

“I’m sorry, what?”

“Everyone gets a trophy at the end of the season, Coach Ludlow, and you need to order them now,” said the Athletic Director.

I don’t have a learning disability and I’ve got several degrees from reputable schools, but I had to have that one explained to me more than twice.

I refused to do it. “Participation trophies?” Why the very idea!

OMG! You’d have thought that I’d just committed high treason. Parents, teachers, and administrators got mad at me. I mean really really mad at me. But oddly enough, none of the kids got mad at me. See, they’d been getting those worthless and meaningless “participation trophies” ever since they were in T-ball and another goofy trohphy to clutter up their shelves wasn’t going to mean anything to them.

No dearness.

Eventually I had to give up and give in and buy the stupid participation trophies … just to appease the kids? No, the STUPID adults! The “awards” ceremony was like a bad episode of Oprah. “YOU GET A TROPHY AND YOU GET A TROPHY AND YOU GET A TROPHY!!” Stupid.

The sense of accomplishment that I give you at USMC Fitness BOOT CAMP is intentional. Bragging rights are pretty cool. You’ve chosen one of the hardest workouts that you can do without actually joining the Marine Corps and you’re doing it under Spartan conditions! (“THIS … IS … SPARTA!”) It’s not unlike the bragging rights I enjoy as a Marine. And you get a piece of that too!

Bragging rights … because you struggle and you overcome. Because you work hard and take a backseat to no other workout!

Allow your kid to work hard … and be bored … to be uncomfortable … and to struggle … and to have to wait on things … and to have to look out the window and imagine.

You want to be a good parent? Teach your kids the meaning of dearness. Teach them the meaning of scarcity. Give them the gift of struggle. It will make their wings strong. And when it’s time, they will soar on their own!

And isn’t that what you really and truly want for your kids?

“For he is best who is trained in the hardest school.”

———————————————————–

“Get fit for summer, stay fit for life!”

“If you want to look like an athlete, train like one!”

—————————————-

IT’S HOT, HOT, HOT!

If the heat index is 100 or more, we’ll move the Quarterdeck inside. Be sure to hydrate before the workouts and don’t forget to bring water with you!

The evening class will use the courtyard – where the flagpole is – on days when the heat index is below 100 but the temperature is a little too toasty for the Quarterdeck to be in the fenced in playground.

—————————————

ST. JUDE HALF MARATHON!

The St. Jude Half Marathon will be the first Saturday in December. But you should register NOW if you want to run it! The race sold out last year by the end of August and this year will be no exception. It’ll fill up fast!!! If you’ve never run it, you are in luck! I can train you to run it! But you need to register NOW!

My St. Jude Half Marathon Training will begin on Saturday, September 3. To qualify for the training you only need to be able to “run” 3 miles in 36 minutes or less. YOU CAN DO THIS!! I’ve trained hundreds of first time half marathoners to run it!

—————————————-

RIVER PIRATES SETTNG SAIL

WHITEWATER RAFTING VOYAGE IN AUGUST

The River Pirates of USMC Fitness BOOT CAMP set sail on August 27th! Wanna join the crew?

Would you like to go to the Ocoee River and do some whitewater rafting?

We’ve taken groups in the past to the Ocoee and had LOTS of fun! You don’t have to be experienced at all. Beginners have the best stories to tell!

Later this afternoon I’m going to post all of the details for the trip on the website blog. (http://usmcfitnessbootcamp.com/blog/) If you’re interested, check the details and act quick. Crew members are capped at 15. Friends of yours are welcome too!

—————————————-

I GOTTA GUY!!!

I like to share the names of people I do business with and trust so that if you need services that they offer you’ll know someone trustworthy to contact.

1. Rob McGregor, Mr. McGregor’s Garden – lawn mowing, yard maintainence, and such. 901-428-6401
2. Randal Rhea, Attorney at Law. Our own “heavy hitter!” Tickets, criminal matters, divorces, and such. 901-299-0596
3. Richard Bourland – “Your Boot Camp Handyman” – Home Improvement, Carpentry, Custom Bunk Beds and other Woodworking Services, rebourland@yahoo.com, 901.826-6695. www.midsouthbunkbeds.com

You can see a much longer and detailed list of people I refer on the USMC Fitness BOOT CAMP website blog page. Once on the blog page use the search window, keyword “Buddy,” and it’ll take you to that page.

If you drop my name, you might get a discount. But for sure you’ll get their sympathy and prayers! 😉

If you’d like to be listed here in “I GOTTA GUY” just let me know!

—————————————–

COLLEGE STUDENT SUMMER SPECIAL

College students home for the summer get a discount! Contact me for details!

—————————————-

UNEMPLOYED PERSON’S DISCOUNT

If you’ve been a Boot Camper in the past and you are currently unemployed, you can get a special discount. Email me for the details. Seriously! Email me! NOW! And don’t be embarrassed. I will make you an offer that you can’t refuse. Seriously.

—————————————

LAW ENFORCEMENT AND FIRE DEPARTMENT DISCOUNTS

Police Officers, Sheriff’s Deputies, and Memphis Firefighters qualify for a special discount! It’s the least I can do to ensure that our law enforcement officers and firefighters are fit for their job!! Pass the word!

—————————————

NEXT MONDAY, JULY 4, ONE WORKOUT AT 0700! GUESTS ARE WELCOME!

NEXT TUESDAY, JULY 5, M-16 WORKOUT AT 0530 AT CUMC!

————————————-

BOOT CAMP DISCOUNTS AND FACEBOOK!

First of all, find me on Facebook and make me your friend. (Also, be sure to “like” USMC Fitness BOOT CAMP on Facebook.)

Here’s how the discount works!

It’s simple: make a Facebook status update and get a discount!

For every status update that you make that references:
“USMC Fitness Boot Camp,”
“Sgt. Tony’s Boot Camp,”
“Tony’s Boot Camp,”
or something similar, you can take $2.50 off your next reenlistment fee for each update!
You can take up to $20 off for any given month!

Your status update has to be a specific reference to USMC Fitness BOOT CAMP or to me specifically by name – there are other “boot camps” out there, you know.

BE SURE TO TAG ME!

You can do the same thing by “checking in” at USMC Fitness Boot Camp either by using Facebook “places,” Foursquare, or any of the other “check in” apps that show up on your Facebook News Feed.

So log on and start getting your discounts now!

————————————-

PERSONAL TRAINING!

I’ve got a few prime hours open during the week if you know someone looking for a trainer. I use the facilities at Christ Methodist and the hourly rates are standard for Memphis. Over-all fitness training, boot camp style workouts, strength training, sports specific conditioning and agility (tennis, soccer, basketball, etc.)

TonyLudlow@aol.com or 901-644-0145

———————————-

ATTENTION!

THE 0830 AND THE 0645 CLASSES!!

The 0830 Class is standing down for the summer. You 0830 Boot Campers are, of course, invited to attend any and all of the other classes.

The 0645 Class will continue to meet as usual on MWF!

——————————————–

NEW PRICING FOR FAMILIES AND COUPLES

If you’re a part of a family (usually husband and wife) that does USMC Fitness BOOT CAMP together, ask me about it! I think you’ll like it!

———————————————-

WANT TO LOSE 20 POUNDS BY THE END OF NEXT MONTH?

Take Shape For Life is the BEST weight loss program I know of. If you’d like to lose weight talk to me. This is the program I used to lose the almost 30 pounds I gained after knee surgery. Let me help you!

You can also go to www.combatchallenge.tsfl.com/

——————————————-

TUESDAY & THURSDAY EVENING AT ST. MARY”S!!

The Tuesday and Thursday evening walk/jog/run sessions meet at 5:45pm at St. Mary’s track, weather permitting. The Church of the Holy Communion and St. Mary’s School have been kind enough to allow us to use their track, provided that their athletic activities don’t make our use of the track unwise or impossible. My thanks to Julie Fike at CHC for granting permission for us to use their track.

These two sessions are for cardio only – power walking, jogging, running, speed work on the track – at St. Mary’s. (Walnut Grove and Perkins, Southeast corner of the intersection).

You may also choose to run in the neighborhood around the school instead of using the track.

—————————————————–

CALENDAR

A calendar has been added to the official USMC Fitness BOOT CAMP website.
http://www.usmcfitnessbootcamp.com/calendar.html

For you visual learners, you’ll find this an easy way to glance at the week or month and see where the workouts will be, if there’s a venue change.

—————————————————

What would you do if money were not an issue, fear were not a factor, and failure were not an option?

To your optimum health and fitness!

SEE YOU ON THE QUARTERDECK!

Tony

Sergeant Major Tony Ludlow

USMC Fitness BOOT CAMP, Commanding
Mailing address: 4888 Southern Ave., Memphis, TN 38117
Cell Phone: 901-644-0145
www.usmcfitnessbootcamp.com

I don’t have too many rules for my friends. In fact, outside of the usual requirements of friendship like loyalty, honesty, support, and availability to testify at my next trial (I always need an alibi), I only have one other rule that might not always be stated when people talk about behavior that they require of their friends.

Last week I told you about the questions I ask before I let someone very far into my life.
#1. Since I generally laugh or smile or have a sense of contentment in the course of my day, will your energy add to that or subtract from it?
#2 Since I generally live drama-free, will your presence in my life enhance that or wreck it?

Once I let someone in, once I’m reasonably sure that this other person is going to add to the joy and happiness in my life, there is only one rule, one principle, that I require of them. “Give me the benefit of the doubt. I will give it to you in abundance! And I will only interpret your behavior and actions in the best possible light unless or until there is irrefutable proof that you are a total bastard!”

And by irrefutable proof, I mean smoking gun, video tape documentation, and absolute evidence. No “Facebook detectives” and innuendo. No circumstantial evidence or hearsay. No situational clips presented as representative of the whole movie.

How many times have you been misjudged, misunderstood, and maligned when some “friend” took bits and pieces of information or some situation or event and then presumed to know the whole from the disjointed 10 percent they were exposed to, connecting dots that were never connected to begin with? It’s miserable isn’t it? You weary of having to explain yourself, don’t you?

Someone who’s prone to snap judgments, knee-jerk reactions, and any of the other over-reactions and drama inducing responses people make in haste without the facts, will be thrown overboard or escorted off the ship at the next port of call.

We teach people how to treat us. You are currently teaching people how to treat you, for good or bad.

Yesterday I was asked about the limits of how much and how often do I give someone the benefit of the doubt? At some point do you have to admit that the other person isn’t your friend at all, that they are reckless or immature or malevolent in their behavior toward you?

Unfortunately, sometimes you do have to kick someone off the ship. More often than not, I don’t usually throw anyone overboard. I might, however, assign some “shipmate” to some other part of the ship, just to minimize my exposure to them for a while.

I’m more prone to just let things go. It’s kind of selfish actually. I value my peace and contentment so much that I just prefer to not allow things to bother me. Yesterday when I was asked about the limits to giving someone the benefit of the doubt, I realized that there were at least 8, maybe 10 things that had happened during that day, up to that point, that could have made me frustrated, angry, or pissed off. But I chose a different response. I just rolled with it and didn’t let any of it stick. Even when the redneck in his truck yelled at me when I was ridding my bike, “F**K YOU, LANCE AMSTRONG!”

Uumm … WHAT?

I guess he had some grievance against Lance Armstrong? I mean, what do you do with something like THAT? I just laughed!

I didn’t choose a different response because I’m so holy, or righteous, or enlightened – I am, after all, the Devil, according to some! – but because I have a limited amount of psychic energy and I’m just not willing to waste any of it on something I can’t control and ultimately doesn’t matter.

Once upon a time, I was in a relationship with a woman who had no Plan B. If Plan A didn’t work out, she was handcuffed by indecision, frustration, and impatience. What would follow was a steady stream of bitching, moaning, whining, and complaining. It was exhausting.

On the other hand, a girl I dated in high school had a different reaction to things. One night, broke and barely with enough money for pizza and cokes, and no money for a movie, I took her to a little place up on a hill that overlooked the airport of our hometown. We sat there and watched the planes land and take off and talked the whole night. I was embarrassed by the fact that I had no money for a movie and had to resort to watching airport traffic. Awesome. So embarrassing.

Decades later she and I were talking and she asked me if I remembered that night. Of course I did, I told her, and then I explained how humiliating it was for me. My Plan A had failed for lack of funds and I had to fall back on my cheap Plan B.

Plan B, she protested, was the best date of her whole life!

Ummm, WHAT?

That’s more of a credit to her than to my ability to make watching airplanes something special. Today she remains one of my closest and dearest friends! Some other girl would have thought otherwise about that night and probably wouldn’t have gone out with me again.

This is part two of last week’s newsletter. Life is 10 percent what happens to you and 90 percent how you react to it. Ten percent of what happens to you, ninety percent what you allow to annoy you, allow to amuse you, or allow to be nothing at all.

Breathe deep and let it go if you can. And if you can’t. Let it go anyway.

F**K YOU, LANCE ARMSTRONG! hahahaha

——————————–

“Get fit for summer, stay fit for life!”

“If you want to look like an athlete, train like one!”

—————————————-

IT’S HOT, HOT, HOT!

If the heat index is 100 or more, we’ll move the Quarterdeck inside. Be sure to hydrate before the workouts and don’t forget to bring water with you!

The evening class will use the courtyard – where the flagpole is – on days when the heat index is below 100 but the temperature is a little too toasty for the Quarterdeck to be in the fenced in playground.

—————————————

ST. JUDE HALF MARATHON!

The St. Jude Half Marathon will be the first Saturday in December. But you should register NOW if you want to run it! The race sold out last year by the end of August and this year will be no exception. It’ll fill up fast!!! If you’ve never run it, you are in luck! I can train you to run it! But you need to register NOW!

My St. Jude Half Marathon Training will begin on Saturday, September 3. To qualify for the training you only need to be able to “run” 3 miles in 36 minutes or less. YOU CAN DO THIS!! I’ve trained hundreds of first time half marathoners to run it!

—————————————-

WHITEWATER RAFTING

Would you like to go to the Ocoee River and do some whitewater rafting in August? Let me know if you’d be interested.

We’ve taken groups in the past to the Ocoee and had LOTS of fun! You don’t have to be experienced at all. Beginners have the best stories to tell!

—————————————-

I GOTTA GUY!!!

I like to share the names of people I do business with and trust so that if you need services that they offer you’ll know someone trustworthy to contact.

1. Randal Rhea, Attorney at Law. Our own “heavy hitter!” Tickets, criminal matters, divorces, and such. 901-299-0596
2. Chuck Miller – Wildlife Solvers – 901-485-5564 He removes nuisance animals from homes and businesses. (squirrels, moles, raccoons, rats, boot camp drill instructors, etc)
3. Richard Bourland – “Your Boot Camp Handyman” – Home Improvement, Carpentry, Custom Bunk Beds and other Woodworking Services, rebourland@yahoo.com, 901.826-6695. www.midsouthbunkbeds.com

You can see a much longer and detailed list of people I refer on the USMC Fitness BOOT CAMP website blog page. Once on the blog page use the search window, keyword “Buddy,” and it’ll take you to that page.

If you drop my name, you might get a discount. But for sure you’ll get their sympathy and prayers! 😉

If you’d like to be listed here in “I GOTTA GUY” just let me know!

—————————————–

COLLEGE STUDENT SUMMER SPECIAL

College students home for the summer get a discount! Contact me for details!

—————————————-

UNEMPLOYED PERSON’S DISCOUNT

If you’ve been a Boot Camper in the past and you are currently unemployed, you can get a special discount. Email me for the details. Seriously! Email me! NOW! And don’t be embarrassed.

—————————————

LAW ENFORCEMENT AND FIRE DEPARTMENT DISCOUNTS

Police Officers, Sheriff’s Deputies, and Memphis Firefighters qualify for a special discount! It’s the least I can do to ensure that our law enforcement officers and firefighters are fit for their job!! Pass the word!

—————————————

NEXT TUESDAY, JUNE 28, MT. FUJI WORKOUT AT 0530 AT THE U OF M

————————————-

BOOT CAMP DISCOUNTS AND FACEBOOK!

First of all, find me on Facebook and make me your friend. (Also, be sure to “like” USMC Fitness BOOT CAMP on Facebook.)

Here’s how the discount works!

It’s simple: make a Facebook status update and get a discount!

For every status update that you make that references:
“USMC Fitness Boot Camp,”
“Sgt. Tony’s Boot Camp,”
“Tony’s Boot Camp,”
or something similar, you can take $2.50 off your next reenlistment fee for each update!
You can take up to $20 off for any given month!

Your status update has to be a specific reference to USMC Fitness BOOT CAMP or to me specifically by name – there are other “boot camps” out there, you know.

BE SURE TO TAG ME!

You can do the same thing by “checking in” at USMC Fitness Boot Camp either by using Facebook “places,” Foursquare, or any of the other “check in” apps that show up on your Facebook News Feed.

So log on and start getting your discounts now!

————————————-

PERSONAL TRAINING!

I’ve got a few prime hours open during the week if you know someone looking for a trainer. I use the facilities at Christ Methodist and the hourly rates are standard for Memphis. Over-all fitness training, boot camp style workouts, strength training, sports specific conditioning and agility (tennis, soccer, basketball, etc.)

TonyLudlow@aol.com or 901-644-0145

———————————-

ATTENTION!

THE 0830 AND THE 0645 CLASSES!!

The 0830 Class is standing down for the summer. You 0830 Boot Campers are, of course, invited to attend any and all of the other classes.

The 0645 Class will continue to meet as usual on MWF!

——————————————–

NEW PRICING FOR FAMILIES AND COUPLES

If you’re a part of a family (usually husband and wife) that does USMC Fitness BOOT CAMP together, ask me about it! I think you’ll like it!

———————————————-

WANT TO LOSE 20 POUNDS BY THE END OF NEXT MONTH?

Take Shape For Life is the BEST weight loss program I know of. If you’d like to lose weight talk to me. This is the program I used to lose the almost 30 pounds I gained after knee surgery. Let me help you!

You can also go to www.combatchallenge.tsfl.com/

——————————————-

TUESDAY & THURSDAY EVENING AT ST. MARY”S!!

The Tuesday and Thursday evening walk/jog/run sessions meet at 5:45pm at St. Mary’s track, weather permitting. The Church of the Holy Communion and St. Mary’s School have been kind enough to allow us to use their track, provided that their athletic activities don’t make our use of the track unwise or impossible. My thanks to Julie Fike at CHC for granting permission for us to use their track.

These two sessions are for cardio only – power walking, jogging, running, speed work on the track – at St. Mary’s. (Walnut Grove and Perkins, Southeast corner of the intersection).

You may also choose to run in the neighborhood around the school instead of using the track.
—————————————————–

CALENDAR

A calendar has been added to the official USMC Fitness BOOT CAMP website.
http://www.usmcfitnessbootcamp.com/calendar.html

For you visual learners, you’ll find this an easy way to glance at the week or month and see where the workouts will be, if there’s a venue change.

—————————————————

What would you do if money were not an issue, fear were not a factor, and failure were not an option?

To your optimum health and fitness!

SEE YOU ON THE QUARTERDECK!

Tony

Sergeant Major Tony Ludlow

USMC Fitness BOOT CAMP, Commanding
Mailing address: 4888 Southern Ave., Memphis, TN 38117
Cell Phone: 901-644-0145
www.usmcfitnessbootcamp.com

“Tony, be serious!”

“Tony, are you EVER serious?”

“Tony, grow up, be serious.”

I’m always amused by such serious advice. Apparently there is some noble and virtuous character building byproduct in the business of seriousness. Why else would I be urged to be so?

“Why so serious?” asked The Joker in Batman.

Why so serious indeed?

Here’s the thing. By the time most people reach their late-thirties they’ve had enough life experiences to be clinically depressed. Most of us have:
— buried loved ones
— lost a beloved pet
— been heartbroken
— totaled a car in an accident
— had some sort of major illness or injury
— seen the failure of our own marriage or the marriages of those close to us
— been the victim of some crime
— experienced the death of a dream
— failed to win when winning was necessary and imperative
— been dumped
— been maliciously misunderstood or judged
— been laid off or fired or lost a job through no personal fault
— been rejected
— been knocked down … and/or knocked out
— unintentionally hurt others
— seen the brutality and cruelty of other humans
— been the victim of brutality and cruelty
— been disillusioned

I could go on, of course. And depending on your profession or your service to this country in some capacity or other, you’ve also seen horror and misery on a scale and at a depth that often keeps you awake at night.

Odds are, we’re going to have more of those experiences today or tomorrow … or sometime in the future.

How’s that for positive and uplifting?

John Maxwell is quoted as saying that “life is 10% of what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it.”

Agreed!

All of us have had enough experiences in life to be negative and depressed and gloomy. But we don’t have to be negative, depressed, and gloomy. How we process the world around us, how we deal with the events in our lives, how we interpret a situation or the things that happen is a power we all possess. How we choose to use that power is our choice.

There are people who choose to interpret benign and neutral events as sinister and threatening and the people behind them as enemies. The same events interpreted by another are seen as simple events with no malicious intent behind them and no ill will assigned to the people involved.

Some people are just addicted to drama, trauma, and unrest. They choose to live in a world where chaos and strife are necessary, where conflict and contention are part of the daily menu.

I think John Maxwell is right. How we choose to react to the world and the things that happen to us determines the color and culture of our lives.

It’s my choice.

It’s your choice.

Who I let into my life is also my choice. For me, the process has become a very simple set of questions.
1. Since I generally laugh or smile or have a sense of contentment in the course of my day, will your energy add to that or subtract from it?
2. Since I generally live drama-free, will your presence in my life enhance that or wreck it?

A few years ago I was having an argument with a woman I had decided not to see anymore. She was very pretty and had lots of male attention, a fact about which she reminded me of frequently. I had listened to her rant for a solid 30 minutes before I finally said, in exasperation:

“Besides being pretty, what else do you bring to the table? You’re unbelievably moody, financially irresponsible, paranoid, hyper jealous, you challenge just about everything I say, and you’re mean.”

“I like to run and I’m well-read,” she answered.

Oh? OK. That changes everything.

If it’s up to you, keep the drama queens & kings out of your life. Let the negative Nellies and Neds lick their own self-inflicted wounds on their own. Keep the drawbridge closed when the smile stealers come to take the joy from your life.

“But Tony, what if “I’m” the negative person? I want to be happy and positive, but I’m just not.”

In all seriousness, sometimes choosing to be happy is impaired by chemical imbalances, mental or emotional illness, or some other genuine mental or emotional problem. The choice just isn’t possible without intervention from a mental health professional. The first step in getting help is acknowledging that there’s a problem. Scheduling time with a competent counselor, therapist, or clinician isn’t just a good idea, it’s imperative.

And guess what. Exercise is one of the BEST ways to put a smile on your face and a spring in your step! Fit people are happier people! I’m serious! Finally.

——————————–

“Get fit for summer, stay fit for life!”

—————————————-

IT’S HOT, HOT, HOT!

If the heat index is 100 or more, we’ll move the Quarterdeck inside. Be sure to hydrate before the workouts and don’t forget to bring water with you!

The evening class will use the courtyard – where the flagpole is – on days when the heat index is below 100 but the temperature is a little too toasty for the Quarterdeck to be in the fenced in playground.

—————————————-

CIVITAN 5K

The Civitan 5K is this Saturday at 8am at Shelby Farms.

—————————————

WHITEWATER RAFTING

Would you like to go to the Ocoee River and do some whitewater rafting in August? Let me know if you’d be interested.

We’ve taken groups in the past to the Ocoee and had LOTS of fun! You don’t have to be experienced at all. Beginners have the best stories to tell!

—————————————-

I GOTTA GUY!!!

I like to share the names of people I do business with and trust so that if you need services that they offer you’ll know someone trustworthy to contact.

1. Chuck Miller – Wildlife Solvers – 901-485-5564 He removes nuisance animals from homes and businesses. (squirrels, moles, raccoons, rats, boot camp drill instructors, etc)
2. Richard Bourland – “Your Boot Camp Handyman” – Home Improvement, Carpentry, Custom Bunk Beds and other Woodworking Services, rebourland@yahoo.com, 901.826-6695. www.midsouthbunkbeds.com
3. Teri Trotter – Realtor with Marx-Bensdorf. 901-647-4018.

You can see a much longer and detailed list of people I refer on the USMC Fitness BOOT CAMP website blog page. Once on the blog page use the search window, keyword “Buddy,” and it’ll take you to that page.

If you drop my name, you might get a discount. But for sure you’ll get their sympathy and prayers! 😉

If you’d like to be listed here in “I GOTTA GUY” just let me know!

—————————————–

COLLEGE STUDENT SUMMER SPECIAL

College students home for the summer get a discount! Contact me for details!

—————————————-

LAW ENFORCEMENT AND FIRE DEPARTMENT DISCOUNTS

Police Officers, Sheriff’s Deputies, and Memphis Firefighters qualify for a special discount! It’s the least I can do to ensure that our law enforcement officers and firefighters are fit for their job!! Pass the word!

—————————————

NEXT TUESDAY, JUNE 21, MT. FUJI WORKOUT AT 0530 AT THE U OF M

————————————-

BOOT CAMP DISCOUNTS AND FACEBOOK!

First of all, find me on Facebook and make me your friend. (Also, be sure to “like” USMC Fitness BOOT CAMP on Facebook.)

Here’s how the discount works!

It’s simple: make a Facebook status update and get a discount!

For every status update that you make that references:
“USMC Fitness Boot Camp,”
“Sgt. Tony’s Boot Camp,”
“Tony’s Boot Camp,”
or something similar, you can take $2.50 off your next reenlistment fee for each update!
You can take up to $20 off for any given month!

Your status update has to be a specific reference to USMC Fitness BOOT CAMP or to me specifically by name – there are other “boot camps” out there, you know.

BE SURE TO TAG ME!

You can do the same thing by “checking in” at USMC Fitness Boot Camp either by using Facebook “places,” Foursquare, or any of the other “check in” apps that show up on your Facebook News Feed.

So log on and start getting your discounts now!

————————————-

PERSONAL TRAINING!

I’ve got a few prime hours open during the week if you know someone looking for a trainer. I use the facilities at Christ Methodist and the hourly rates are standard for Memphis. Over-all fitness training, boot camp style workouts, strength training, sports specific conditioning and agility (tennis, soccer, basketball, etc.)

TonyLudlow@aol.com or 901-644-0145

———————————-

ATTENTION!

THE 0830 AND THE 0645 CLASSES!!

The 0830 Class is standing down for the summer. You 0830 Boot Campers are, of course, invited to attend any and all of the other classes.

The 0645 Class will continue to meet as usual on MWF!

——————————————–

NEW PRICING FOR FAMILIES AND COUPLES

If you’re a part of a family (usually husband and wife) that does USMC Fitness BOOT CAMP together, ask me about it! I think you’ll like it!

———————————————-

WANT TO LOSE 20 POUNDS BY THE END OF NEXT MONTH?

Take Shape For Life is the BEST weight loss program I know of. If you’d like to lose weight talk to me. This is the program I used to lose the almost 30 pounds I gained after knee surgery. Let me help you!

You can also go to www.combatchallenge.tsfl.com/

——————————————-

TUESDAY & THURSDAY EVENING AT ST. MARY”S!!

The Tuesday and Thursday evening walk/jog/run sessions meet at 5:45pm at St. Mary’s track, weather permitting. The Church of the Holy Communion and St. Mary’s School have been kind enough to allow us to use their track, provided that their athletic activities don’t make our use of the track unwise or impossible. My thanks to Julie Fike at CHC for granting permission for us to use their track.

These two sessions are for cardio only – power walking, jogging, running, speed work on the track – at St. Mary’s. (Walnut Grove and Perkins, Southeast corner of the intersection).

You may also choose to run in the neighborhood around the school instead of using the track.

—————————————————–

CALENDAR

A calendar has been added to the official USMC Fitness BOOT CAMP website.
http://www.usmcfitnessbootcamp.com/calendar.html

For you visual learners, you’ll find this an easy way to glance at the week or month and see where the workouts will be, if there’s a venue change.

—————————————————

What would you do if money were not an issue, fear were not a factor, and failure were not an option?

To your optimum health and fitness!

SEE YOU ON THE QUARTERDECK!

Tony

Sergeant Major Tony Ludlow

USMC Fitness BOOT CAMP, Commanding
Mailing address: 4888 Southern Ave., Memphis, TN 38117
Cell Phone: 901-644-0145
www.usmcfitnessbootcamp.com

The response to last month’s Q&A has led me to give you another installment. I might even make this a regular feature. So, I’ll forego the awesome story that would normally appear here and give you instead … ASK SERGEANT TONY!

Q: Sergeant Tony, what do you eat?
A. I don’t eat coconut or a Japanese dish called “natto.” Everything else is fair game.

Q: No, Sergeant Tony, that’s not what I mean. What healthy meal can you recommend that I order when I’m out at a restaurant?
A: I recommend salmon and green vegetables. Or chicken and green vegetables. Or even steak and green vegetables. Just about every restaurant in town has these options. I’d stay away from the starches as much as possible, so go easy on the bread, white rice, pasta, and potatoes. The late great Jack LaLanne never ate anything white or processed.

Q: Sergeant Tony, I’ve never been a runner and I hate running. How can I become a runner who likes to run?
A: Unfortunately I hear this a lot. Coaches who punished us by making us run didn’t help our attitude toward running. And most of the time new runners have no idea about how to pace themselves. We all tend to take off running at top speed and try to hold that pace until we fall out and heave.

But like most forms of exercise you start out at a doable level and then add a little bit along the way. Running is no different. Start out by easy jogging for 30 seconds and then power walking for 2 minutes. Repeat that for a total of 30 minutes. Repeat that 30 minute “run workout” a day or two later. On your third run workout increase your jog to 1 minute, and power walk for 2 minutes. For example run on Monday, repeat the same on Wednesday, and then on Friday increase the jog time. Then do Friday’s workout again on Monday and increase it the next Wednesday to jog for 1 min 30 seconds and power walk for 2 min.

Every third run, increase the jog time by 30 seconds. When you get up to 5 min jogging and 2 min. power walking, for a total of 30 minutes, let me know!

Q: Sergeant Tony I’ve gained weight since I’ve started doing boot camp. Do you think it’s muscle weight, since muscle weights more than fat?
A: A pound of muscle and a pound of fat weigh the same. (Chew on that for a minute or two.) But you’re probably thinking that you’ve gained muscle weight, right? Probably not so much. More than likely you’re just eating more because you’ve given yourself permission to eat more because you’re “doing boot camp.”

Q: Sergeant Tony, do you use a heart-rate monitor and if so, can you recommend one?
A. I don’t regularly wear one, but I have in the past. They can be particularly helpful in long races in the heat where monitoring your heart-rate can help you to perform at optimum levels. I’ve worn them during hot summertime triathlons.

Part of the challenge with HR monitors has to do with knowing your target heart rate for different levels of intensity and training; that can be pretty tricky to determine. Several things impact those numbers, gender, age, weight, level of fitness, and VO2max, among them. But close approximations CAN be made and then it’s a matter of tweaking that data based on you and your status.

Polar makes some of the best heart-rate monitors on the market. Garmin also incorporates heart-rate functions in many of their watches. Go see my friends at Fleet Feet Sports for more information and a selection of monitors to choose from.

Q: Sergeant Tony, do you weigh yourself everyday?
A: No, I weigh myself three times a week and never on the weekends. Weighing yourself regularly is wise, I think. Do it at the same time every time. First thing in the morning after you’ve gone to the bathroom is the best time I think.

Q: Sergeant Tony, do you use any supplements for joint health?
A: I do. I take glucosamine and a product called “Flex Now,” which uses a formula incorporating shea butter. I don’t know if they “help” necessarily, but I can often tell the difference when I don’t use them.

Q: Sergeant Tony, how much should I weigh?
A: If you’ve got military experience in the Marine Corps, Navy Seals, or Army Special Forces, you should weigh no more than 10 pounds more than you weighed when you graduated from boot camp.

If you didn’t serve, or you served in the Air Force, then no more than 10 pounds from the weight you were when you got married, unless you were way out of shape on your wedding day. If you’re single and never been married, then no more than 15 pounds from your first day of college or high school graduation.

If you’re still wearing a maternity swim suit and your youngest child is 4, it’s really really time to get control of your weight. Seriously.

Some exceptions apply. But not as many as you think. Your case is probably NOT the exception!

Q: Sergeant Tony, last month you gave us some fashion and grooming advice for men, can you do that for us ladies too?
A: Of course I can!
Let’s start from the feet and work up.
Shoes – polish them, especially the heels! Yes, your scuffed up shoes are a refection on you too. As men, we like heels on your shoes. You already know this. Flats are … well … not our preference and we aren’t really impressed with WHO the designer is or was for your flats. They just aren’t our preference. This is a man’s perspective, but we like you to wear heels. Sorry. That’s just the lay of the land.

Sandals and flip flops are fine. But Teva-type sandals and water shoes should be worn only at the beach and NEVER WITH SOCKS.

Boots – yes please!

Pants and jeans: you can’t go wrong if they’re form fitting and flattering.

If you wear jeans or shorts with big words written across the butt, don’t be upset if we look at your butt. Better yet, just don’t wear anything that has “JUICY” or “PINK” or any other message emblazoned across your booty. It screams “trailer park!”

Mom Jeans and Blue Jean Shorts – burn them!
Blue Jean Cutoff Shorts – only if you’re hot chick.

Skirts – yes, we like them short. But personally, elegance and class are waaaaay more attractive to me than a mini skirt. Super short skirts are worn for one reason and I don’t usually play along. I’ll go out of my way to ignore a women who attempts to get my attention by appealing to the basest level of my existence as a man. I may look, but I’ll never take them seriously.

Hair – I like it long. But most men do. You know this already. But clean and fashionably kept is nice. It’s probably the first thing I notice.

Nails, toe and finger – men don’t usually notice. But I do.

Make up – a little is nice, a lot is … fake. If you hug me and you leave make-up on my jacket, that’s tooooo much!!! Whatever make up you wear, apply it in private. Don’t put on make up while driving, at the dinner table, or standing in line at Target.

Surgical enhancements – unnecessary. That’s just my opinion. Just smile more often! A happy confident woman with a great smile is the most attractive woman in the room, hands down no question about it!

Perfume – use sparingly. A little goes a long way! Seriously. The cologne should never announce your arrival before you arrive or linger too long after you’ve left.

Sunglasses – take them off when talking to others. Bigger is NOT better. Unless you’re skiing, your shades shouldn’t look like goggles.

Miscellaneous Pet Peeves and Advice:
– The word is vacation, not vacay.
– I am over all of the singing competition shows and dancing competition shows.
– The people in the movie can’t hear you talking to the screen. But we can. Shut the firetruck up.
– If you’re going to the movies and you have babies, leave them at home with a baby sitter.
– If you’re a public figure (sports figure, politician, famous actor) and you’re tempted to send some woman a naughty picture of yourself, don’t. And if your name is Weiner … well, you’re just stupid. And don’t have sex with the hired help, Arnold.

By the way fellas, you need to understand that the average woman with whom you are NOT intimate, does NOT want to see any naughty pictures of you. Women aren’t men. Make a note of it.
– Nancy Grace and Donald Trump should go away.
– If you’re a woman over 21, remove all of the crap hanging from your rearview mirror. It screams “high school girl!” It also obscures your view of the road. You remember the road, right?

——————————

“Get fit for summer, stay fit for life!”

——————————

IT’S HOT, HOT, HOT!

If the heat index is 100 or more, we’ll move the Quarterdeck inside. Be sure to hydrate before the workouts and don’t forget to bring water with you!

The evening class will use the courtyard – where the flagpole is – on days when the heat index is below 100 but the temperature is a little too toasty for the Quarterdeck to be in the fenced in playground.

—————————————-

WHITEWATER RAFTING

Would you like to go to the Ocoee River and do some whitewater rafting in August? Let me know if you’d be interested.

We’ve taken groups in the past to the Ocoee and had LOTS of fun! You don’t have to be experienced at all. Beginners have the best stories to tell!

—————————————-

I GOTTA GUY!!!

I like to share the names of people I do business with and trust so that if you need services that they offer you’ll know someone trustworthy to contact.

1. Chuck Miller – Wildlife Solvers – 901-485-5564 He removes nuisance animals from homes and businesses. (squirrels, moles, raccoons, rats, boot camp drill instructors, etc)
2. Richard Bourland – “Your Boot Camp Handyman” – Home Improvement, Carpentry, Custom Bunk Beds and other Woodworking Services, rebourland@yahoo.com, 901.826-6695. www.midsouthbunkbeds.com
3. Teri Trotter – Realtor with Marx-Bensdorf. 901-647-4018.

You can see a much longer and detailed list of people I refer on the USMC Fitness BOOT CAMP website blog page. Once on the blog page use the search window, keyword “Buddy,” and it’ll take you to that page.

If you drop my name, you might get a discount. But for sure you’ll get their sympathy and prayers! 😉

If you’d like to be listed here in “I GOTTA GUY” just let me know!

—————————————–

COLLEGE STUDENT SUMMER SPECIAL

College students home for the summer get a discount! Contact me for details!

—————————————-

LAW ENFORCEMENT AND FIRE DEPARTMENT DISCOUNTS

Police Officers, Sheriff’s Deputies, and Memphis Firefighters qualify for a special discount! It’s the least I can do to ensure that our law enforcement officers and firefighters are fit for their job!! Pass the word!

—————————————

JAPAN RELIEF

I’ve designed t-shirts to sell for the Red Cross Japan Relief Fund!

There are two designs to choose from. I hope you’ll buy one or more! All proceeds will go to the Red Cross for Japan Relief. For a donation of $20 or more you can have one of these unique shirts!

——————————————

NEXT TUESDAY, JUNE 14, M-16 WORKOUT AT 0530 AT CHRIST METHODIST — hopefully without the fire alarm!

————————————-

BOOT CAMP DISCOUNTS AND FACEBOOK!

First of all, find me on Facebook and make me your friend. (Also, be sure to “like” USMC Fitness BOOT CAMP on Facebook.)

Here’s how the discount works!

It’s simple: make a Facebook status update and get a discount!

For every status update that you make that references:
“USMC Fitness Boot Camp,”
“Sgt. Tony’s Boot Camp,”
“Tony’s Boot Camp,”
or something similar, you can take $2.50 off your next reenlistment fee for each update!

You can take up to $20 off for any given month!

Your status update has to be a specific reference to USMC Fitness BOOT CAMP or to me specifically by name – there are other “boot camps” out there, you know.

BE SURE TO TAG ME!

You can do the same thing by “checking in” at USMC Fitness Boot Camp either by using Facebook “places,” Foursquare, or any of the other “check in” apps that show up on your Facebook News Feed.

So log on and start getting your discounts now!

————————————-

PERSONAL TRAINING!

I’ve got a few prime hours open during the week if you know someone looking for a trainer. I use the facilities at Christ Methodist and the hourly rates are standard for Memphis. Over-all fitness training, boot camp style workouts, strength training, sports specific conditioning and agility (tennis, soccer, basketball, etc.)

TonyLudlow@aol.com or 901-644-0145

———————————-

ATTENTION!

THE 0830 AND THE 0645 CLASSES!!

The 0830 Class is standing down for the summer. You 0830 Boot Campers are, of course, invited to attend any and all of the other classes.

The 0645 Class will continue to meet as usual on MWF!

——————————————–

NEW PRICING FOR FAMILIES AND COUPLES

If you’re a part of a family (usually husband and wife) that does USMC Fitness BOOT CAMP together, ask me about it! I think you’ll like it!

———————————————-

WANT TO LOSE 20 POUNDS BY THE END OF NEXT MONTH?

Take Shape For Life is the BEST weight loss program I know of. If you’d like to lose weight talk to me. This is the program I used to lose the almost 30 pounds I gained after knee surgery. Let me help you!

You can also go to www.combatchallenge.tsfl.com/

——————————————-

TUESDAY & THURSDAY EVENING AT ST. MARY”S!!

The Tuesday and Thursday evening walk/jog/run sessions meet at 5:45pm at St. Mary’s track, weather permitting. The Church of the Holy Communion and St. Mary’s School have been kind enough to allow us to use their track, provided that their athletic activities don’t make our use of the track unwise or impossible. My thanks to Julie Fike at CHC for granting permission for us to use their track.

These two sessions are for cardio only – power walking, jogging, running, speed work on the track – at St. Mary’s. (Walnut Grove and Perkins, Southeast corner of the intersection).

You may also choose to run in the neighborhood around the school instead of using the track.

—————————————————–

CALENDAR

A calendar has been added to the official USMC Fitness BOOT CAMP website.
http://www.usmcfitnessbootcamp.com/calendar.html

For you visual learners, you’ll find this an easy way to glance at the week or month and see where the workouts will be, if there’s a venue change.

—————————————————

What would you do if money were not an issue, fear were not a factor, and failure were not an option?

To your optimum health and fitness!

SEE YOU ON THE QUARTERDECK!

Tony

Sergeant Major Tony Ludlow

USMC Fitness BOOT CAMP, Commanding
Mailing address: 4888 Southern Ave., Memphis, TN 38117
Cell Phone: 901-644-0145
www.usmcfitnessbootcamp.com

Listen Up, 1730 class — 5:30pm — The Quarterdeck will be INSIDE this evening! (You’re welcome!)

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 of the 1700s, 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 tennis player wants to be a Roger Federer or a Maria Sharapova. But few are willing to pay the price that those two paid and continue to pay to be that good. Golfers want to play like Tiger Woods. When he was in high school, Tiger got up early, went to the driving range and hit over 500 golf balls before school. After school he did the same thing. He hit golf balls until his hands bled.

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.

Private Message to Maria Sharapova: PLEASE STOP ALL OF THAT GRUNTING AND SHRIEKING! IT RUINS THE GAME! And please tell your friends on the tour! Thanks!

—————————-

“Get fit for summer, stay fit for life!”

—————————————-

I GOTTA GUY!!!

I like to share the names of people I do business with and trust so that if you need services that they offer you’ll know someone trustworthy to contact.

1. Chuck Miller – Wildlife Solvers – 901-485-5564 He removes nuisance animals from homes and businesses. (squirrels, moles, raccoons, rats, boot camp drill instructors, etc)
2. Richard Bourland – “Your Boot Camp Handyman” – Home Improvement, Carpentry, Custom Bunk Beds and other Woodworking Services, rebourland@yahoo.com, 901.826-6695. www.midsouthbunkbeds.com
3. Teri Trotter – Realtor with Marx-Bensdorf. 901-647-4018.

You can see a much longer and detailed list of people I refer on the USMC Fitness BOOT CAMP website blog page. Once on the blog page use the search window, keyword “Buddy,” and it’ll take you to that page.

If you drop my name, you might get a discount. But for sure you’ll get their sympathy and prayers! 😉

If you’d like to be listed here in “I GOTTA GUY” just let me know!

—————————————–

COLLEGE STUDENT SUMMER SPECIAL

College students home for the summer get a discount! Contact me for details!

—————————————-

LAW ENFORCEMENT AND FIRE DEPARTMENT DISCOUNTS

Police Officers, Sheriff’s Deputies, and Memphis Firefighters qualify for a special discount! It’s the least I can do to ensure that our law enforcement officers and firefighters are fit for their job!! Pass the word!

—————————————

JAPAN RELIEF

I’ve designed t-shirts to sell for the Red Cross Japan Relief Fund!

There are two designs to choose from. I hope you’ll buy one or more! All proceeds will go to the Red Cross for Japan Relief. For a donation of $20 or more you can have one of these unique shirts!

————————————

NEXT TUESDAY, JUNE 7, M-16 WORKOUT AT 0530 AT CHRIST METHODIST

————————————-

BOOT CAMP DISCOUNTS AND FACEBOOK!

First of all, find me on Facebook and make me your friend. (Also, be sure to “like” USMC Fitness BOOT CAMP on Facebook.)

Here’s how the discount works!

It’s simple: make a Facebook status update and get a discount!

For every status update that you make that references:
“USMC Fitness Boot Camp,”
“Sgt. Tony’s Boot Camp,”
“Tony’s Boot Camp,”
or something similar, you can take $2.50 off your next reenlistment fee for each update!

You can take up to $20 off for any given month!

Your status update has to be a specific reference to USMC Fitness BOOT CAMP or to me specifically by name – there are other “boot camps” out there, you know.

BE SURE TO TAG ME!

You can do the same thing by “checking in” at USMC Fitness Boot Camp either by using Facebook “places,” Foursquare, or any of the other “check in” apps that show up on your Facebook News Feed.

So log on and start getting your discounts now!

————————————-

PERSONAL TRAINING!

I’ve got a few prime hours open during the week if you know someone looking for a trainer. I use the facilities at Christ Methodist and the hourly rates are standard for Memphis. Over-all fitness training, boot camp style workouts, strength training, sports specific conditioning and agility (tennis, soccer, basketball, etc.)

TonyLudlow@aol.com or 901-644-0145

———————————-

ATTENTION!

THE 0830 AND THE 0645 CLASSES!!

The 0830 Class is standing down for the summer. You 0830 Boot Campers are, of course, invited to attend any and all of the other classes.

The 0645 Class will continue to meet as usual on MWF!

——————————————–

NEW PRICING FOR FAMILIES AND COUPLES

If you’re a part of a family (usually husband and wife) that does USMC Fitness BOOT CAMP together, ask me about it! I think you’ll like it!

———————————————-

WANT TO LOSE 20 POUNDS BY THE END OF NEXT MONTH?

Take Shape For Life is the BEST weight loss program I know of. If you’d like to lose weight talk to me. This is the program I used to lose the almost 30 pounds I gained after knee surgery. Let me help you!

You can also go to www.combatchallenge.tsfl.com/

——————————————-

TUESDAY & THURSDAY EVENING AT ST. MARY”S!!

The Tuesday and Thursday evening walk/jog/run sessions meet at 5:45pm at St. Mary’s track, weather permitting. The Church of the Holy Communion and St. Mary’s School have been kind enough to allow us to use their track, provided that their athletic activities don’t make our use of the track unwise or impossible. My thanks to Julie Fike at CHC for granting permission for us to use their track.

These two sessions are for cardio only – power walking, jogging, running, speed work on the track – at St. Mary’s. (Walnut Grove and Perkins, Southeast corner of the intersection).

You may also choose to run in the neighborhood around the school instead of using the track.

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CALENDAR

A calendar has been added to the official USMC Fitness BOOT CAMP website.
http://www.usmcfitnessbootcamp.com/calendar.html

For you visual learners, you’ll find this an easy way to glance at the week or month and see where the workouts will be, if there’s a venue change.

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What would you do if money were not an issue, fear were not a factor, and failure were not an option?

To your optimum health and fitness!

SEE YOU ON THE QUARTERDECK!

Tony

Sergeant Major Tony Ludlow

USMC Fitness BOOT CAMP, Commanding
Mailing address: 4888 Southern Ave., Memphis, TN 38117
Cell Phone: 901-644-0145
www.usmcfitnessbootcamp.com