Carlton: I'm able to push through the pain

Operation Bootcamp Day 7

In today's Operation Bootcamp workout Creative Loafing editor Carlton Hargro did Fartlek, an interval training workout.

Today's workout at Latta Park, off East Boulevard, involved a combination of running with walking lunges, and strength exercises in sets of 10 and/or five. For example, he did 50 push ups, 50 sit ups, about 100 walking lunges, etc.

He doesn't think his physical stamina has improved (I would beg to differ), he says he's mentally tougher. For the first time, he said he didn't take breaks during the exercises. He made himself keep going, no matter how slowly.

"Mentally, I'm able to push through the pain and the tiredness," he said.

In fact, he's worried after camp ends, he will have to find a workout as intense as Operation Bootcamp. Carlton said he used to hate exercise classes, but now he may try them because he can see how they keep you motivated.

I suggested Zumba since it's the newest craze. It mixes Latin dance with aerobics. The class at the Johnston YMCA, where I work out, is so big it's in the gym. Poet Terry Creech who works at the Simmons YMCA told me they recently had a Zumba marathon on a Saturday, and it was packed. I suggested Carlton try a conditioning class that mixes cardio and calisthenics. I saw a great afternoon class at the Dowd YMCA recently.

What do you suggest?


(Be nice to Carlton. Next, Thursday is bring a friend to camp day. Maybe you can be his friend and he'll invite you to sweat with him.)

Carlton Hargro and the fat picture

Creative Loafing editor Carlton Hargro says any time he thinks about quitting Operation Bootcamp, he remembers a picture he saw of himself and that keeps him going.

Sweating beer and pounds from beermakesyoufat on Vimeo.

Carlton: This was the sweatiest

Operation Bootcamp Day 6

Whether it was the humidity, or the work out at Latta Park, Carlton Hargro said today's workout left him drenched.

At Operation Bootcamp they did strength training with exercise bands, ab work, core exercises, such as planks, and cardio.

The other day, Carlton said he liked strength training the best because he was pretty good at pushups. Then he did today's workout which mixed strength and cardio training.

The result?

"This was the sweatiest I've been," he said.

Carlton said he noticed the class size fluctuates daily. He understands why. In order to attend each morning, he said he has to be in by bed 10 p.m. Usually, he would be out with friends at that time.

"There's definitely a part of me that really is sort of like, I'm giving up pieces of my life to do this," he said. "But what was I doing in the first place? Something not productive."