Five things Melissa learnt from BMF

Melissa Knight was a BMF Beginner in September 2016. Now she's lost body fat, gained muscle and made friends with the mud! Here are five things she's learned since joining us in the park: 

Melissa before joining BMF

1. Anyone can do it
When I tell people I do British Military Fitness every Sunday at Peckham Rye, come rain or shine, the first thing they say is: “I couldn’t do that!” I wasn’t sure I could either. I’m not a sporty person. I never liked P.E. at school. I rarely used the gym. When I went out jogging, I was so slow people would walk past me! But when my baby celebrated his first birthday last summer, I realised he could be having his second or third birthday and I would still be overweight. Nothing would change until I did something. I saw an advert on Facebook for a free BMF trial session, and thought, why not? Got nothing to lose, except my breath. When I got there, to my surprise (and relief) I saw lots of people of all shapes, sizes, ages and abilities. The bib system means that the super sporty people go off and get the workout they need, while beginners like me work with people of a similar fitness. The sessions are clever like that. Even within the bib colour, you can tailor your workout, as many activities are done to time and pace. Now when I go, I tell the newbies: “This is your hardest session. If you can do this one, you can do them all.”

2. You get results
Since I was a young girl, I associated being pregnant and having a baby with losing your figure forever. In my family, the women tend to become barrel-shaped after starting a family. Not only that, but diabetes is rife in my gene pool. According to the NHS website, women are three times more likely to get diabetes if they have a waistline of 34.7 inches or more. (Men with 40 inch waists are five times more at risk). I’ve been going to BMF since September. Despite everyone saying I look amazing, the scales say I’ve only lost 7lbs. Last week, I tried on a dress I really liked wearing before I got pregnant. I wanted to see how far I needed to go before I could zip it up. I was shocked. Not only did it fit, it was loose around the waist! I quickly got out a measuring tape and was gobsmacked to see I had a 31 inch waist. The instructors at BMF will tell you that muscle weighs more than fat and that the scales are not always the best way to measure results. They’re right because my arms, legs and bum have all toned up, but best of all, so has my back. I’ve lost the rolls of fat that sat under my shoulder blades - what I used to call my chicken wing spare rib tyres. It’s amazing!

Melissa Knight - BMF Peckham Rye

3. Mud is your friend
I did have some reservations about doing outdoor activities like BMF because you’re out in the elements. The weather at this time of year could include anything from cold, wind and snow to sleet or rain, meaning muddy grass and wet bums. The thing that surprised me most is that I’ve honestly found that this is the part of BMF I love the most. Really. Especially if it is cold and wet – even overcoming that feeling of wanting to stay in bed in the warm. Getting out there makes me feel like I can achieve anything. It’s a real sense of pride and self-admiration. Now, the idea of sweating and breathing indoors in a gym makes no sense to me. Being outdoors brings me back to my carefree childhood. The fresh air, the smell of the earth, the rain and sun on your face. It gives me such a high that stays. It’s why I decided to write this blog post. It’s Tuesday and I’m still buzzing from Sunday’s session!

4. The instructors all have military experience AND they are nice!
My mates always ask me: “Do they shout at you?” My reply is: “Of course not!” I’ve never had the same BMF Instructor two sessions in a row. Each one has their own style. Some make you run more, some like burpees, they all make us do squats and lunges but none of the members are left crying or intimidated. That’s us watching too many American movies! The worst thing you get from a BMF Instructor is a “dad joke” at the end of the session!

5. It’s more than fitness, it’s a community.
As I mentioned before, BMF sessions are full of people from all walks of life. After the Sunday session, many of us go for coffee and cake. The nature of the workouts means that we bond easily. Tasks (like high five sit-ups) are often done in rotating pairs or small groups (like carrying weighted army stretchers) so we get to know each other quickly. The BMF members have their own unofficial Facebook page and invite newbies along to the café. I cannot tell you how nice everyone is. I just wish I’d started sooner!