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By Hayley Wielgus, CBS 19 - The Eye of East Texas News
Under the direction of their firm but friendly "drill sergeant" Melanie Young, a group of women report to East Texas Adventure Boot Camp five times a week.
"It's a life-changing experience," Young said. "People come expecting to lose weight, they lose weight and gain 10 times more in value, as far as loving themselves and enjoying their workouts."
Boot camp participant Tina Sanchez is turning 50 this year. She said the one-hour power workout, for women and men of all ages, has made it possible to fit exercise into her busy schedule.
"It gives you your strength to keep going all day long," Sanchez said. "I just feel a lot healthier."
"We talk about nutrition at every camp," Young said. "Nutrition and exercise, they go hand-in-hand."
Young said whether you're enrolled in boot camp or not, losing weight is 20 percent exercise and 80 percent nutrition.
"Whole grains, proper produce, proper protein, all of that, if you follow it it's fool proof," she said. "There's nowhere for you to go but be successful."
But there are plenty of East Texans who can't afford nutritious food. One in five adults in the area is at risk of hunger. So the boot camp is holding a free workout and food drive this Saturday benefiting the East Texas Food Bank.
"Nutrition affects your everyday life," Boot Camp participant Jennifer Kolb said. "It affects your energy level; it affects everything you do even though you may not realize it. Helping out the food bank is definitely a way that we feel like we can help the community."
"Other women who just don't feel comfortable getting out and exercising can come and they can bring something for the food bank," Sanchez said. "They're helping themselves and a non-profit at the same time."
The fundraiser will take place Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Bergfeld Park. There will be a boot camp workout from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Donations of canned foods or money are encouraged.
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