NI Bootcamp is soon going to be NI Bootcamp 'as seen on TV' as we've just finished shooting the BBC's 'Fix My Teenage Family' which will be aired in September.  We provided the activities for the three families designed to challenge them, get them working together and talking to eachother.  It worked, but not without tears, tantrums and arguments!  With a crew of thirty, 10 family members and filming every day for the last eight days, it's been a lot of logistics, last minute adjustments and extremely hard work but all in, a brilliant experience.  Looking forward to getting back to running bootcamps, much easier!

Ian helping Naomi with her first ever abseil, Gary on extreme close up cam!

We'll let you know exactly when it's going to air so you can all check out NI Bootcamp in action.

Some e-mails we received following our latest detox weekend...

Hi Ian and Anna

Just back to work this morning. I just want to thank you both for the care and attention and always smiling that you brought into my life for the week end.  I can honestly say it was one of the best weekends I have ever had.   The food was fab and I continued this morning before work to have my porridge and made smoothies for my t break.  When I got back to Drogheda to my sister she gave me a glass of red wine and a bag of crisps which I didn't want to take but yesterday morning I was dying with a head ache!  I have loads of energy also after doing all the exercise. 

Is it possible to ask Anna how to make the fritters as I think mine might turn out like an omlette  or what is the diff - what size pan etc.  Also how to make the peanut butter cookies !!

Yes I will go in June so let me know the date and I can book in work.

We've released the dates for our next couple of Detox Weekends and our next Bootcamp week over the Summer.  Take a look at the booking page for details.  It's turning out to be a very hectic start to the year for us with our popular Living Social deal, lots of private bookings and also some very interesting TV work which you'll see the results of later this year!  Unfortunately, the downside to all this is that we aren't able to run as many weeks and weekends as last year.  Our advice, book early and guarantee your place!  Alternatively, if there are a few of you then do what so many others are doing and contact us to design a Tailor Made break.  We design your holiday to your specification and then provide you a quote, it'll be a lot more reasonable than you'd expect!

Contact us for any information.

Hi to everyone who booked on to our Living Social deal.  We're looking forward to meeting you all.  Here are the upcoming dates.

Jan 24, 28. Feb 2,5,13,17,26. Mar 4.

If you have a date in mind that isn't listed and you have a group of four or more then give us a ring and we can look at putting a day on for you. If you have friends who would like to come but who missed the offer they are welcome to join you for just £20pp!

Contact info@nibootcamp.co.uk to book your day.  All we require is the names of those in the group who have already paid for the offer and also the names of any others who would like to join you.  We also need a contact phone number.  We will then send you all the details for your day.

Days require a minimum of four people to run.  More dates to come if required.

I've just gone on a rant on our Facebook page after reading about a backlash against the proliferation of energy drink sponsorship in 'extreme sports' targeting the kids and teenage markets with products that are extremely bad for them.  The rant was prompted by this article which filled me with joy,

 http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/08/sports/ pro-water-in-snowboarding-culture-heavy-on-energy-drinks.html?_r=2&ref=sports

Here is what I wrote on Facebook, check it out to leave your comments at our Facebook page.

This is a really positive step.  Although energy drink co's do pump lots of money into 'minority sports' and 'extreme sports' you'd have to be pretty accepting to not see it as a simple and cynical way to hit the teenage market.  'Energy drinks' have crept fairly unregulated into mainstream conscience and are now very easily available.  Make no mistake, they are EXTREMELY bad for you, packed with sugar, caffeine and highly addictive.  We have witnessed first hand the marked change in behaviour in kids when they drink them, unsurprisingly they go a bit nuts, full of unneeded stimulants.  We know lots of top athletes, none of whom would go near energy drinks, even just the sugar filled 'isotonic' ones.  If you really are exercising long enough to justify using them (at least an hour) then you can save a fortune by adding a pinch of salt and sugar to plain water, flavour with your favourite cordial and that will keep your body going.  From experience we know that you can train up to ten hours straight in hot conditions without using any energy drinks, just the aforementioned combination and some solid food.  Few things make us sadder than seeing kids drinking a huge bottle of  energy drink or seeing the state of people who can't start a days work without them.  That is not a healthy way to be, it is an addiction which will affect your general health, ability to sleep, ability to concentrate, heart rate and will ultimately lead to the numerous physical and mental health issues attached to excessive sugar and caffeine intake.  Rant over, food for thought!