Dean
Dean
“Pain is temporary. Quitting lasts forever.” – Lance Armstrong
At first glance that quote might seem harsh, but our friend Lance is on to something.
You never get over the regret of quitting.
I remember as far back as when I was 13. I had just become the first cadet in Concord on record to achieve the Billy Mitchell award with the Civil Air Patrol. One step away from being an officer. Didn’t feel like working at it anymore. I quit.
I remember when I was 19 going through the most grueling interview process ever for a very good job. If I remember there were 800 applicants and only 4 or 5 were hired. After 2 months of working to get the job I lasted 2 days. Too hard. I quit.
About 15 years ago I worked in graphic design and construction for a sign company, and I decided to start my own business on the side. I spent a lot of time and money getting setup, had a shop, bought equipment. The business didn’t come rolling in. This business thing is hard. I quit.
For much of my life if it didn’t come easy to me I didn’t think it was worth doing. It was easier to quit.
So I think Lance Armstrong is right. Quitting lasts forever, because you never forget.
And each time you quit, it gets easier to do it.
I mean there weren’t any huge consequences to any of those things in my life, or were there?
I had always wanted to get my pilot’s license. I took ground school but never got the flight time I needed. Sticking with CAP would have given me many hours of flight time toward that goal.
Quitting that very good paying job meant I didn’t have the money to go to college, but bounced from lousy job to lousy job. Perceiving that I was out of options, I joined the Army. I am proud to have served, but it wasn’t my first choice.
The sign business? Who knows? All I know now is that I never gave it the chance it deserved.
So why am I telling you all this?
Because Quitting Hurts.
It hurts you, and it hurts the ones you care about.
Not living up to your potential robs you, your family, your community and the world of you being all you can be and the powerful things you can accomplish, if you are willing to persevere.
And yes, accomplishing your health and fitness goals has a tremendous impact on how you view yourself and how you relate with others.
If that wasn’t true, why did you start in the first place?
We have clients and readers all over the country.
You train in our facilities, or someone else’s, or maybe at home.
And you have come to discover that this training thing is hard.
It takes time, and commitment, and the willingness to change.
You need to face that reality that it does not happen as fast as you want it to, no matter how well you are doing.
When it comes down to it we have seen all sorts of training and diet programs “work”.
The common thread of success is actually doing it.
Not trying, but doing.
All in, nothing gets in your way.
As my friend Chris Mohr says, you need to F.O.C.U.S.
Follow
One
Course
Until
Successful
Because I am willing to bet you are this close to making a break through, and because of something, big or small, real or unreal, you want to give up.
I wasted a lot of energy, a lot of money and a lot of years because I quit.
For those of you who know me as your coach and personally this confession may have surprised you.
But as unpleasant as it is too tell you this story I felt it was necessary.
Because breaking the cycle and quitters mindset can be done.
And it’s not as hard as you think.
Just one time you have to stand up to the you that want to give up and shout…
NO!
Not this time.
Not ever.
I am not a quitter.
I am worth succeeding.
I can do this.
Life is too short.
Now is the time.
“Look at a stone cutter hammering away at his rock, perhaps a hundred times without as much as a crack showing in it. Yet at the hundred-and-first blow it will split in two, and I know it was not the last blow that did it, but all that had gone before.” ~Jacob A. Riis
Got this note and pics from Epsom 4:00pm superstar Scott Decker last week. This guy works hard, and it shows! 23 pounds lost in the 16 weeks he has been training, he is totally transforming his body, and the posture is getting better too – well done Scott!
Hi Dean and Nancy,
In addition to being thankful for family and friends this Thanksgiving, I’m also very thankful to you guys for helping me get this 50-year old body back in shape.
Removing the extra carbs from your diet is probably the best advice I could give. I have not felt like I have “denied” myself from eating. Eating “smarter” is the key.
Also, giving 110 % during the workouts is key. Don’t shy away from doing that extra push-up or squat during the timed training routines, and above all don’t be afraid to sweat!!
Hope you don’t mind the “topless” photos.
Scott
We are putting together a great team for the Jingle Bell Run/Walk to benefit the Arthritis Foundation, and we want you to join us in the fun.
Our team is almost 40 strong and you have already raised over $2000.
Thank-You!
There is still time to get in on the fun – Sign Up Here
Whether you join us or not, make sure you come on down to Get Fit NH Bootcamp Concord after the run and join us at our Holiday Open House. Bring along your favorite holiday dish, your family and friends and take a few minutes to relax with the GFNHBC family – Don’t Miss It!
Holiday Open House
Date: Saturday December 10, 2011
Time: 11:30am to 2:00pm
Location: Get Fit NH Bootcamp Concord
Bring: Your favorite holiday dish, you, your family and friends
Please: Give us an idea of how many might be coming by filling in the form below
Over the next few weeks we want to take the opportunity to introduce (or re-introduce) our allied health partners; those medical, health, and/or wellness professionals which we personally use and recommend to our clients.
In the case of soft tissue work and chiropractic care we often find that introducing the training environment (i.e. bootcamp) can reveal an issue – an imbalance or structural weakness perhaps – that needs to be evaluated and monitored. When this goes outside our level of expertise or scope of practice we are privileged to have the resources available to help us help you.
We want you to get healthy and stay healthy, and these pros can be a big part of helping you do just that!
Amy Troy has trained with us for over 3 years, so she knows what our clients go through – a little empathy never hurts! Amy is the owner of Chichester Massage and offers all our clients 10% off massage therapy services. Do yourself (and your body) a favor and give Amy and her staff a call!
Amy Troy, LMT
Chichester Massage & Bodywork Center
Our therapists are nationally certified and state licensed with nearly two decades of combined experience and more importantly we have a passion for what we do.
That manifests itself in our commitment to continued education, attention to detail and dedication to the wellness of our clients.
We believe each body deserves unique attention. Every massage starts with a conversation about you and we’ll customize your session to target your needs and requests. After your massage, we will share self care techniques so you can continue the healing process.
We are conveniently located on Rt. 4 in Chichester and offer flexible hours for even the busiest schedules. For more information visit our website @ http://www.chichestermassage.com or give us a call at (603) 798-4669
The 4th Annual “Pies off the Thighs” post-Thanksgiving training was crazy.
62 brave souls packed the Get Fit NH Concord and got after it – It Was Delicious!
Check It Out:
So while most of America was lying catatonic on the couch, Coach Nancy was busting out 3 new training videos for you!
Full Body Band Blitz
Metcon 10
Core Killer
These Get Fit NH Client Only resources are yours for the taking at www.TheOther165.com
Not in town?
No Problem!
Not a client?
What are you waiting for?
ATTENTION: Due to the snow/freezing rain the access road is impassable, so unfortunately we are going to cancel tomorrows hike up Ft. Mountain. We’ll do it again I am sure!
To make up for it, 100 burpee chinups will be a reasonable substitute.
Make It Happen, and have a great Thanksgiving!
Coach Dean
For my wife Nancy who has put up with me for almost 26 years
That my older boys Tim and Jeff are happily married (I think) 🙂 and for their wives, Debra and Kimberly
For Derek, who holds such a special place in my heart and started us on the journey of “4 More”
For Andrew, who persistence is amazing – he just never gives up
For Karalynn, who already knows how to make my heart melt
For Amy, who is the amazing bundle of energy, joy, and precociousness
For parents who put up with all the hurt I could throw at them and never stopped loving
For a brother who went too early and for a sister I don’t get to see enough
For good friends, the kind who you can feel like you ignore for months and yet pick up the conversation like you saw them yesterday
For a country to live in where I can dissent without getting shot
For the brave men and women who have put their lives on hold and on the line to defend our freedoms
For the first responders in my community who labor daily without me even giving them a second thought, but have always been there when I needed them
For the teachers in my life whose influence persists to this day. Mr. Mac, Mrs. Zoller, Mrs. Plante to name a very few
For my coaches and mentors; Ian, Mike, Helen, Pat, Nick, to again name a very few
For the Get Fit NH Team, especially CJ and Erin, who bring it every day
For the incredible clients at Get Fit NH; I hope you all know you are never taken for granted, and that it is only because of you we all get to do what we love
Here’s a thought: Have you ever thought on Thanksgiving to whom you are being Thankful?
I know times have been better and the outlook has been rosier, but I hope as this year is winding down that you take a few minutes to have an attitude of gratitude, and enjoy what you do have.
There are no guarantees what tomorrow brings, and too often in my own life I don’t stop long enough to quiet down and smell the roses. This week I am going to make a big effort to be grateful for all I have been given and thank the God who gave it.
What are YOU thankful for?
Dean
Our friend and fellow Fitness Revolution owner Cassandra Forsythe, Phd, RD (yeah – she knows her stuff!) just sent us over a compilation of fantastic Thanksgiving recipes that are healthy and EASY.
Thanks Cassandra, these look incredible!
Here’s what Cass sent over:
“With Thanksgiving coming up, many of us are starting to plan our Thanksgiving fare.
But, we’d like to make something that won’t increase our waist size so much that we won’t want to move for days. ;(
So, to help you out, here is a compilation of excellent “Cassandra -approved” recipes you can share with friends and loved ones at your next Holiday Table.
I’m including mostly seasonal veggie recipes so you don’t have to reach for something out of touch with reality.
And, including healthy stuffing recipes and delicious desserts.
More importantly: Each of these recipes are EASY to make so you don’t have to spend hours and several dollars to get the job done.
Enjoy!”
Veggies:
Green Beans with Lemon and Pine Nuts
Apple Cider-Braised Kabocha Squash with Golden Raisins and Onion
(Kabocha squash is also called Buttercup Squash)
Acorn Squash Soup with Roasted Kale Chips and Pine Nuts
Easy Roasted Seasonal Vegetables
Spicy Potatoes, Cabbage and Carrots
Roasted Brussel Sprouts in Balsamic Glaze
Spinach, Orange and Red Cabbage Salad
Stuffing:
Cranberry, Pear Wild-Rice Stuffing
Desserts:
Pumpkin Custard (for crustless pumpkin pie)
Apple Crisp with Oatmeal Topping
Guest Article by Mike Starks, CEO of The Meal Movement
How To Experience Weight Loss this Thanksgiving
Gosh I love Thanksgiving. Football, Family, Food, Friends, More Football.
As some of you know, I despise sugar. Not necessarily ‘IT’, but what ‘IT’ does to me. What it makes me feel like after I eat it. I feel tired, groggy, lazy, blah. Then I sleep for about 10 hours and wake up with a sugar hangover. Younger folks don’t understand this but in due time they will.
If you plan on eating a lot of sugar, sweets, processed starches, rolls, etc. during the holidays, I advise against it because it will set you back for 1-2 weeks on your fat burning schedule. Don’t believe that by going to the gym you can simply ‘burn’ off the stuff you have eaten. We have fallen for this myth for 30 years and it simply ‘ain’t’ working. I would like to share with you a true story which occurred in North Carolina years ago. Maybe this will show you the power of sugar.
A Bear’s Weight Loss Lesson
Several years ago, North Carolina decided to ban sugar as bear bait. Hunters would take large giant sugar blocks about 12” square and bolt it down with a chain. Bears from around would come and lick, eat, the sugar. Then a strange discovery occurred, hunters would find bears laying around sleepy, tired and groggy. The hunters would walk up to the bears and the bears did nothing but look at them then roll over. (This is what you call shooting fish in a barrel). The hunters thought this was just too easy, but what they discovered was the bear’s teeth were rotted out. Some of the bears had formed cancerous tumors like the hunters had never seen before. It was so bad, the North Carolina Dept of wildlife decided that hunters could no longer use sugar blocks as bear bait because they were afraid of the long term effects on the bear population and the offspring.
The Accidental Discovery of Disease & Fat Gain…
Weston Price was a children’s dentist who ended up doing missionary work around the country. He passed away in 1948 and will likely never be well known among the US public of today. Dr Price began traveling around 1900 to the remote parts of the planet. He began logging his journey’s and amazing discoveries over the course of several worldwide trips. His findings were astonishing to say the least. Before I share them with you, think about this… he did not seek fortune or fame. He did not see a TV show or book deal. He did not care what others thought about his findings…he had nothing to prove or no one to prove wrong. He simply noted what he observed and learned over the years. Here’s what he found (in my summarized version)….
Tribes, cultures, etc. in the most remote parts of the earth were often extremely healthy, lean, active and often had beautiful teeth and very little disease like cancer, diabetes, etc.
Then there were tribes, cultures, etc who lived near larger groups of organized civilization who were very unhealthy, overweight, tired, rotted out teeth and a variety of diseases.
Now mind you, we are not talking about 1 tribe or 2, we are talking about hundreds of tribes unrelated to one another. The common eating practices among the healthy tribes were amazingly similar. The unhealthy tribes eating habits were also very similar. (*Now, I know I am going to get hate mail for what I am about to write, but please don’t kill the messenger, I am simply reporting what Dr Price discovered…(and yes, I do agree with it!))
#1: The most popular common foods consumed in abundance among healthy tribes:
meats (red meat, fish, fowl and other wildlife) including meat fat (yes even the saturated fat), vegetables, insects & roots.
#2: The most popular common foods consumed in abundance among unhealthy tribes:
grains, fruits, dairy.
Now, I am not saying to go out and eat your dog then chase it down with a cockroach. No. But what I am saying is that you need to understand which foods actually hurt you and which foods actually help you.
Type 1 Diabetics are the True Food Experts
In my opinion, the best food experts in the world are type 1 diabetics (type 1 is juvenile diabetes…ie, you acquire it when you are young. Type 2 is often the result of simply eating too many sugars and starches and generally occurs around age 40-50). Type 1 diabetics avoid sugar, most grains and fruits and a lot of dairy because their lives depend on it. If they eat too much and no insulin is around, they likely die. Here’s an interesting phenomenon, obesity in type 1 (not type 2) is extremely rare. The overweight population of type 1 (not type 2) diabetics is also extremely rare.
Now let’s look at type 2, about 90% of type 2 diabetics are either overweight or obese. Not all but most.
So let’s look at this picture and then I will hush and let you get back to dreaming about your favorite pie next week (but don’t say I didn’t warn you!).
Type 1 Diabetics – 5-10% Overweight population; avoid sugar and simple starches; eat meats & vegetables
Type 2 Diabetics – 90% overweight population; often eat sugar and simple starches, some meats & vegetables (after their endocrinologist has instructed them to!)
The picture is clear isn’t it?
Next week at thanksgiving, I want to challenge all of you. Stuff your face with Meats, Vegetables, Salads, Deviled Eggs but avoid dessert. Eat so much you can’t see straight. Then after dessert, observe everyone else who ate all the sugar and simple starch products. It’s like being the only sober person in a bar at 2 am. You will be amazed at how lethargic everyone else is.
Meats, Vegetables & eggs. That’s the Meal Movement way. We just make it easy and affordable.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!
Great Taste, Small Waist!™
The Meal Movement
Mike Starks
CEO
PS: Eat healthy through the Holidays. Start the Meal Movement Today! Click here to Order!
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