Dean
Dean
Dear Dean:
Yahoo! I am, officially, no longer a patient of Concord Orthopaedics!
As you know, I tore my ACL in February. The initial recommendation was surgery, followed by a six-month rehabilitation period – not something I wanted in my life. Once the surgeon at Concord Orthopaedics saw me, though, he thought my existing strength, immediate physical therapy, and on-going strength training might be able to pull me through without surgery. An ACL cannot be repaired without surgery; the choice is to compensate, primarily through strong quadriceps and hamstrings. I was willing to give it a try.
Our boot camp workouts allowed me to cut the number of physical therapy appointments by 50% and more. My physical therapist was very impressed with your attentiveness, the precautions you made me take, and the workout modifications you created. On one occasion, she told me that she had “complete confidence” in your support of my rehabilitation.
Yesterday, I had my last appointment with the orthopedic surgeon. As he physically assessed my knee and asked me questions, he kept shaking his head as if to say “I can’t believe it.” He chuckled a couple of times, too, in obvious delight over what I had accomplished. Honestly, I wish you could have been there – you were a crucial part of that success.
Thanks to you and the boot camp regime, I am cleared for trying just about anything I want (okay, okay – within reason. Promise.). I am grateful for your careful attention to my injury rehab and will continue to recommend you to family, friends, and colleagues.
Best regards,
Helen Dutton, Weare, NH
Why Do I Come To Bootcamp?
The easy answer for me is that I wanted to get in better shape. But if I look a little deeper I realize that I had let myself get to what I refer to as “squishy” because I had lost interest in programs that weren’t challenging me. That’s a poor excuse to just let things go, because doing something is better than doing nothing. But it is what it is. Bootcamp has certainly thrown down the gauntlet. Sweating actually is a good thing, just difficult at the time. I have increased my flexibility and gotten a lot stronger, so I move better and hopefully won’t be so vulnerable to injury. I have lost almost 25lbs since I started. I still have “giggly” parts but decreasing them is part of the continuing quest. Even though I give Dean and Nancy a hard time (it is in jest), I am greatful to them for the encouragement and support. And that’s what bootcamp means to me.
Barbara Gault-Gantz
Hi Dean and Nancy,
Just wanted to let you know that since I started Boot Camp last summer my doctor has had to lower the dosage on my thyroid medication not once but twice. After YEARS of zero fitness and yo-yo dieting, I never thought my body would be able to regroup. My doctor is thrilled…not only is my thyroid condition improving but my cholesterol is what she called “Scary good”…lol! At nearly the big 40 I am in the best shape of my life thanks to you and the Boot Camp philosophy….Thank you Get Fit NH Boot Camp!!”
Tammy Berrio, Concord, NH
Dean,
So, I’m not sure where to begin. I was plainly horrified with the “shape” I was in following my shoulder surgery, which is what prompted me to accept Danno’s challenge to come to Boot Camp for two weeks. At the end of the first day I wasn’t sure I’d make another day, much less a week or two. Still with the great encouragement, not only from Nancy and you, but from my classmates, which in my mind is what makes Boot Camp superior to a random gym membership. The others members of the class are not only a great encouragement to me, they are becoming my friends.
My greatest joy came from a rather shocking surprise this past weekend (May 16-17). I had weighed myself and measured myself as Nancy and you strongly suggested so that we would have a “base point” from which to measure our progress. I forgot to weigh myself this past Friday, but I did measure my waist and chest Saturday morning. I had lost 2″ from my waist measurement, and 1 3/4″ from my chest. I’m not sure what I expected, but it sure wasn’t this! So much progress, and in only two weeks.
I know I have a long way to go to get back to the shape I enjoyed pre-surgery and pre-office work, but I’m encouraged by this start. We don’t look for excuses, we look for a way … “Make it happen!”
Tim Patterson, Pittsfield, NH
Hi Dean and Nancy,
I wanted to do this yesterday but time slipped away from me.
I want to thank you both for what you are doing with fitness and nutrition for us. If you ever are discouraged or wondering if you make a difference-be assured you are making a BIG HUGH difference for us.
If I only judged my progress by weight loss alone I could get very discouraged. I have discovered there are so many other ways to measure progress, clothes fitting better, stamina ,ability to do more exercises faster at Bootcamp.
I have had only had 1 cold this year, usually I have had 2-3 sinus infections and other ailments. I have not had the winter spring lethargy as in past years when I sat on my butt eating everything I could get my hands on(Oreos and Judy’s cakes for breakfast we a special challenge to see how much I could eat).
At my physical yesterday the Nurse Pract. said the best thing I could do was build more lean muscle since lean muscle burns more calories even at rest. I explained this was your exact philosophy! My labs are returning to normal, my lungs, heart and carotids were clear, my BP was very good.
It does look like my goal of stopping some of the meds will have to wait since she wants to be aggressive treating me due to age and risk factors.
We have changed how we think act and live in relation to food and activity.
I feel especially blessed that Judy is also making progress and we are doing this together.
So thanks, and I pray the Lord blesses you and your family!
Greg Swain, Concord NH
You and Nancy are awesome at what you do. What a gift both of you have to be able encourage and help people with their goals-no matter what level of fitness or knowledge of health and fitness they have when they begin your program.
Both of you are nothing short of inspiring. Thank you for getting me back on track-and for making me see that I actually can do push-ups!!!”
Jodi Wormald, Salisbury, NH
Wow, thank you!!!! What a fun workout, and I never would have done it if I were at a gym or by myself. I was pretty sure I wouldn’t be able to do all 15. But I did! because you were walking around with your watch and marking them on the board. WOW, I LOVE Bootcamp. Thanks for encouraging us and believing in us.
Have a wonderful day!
Chris
I just celebrated 11 pounds lost by buying myself a new workout outfit! It’s only taken 10 months, but who’s counting? The first eight came off as sweat, as Bootcamp is so good at making us do, the rest with the Fat Loss diet. Of course the first step is always the hardest, right? Here’s to more steps (and more outfits)!
Louise Palmer, Concord, NH
I’m getting married in August, so a little while ago I picked out my wedding dress and they took my measurments, I really didn’t like what they were. So I came to bootcamp and stuck to eating healthy while at home and at work (which was hard) and last Wednesday I went for a dress fitting and I had to hold the dress up because it would have fallen off!
I was so proud of what I accomplished and thankful for the support I got from everyone I go to bootcamp with! I now know anything is possible!! !
Amanda Stone
I have been doing almost exactly what Nancy tells me to do, for real, I’m not just saying this. I have a few off days, but mostly on days. Sometimes it does not seem like much is happening, but I take measurements occasionally which is very helpful. I took out all my summer clothes the other day and I honestly could not fit into any of my shorts – they just fell off!!! So I had to go shopping and I must say I actually had a positive shopping experience for once.
I have felt great since doing bootcamp, I come to all the classes that I can and have eaten very healthy. I feel great and have energy that I was lacking for a long time. Thanks Nancy! (and Dean of course too!)
Jamie Carrier, Barnstead, NH