With the Milestone Club in full swing I am compelled to talk about the skills that come with goal setting! The reason why it is so important to us to help you set these goals is because realistic, action-oriented and specific goals can be hard to define for yourself.

Here are words to AVOID when setting goals for yourself:

• Eat MORE veggies
• Eat LESS sugar
• Go to sleep EARLIER
• Eat HEALTHIER

Those are not specific or measurable goals. When setting goals that truly require a change and focus there are measurable words involved. Allow me to make those goals above  specific and measurable for your understanding…

• Eat 4 servings of vegetables daily
• No sugar 5 out of 7 days per week
• In bed by 9pm with screens off
• Protein ,veggies and healthy fat at each meal

Those are very specific questions. When you reevaluate your action steps it is hard to distinguish what “more” means and what “less” means. If you really want to create change in your mind and body be real and realistic. We are here to help you make that happen.

Coach Meagan

Voting season is HERE! Buckle up...

The Hippo Best of awards are officially open. This year they have a few more categories that we would love to go after if you are feeling up to the challenge! We have won the best gym in Concord for 10 years and we are going for 11 years here in 2020. Last year we made a team decision to rotate which coach we vote for as best fitness instructor and last year Coach Adam took that title (for the second year in a row!) This year we have decided to vote for Coach Erin Constantin. Here are the numbers and questions so we can be the champions (and I do mean WE, because if we win then that makes you a winner too because you train here!) 

#17 Best Gym (Please include town): Get Fit NH Concord

#18 Workout class that will get you to your goal fastest (please include name of class, location and town): Smart Group Training Get Fit NH Concord)

#82 Best Crowd: Get Fit NH Concord

#104 Butt-kicking-est fitness instructor: Coach Erin Constantin Get Fit NH Concord

#113 Happiest place in NH: Get Fit NH Concord

You must vote for 15 for your vote to count. It is so easy to name drop local businesses. 

VOTE HERE

Thank you so much for your continued support!

Coach Meagan

I hear the question every once in a while so I decided to do a short blog explaining
just why we hardly ever program it.

In talking with a physical therapist as well as some reading in the past I learned more about why it’s something that probably doesn’t need to be done often (some believe not at all). The reason is because the IT band is not contractile tissue. The IT band is actually a long tendon that stretches from the TFL (a muscle on the side of the hip) down to the knee. Its main purpose is to help stabilize the legs/hips when moving forward and backward. However, in  cases where someone has tight or weak lateral hips this smaller muscle goes into overdrive, which is why it can feel “tight."  More often than not, the cause of that tightness is actually the muscle on the side of the hip. Another reason can be someone who does a lot of something that involves a major need for stabilization moving forward or backward​ such as running.

I’ve spoken in the past about just how large of forces are involved with running, it creates a lot of demand from a relatively small muscle, the TFL, which is a muscle that we roll when we hit the glutes.  Also often that feeling of “pain” or “tightness” can actually be due to tightness from one of the quads that runs partially under the IT band, which can be rolled without directly rolling on the IT band, it's just assumed that it is the IT band because its in the same proximity.

It is just fine to roll it! We don't focus on it because it is not a muscle that actively contracts, so tightness is due to muscles up in the hip not the IT band itself.

Coach Adam

I have been thinking about this new year and asking myself how I am going to make my goals a reality. I read an article by Richard Branson, founder of Virgin, and I loved what he said,

“The odds have been stacked against us during my career, but never one to follow the rules or listen to naysayers; I’ve set out each day to turn our dreams into reality. If I could give entrepreneurs one piece of advice it would be: make it happen. The ability to get on and do it is what sets change-makers apart from dreamers.”

Now, I have never considered myself an entrepreneur, but I do want to make my dreams a reality! I think everyone does, but what separates the people who succeed from those that don’t? Many of us can relate to having the odds stacked against us. Maybe we battle an incredibly busy work and home life, illness, or injuries. We might even feel like the cards are always against us. I believe we all have “the ability to get on and do it”. It might not always feel like we have the ability, but I think fear often holds us back. We focus on the obstacles and fear the unknown. One of Branson’s favorite quotes is by Jack Canfield “Everything you want is on the other side of fear.” Branson had many failed business attempts but in 2007 he was placed on the “Time 100 Most Influential People in The World”. We must learn from our past, step outside of fear and “get on and do it”. 

Together we can Make It Happen!

Coach Erin

Determination can be defined as “a positive emotional feeling that involves persevering towards a difficult goal in spite of obstacles. J.J. Watt from the Houston Texans has shown some incredible determination in the face of obstacles. Watt played for the first time in the Wildcard game against the Buffalo Bills after tearing his pectoral in week eight. His injury was thought to be season ending. Watt asked his doctors if there was a chance he could return for the playoffs if the Texans made it that far. The doctor said there was a chance it would be possible. Watt said that was all he needed to hear. He was determined to be game ready if Houston made it to the playoffs. Watt’s performance in their win against Buffalo was impressive to say the least. He played with intense determination to help put his team in the best place to win. Watt could have eased himself back into the game in an effort to protect his pectoral. Instead he was played without reservation and had laser focus.

What would happen if we approached our health and fitness goals with the same determination? If I have a goal to lose 30 lbs in the next three months and someone told me it was possible then I would need some serious determination to meet that goal. There are going to be obstacles and I am going to have to make sacrifices. I will not reach my goal by playing it safe. I have to be all in and persevere through the tough times. What are your goals and how determined are you to achieve them? Are you playing it safe or are you all in? The good news
is that you are not in it alone! You have your Get Fit NH Family to support you every step of the way!

Coach Erin