​Brenda Paradis started her journey with us just a few short months ago in September. The transition I have had the honor of seeing this woman make is out of this world. First off, let me just say that her positive and upbeat attitude is contagious. Her humor makes her a great fit at the 5:30 training hour and her work ethic is outstanding. I have had the pleasure of not only observing her body change, but also her confidence and her performance. I truly cannot say enough about how grateful I am to have Brenda as part of the Get Fit Family. I asked her to share her story, because she just started and her positive changes could change your life or someone you know. Just take that first step- listen to how it changed her for the better!

Brenda getting her "I Survived" tshirt on the far right!

1. What was your biggest challenge before starting Get Fit NH?

I had a gained a significant amount of weight over the last 5 years and I slowly became less active. I wasn't making positive health choices and as a result, began experiencing health issues. Fortunately, all of my cardiac and respiratory tests were negative but I continued to have inflammation and terrible joint pain that became self-limiting. One of my biggest challenges, in many ways, was me! I needed to be able to put myself first and make the commitment to make changes in my life recognizing that the weight gain was perpetuating my inactivity and vice versa ...it had become a vicious cycle.

2. How did that challenge make you feel?

Honestly, I was scared! Scared for my health, unhappy and uncomfortable with the effects of my weight gain and deconditioning. I wanted to do something but it was difficult to take the first step. In late August, as I was preparing to send two kids off to college and was contemplating our somewhat 'empty nest' I saw the Get Fit post on Facebook. I looked into it and didn't really spend too much time contemplating - I just jumped in head first and started with the metabolic reboot on September 6th.

3. What changed after starting?

Initially, I thought, Oh my gosh what have you done ... you'll never keep up! Actually, I have really surprised myself and have found that in just 8-10 weeks that I am stronger, healthier and feel so much better! With every class, I gain a little more strength and confidence (all the baby steps are adding up) which is motivating and helps me continue on my journey to health and wellness! I've really not had a day where I didn't want to go to class. In many ways, it's the best part of my day because it's my time ... for me and it's ALOT of fun!

4. What specific results can you share?

First, the coaches have been so supportive and have helped push me in the direction I need to go. I've been able to set challenging goals and achieve them which has been very rewarding! I feel so much better in only a short period of time. I am excited to see the progress I can make in the coming year! I am looking forward to snowshoeing this winter which I used to really enjoy and may even get my skis out!

5. What would you say to someone on the fence about starting?

Don't Think About It ... Be About It! Taking the first step can be scary and difficult but you'll never be alone! What a wonderful group of people and coaches at Get Fit! I would have never imagined such a wonderful experience the first time I walked into their gym! A huge thank you to my Coach Meagan, and Cari, Kristen, and Adam! You guys rock!

And a huge thank you to you, Brenda, for showing up, working hard and making us proud!

Keep making it happen,
Coach Meagan

Is it too early for spring cleaning? 

I always welcome an excuse to raid my cabinets, clean out my drawers and go through my closet. I might be a little bit of an organization freak- but hey! You can be too and for a good cause! 

This holiday season we are welcoming all kinds of opportunities to give back. With Toys for Tots in full spring, Friends of Forgotten Children food drive and now Friends of Forgotten Children shoe box drive we thought why not accept Sarra's invitation to clean up the house and donate some stuff! 

Best Buddies is the world’s largest organization dedicated to ending the social, physical and economic isolation of the 200 million people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Best Buddies is pairing up with a program called Savers. Savers is an organization who retrieve donated items and in turn they fund the organization collecting items (in this case Best Buddies) This is referred to as a FUNDrive. 

The FUNDrive accepts the following items:

• Clothing
• Shoes
• Bedding/Towels
• Accessories
• CDs, DVDs, Books
• Electrical Items
• Toys and games
• Kitchen items
• Knick Knacks
• Sporting goods

If you are ready to get cleaned up and organized before Christmas hits then this is your opportunity to make it happen! We will accept donations starting Monday December 5th and we will continue to accept through Thursday December 8th. Savers will be coming to pick up donations on December 9th so we will not be accepting items once they pick up. 

As always, we appreciate your support and willingness to get behind yet another fantastic organization

Coach Meagan​

We are very excited to get behind another fantastic opportunity to GIVE!  It is such a special time of year where generosity and positive energy is in full swing. We want to help make Concord a happier place and we know you want to be part of it too! 

For the past few years at the Christmas party we have done a yankee swap. This year we want to trade that for a the shoe box drive. While the yankee swap give us laughs and joy the shoe box drive will fill your heart and also somebody else's. 

What is the shoe box drive?

Friends of Forgotten Children in Concord does a toy and clothing drive for children during the holiday season. They take in toys and all kinds of clothing items and then separate it so that each child gets 2 toys and 2 clothing items. This year our Christmas party falls on Saturday, December 17th. That is cutting it awfully close to Christmas, so instead of having the volunteers of Friends of Forgotten Children separate the items, we thought we would take care of that for them. So here is what we are looking for:

1 Shoe box for a little boy or a little girl (or unisex)

2 small toys

2 clothing items (hats, gloves, scarves are best!)

There are example boxes at both gyms so you can check out what we're looking for (you don't have to be fancy and wrap the boxes like Coach Meagan did!) 

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If you are coming to the Christmas party you can bring it with you at that time and you will earn one extra raffle ticket! If you are unable to come to the Christmas party, but would like to give then we are asking those be brought in by Friday, December 16th.

This is different than the Toys for Tots drive we have going on. That ends on December 11th. There are a lot of families in need and we want everyone to be smiling this year!

Thank you for your undeniable generosity and fantastic attitudes!

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How does the holiday season sneak up so quickly each year?

I absolutely love the season of friends, family and giving!

Coming up on Saturday December 17th we will enjoy our annual Christmas Party, and we want you there!

 We take great joy in these parties, because we get to come together as one big family. This is an opportunity to bring along your family and share with your loved ones where you have been "Making It Happen."

An opportunity to come together in “regular people” clothes and share a meal and also an opportunity to GIVE.

In place of the "Yankee Swap" we have had the last couple years, we are going to change things up a bit. This year we would like to get behind a local organization called, "Friends of Forgotten Children." One of our own, Tom Rochette, is involved with the organization so we asked him if we could do a toy/clothing drive for local children in need.  Totally optional, but instead of a yankee swap gift, would you bring a shoe box with 2 toys and 2 clothing items. Clothing items could be hats, gloves, scarves, etc. During the holiday season we love to share the spirit and make Concord a happier place. 

Of course this years party will include food as always, student superlatives (so make sure you R.S.V.P so we know who we are choosing from!) and lots of laughter and joy!

We do not take for granted that YOU choose to train with US. So, grab your ugly sweater (because oh yeah, that’s a new added feature!) and sign up below!

When: Saturday December 17, 2016

Time: 10:00am until the Party is Over!

Where: Get Fit NH Concord

See You There!

Cristina Kearns is hanging out in the spotlight this week and let me tell you it is WELL DESERVED. The dedication and determination this woman has is out of this world. Her positive attitude is contagious and her outbursts make the entire room smile. I am so thankful to have Cristina train with us. She busts her butt and accepts challenges with open arms. I asked Cristina to share her story, because she has recovered from not one but two back surgeries and I swear you wouldn't even know it. She gets here and frequently sees her name on the perfect attendance poster. She trains like she means it each and every day. Here is what she has to say...

Get Fit has made me STRONGER over the past four years! When I first started at Getfit I was obsessed with the number on the scale; it was not about being healthy it was about being skinny. Today, strong is the new skinny. Getfit has helped me change the way I think and I am so grateful. The amazing coaches at Getfit have also helped me through chronic back pain and recent back injuries.

I have had chronic back problems over fifteen years. I had my first back surgery 12 years ago. During that time in my life I was not exercising, I was making poor food choices and solely concentrating on what my two daughters and husband needed. I was putting my own health on the back burner and I only had myself to blame for that. By not taking care of me, my back problems continued- I was not maintaining a healthy weight, my core was weak and my flexibility was declining.

Fast forward to 2014. I was training for my first full marathon and also training at Getfit. My coaches were continuing to help me work on my core and I was learning the importance of breathing. Coach Meagan was encouraging me to get out of my comfort zone and I was lifting more I ever thought I could! In September, I started having sciatic nerve pain and lower back pain and I knew I was headed to very familiar territory. My training runs were getting longer and my pain was increasing. I was back and forth to the doctor and was being prescribed steroids. I was also reaching out to Coach Dean and Coach Meagan, desperate for their advice. Despite these setbacks, I made it to the finish line of the Chicago marathon in October!

However; the pain continued and after physical therapy, chiropractor visits and cortisone shots, in February, my surgeon decided that we needed to take the next step and decompress the nerve that was aggravating my back. The surgery was successful and the recovery was a long road, but Coach Meagan would check in frequently, letting me know she was thinking of me and rooting for me along the way. I took the summer off and returned to Getfit in August 2015. I had my FMS screening and returned with a wrist full of colorful bands; I modified everything! I knew I was in a place where I would get stronger and better; I was watched carefully and I was grateful for their watchful eyes. Thank you Getfit for your continued support, professionalism and encouragement. I look forward to getting up every day to attend my 5 am class; I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else!

Thank you for brightening my day every morning! You are a true rockstar!
-Coach Meagan

The jumpstart is in full blast. By this point you have survived the headaches and the exhaustion and you are headed toward feeling better with more energy - congratulations! Keep going! It will be worth it. Not only will it be worth FEELING better, but think about the possible prize sitting on the other side for you!

Speaking of prizes...there are some rules, right? You did your initial weigh in, but let us not forget about the FINAL weigh in. We need those weigh ins done by Monday November 21st. We will be compiling the results Tuesday so that we can give the prize away on our Wednesday training day. You can weigh in anytime the week before - just get it done! 

Keep making it happen, Coach Meagan