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

I asked Terri George to talk about her experience and results since training with Get Fit NH, because her motivation and strength inspires me. She is so humble and I am not sure she even realizes how many people she inspires each time she trains. This woman takes on any challenge, she is STRONG and she is consistent. I appreciate how no matter what kind of mood Terri may be in, she brings the same heat to each training and absolutely kills it. Her attitude is spot on and I think we could all benefit if we changed our outlook just a little bit to imagine training into our 70s as Terri mentions. Here is what she has to say...

How long have you trained with Get Fit NH?

I began training at Get Fit NH 4 years ago. A colleague, Muriel Hall, encouraged me to try Get Fit. She raved about how great it is here and I was at a point in my life where I was ready to focus on increasing my health and fitness.

I have always been an athlete and considered myself fairly strong. Even as an adult, I kept active in a coed softball league, weekly volleyball, and ladies basketball but as I approached 50 years old, my physique was changing. I added daily elliptical training yet noticed no significant change. Time to try Get Fit NH. After only a short period of time, I could see and feel the difference. My body fat declined and my lean muscle mass increased. The ultrasound body composition testing and the 3D body scans are so encouraging because you can see the data to back up the changes that you feel as you get stronger and more fit

What has helped you be successful over the past 4 years?

Probably the most helpful aspects of Get Fit NH are the coaches. Meagan and Adam are both fun and motivational. I tend to push hard and challenge myself but there have been times when they knew I could do more and I would have an additional sandbag loaded on or a heavier weight brought to me. I thoroughly appreciate being pushed, but they are also very watchful. So often, I feel a hand on my shoulder and coach telling me to “relax my shoulders,” or some other correction so that my posture is appropriate. I know this is what prevents injuries, and I am so thankful they are so aware and attentive. Every interaction I have had with them has been with a smile, fun-loving attitude and genuine concern.

In addition to the training, I have appreciated the competitions and challenges. One of the most powerful changes, second to training 4 days a week, was the 8-week habit challenges. During the first 8-week challenge that I participated in, I began to learn more about what my body needs to be fit and healthy. The first week of the challenge, one healthy habit was incorporated. The following week, another habit was added and at the end of the 8 weeks, healthy eating habits were part of my life style. No more diets. It is a life style change: Vegetables at every meal, lean protein at every meal, 72 or more ounces of water/day, non-caloric drinks only, neither added sugar nor sugar substitutes, and no starchy carbs. What a difference this has made in my life. I have a family history of diabetes, and my body had become insulin resistant. Starches simply are not good for my physiology. The eight-week challenges have allowed these changes to become a way of life for me. I’m not saying I never have starches, but they are not a regular part of my diet.

What advice would you want to give someone just beginning their journey?

Don’t give up. It is tough in the beginning to push through the days you do not feel like training, but do it. You will be glad you did. We are all here to encourage each other, and you will love the camaraderie we share here at GET FIT! Training is a priority in my life. It is not an optional activity I do when I have time, but an appointment I keep 4 days a week. It is as automatic as getting up for work in the morning. If you want long lasting change toward better health and fitness, it has to be a priority.

Just this past summer I had the pleasure of competing in the strong man/strong woman competition with my oldest son. He won the men’s competition and I took second in the woman’s. What a wonderful experience to enjoy together. My adult children are proud of their mom and I know that I am being a good role model for them too. Training gives me the energy to play tag, and run and play with my granddaughter, and I am looking forward to still training at GET FIT in my 70’s and having the balance and strength to resist falls and injuries and having the stamina to keep being active and playing with my grandchildren and family.

Thank you for being an inspiration to all of us, Terri! Keep making it happen!

Coach Meagan

Have you been here SO long that you have experienced a Get Fit NH pumpkin training??

...I haven't! But I cannot WAIT to see what is entails. Coach Dean is pretty talented when it comes to writing training programs so I can't even imagine what he'll throw together with a pumpkin!

On Monday, October 31st we're going to do pumpkin training, so guess what you need?

Yep - a pumpkin! Bring one to your regular training hour and regular location and let's see what we can do with these things!

-Coach Meagan

Robin Frament!

One of the many special things about being a coach is seeing someone from their starting place and watching them grow and progress within the training program and within the family. Robin works her butt off every time she is in this gym and it is absolutely no surprise to me that she shares she has lost WAY more weight than what she set for herself as a goal. A few words to describe Robin- committed, consistent and coachable. Thrilled would be an understatement about how I feel about having Robin in the Get Fit Family. This woman is unstoppable. Hear what she has to say for herself!

"I LOVE Get Fit NH! Some form of exercise has always been a part of my life, whether it's been an aerobics class, or Jazzercise (they didn't play much 80's music) or brisk walking. While doing Jazzercise for 15+ years, I felt strong but never was able to get any of that "mid-life" weight off. My friend, Maryann Canary, had told me about Get Fit, and how it helped her. I was suffering with plantar fasciitis...going to physical therapy, eating Ibuprofen...it would seem better...I would go for a brisk walk and then I was back to square one.

So, back in May 2016, I decided I would check out Get Fit. The change has been INCREDIBLE! My feet are pain free! I feel so much stronger than I ever have. And, I don't know if you remember this Meagan, but when I sat down with you to discuss how things were going and what my plans were regarding joining...I told you I wanted to lose about 10 pounds. You said it can be done. Oh yeah it can....I participated in the S3 2.0...and since joining in May, I have lost 18 pounds!!!

I keep coming back for many reasons. The main reason is that I enjoy the class, the energy from the coaches & the students, the variety. Working in healthcare, I see many bodies (young and old) ravaged by diseases and ailments , some of which are preventable or at least better managed. I don't want to be that person.

One of my previous Jazzercise instructors had a saying: "If you like your body the way it is, then keep doing what you're doing". I interpreted that as work harder, more reps, heavier weights....and that's what I do..when I come to the gym to workout, I AM there to work hard.

Thanks for all that you do,
Robin"

I hope Robin's story motivates you too. I am so proud of her and I can't wait to see her continue to progress and grow within Get Fit NH.

Keep making it happen,
Coach Meagan