2015 Rock N’ Race – Time To Sign Up!

rocknrace.jpgI had the opportunity to attend the Captain’s Breakfast a few weeks back, and I wish you all could have been there. Shawn Riley, Team Captain of “Steph Strong” told the story of his wife Stephanie, who died shortly after Christmas after a courageous battle with cancer. She participated in the race last year, and this year she is gone. As I sat there through the tears and laughter as he shared the story of the love of his life, with their young daughter watching her brave daddy, I could not help but think “What if that was me?”

We have all been touched by cancer in some way, and Shawn’s powerful story reminded me not only of that fact, but that of the many worthy causes in our community, I firmly believe getting behind the Rock N’ Race and supporting the Payson Center for Cancer Care is right near the top. Once again this year members of the “Get Fit NH & Beat Cancer” team will be wearing special green shirts, in honor of the fact that you went above and beyond and earned “Rock Star” status by raising over $3,000. I want to thank-you for all you do to support the local community.

If you are going to run one 5K this year, make it the Rock N’ Race. It is a walk/run, you can bring the kids, push a stroller, dance in the streets – whatever you want. It really is a fun time to get out for a good cause. Don’t forget that next week (Wednesday March 25th) Runners Alley will be coming in to Get Fit NH Concord to talk all things running, so this is a good time to learn about proper footwear and technique.

Let’s all get out there and help “Get Fit NH Beat Cancer”.

Make It Happen,

Coach Dean

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The Spotlight is Shining on June

 June has been a part of the Get Fit NH family since March 2014. She has an incredible story that I know many of you can relate to. June started off training four days a week at 5:30pm in Concord. After a few months her schedule became more challenging. Instead of throwing in the towel she decided to train two days a week in the morning in Epsom and two nights in Concord. June has remained committed and results speak for themselves! It has been a pleasure coaching June this past year and I am excited to see her continue to achieve her goals! I hope her story insprires you to make positive changes despite past or current circumstances. Just ask June, you won’t regret it!

I was very honored when asked by Coach Erin to share some of my story — so here it goes…. When you see me in my before picture please  know that I was at one of the many heavy times in my life (again).  I had been at that familiar place before … Lost and gained weight many, many times throughout my life– I was never an athletic type of person.  I was the bat and ball manager on the girls softball team in high school…. I hated the presidential physical fitness awards from Junior high— never could do those chin ups!! As an adult I would exercise on and off, but hated even the idea of being sweaty!!!    (Oh Boy has that changed)

 I always wanted to be a normal size, but loved the comfort of food too much and have wrestled with the whole mess my whole life.  Here is a list of some of the food programs I have used over the years; Weight Watchers ( 6 times ) TOPS ( Take Off Pound Sensibly )  Overcoming Overeating workshop, Over Eaters Anonymous, Aromatrim ( purchased on an infomercial )  The Neuropsychology of Weight Loss (another late night purchase) Free to be Thin,  YMCA fitness program, Atkins Diet, South Beach Diet, and probably many other home grown diets and exercise routines throughout the years… Even met with a registered dietitian before I found Get Fit NH .

I was battling migraines, stomach pain problems, joint pain, low self esteem and low motivation (living on Pebtobismol nightly and Prilosec  and Ibuprofen )  I was getting worn out with life, work etc….I remember trying to have some fun outside  with my grandchildren in the snow —  but by the 3rd trip up the hill pulling a couple of them in the sled,  I felt half dead!!    I was sick and tired of feeling sick and tired and crappy, but I was so afraid to fail AGAIN at any attempt to be healthy—-that I had stopped trying—but I knew I  had to do something so I  decided to give it one more try. I found Get Fit quite by accident searching for a diet program in Concord, NH I heard advertised on the radio … I couldn’t remember the name so luckily my search online some how took me to the Get Fit website.  I read all the Coaches Bio’s and some of the student spotlight stories– they were all very inspiring……

The 2 week free trial really made me feel like ……Well…….what do I have to loose?

And  it hooked me in—

June before

Before

June after

After

 

And then I tried

And I cried…..

And I tried again

And I cried again….

And during the 2 week trial I thought maybe I am way worse than I thought I was– I mean I knew I was in tough shape… but I didn’t realize how INEPT I felt till that 2 week trial— and 2 things happened that made me stay…. As I was walking to my car during that first week of trial training and crying my eyes out cause I was so sore and out of shape and felt sooooo incapable another fellow client in her kindness saw me sobbing my way to my car across the parking lot and yelled over to me  “ It gets BETTER ! “

(thanks Jill)  She was right— her timing couldn’t have been more perfect.

The second great thing that kept me coming was when I was almost ready to decide  (in the first 2 weeks) that this program probably wasn’t meant to be for me because I couldn’t even get to the training on time— I got tied up at work one night and arrived too late for the 5:30 class— Not to mention that I was sore, felt so inept, didn’t know anyone there, figured I would just fail again anyway , blah,blah,blah…..so why bother?  So I sat in my car, tears streaming down my face and wrote a little note for Erin that I was NOT going to continue— luckily she stopped me in the foyer area after I tried to leave her the note without being noticed…She has the eyes of a hawk you know! She stopped me in the Foyer— I don’t remember our whole conversation, but I know it involved a lot of crying on my part and apologizing for being late and explaining that this just wasn’t meant to be for me to get better etc…. and she told me — “June, I really think this program is for you. I want you to right now go get yourself a yogurt snack and some water and go relax for a bit and come back to the 6:45 training— we want you … if you want to…. “

At that moment it was like  she was throwing out the life preserver to the sinking soul on the stormy sea.…And I grabbed it!

And I am so grateful that I did! Needless to say I did come back for the 6 :45 class that day  and I haven’t stopped since. Get Fit NH has all the tools you need to save your life, but you have to be willing to grab on and hang on and listen and trust and believe your coaches and feel the support of the others around you who have been there or are trying just like you are.  I remember feeling so vulnerable, like the new kid in the class  and being so grateful to people like Sarah, another client,  who warmly welcomed me and shared her success story with me and kept and eye out for me when I wasn’t sure what to do next.   There are so ,so many good folks here.  I have seen so many changes in myself, my attitude, my health, the way I eat, my weight, my strength. No more headaches or stomach pains. No more prilosec. I am down 30 pounds now since joining last March— I cannot believe it has already been a year!

 I sure have come a long way from that emotional ball of jelly I was when I first started— don’t get me wrong— I still can be pretty sensitive and I still have some of jelly to loose, but I am certainly heading in the right direction .  I have learned that it is OKAY to put myself first. It does not mean I am selfish— it means self caring.  And if I take care of me then I will be around a long time, God willing,  for  my family  and friends whom I love so much.  This  spring and summer my husband and I will be expecting more grandchildren ….number 7, 8 and 9  — I want to be able to keep up with these kiddos— they are an awesome blessing that I want to enjoy for years to come and thanks to GET FIT NH and the coaches and the whole Get Fit Families in both Concord and Epsom I train with I feel awesome !!  I also feel happy and strong and confident and it seems I’ve found the answer to the battle— that there IS strength in numbers, accountability, fun, fitness, education, nutrition, support…….Don’t try to do it alone….. Grab a lifesaving rope when it comes to you and come get into the life boat at Get Fit NH !   

Love June

We are so proud of June and so thankful that she chooses to train at Get Fit NH!

You too can make it happen,

Coach Erin

Putting the Fitness Puzzle Together

Now I don’t know if fitness is a puzzle, but it can be very puzzling to many people.

How much should I eat? How many days should I train? High carb, low fat, high fat no carbs? How much protein do I really need? If I am not losing fat I need more cardio, right?

Do you know there is one answer to every one of those questions? Here it is.

It Depends.

You are probably thinking, “Ok Coach, isn’t that a cop out? The guy on TV says I should do this, and Dr. Wizard says I should do that, and I read a study in the New Zimbabwe Times that said…”, and on and on it goes.

It’s no secret that there is a lot of information about health and fitness – on TV, the radio, the paper, but especially on the internet.

I just googled “Health and Fitness” and it returned 1,020,000,000 results – that is over One Billion results (and it took less than 1/2 a second)!

You don’t need more information. You need an action plan.

And that’s where coaching comes in to play.

3 peice puzzle-page-001I really like this illustration from our friends at MyZone, because it shows the synergy that is created when coach and student are committed to achieving a goal.

When both parties take action, great things happen!

It’s is our responsibility as coaches to provide you with the tools and direction you need to reach your specific goals. That’s why the “It Depends” answer is my go to. How much and what you eat and how much and how you train is not only dependent on your goals, but on a number of other factors. There is a big difference between a 25 year old single guy and a 42 year old mother of 3. They don’t live the same life, don’t experience the same stresses, and they are probably not going to eat and train the same. That’s why it is so important that our students take advantage of the resources we offer beyond the world class physical training, like nutrition seminars, bodyfat analysis, HRV monitoring, Polar Team Training (Epsom) and MyZone (Concord).

That’s the “Execution” part of the pyramid. All the education, tools and coaching in the world won’t be effective unless we DO something.

I have coaches too. From the very beginning of starting Get Fit NH I have had at least one business coach and a coach or coaching resource to help me be a better physical preparation coach. I spent time this morning studying. I have spent 10’s of thousands of dollars to get the help I needed.

And do you know when I struggle the most?

When I don’t take action on what my coaches tell me to do.

When do things start moving in the right direction?

When I get off the internet trying to figure some reason why I shouldn’t do what they say, and just start doing it. Look I have failed many times, but there is something to be said for “failing forward”. What the heck did I hire a coach for if I am just going to try to do it on my own anyway?

So let’s put this puzzle together.

Our Mission is to help our students Lose Fat, Get Lean, and Look and Feel Great.

Our Commitment is to give you the Tools and Direction to Make It Happen.

The Execution is up to you.

The Good News?

We are here to guide you every step of the way. You know, I find it can be very hard to accept coaching. I want to believe I already know what to do and how to do it. But if that were true, I probably would have done it already, huh? 🙂

So how are you going to take action next?

Schedule a body comp assessment?

Educate yourself on HRV monitoring and get setup?

Attend the next Whole9 nutrition seminar?

Purchase your MyZone belt?

About that last one. Friday March 27th will be the last day to purchase your MyZone belt at the introductory price of $55. After that the price will go up to $79. Still a super value, but why not save a few dollars and order yours today?

Let’s Make It Happen – Together

Coach Dean

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Coach Meagan’s step by step meal prep

step1

Step 1: Make a grocery list from your meal plan and hit the store. Stay out of the junk food aisles- temptation is cruel. Grocery shop on a day where you have some extra time to do some prep!  P.S. Extra credit farmer walk when you bring all your bags in at the same time! 

step2

Step 2: Have your meal plan handy. Unload your bags and leave everything that you can prepare ahead of time on the counter.

step3

Step 3: I like to take out every pot and pan so that I can cook as much as I can as quickly as possible. Mashed cauliflower was on the menu and that is what takes the longest, so I started there so that I could prep some more veggies while that boiled. Multi-tasking is a beautiful thing!

step6

Step 4: Pre-heat the oven for roasted veggies and put those greens on standby until you hear the beautiful beep from the oven!

step5

Step 5: Cauliflower is on the stove- check. Oven is pre-heated for roasted veggies- check. Next on the menu is cabbage noodles with peppers and onions. Chop up some cabbage and get that going on low while chopping up some peppers and onions.

step75

Step 6: Cauliflower is boiling- check. Oven is pre-heated and veggies are in- check. Peppers and onions added to cabbage noodles on low- check. Time to get the protein cookin’.

step8

Step 7: Brown ground bison. Stirring up veggies and meat as needed.

step9

 Step 8: Cabbage noodles. peppers, and onions are done- toss those into a Tupperware and get the ground turkey on the stove. 

 

 

 

 

 

finalstep

Step 9: As Coach Erin would say, “BAM!” There you have it. Easy accessible protein and veggies for the whole week. No excuses. You are prepped and ready tackle a great week.  This all took a tad bit over an  hour. 

Don’t say you don’t have time- you must make time. Results don’t just happen, they are earned with hard work, determination, dedication, and preparation!

So is it worth it? Well, I guess that depends if you want to feel better, look better, build muscle, and lose fat? If those things are on your to-do list then you better fit this piece into your life. You can make it happen, I know it!

-Coach Meagan

Runner’s and Aspiring Runner’s – Check this out!

Mark your calendars!
run

When: Wednesday March 25th

Time: 6 pm

Where: Get Fit NH Concord

Believe it or not, spring is upon us! The warm weather is coming, the snow will melt, and many of us will be dusting off the ole’ running shoes and hitting the pavement. Why not start the season off with a little help from our friend Sean Gray from Runner’s Alley? Sean is going to talk to us about everything from safety to shoes to training tips and more!

As you know, at Get Fit NH our goal is train you the best and safest way possible. Since we can’t be with you out on the pavement, we’re bringing in the experts to coach you on their art. Whether you are a runner or wish to run, whether your goal is to run a mile, a 5K, a half marathon, or a full marathon, you don’t want to miss this!

All are welcomed. See you there,

Coach Meagan

P.S. Runner’s Alley offers a 10% discount to Get Fit NH students! 

 

The Loft Indoor Obstacle Course Field Trip is Booked!

loft4Ask and you shall receive!

A few weeks ago I went to The Loft in Tilton to check out the new obstacle gym and it was amazing! I had such a great time and all I could think about the entire time is how much fun we (the Get Fit NH family) would have tackling these obstacles together. I made a couple of phone calls and got us a private date for March 7th and on top of that a sweet discount! It will only cost $15 rather than the regular $25 rate. They can only accommodate 15 students at a time so there is a possibility we will be going in waves if we get a large response.

The Loft is an indoor obstacle course with obstacles identical to those found in races such as Tough Mudder, Spartan Race, Warrior Dash and other obstacle races. The class we have set up will have an instructor to show us how to maneuver the course and attack the obstacles in front of us. This is a very unique and fun experience. You may just find that you want to conquer an obstacle race this summer or you may just discover an adult playground!

We hope you join us in this adventure. The first 15 to sign up will be booked for the 9 AM wave and the second 15 will be booked for the 10 AM wave. The address is below as well. We can’t wait to see you there!

Where: Tilton Sports Center- The Loft 100 Autumn Drive Tilton, NH 03276

When: Saturday March 7, 2015

Time: 9 AM for the first 15 and 10 AM for second 15

Cost: $15 – please pay using the link below to secure your spot

loft2 loft3 loft

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Introducing the MYZONE Physical Activity Monitor- Mark Your Calendars!

myzone300x300MyZone Heart Rate Training Intro
Where: Get Fit NH Concord
When: Saturday February 28th, 2015
Time: 9:00am

Our clients in Epsom have been using the Polar Team system for quite a few months now, and Coach Nancy has done a phenomenal job of integrating heart rate training into the overall Get Fit NH training model. The Polar Team system is a very good system, however as we looked at bringing heart rate monitoring and training into Get Fit NH Concord, we discovered Polar was discontinuing the Team system and working on other offerings. We looked into the new systems a number of months ago, and just were not satisfied the technology and software platform was right for us. Our search for new platforms brought us to MYZONE and we will explain what MYZONE is in  a minute. First here is what Epsom student’s have to say about their success with the Polar system:

“I like to see exactly where I am at. Sometimes we are not always good at judging if we are working hard enough to get the heart rate up. I also like to see where others are at to see how I compare. As my fitness increases, I need to do more to get my heart rate in the red… so being able to see it helps to know for sure. I like seeing the report later to look for the peaks. I also like seeing that even when I work super hard I am able to recover faster, even than a few months back. This is part of my overall goal so I can do more outside of training with running, hiking etc.
Cara”

“At first I was a bit skeptical about using the heart monitor while working out because it was new, but after wearing it for some time during training, I realized it was very helpful to me. It allowed me to check how fast my heart was responding to the amount of effort I was putting into the specific exercise I was doing, whether I needed to slow down or pick it up. I also like the visual of having a numbers on the projector so I could see if I was in the red, yellow, or green to help me when I need to adjust my workout pace. It has become important for me to use on a daily basis.
-Doreen Mathison”

“The heart rate monitor has been a great addition to my training. It has given me more awareness of how my heart is performing during training. I’m able to see how fast my heart rate climbs and then how quickly I’m can calm it back down between sets which has become a game in itself for me. Recently, I had to visit the doctor for some heart related concerns. I explained that I trained during the week but rather than leaving it at “I train” I came prepared with printouts of the training report I’m emailed and my doctor was able to see how my heart was performing during exercise. This was very valuable in helping my doctor understand what was going on and in turn provide proper treatment for me. – Amy R.”

“I love using the heart rate monitor. It confirms to me when I am working to my fullest potential. Without the heart rate monitor I thought I was giving it my all but this keeps me in check. Thanks – Lori P”

“Heart Monitors…really?? OK no problem nobody will see it but me. Boy was I wrong…. there it was up on the wall for all to see. Do I mind wearing the heart monitor, not really. Do I like seeing it up on the wall, not at all. Ok let’s get to the point. I have been an active person all my life and all my life my heart has raced when working out, playing sports etc. I had a stress test years ago and the Dr’s could not find anything wrong. No Dr ever saw what I was feeling. But thanks to the heart monitor and the fancy fancy graphs that are emailed to us I was able to print them out and take them to my Dr. After looking at my graphs and going through some tests I was finally diagnosed with SVT (Supraventricular Tachycardic). An electrical condition I was born with. My graphs can be emailed right to my Dr so I can be monitor by them. So to wrap this up the heart monitors are the reason why after many, many years of no answers the Dr’s were able to figure out what was going. Heart Monitors…really!! Yes really, it is a win win. – Kathy C.”

As you can see our Epsom student’s have not only had great success with their heart rate training, it has also helped their doctors with diagnosis and treatment. We are excited to role this out and get all of our student’s on board!

So What is MYZONE?

SONY DSCMYZONE is a tracking device that rewards EFFORT for all physical activity, both inside and outside of the gym. The MYZONE physical activity belt displays HEART RATE, EFFORT LEVEL and calories in real time, while automatically storing all exercise, goals and results in a personalized online profile.

Why MYZONE?

We know that when you get positive feedback, it’s a lot easier to stay motivated. This feedback helps keep you on track, and staying on track delivers the RESULTS you want. It is one more way we can measure progress and make sure your training is effective.

TilesLive Feedback Inside The Gym

When you wear your MYZONE Physical Activity Belt at the gym, your information will be instantly streamed on the overhead in the form of color coded, easy-to-read tiles, showing you in real time the effort required to get the results you want.

 

WatchesLive Feedback Outside The Gym

With the option MZ-50 watch, you can take your training on the go, allowing you to get the most out of your activity outside the gym.

 

AppThe MYZONE Lite App

All your MYZONE activity in the palm of your hand. Using your smartphone, you can monitor your activity calendar, training graphs, and challenges. You can even upload before and afters and keep a picture food log. Through the web interface you can also set and track personalized goals, challenge your friends and share your progress through Facebook and Twitter.

Guys I am stoked about bringing MYZONE to Get Fit NH. I have used other systems, such as a FitBit and other heart rate monitors, but they never really jazzed me up that much. I could never really tell if I was doing what it takes to get the training effect I need from a particular session to get results. MYZONE solves that challenge.

Getting Started

We will be rolling out MYZONE at Get Fit NH Concord first, as Epsom is already enjoying their heart rate monitor training using Polar Team. We will get the system rolling smoothly, and then evaluate the Epsom timeline. Please join us Saturday February 28th at 9 AM to learn more about this system and how it will benefit you and your training. There will be live demonstrations at each training time starting next week!

Ok, so how much?

This is a super affordable solution as well. Most other devices on the market are upwards of $100 or more. During our initial rollout your MYZONE activity belt will only be an investment of $55.00, and if you want an MZ-50 watch we can order those for only $39.00 each. We will even cover the shipping!

CONCORD STUDENTS – CLICK HERE TO ORDER YOUR MYZONE ACTIVITY BELT

MyZone Heart Rate Training Intro
Where: Get Fit NH Concord
When: Saturday February 28th, 2015
Time: 9:00am

 

The Spotlight is Shining On…..

Cynthia Proulx is a new family member at Get Fit NH but already her presence has made us all turn our heads. Cynthia let us know right away what she felt the first few days at Get Fit NH. “As a new member I’m sure I am not going to answer this as well as other family members. With that said, I like the idea of the family atmosphere, everyone is very friendly, and the nutrition class has really helped me. I have been exercising all my life, dancing, gymnastics, ballet, Gloria Stevens, skiing, running, basketball, gym memberships for the last 30 years. The difference that I feel now: the workouts are much more fun than all the other gyms I’ve been to. The coaching has been huge, I can finally do squats that don’t hurt my knees. I love competition and the workouts help me to be competitive within myself. They are hard for me, but I feel a lot of satisfaction when I complete something well”.

After going to the Whole 9 workshop Cynthia made drastic changes to her nutrition plan. She went – “Whole 9”. She experienced drastic results. This is thrilling to her coach and all the coaches at Get Fit NH. As you read what Cynthia wrote, think about yourself. If you can achieve similar results to Cynthia would it be worth your while to make some changes? Cynthia is discovering that the quality of food is changing how she feels. Her training is changing her physical being and as shaping her mental well – being.

 

“I would like you and Nancy to know that in a weeks time on the Whole 9 nutrition plan, I feel better than I have in months. I have been to nutritionists over the years and have been on MANY diet plans, We never talked about eliminating certain foods. Taking dairy, gluten, wheat, breads, etc. out of my diet has made a difference. Since last October I have felt sick most everyday, I knew I had an allergy to dairy, but continued to eat and drink some dairy products. I then began to question wheat and gluten.  I started the plan a week ago today, tomorrow will be one week of feeling good everyday and it’s not hard for me to follow. Food preparation takes time, but I have made many of the recipes in the book. The only vice is a little truvia, I’m working to get rid of that as well. I have much more energy than I did and can’t wait for that to increase even more.  I appreciate all Erin is doing as my coach to help me get the most out of my training without pain. She has been fantastic! Thank you for being part of my life, Cynthia

 

Cynthia has encouraged me, I know she will encourage you as well. I am looking forward to all that Cynthia is going to discover.

29 Personal Bests at Get Fit Games

What a great morning at Get Fit NH.

We had a big crew show up and participate in the “Get Fit Games”, where we come in, have some fun, and confirm we are getting better.

By my count our athletes set 29 personal bests! Now that is what it is all about! Make sure you look out for the next time we host Get Fit Games. If you wanna get better, you gotta measure!

Here’s the highlights of this mornings games.

Proud of you all!

Doreen Mathison

Deadlift, Gold level achieved

Push-up, Personal Best

Chin-up, Personal Best, Bronze level achieved

Front Plank, Personal Best

1000m Ski Erg, Gold level achieved

Jayne Millerick

Deadlift, Personal Best

Chin-up, Personal Best, Get Fit “Fit” level achieved

Front Plank, Personal Best, Get Fit “Fit” level achieved

1000, Ski Erg, Personal Best

Susan Moseley

Deadlift, Personal Best

Front Plank, Personal Best

Heidi Coen

Deadlift, Personal Best, Gold level achieved

Push-up, Personal Best, Bronze level achieved

Long Jump, Personal Best

Front Plank, Personal Best, Get Fit “Fit” level achieved

1000m Ski Erg, Personal Best

Alice DonnaSelva

Deadlift, Personal Best

Push-up, Personal Best

Chin-up, Personal Best

Front Plank, Personal Best

10000m SKI Erg, Personal Best

Adam Rosenthal

Push-up, Personal Best

Front Plank, Personal Best, Bronze level achieved

1000m Ski Erg, Personal Best, Get Fit “Fit” level achieved

Adam Davidson

Deadlift, Personal Best, Get Fit “Fit” level achieved

Push-up, Personal Best, Bronze level achieved

Vertical Jump, Personal Best

Chin-up, Personal Best

1000m Ski Erg, Personal Best

Dick Boddie, Laura Starr-Houghton, Lori Preve, Jenn Stevens, Kim Boddie, Laurie Vallee, and Glenn Berwick were all first time participants and ROCKED IT! Can’t wait to see what you do next time around!

Encouraging you all to measure your greatness next time!

Make it Happen,

Coach Meagan