Old Man “If” Is Still With Us…

I read a blog post this morning that I just had to share with you…NOW!

It reminded me how often we are all prone to making excuses for what we do or do not have.

The blog highlighted a passage from the Napoleon Hill class “Think and Grow Rich”, and no matter what you think about the book or it’s premise, this is still VERY relevant for the mindset that many of us can dwell on and wallow in.

Thanks to Bedros for the great reminder!

“FIFTY-FIVE” FAMOUS ALIBIS FROM OLD MAN “IF.”

–  Napoleon Hill, Think and Grow Rich.

“People who do not succeed have one distinguishing trait in common. They know all the reasons for failure, and have what they believe to be air-tight alibis to explain away their own lack of achievement.

A character analyst compiled a list of the most commonly used alibis. As you read the list, examine yourself carefully, and determine how many of these alibis, if any, are your own property. Remember, too, the philosophy presented in this book makes every one of these alibis obsolete.

IF I didn’t have a wife and family . . .

IF I had enough “pull” . . .

IF I had money . . .

IF I had a good education . . .

IF I could get a job . . .

IF I had good health . . .

IF I only had time . . .

IF times were better . . .

IF other people understood me . . .

IF conditions around me were only different . . .

IF I could live my life over again . . .

IF I did not fear what “THEY” would say . . .

IF I had been given a chance . . .

IF I now had a chance . . .

IF other people didn’t “have it in for me” . . .

IF nothing happens to stop me . . .

IF I were only younger . . .

IF I could only do what I want . . .

IF I had been born rich . . .

IF I could meet “the right people” . . .

IF I had the talent that some people have . . .

IF I dared assert myself . . .

IF I only had embraced past opportunities . . .

IF people didn’t get on my nerves . . .

IF I didn’t have to keep house and look after the children. . .

IF I could save some money . . .

IF the boss only appreciated me . . .

IF I only had somebody to help me . . .

IF my family understood me . . .

IF I lived in a big city . . .

IF I could just get started . . .

IF I were only FREE . . .

IF I had the personality of some people . . .

IF I were not so fat . . .

IF my talents were known . . .

IF I could just get a “break” . . .

IF I could only get out of debt . . .

IF I hadn’t failed  . . .

IF I only knew how . . .

IF everybody didn’t oppose me . . .

IF I didn’t have so many worries . . .

IF I could marry the right person . . .

IF people weren’t so dumb . . .

IF my family were not so extravagant . . .

IF I were sure of myself . . .

IF luck were not against me . . .

IF I had not been born under the wrong star . . .

IF it were not true that “what is to be will be” . . .

IF I did not have to work so hard . . .

IF I hadn’t lost my money . . .

IF I lived in a different neighborhood . . .

IF I didn’t have a “past” . . .

IF I only had a business of my own . . .

IF other people would only listen to me . . .

IF (PAY ATTENTION) I had the courage to see myself as I really am, I would find out what is wrong with me, and correct it, then I might have a chance to profit by my mistakes and learn something from the experience of others, for I know that there is something WRONG with me, or I would now be where I WOULD HAVE BEEN IF I had spent more time analyzing my weaknesses, and less time building alibis to cover them.”

 

Jingle Bell Run 2009

You guys really made it happen today! We talked with Patti of the Arthritis Foundation, and she said had checked and as far as anyone knew the “For Carrie’s Kids” team was the biggest team the Arthritis Foundation had ever seen for the Jingle Bell Run – NATIONWIDE!!!  Great job! Your team is set to be the focal point of the Arthritis Foundations annual NE Regional Meeting in Connecticut next Wednesday. I am proud of you all!

Congratulations to everyone who ran, walked or crawled (that would be me). You did a wonderful thing today, and I know the Green family and the Arthritis Foundation are grateful for your efforts, as are we.

It was great to meet many of your spouse’s and significant others for the first time, as well as reacquaint with those we have not seen in awhile. Thank-you for being a part of our lives.

Congratulations to Diedre Romeo, who raised the 3rd most money as an individual for the Arthritis Foundation, and won this really cool computer mouse as result. Nice job!

Jere Smith brought his prize winning puppy Kita, who won first prize in the pet costume category. Good Dog!

Big congrats go to Hannah Orzechowski for taking 3rd place in her age group. Hannah is the daughter of our own Anne Laforce and Ray Orzechowski. Ray had an awesome time as well!

Let’s do it again next year!

[nggallery id=9]

New Class Time – Announcing 5:00am Concord

We are pleased to announce the addition of a new class at our Concord location.

Starting Monday December 14th we will be bringing the energy and excitement of the 5:00am class to our Concord Dance Academy location.

Spread the word and earn yourself some Referral Rewards!

To register please click here

If you have question, please click here to contact us!

Mo’ Money

Just wanted to update you on the latest Referral Rewards… Thank-you to everyone who spreads the word – these members have made it pay off – as in $50 bills!

Erica and Kerrie for referring Natalie

Victoria for referring Kim

Mela for referring Diane

Patty for referring Kathy

Elizabeth for referring Victor

Denise & Don for referring Stacy

and Jessica earned $100 for referring Jane & Jodi!

Thank-you very much, and keep Making It Happen!!

 

 

Post-Thanksgiving Day Fun – Just A Small Taste

Please Help Us Support “Carrie’s Kids”

This holiday season I will tie bells to my shoelaces and dust off my reindeer antlers as I participate in the Jingle Bell Run/Walk® for Arthritis, a 5K fun run/walk to benefit the Arthritis Foundation. While we are running we also want to raise money to help for Carrie’s Kids.

Carrie Cates lived in NH for many years, and had moved to Florida with her 5 children to be near her parents. Back when I ran my daycare I used to care for Carrie’s children. We caught up with her again at last years Jingle Bell Run, as Carrie had become an avid runner. She was one of those people who lit up the room with her smile, and it was nice to chat as we hadn’t seen her in a few years.

Carrie was killed October 12, 2009 by a hit and run driver while running. Carrie had planned to fly up to run the Jingle Bell run again this year. We want to carry on her legacy of helping the Arthritis Foundation, but we want to go the extra mile and help Carrie’s children as well. To raise funds area businesses are donating funds to help produce a t-shirt in honor of Carrie, and all the proceeds from the sale of these shirts will go directly to the kids.

Please join us and Run or Walk the Jingle Bell Run. Support the Arthritis Foundation any way you can but please contact me or Monica Apgar to purchase a shirt to wear at the race.

The link to our team page is:

http://concordjbr.kintera.org/faf/search/searchTeamPart.asp?ievent=316970&lis=1&kntae316970=F0EFABDD69BE4B24AE7C5C1E81358266&supId=0&team=3605561&cj=Y

The cost of the shirt to help Carrie’s Kids is $10. The check can be made out to  James Green, c/o “Cates Family Fund” (write on check).

Please post the link to this blog on your Facebook, Twitter, and wherever else you can to spread the word!

Thank-you, and we will see you there!

Nancy

Workout Worldwide!

For Immediate Release: November 11, 2009

Media Contact: Nancy Carlson

NH Personal Trainer Partners with Workout Worldwide to Host World’s Largest Simultaneous Fitness Boot Camp Workout for Charity

WHAT: New Hampshire personal trainers Dean and Nancy Carlson have been selected as one of the top fitness boot camp programs in the world to be a remote site for the inaugural Workout Worldwide event. It will be the world’s largest international charity fitness boot camp workout of all time with all net proceeds going to the American Heart Association. There will also be over 40 remote locations worldwide performing this workout on the same day.

WHEN: Saturday, January 9^th, 2010 from 11 am to 12 pm US EST

WHERE: Get Fit NH Bootcamp

WHO: Anybody 18 years of age and over who is looking to jump-start their fitness for the New Year

ADMISSION: Minimum donation is $20 for non-bootcamp members of the host and remote locations. Please visit www.WorkoutWorldwide.org to learn more about admission fees and prizes to register or email workoutworldwide@gmail.com with questions.

MORE INFORMATION: Please visit www.WorkoutWorldwide.org to learn more about joining the movement or join the WW facebook page at www.facebook.com/workoutworldwide. Please visit http://GetFitNHbootcamp.com to learn more about Get Fit NH Bootcamp.

About Workout Worldwide: Workout Worldwide is a global fitness project focused on reversing the trends of obesity, premature death, and skyrocketing health care costs associated with poor diet and sedentary lifestyles that are crippling our society. The mission of this organization is to change the world one workout at a time via international charity boot camp events that raise money to provide other non-profit organizations with additional resources to better combat these aforementioned trends. In addition, Workout Worldwide seeks to educate the general population regarding simple, safe, and effective ways to eat and exercise to improve overall health, performance, and body composition.

Ah, Sugar, Sugar!

We’ve all heard that “a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down,” but did you know there’s already plenty of the sweet stuff in that decongestant you are swallowing? And your spaghetti sauce? And even the canned veggies you feed your kids?

Carbohydrates include fruit, vegetables, starches (like bread and potatoes), and of course, sweet ole sugar. An essential nutrient, carbohydrates are the body’s main source of both quick and sustained energy. All carbohydrates have approximately four calories of energy per gram of weight.

That doesn’t sound like much, but they add up very fast! When eaten in large quantities, simple carbs (like sugar) provide excessive calories that can ultimately lead to weight gain and other concerning medical issues.

And it’s not just “sugar” that you’ll need to be aware of on your favorite food labels — you’ll need to also recognize the other forms, including honey, raw sugar, turbinado sugar, brown sugar, confectioner’s sugar, powdered sugar, high fructose corn syrup, concentrated fruit juice, dextrose, glucose, molasses, corn syrup, maltose, sucrose, xylitol, or mannitol. This list is not all-inclusive, there are more names for sugar on a food label.

Why worry about sugar? Aside from providing empty calories, one of sugar’s major drawbacks is that it raises your insulin levels. An influx of sugar into the bloodstream upsets the body’s blood sugar balance, triggering the release of insulin, which the body uses to maintain blood sugar at a constant and safe level. Prolonged, elevated insulin levels can increase the risk for disease by causing inflammation within your body and by inhibiting key hormones that regulate the immune system. Insulin also promotes the storage of fat, so that when you eat excessive sweets high in sugar, you’re making way for rapid weight gain and elevated triglycerides, both of which have been linked to cardiovascular disease.

Are there sugars I can eat? The sugars we need to pay particular attention to are the sugar we add to food. However there are sugars that are naturally found in food, and those count in your overall intake as well

Sugars that occur naturally in foods that also supply key nutrients (“Good Sugar”).

• Dairy products (milk, cheese, and plain yogurt. This does not include ice cream)
• Fresh and frozen fruits (apple, blueberries, orange, pineapple, strawberries, banana, cantaloupe, etc.)
• Most Vegetables (carrots, tomato, zucchini, broccoli, spinach, cucumber, etc.)

“Bad” sugars

The only good sugar is one found in nature. You can’t grow, pick, or raise high fructose corn syrup, let alone all the names for sugar you can’t pronounce. If you have to use a sweetener, stick with one you can find out in nature. But use all sugars in moderation.

The following foods are typically loaded with sugar. Read through and learn to limit your intake by reducing the portions of your favorite sweet foods.

(1 teaspoon = 3.5 – 4 grams sugar on the food label)  
1 teaspoon sugar = 1 sugar cube = 1 sugar packet

Everyday products

• Fruit Loops, 1 cup = 3.75 teaspoons
• Low fat, fruit-flavored yogurt, 6 oz. = 7 teaspoons
• Pancake syrup, 1/4 cup = 8 teaspoons
• Ketchup, 4 Tablespoons = 4 teaspoons

Foods that sound healthy, but are loaded with sugar!

• Granola, 2/3 cup = 4 teaspoons
• Dried fruit, 1 cup = 21 teaspoons

Beverages

• Orange juice/ apple juice, 8 oz. = 5.5 teaspoons
• Snapple, Lemon Iced Tea, 16 oz. = 11.5 teaspoons
• Strawberry Passion Fruitopia, 20 oz. = 17.5 teaspoons

Snacks & desserts

• Balance/ Power Bar = 4.75 teaspoons
• McDonald’s Vanilla Shake, 21 oz. = 24 teaspoons
• Frozen yogurt, 8 oz. = 8.5 teaspoons
• Restaurant chocolate cake, 1 slice = 13 teaspoons

Movie theatre combo

• Twizzlers, (movie size) 6 oz. = 17+ teaspoons
• Soda, (movie large) 44 oz. = 37 teaspoons
• Total = 54 teaspoons!

As you can see, sugar is everywhere, in very large amounts. Sugar may be inexpensive as far as dollar and cents go, but over consumption of sugar and other sweeteners in large amounts are responsible for the obese and diseased society we are.

Our “Carbohydrate Changeover” is designed to help you move from the empty calories of processed flours and sugars to natural, unprocessed foods over a 21 day period. You won’t believe the difference in how you feel! Talk to your doctor or registered dietician before beginning this or any other eating and lifestyle change.

It is possible to break your sugar addiction, and the benefits are well worth it! If you would like a complimentary copy of our 21 day “Steps To Success” guide, which includes the “Carbohydrate Changeover” program, please Contact Us Here and we will send you the download link.

I look forward to hearing of your success!

Nancy

The Road Crew

As you probably already know, the 6:15am Epsom class was featured in an article about Get Fit NH Bootcamp last week.  (Click Here If You Missed It)

I wanted to show the rest of the classes what they REALLY do… Seriously Nancy, I can’t believe you allowed this debauchery!

Can you spot “The Incredibly Fit Tim”?

Looks like we found out where Jere was this morning too…

Love you guys, have a great weekend!

Dean

It’s time to change the way you think about exercise

Would you like to get inside my brain and see what I think and how I go about training my clients? Here it is in a nutshell – I have and always will treat every potential client as an athlete.

You’re an athlete in my eyes and you’re going to train like one.

Nearly everyone who has trained with me has found they are playing more than they had in years outside of they gym. Some join softball leagues and others just get involved in games of basketball that they usually would have sat out. My goal is to be able to play with my grandkids and not have to sit watching them play. In short, they all become athletes again.  And more importantly, they feel better than they have had in years, both physically and emotionally.

Training like an athlete has nothing in common with training like a typical gym rat. Training like an athlete involves improving your flexibility, mobility, agility and speed. Athletes also need to focus on building muscle, losing fat and gaining strength.

Even if you do not desire to participate in a sport of any kind and just want to look and feel better, it still makes perfect sense to train like an athlete. When people think of their ideal physiques, who do they want to look like? More people would choose to look like a Pro Bowl wide receiver than a Mr. Olympia competitor. Everyone wants to look like an athlete, therefore the smartest thing to do would be to train like one.

It’s time to put an end to the days of boring, monotonous workout routines. Skip the stationary bike and do a few intervals of fast paced tabatas. Ditch the leg extension for some bearcrawls up a hill. Trash the ab roller machines and start swinging a heavy kettlebell or throwing a medicine ball. Forget aerobics and tricep kickbacks and start doing heavy deadlifts.

When you go to the gym with a greater purpose than simply to look better, you separate yourself from the pack. You will be much more than all show and no go.
With the family and work related responsibilities we all have, it’s often difficult to find the time to play or train, yet somehow everyone seems to be able to sit down and watch TV or go out and get pizza and ice cream.

Skipping a few hours a week of TV to work out is probably a very real possibility for most of us. Instead of spending Saturday afternoons sipping soda and shopping, how about getting out for a hike or actually playing with the kids instead of being irritated by them? If you look, you can always find the time. And when you find time, if you look even harder, you can usually find even more time.

When you analyze what’s important in life, hopefully your healthc-cphysical, mental and emotional – are near the top of your list. There is no better way to simultaneously improve all three than training like and becoming an athlete.

Contrary to what most people think, you don’t have to be young to be an athlete. But if you become an athlete, chances are you just might feel young again.

Make It Happen, Every Day!

Nancy