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​

David Liberatore!

David has been with us at Get Fit for a little while now. He has worked really hard and even has asked multiple times for more corrective exercises and more ways to get better. I am extremely happy to write this for him and get his story out there! He always comes with a positive attitude looking to get better. Here is David's experience in his own words...

Why did you choose Get Fit NH?

I chose GetFitNH because a friend of mine joined and raved about it. He knew that I joined 2 other gyms and dropped out after a couple weeks. He said the first two weeks were free so try it. I met with Adam and knew I was in the right place.

What changes did you notice in the first few weeks?

After two weeks, I noticed that my knee was feeling better and that I had so much more elasticity in my lower back.

What outside of Get Fit NH has become easier since starting?

I set a personal goal to lose 100 lbs. to stay in the program for one full year.

What have you accomplished so far?

After two months I have lost 23 lbs., my knees feel much better, my back doesn’t constantly hurt and I can walk long distances without gasping for air. My eating habits have improved as I am eating much healthier. I eat more veggies, less meat and less carbs. All that know me never would ever have imagined me drinking more water and NO soda.

What is your favorite part of Get Fit NH?

The things that stick out to me about what makes GetFitNH so different from any other gym I have belonged to is the caring attitude of everyone at the center. From the owner, to the trainers to the members, it is astounding. We train with people who have been there 3 weeks to people that have been there for 3 years and they are all encouraging. I like the fact that training is geared to your ability. A trainer is constantly showing me a more appropriate exercise if I am struggling because of my ability. GetFitNH has it all and I know I have changed my life by changing my life style. I actually look forward to coming to exercise rather than trying to find an excuse to not go. I highly recommend GetFitNH at whatever level you think you are at.

Keep up the hard work, David!
-Coach Adam

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!

As a coach, I have challenged a few people. Sandy is one of those people. If I had to describe Sandy with one word, it would be Determined. She sets her mind to something and then figures a way to make that happen. This determination makes me proud. I am proud of Sandy for putting the work into herself. That work is showing in many different areas. 

As we did deadlifts in training, I challenged those around Sandy to pick up heavy weights. The group starting naming things that they thought were heavy to pick up. Dogs, animal feed, groceries, small children popped up in the conversation. ​I'm not sure how it happened but airplanes came up. Quite sincerely Sandy said, "I can't pick one up but I can push one."

Sandy is just over 5 feet tall. But she packs a lot of power in herself.

Sandy's determination to do a task doesn't stop with planes, which by the way, she is a pilot. Sandy showed that determination during Ski Erg World Sprints. I challenged her to join in the challenge. She didn't shy away but took it by the horns and finished the 1000 meters with her crew at 9am cheering her on. 

Sandy is determined to one day do a perfect, magnificent push up. Why does this 5 foot tall lady want to be so strong? Her goal is to be able, if necessary, to fireman carry (putting a person over your shoulder to carry them) her son. Matt is an adult, but in an emergency he wouldn't be able to move fast enough to get out of a building. He is in a wheelchair. Sandy, as his mom, wants to know she has the ability to bring him to safety. Her determination is bound in love. 

Keep Making It Happen, Sandy, because you inspire me each day to have that kind of determination.
-Coach Nancy

It's a GOOD thing that there is a special day set aside to remind me to be grateful for what I have. 

It is SO easy for me to focus on the "negative" that I forget I have so many blessings.

I really feel like I owe many people in my life an apology. I am so caught up in me at times that I overlook all the kindnesses and grace that I receive every day. For that I am sorry.

I wonder what kind of a world it would be if we all expressed gratitude for something and to someone - every day?

​A world where we tried to out-do one another in kindness, thoughtfulness and gratitude?

This is not a "kumbaya, pie-in-the-sky, love, peace, joy" thing. 

I know how it makes me feel when someone expresses gratitude to me. It makes me feel GOOD. I need to pay that forward more.

For what are you grateful? To whom are you grateful?

Tell them today.

And Every Day.

Let's start a new tradition in our lives by making it Thanksgiving ALL the time.

Thank-You for being part of my life.

Coach Dean​

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I am writing this blog sitting at the airport in Columbia, South Carolina. If you have ever traveled alone then you have probably overheard some interesting conversations. I just overheard a long conversation about weight loss that struck a nerve. It is hard to keep my mouth shut sometimes, but I did it! Instead, I decided to share it here just in case anyone out there has this same mindset.

The relevant piece of the conversation went something like this:
“I really would love to lose 30 pounds, but I am so busy. I just started with a new job and the girls have dance almost every night. It makes more sense to start after the holidays when I can have a fresh start and things slow down."

Her friend then agreed that this was smart decision.

If this is your mindset, allow me to be a GREAT friend and coach and tell you no, no, no!

1. Things will NEVER slow down. Nope. After the holidays, life goes on. Guess what? Work isn’t going anywhere. Your kids (probably) aren’t going anywhere. If you don’t find a reason to start, then you will find an excuse every single time. We all have the same 24 hours. Those who plan their time and include themselves in that time are the most successful. I say this because I love you…you’re not getting any younger and time isn’t slowing down so let’s go! Get started.

2. 30 pounds seems like a big number. If you keep putting off when you are going to start, that number will only get bigger. After the holidays do you really want to say you’d like to lose 40 pounds? How discouraging. The national average of weight gain through the holidays (October-December) is 10 pounds. Stay out of that category and do something now.

3. You don’t have to change who you are to get results. In fact, you only need to focus on one thing at a time. I bet between now and the New Year you can build 2-3 new skills to increase your performance and results. Focus on one habit each month to help you get closer to your big picture goal. Your coach can direct you. Results are about a lifetime of building habits and improving skills.

If this stuff was easy, then no one would ever say they are going to wait. It isn’t easy, but we have a simplified system to help you. You are NOT in this alone. Do not wait. The magical right time you are waiting for is not coming.

It is up to you to make it happen,
Coach Meagan

We had 34 athletes step up and compete in the 2016 SkiErg World Sprints! We would like to recognize and congratulate everyone that competed! You all did AWESOME!

High five to all of these people who competed:

Special high fives to these people who placed in the top 20 in their age groups:

Women:

40-49

#3 Kathy Nourse 3:52.0

50-59
#17 Terri George 4:33.3
#20 Nancy Carlson 4:38.1

60-69
#17 Lyn Roberts 5:03.7
#18 Mary Davidson 5:11.0

Men:

60-69
#19 Tom Barker 3:59.4

Great job everyone!

This is a long overdue introduction of a very valuable member of the Get Fit NH Team. We are incredibly blessed to have Stephanie with us, and the "Coach" title is bestowed because of the coaching she does with our staff, and sometimes (most of the time?) we really need it. Wouldn't want to do it without you Steph!

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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