Student Spotlight earned after 6 weeks!

This student spotlight is extraordinary. Whether you have been training with us for a week or training with us for 6 years, this story will open your eyes to possibilities!

Gina has been training with us for about 6 weeks. She brings her best attitude to training each day and she has implemented Whole30  to get her the results she wants. Gina is the perfect example of a student who is not only taking advantage of the tools we offer, but also putting them into action. Gina did not waste anytime. She started Whole30 right away and has had some incredible progress in just 6 weeks. Here is what she has to say:

“I was very surprised when Coach Meagan asked me to share my experience so far at Get Fit NH. You see, I am the person the coach has to modify most exercises for. I’m the one you see trying to figure out what exercise I should be doing next. I’m the one whose team is waving at her from the other side of the gym as I do the wrong exercise. I always feel as if I am one step behind everyone else. But the great thing is I really don’t mind, and I really feel as if everyone there has my back.

I joined Get Fit NH at the end of February. I had been the caretaker for my Mom for the past four years and after she passed away in January I knew I needed to do something to fill the gap in my life and get me out of the house. I also wanted to do something healthy as well. I knew I had not taken the best care of myself over the years.  Though my mom was a petite person, I watched her struggle for the last four years with chronic heart failure, COPD, and diabetes. There’s nothing like spending weeks with your mom in the cardiac unit at Concord Hospital to scare the heck out of you.

I have tried many fitness/weight loss plans… I have tried vegetarianism, veganism, weight watchers and the most drastic one where I was medically supervised as I drank only liquid meals for six months. I lost a lot of weight with the later, but ended up having to have my gall bladder removed as a side effect of the diet.

I actually stumbled upon Get Fit NH. I was googling gyms in Concord and it popped up. I saw it had the two week trial period and I figured I had nothing to lose. The first two weeks were very challenging. I would come home after working out and ice my knees and take ibuprofen. Every muscle in my body was sore. Every morning I would tell my husband “I don’t think I can do this”. But I did and I drove through some pretty bad weather to get there. And anyone who knows me will agree that I am the biggest chicken when it comes to driving in bad weather. I knew Coach Meagan, Coach Erin and Coach Adam would be there and if they were showing up for me, I was going to show up for them.

Once I finished the two week trial period I sat down with Coach Meagan. She asked me what my goals were for the next year.  I stated I want to be healthier and I would be happy even if I lost only five pounds by years end. I agreed to commit to a year of training and to implement the Whole30.  I started the Whole30…no more sugar, dairy, breads, pasta, and worst of all no more diet Coke. The toughest part of the Whole30 was the first shopping trip to restock my pantry. After the initial shopping trip it got much easier. I had a few side effects as my body went through withdrawals from the sugars and caffeine. I had headaches and some stomach issues, but they resolved within two days.

In the six weeks that I have been training and implementing Whole30 I have lost about 14 pounds. My cholesterol level has dropped 30 points and I am feeling stronger. I notice little things, like I thought my dog was losing weight because he felt lighter when I would pick him up. He wasn’t losing weight, I was getting stronger. I sleep better, feel less bloated, and make better food choices.

I am so grateful I stumbled upon Get Fit NH. I look forward to coming to class not only to work out but because of the great people and support system that it provides.  If you are thinking of giving Get Fit NH a try, PLEASE do. If I can do this, anyone can!”

I never doubted that Gina could be successful. We set a goal together and she totally got after it and achieved it. There is no doubt in my mind that Gina will continue to earn great results. She is a go-getter and guess what? You can be too!

Make it Happen,

Coach Meagan

Another Field Trip to The Loft Coming Your Way

Back by popular demand!

We had SO much fun at The Loft in Tilton a few weeks ago that we decided we HAD to go back for more! A few Saturday’s ago 43 of you guys came out and absolutely crushed this indoor obstacle course. It was so cool to watch some of you conquer your fears and step out of your comfort zone. The staff at The Loft is welcoming us back with open arms. They were pretty impressed with our crew!

On Saturday, April 25^th we are headed back up to Tilton to give it another go. The first wave will go at 9 AM. All waves will be limited to 15 students, so don’t wait to secure your spot! We will continue to add waves as needed each hour. If you didn’t get a chance to go last time then make it a point to come hang out with us April 25^th! The positive energy and encouragement will push you to try things you may have never thought possible!

Check out the pictures below from our last field trip and then sign up!

The Loft Obstacle Adventure
When: Saturday April 25, 2015
Time: 1st wave begins at 9 AM
Where: The Loft 100 Autumn Drive Tilton, NH
Pay to Play: $15

We’ve Caught Two in the Spotlight!

The spotlight shines on Jennifer and Mary, a mother daughter duo from Epsom. Jennifer started training with us back in 2012 and convinced her daughter to give Get Fit NH a shot. Mary loved it and has been training with us since! We asked Jennifer and Mary to share with us what their experiences with Get Fit NH have been like.

Jennifer describes how she felt after her first two weeks with us, saying: “At the age of 67, I couldn’t run, I had no stamina, and I couldn’t do a squat or pull a band. That was an eye opener as I had been doing water aerobics for several years and thought that was at least keeping me somewhat fit. WRONG. Although the water aerobics did help in many ways, I was shocked at how little I could really do and how much I had slid backwards over time. I remember seriously asking Dean after one particularly hard training session (at least then it seemed really hard) ‘Am I too old for this?’ He laughed but said ‘Of course not!’”

After some convincing on her mother’s part, Mary hesitantly decided to give Get Fit NH a try. Mary explains why she was so hesitant, saying: “I have a degree in exercise physiology and spent many years as a personal trainer. I was nationally certified as a fitness instructor. It’s always been very important for me to see and help people get the most out of their exercise and to help them to do their exercises correctly. After years of coaching and watching people at a typical “gym” do exercise incorrectly and with no guidance, I gave up going to the gym. I found myself looking around and cringing with some of the exercises and even stretches that I saw. It was not a relaxing experience for me.”

Jennifer’s convincing worked, though, and Mary came in for a trial. Here’s what she said about her first experiences with Get Fit: “I was FLOORED. Finally. A place which practiced what they preached. A program which was exciting and different every day. Coaches that inspired and pushed others to levels they never even knew they could accomplish. I felt athletic again (and sore). I felt challenged. I have never been more comfortable and supported in such a unique environment. I learned that such a place did exist and everything my mom raved about was true. And more.”

After almost three years training with us, Jennifer is thrilled with her improvement: “I still have a long way to go, mind you, but I wouldn’t even recognize the person who started the program back then. When I think about it, I can see a woman who has lost close to 40 lbs., can move and be more agile than I can remember being since I was in my 30’s; has the stamina to complete so many exercises with the class and not be too lost (still can’t stand bear crawls, though); and is not afraid to reach for things that I still can’t quite do. I am not giving up!”

Mary explains that she is challenged at every class and loves sharing the experiences of training with her family: “It was a strange experience actually exercising with my mom. I don’t know that we had ever actually done that before. She challenges me and it’s great to feel my athletic side coming back and to see her athletic side coming forth. I don’t think she ever believed she was athletic and it has been so fun watching her discover it. She even challenges her grandkids to doing planks and pushups. My dad has joined the Concord facility as well. There are many times that we make it a family experience when we can work it into our schedule. My sister Jen even came to class with us once while she was visiting NH from NC. 4 Ruffing’s in one room? God bless the coaches there that day. :)”

Jennifer shares similar sentiment about training with her family: “My daughter and I try to train at the same times when possible and she is a great encouragement to me. When my husband saw how good we were doing, he decided to join as well. He loves the training and the harder, the better. Every once in a while all three of us are at the same class which certainly makes for a level of competition. It is good to have other family members who can talk with you and understand exactly what you are doing and compare notes. Mary inspires me to work harder and longer and to try to keep up with her.”

As for her overall experience, Jennifer says: “How much better could it get? I have taken extra classes like the ones from Erin specifically geared for those with shoulder issues, and another with hip issues. I have done the two cleanses which helped kick my weight loss really into gear. It seems someone is always watching to make sure you are doing things correctly and not hurting yourself. You also would be hard pressed to think of two duplicate training day programs. There is a plan in place to challenge you in different ways to build certain things or work on certain areas. All in all, I am very pleased with what Get Fit NH has done for me, and by extension, for my family. I stand taller, walk straighter, bend and move with a certain amount of my younger grace. What is not to like?”

Mary agrees, saying: “My overall experience has been more than I could have ever asked for. It’s been great to get connected back to my athletic roots, to see my parents be more fit and active than I have ever seen them, and to experience the top notch coaching and guidance that the whole Get Fit NH family provides. It’s one of the most positive places I have ever experienced.”

As one of the coaches who see Jennifer and Mary together, it makes me wish I was closer to my mom so I could train right along side her. What a great connection they have. They are a true inspiration to those around them.

Coach Nancy

Be Still My Beating Heart (Well not totally, but that what’s MyZone is for!)

Are you ready for a challenge?

Over the past few weeks you our Concord Crew has done such a great job adopting MYZONE into your training. It has been pretty cool to see what is really going on inside. Most of us have learned something new about our body’s  since implementing MYZONE, I know I have!

Here’s the challenge. We are going to hold a MYZONE Match Training on Saturday April 11th at 9:00am.  During this hour there will be a prescribed zone that we will want you to train in. For many of us we can easily jack our heart rate up into the red zone (90-100% of our maximum heart rate) while others have a challenge getting out of the green zone (70-80% M.H.R). Still others have a challenge getting back into the recovery zones. The purpose of the match training is to learn to control your exertion, control your recovery,and control your breathing. This type of control is and maintaining these zones is not easy and it is the optimal way to train your heart.

If you haven’t picked up your belt yet, you will want to make that happen before this event!  There is limited space available, so you MUST register for this training ahead of time, no exceptions please. Space is limited to 28 students, so please do not sign up if you are not 100% sure you can be there – Thanks!

Make it Happen!
Coach Meagan

MyZone Match Training
When: Saturday April 11, 2015
Time: 9:00 AM Concord
Location: Get Fit NH Concord

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 3^rd 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—

Before

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

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

Mark your calendars!

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!

Ask 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

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

Training for a Cause is coming!

A bunch of you have been asking when our next training for a cause will be and we have the answer right here!

On Saturday February 21st we are going to gather out in Epsom at 9 AM for our annual Winter Wonderland event.  Last year we had a total blast building ginormous snowballs, sledding, and of course pulling our Get Fit NH friends around in their sleds! We have plenty of snow to play with so  have no fear! Come join us and let us show you that we can have just as much fun outside as we can inside!

As mentioned this is our quarterly training for a cause event. Get Fit NH supports Operation Hat Trick (OHT) as our ongoing cause. For those of you who are not familiar with OHT please follow the link below to learn more about them. They are well worth our support. Your consistent generosity does not go unnoticed and we are forever grateful to have such a generous family at Get Fit NH.

We are asking for a $10 donation or the purchase of one our custom Operation Hat Trick baseball hats. The hats are $15 and they are snazzy! 100% of donations will go to OHT!

We look forward to seeing you there. Oh and just to clarify this is and outdoor event so please dress accordingly. Kids, family, and friends are all welcome and encouraged to come play!

See you there!

Coach Meagan

Click here to learn more about Operation Hat Trick- You won’t regret it!

When: Saturday February 21, 2015

When: 9 AM

Where: Get Fit NH Epsom