Where Did Dave Go?

Dave B. has been a bedrock member of the 6:30am Concord training time since January of this year. He sent me this side-by-side of a picture taken about 6 months before he started with us and now.

I asked Dave this morning how much weight he had lost before he started training with us, and to my surprise he said he was within 5 pounds of his June 2010 weight when he first walked through our doors.

What you are looking at is 40pounds of body re-composition. We did not have the Intelametrix Bodyfat Tester when Dave started with us, but it is very clear in this picture and in person that Dave has lost well over 40 pounds of fat and added significant muscle, and he is not done yet – Pretty Good Start Indeed!

Linda D. shows us it’s not ALL about the scale

While body composition and weight loss is certainly a significant part of the overall picture of training, there is another huge benefit to regular resistance exercise, and that is the effect on health markers such as blood pressure, cholesterol levels, resting heart rate and more. The incredible Linda D. tells us what she found out at her last physical. Keep up the great work Linda! – Coach Dean

Yesterday I had my annual physical, and I felt very ambivalent going in. My recent birthday had a big Zero in it, and my cholesterol, etc. numbers have been getting as bad as the ones on the scale. Still, I have been at Boot Camp faithfully for 6 months (even though that is basically my first regular exercise in 40 years). I just bought smaller jeans, and I know I am a lot stronger than I was.

Results?
My blood pressure is now 126/70. My pulse is down from 80 to 72. My cholesterol numbers are lower than they have been since my kids were born, and my HDL (the good stuff) is so high that I now have “negative risk” for heart disease. And, oh yeah, I have lost 17 pounds, but no height. My doctor announced it was the best he has seen me in 20 years.

I still have a long way to go, but what has really changed is the way I look at it. When I started, I just wanted to lose weight. Then I realized I wanted to get strong. Now, I can taste what it is like to be healthy. I keep working toward better food choices, and this kind of feedback–along with all the friendly support from Dean, Erin, and the great people in my class–makes me believe I will make it happen.

– Linda D

Carol Hits Her Goal!

The amazing Carol Hawkins shared with me this morning that she hit her goal, and in the last year she has lost 66 pounds!

If you have not read Carol’s inspirational story about her fight with cancer, click here and prepare to be motivated! (You can also get a sneak peak of what Carol looked like partway through her journey compared to now)

Carol promised me she would share a little bit more about her journey after I posted her pic – so let’s have it Carol! 🙂

Do The Math

Dinner/drinks for 2=$100 (4 times per month=$400); Bootcamp- (16 times per month= $159! You do the math…its a no brainer for this Einstein.

Healthy living, better body, more energy, never boring or mundane, plus an added boost for the mind, body & soul= PRICELESS! When you are done whining about how nothing you do and all the gyms you’ve tried don’t work… Make it Happen with Get Fit NH Bootcamp!!

LOVE IT!

An Ode to Nancy (and Dean) by Jennifer Schwab

I hate the gym.  The gym was always a vicious cycle for me.  First, I would commit to going everyday and working out.  I would do really well for week one.  I’d skip a day on week two.  I’d go one day on week three.  I needed to see other people by week four.  I’d sit at home alone with Ben and Jerry.  They would console me at first, but eventually they’d tell me to get my tubby butt off the couch.  And then my bank statement would guilt trip me into making something of that $60 a month I’d already spent in my 12-month contract.  So back to the gym I went…and the cycle continued.

It’s not that I don’t want to be healthy.  I want to be active and fit into pants that don’t stretch.  But it was all those machines.  There were the endless rows of treadmills, begging me to be a part of the machine.  “Be a good little hamster and run on our wheel.”  And the outfits.  The gym membership machine dictates that you look good while you work out.  Perfect hair.  Expensive, color-coordinated outfit of awesomeness.  And the latest iPod.  Oh, and I can tan at the same time too?  Because we all know that is real health right there.

It’s all too much for me.  I don’t need more guilt and expectations in my life, I’ve got plenty on my own.  I don’t want a machine, or to be a part of one.  What I need is a community.  I need Gretchen and Claudia and Lisa… I need people who will cheer me on.  What I need is something new to challenge me everyday.  What I need is Nancy (and Dean by proxy).

Thanks guys.  You’re stuck with me now.

Jen

10 Pounds – 1 Pant Size = 0 Excuses!

Right before recovery week Scott received his “I Survived Get Fit NH” gray T- shirt. Scott made a simple comment to the 4pm “Happy Hour” that everyone needs to hear.

“10 Pounds and 1 Pant size”. Short but oh so sweet!

I asked Scott to write down a bit of the story behind his fantastic accomplishment.

“I broke my ankle really bad in a fall from a ladder about 13 years ago and have lost full range of motion in my ankle joint.  This has led to bio-mechanical issues in my hip joint which suffers from arthritis today. 

However, this has not prevented me from committing to staying fit and active since turning 50 earlier this year. 

With the help of Nancy and Get Fit NH Bootcamp, I’ve lost 10 pounds and a pant size in 6 weeks.  The workouts and stretching we do at Bootcamp have actually reduced the pain and stiffness in my hip.  So don’t let an old injury prevent you from “making it happen.”  If I can do it, you can too!” – Scott Decker

Each of our individual goals are met with support at times and difficulties at others. It is the constant day to day activities over the course of time that form habits which lead us to meeting our goals.

Great work Scott. Keep making it happen!

Coach Nancy

Mary is getting her Cholesterol under control

Studies show that one of the many benefits of exercise include a reduction in overall and “bad” (LDL) cholesterol and increase “good” HDL cholesterol. We have had many clients be “threatened” by their doctor to put them on Cholesterol meds at their next checkup if their numbers didn’t get better, only to be pleasantly surprised to find out that was not necessary, as all their hard work has resulted in a drastic improvement in their numbers. And not just cholesterol, but blood pressure and thyroid meds as well!

There are many reasons you do not want to be on these drugs, not the least are the side effects (have you heard some of the disclaimers on the commercials? The drug side effects sound worse than what they are treating!) and the cost.

In most cases it is a choice – Go on the drugs, or change your lifestyle. Choose to go on the drugs, and it can be a never ending cycle. We have had clients that were on 7 or 8 different meds when they started with us, which just amazes me! The good news is when they put the effort into changing their lifestyle, the number of drugs they are on often go down or disappear entirely! Get Fit NH Bootcamp is an investment that pays off big time!

Thanks to Mary for sending us her success story, a progress report on the great work she is doing.

Keep it up Mary!

Mary is shy, so she sent Fox and Mulder Instead!

“Hi Dean, I’m writing to share a success story with you.  In August of 2010 I went to my physician for my routine wellness exam, which, of course, included the standard bloodwork. My results were less than favorable, as my cholesterol was pretty high at 275.  My triglycerides were 79 and HDL was 76 which were both really good, but my LDL was 183, which wasn’t.

Because my HDL was really good, my doctor told me to take a low dose aspirin every day, and plan on going on a low dose cholesterol medication upon my next yearly exam.  

Well, I went back this past week and was met with some very favorable news:  My overall cholesterol level has dropped to 234 and my triglycerides are at 60. My HDL, or good cholesterol is even better at 83, while my bad cholesterol has dropped to 139.  Although the LDL is still high, it is significantly lower than last year. I was elated when he told me that I would not have to go on the medication.  

This is just more proof that what I am doing in bootcamp is definitely working!  I want to thank you for all you do for us. I’ve come to you many times with questions and concerns regarding my health, nutrition, injuries etc and you are always happy to explain and enlighten me regarding these issues. I’ve been with Get Fit NH for two years now and am looking forward to many more.

Keep up the good work and Thank you for keeping me healthy!!” – Mary M.

Claudia Makes All of Us Proud

Claudia E. always walks into Get Fit NH- Epsom with grace and style. Her years of dancing come out as every movement is fluid and graceful.  Claudia is often seen wearing a pair of pink sparkling high top sneakers before training. (I want a pair like them)

Claudia keeps all the ladies in her training time on their toes. She is inspiring. Her goal is not to outdo everyone that trains along side her but to outdo herself! She does not take excuses very well but she’ll dish out some dance moves during rest time. You should see her when we have the battle ropes out.

Did I mention that Claudia has had both hips replaced and is celebrating her 70th birthday in a couple days?

Take a look at the video of what keeps Claudia moving. She knows how to Make It Happen. Let her inspire you too.

Coach Nancy

Brittany’s Story

Brittany and mom Deidre!

It has been our privilege to work with Brittany over the last few months; we even got to go down and watch her knock some heads in the New Hampshire Roller Derby League as “Slick Tracy” 🙂

One of the things I love about Brittany is in spite of some pretty big challenges she continues to train and get better. We train a lot of clients with some form of orthopedic challenge or another, and to see Brittany move it is hard to tell anything is seriously wrong. She could have quit, but chose not to. Instead we modified her training where necessary and worked on what she could do, rather than focus on what she was “currently unable” to do.

You Rock Brittany – we will miss you!

***

Hi Guys!

As both of you know, I found out very recently that I tore my ACL in my left knee.  Not only did I completely tear it, but I tore it 3 months prior to learning about it, and continued my daily activities as if nothing was wrong!  I was diagnosed shortly after I joined Get Fit NH Boot Camp, and was really worried it would impact my ability to participate from that point forward.

I started Physical Therapy with Concord Hospital Rehab Services, and both of the Therapists were extremely impressed with my involvement in boot camp.  In reality, they both encouraged me to keep attending!

It’s one month into PT, and both of my therapists are incredibly impressed with my progress and muscle strength!  They both agree that Boot Camp has undoubtedly helped me in strengthening key muscles, as well as increased my balance!  I’m so sad that when I move north I won’t have boot camp to look forward to (yes, I really did just admit that!) anymore.

I want to thank Dean and Erin for being great coaches, and for helping me adapt exercises, and pushing me so hard.  The road to recovery after surgery will be far easier thanks to the help both of you have given me!  Thank you so much!

– Brittany

Get Fit NH Bootcamp Success Stories – Judy Swain

We got some fantastic before and afters of Get Fit NH Bootcamp Superstar Judy Swain.  She shared some pics of the dress she wore to here sisters wedding before she started with us, and now the dress is swimming on her! We got a couple pics of Judy in her training gear as well…Wow, great job Judy!!!

Judy in her own words

Judy's dress then and now

“Remember S3? (Sizzlin’ Summer Slimdown that started at the beginning of the year) One of the “What do I want to accomplish in my fitness program” on my Goals Assessment sheet was to do stretch/mild exercise on the non-bootcamp days and during recovery weeks.

Even though we were in Delaware for the recovery week, I managed to use the tennis ball for self massage, the wall to stretch my shoulders and the somewhat inferior stretchy theraband (so glad I now have my own purple band) to do band walks in the our hotel room.

But the best part was in the S3 “Why do I want to accomplish these goals?” where I put down I wanted to be able to enjoy our grandchildren. I can and do! Our little grandson is a bouncy machine at just over 22 pounds. He loves to use his little legs while you hold his hands to bounce over and over and over ferociously.

Judy is looking and feeling great!

Even at 22 pounds, that’s 2 more pounds than I usually lift at bootcamp, and hanging out in that squat position my non-dominant forearm felt it only slightly.

My 2 other S3 “What do I want to accomplish in my fitness program” goals were to have nutrition ingrained (natural to plan/prep/deal appropriately with surprises) and to think and act like a thin person. I think I’m getting closer to those as well.

The bootcamp benefits just keep coming! Since I joined the bootcamp family I’ve lost close to 60 pounds. Thanks so much!”

Judy from 6:15