The Royal Treatment?!

Blah, Blah, Blah… I see your lips moving but I cannot hear you… Oh wait, that’s the lack of oxygen to the brain and the ringing in my ears. I am ROYALTY, I am a QUEEN in the Royal Bootcamp Castle.

Our Royal Antics began with a Band, and no I do not mean a musical band. After 4 times for the day, Nancy took it easy on me with the green band. Bahaha! She’s like a kid fighting over a toy “Mine!” “No, Mine!” … only stronger. Notice it was all her fault. I am Royalty, I can blame her.

Then came the Royal Dance. I had dibs on the King Kettlebell. We were swinging something fierce. Left me Royally Flushed! Speaking of which, we then practiced the ‘proper technique to sitting on the Throne’… ooh that’s just not right. Sorry,  I cannot think of any politically correct way to mention Squats… so we will be moving on.

Next we got to partake in the Royal Atomic Pushups. Sounds like a new line of brassieres for Victoria’s Secret doesn’t it? If only that were the case… Of course if you do enough of them, you will end up on the runway and V.S.’s payroll… oh my aching body!

To round out the Royal Festivities, the Royal Finisher. ‘Pass the Royal Mutton on the Silver platter, only to taketh backeth’ (aka: slamball press outs); ‘climbeth the mountain with the dainty leg sweep’ (aka: x-body mountain climbers); and ‘for the love of the King, I’m locked out of the Castle, let me in’ (aka: Overhead Lockout). I have an inkling I was locked out on purpose, I don’t know why?! (You can dress me up, but you can’t take me anywhere)

Oh yes we were treated like Royalty today… really?! It was more like a Royal Pain in the Abs, Arms, and Gluteus Maximus Treatment Tuesday. Gotta love Royalty!! The Royal Treatment Tuesday in the Bootcamp Castle, pampering is down the street.

Now is the time for me to give the Royal Wave… I would but alas, I cannot raise my arm.

Blog you later.

Queen Gretchen

Being Nostalgic…

Wicked Winter Workout, was Wicked Wild FUN! Outside, fresh air… snow in the face, down the shirt, in the pants, what’s not to like about that?!

Going nostalgic here-

Once upon a time… all workouts were outside! There was no building to workout in. We worked out with the black flies, hot sun, and mosquitoes. We slathered our bodies with Skin so Soft, bug dope and sunscreen. Then as the sweat poured off our bodies, the repellents got in our eyes. It burns! But don’t rub because now you have mud in your eye. Then there were the days toughed it out, slapping ourselves silly, running and screaming as a bee chased us. Then you had to be careful not to squish worms under our hands, or on an ant hill, or worse on a pile of… watch out for dog bombs. We left Bootcamp with dirt and grass stains caked in our hands and knees. Grass and twigs stuck in places unmentionable and how the heck did that get there?! There was definitely no going straight to work (or anywhere!) without showering. GOOD TIMES!

If it rained, well… it rained and we were still outside adding a little mud to the mix. And guess what? You got wet, some days, very wet! As it got colder, that just meant you had more laundry to do. I think we should have ‘outside fun Fridays’, just to remember our roots (or trip over the roots…)

So, the winter workout was a BLAST! A great turnout… complete with snow squalls, chilly temperatures, and crusty snow.

Welcome to Bootcamp People, now crawl between the cones and lunge in the knee high snow. Drop down in the snow and get back up… 20 times! Drag a tire behind you, just an afterthought, being the first to make tracks, not the best plan. Run up ‘The Hill’, but first you have to get down to the bottom… without being steam rolled by your friend (whoops, didn’t quite get out of the way in time). We had tons of laughs, lots of ‘I’ve fallen and I can’t get up’ moments. Ok and maybe just maybe our ‘snowballs’ were a little bigger than our hands, because of course there was a little competition involved.

I went in to Bootcamp today with a big ol’ smile on my face as I revealed my ‘Wicked War Wounds’… the legs are all bruised up, and scraped up. I think I mortified the 9am Ladies. Even Nancy… But someone had to break the trail through the snow. That someone was me and Kathy (I haven’t talked to her but I bet we can compare scars this week). We attacked that Hill… rolling down it, and body surfing head first (is there any question where I’ve acquired any of my bruises). I wear them like a medal of honor, a right to passage. Oh you better believe I’m a die hard Bootcamper and love every minute of it!

I just won’t be entering any ‘best legs’ contests this week. Or maybe I will just to prove ‘tough is beautiful’ ! I don’t think they give prizes to ‘Numb-skull headedness’ but I take FIRST PRIZE!

Blog you later.

gretchen

The 6pm MACHINES!

So, I’ve had writer’s block this week… until today! All week I would get a random thought in my head but nothing would mesh. No surprise there, it’s rare for my thoughts to mesh and make sense to a normal person.

Thanks goes out to my girl Robin! She totally rocks the 9:00am Ladies Class. She threw out the Spring Training Challenge for the day.

It was Spring Training Fun Friday with a game of baseball. Not your average, sit on the couch watching your baseball team play. Complete with a little happy nappy, a little refreshment and snack baseball game. Oh, and did I mention a little nap baseball game?!

It’s Get Fit NH BOOTCAMP Baseball! = No NAPS!, NO snacks, and NO couch!! It’s 1st base jumping jacks (?); 2nd base Ins/Outs; 3rd base StarJumps in order to score a run for your Team. OR a home-run is 25  squat thrusts. Actually, I’m not certain how many reps of each exercises 1st,2nd, & 3rd were because I’m a Home-Run girl. Just like Babe Ruth, I am pointing out to the stands – batter up baby! The only reason I remember all the exercises at all is because I was ‘lucky’ enough to demonstrate with 5 reps of each one at the start of the game.

Note to self:  DO NOT arrive late for Nancy’s class!! Late arrivals become exercise demonstrators! (By the way… do I get to add the 5 squat thrusts to my total?)

Now for Robin’s Challenge: If we could beat her 350 squat thrusts, she would come back at 7:15pm to make up the difference.

Ooh… a Challenge!! If you haven’t met me, you should know I love a Challenge! Gotta love Robin because she knows this about me. What she may not have figured on is that there are several 6:00pm Challenge Masters. So, Karl, Mike and I (yup, me and the boys) set off to top the 350 squat thrusts.

After the first 100, I wonder how the heck did she get to 350? At 200, we finished the first 10 minute ‘game’. It’s no longer a game and more like ‘hard work’. I’m wondering, can I keep the same pace for the next 10 minutes when my legs are screaming and my heart is in my throat? 300, well great I can’t feel my legs anymore which could be a good thing. I can’t open my mouth for fear all my vital organs will come shooting out of my mouth. Once I hit 350, I matched Robin and I can stop. Then Nancy says 5 more minutes, really? I can’t just stop and rest for 5 minutes… must keep going. Plus the boys are still going, sooo, must keep going!

OK here’s the Truth: I had no idea how many squat thrusts I was doing at any time during the games. The lack of oxygen to the brain makes things a little fuzzy. By the end, I still couldn’t tell you… I could only count to 25 and start again at 1,2,3…

Final tally… 435, unless of course you add the 5 demonstration squat thrusts at the beginning of class (440)! I’m feeling every one of those bad boys let me tell you.

Tomorrow …I’m not looking forward to tomorrow. Lets add to the hurt though with a special Get Fit NH Bootcamp Snow Day! Oh yes, I plan to hobble on over. It’s gonna be a fun Sno-deo at the Carlsons… this “Arctic Cat” will see you there! Why because I am a Bootcamp Warrior Machine…

Blog you later!

gretchen

Coming March 2011!

Clean Up The Clutter

“Out of clutter, find simplicity” Albert Einstein

Its January already. Yes, I know it is the second week of February but that is the thought that went through my mind at the beginning of the year. Is there any one else like that?

I thought so.

Christmas and New Years are filled with fun, family, outings, shopping, and parties. Its crazy busy and all of a sudden January steps in. For most people life slows down just a bit but not for me. January is one of our busiest times of the year. Knowing this, Dean and I had to simplify life. Our physical training had to be simple. We didn’t want it to get pushed to the side.

With all the busyness we made that area simple for us. Out goal? 10,000 Kettle Bell Swings by the end of the month. One dynamic, taxing, exhausting exercise for one month. We easily broke down the number we had to finish each week and each day to get to 10,000.

What in the world does that have to do with you?

Well……. Are you busy? Is your plate full driving here with the kids? Getting to work? A Social life? Adding in time for the love of your life?

Get Fit NH Bootcamp is able to take a piece of your life and simplify it. The training provided at bootcamp is designed by professionals – us. Using the knowledge we’ve accumulated (and continue to do so) we carefully plan out each training day. Not only is the training well balanced within the week, it is also balanced to effectively fit into a year plan. We’ve made it a no-brainer- You get in and get it done.

According to the Mayo Clinic:

• Exercise improves your mood-  Physical activity stimulates various brain chemicals that may leave you feeling happier and more relaxed than you were before you worked out.
• Exercise combats chronic disease- Regular physical activity can help you prevent — or manage — high blood pressure. Your cholesterol will benefit, too. This one-two punch keeps your blood flowing smoothly by lowering the buildup of plaques in your arteries.
• Exercise helps you manage your weight-
• Exercise boosts your energy level- Physical activity delivers oxygen and nutrients to your tissues. In fact, regular physical activity helps your entire cardiovascular system — the circulation of blood through your heart and blood vessels — work more efficiently. Big deal? You bet! When your heart and lungs work more efficiently, you’ll have more energy to do the things you enjoy.
• Exercise promotes better sleep
• Exercise can put the spark back into your sex life
• Exercise can be Fun! ( I didn’t say that, Mayo Clinic did, we just make it happen)

The end result of getting your physical training from Get Fit NH Bootcamp?

You can relax knowing your training is thought out in advance. You have a time, a place and people who care about you. You reap a multitude of benefits the whole day long.

To your best health,

Coach Nancy

By the way I finished with 10,046 Swings in January! 🙂

Make Your Choice

A guest post by Jodi Naughton

Choose…

At least once every week, I go to my bank.  It’s a small branch – only one teller, no drive-up.  So, generally, I see the same teller every time and have for years.  But last week, I really saw her.

We’re both pretty talkative, so we’ve been on a first-name basis for years & share stories that are personal, maybe more than the average folks.  And I’ve certainly had the opportunity to simply observe her as I’ve had to wait in line with others for a bit since she’s the only person there.  Whether a customer is turning in loan paperwork, opening an account, or a simple deposit – this woman is always so cheerful & attentive, it’s really quite admirable in today’s world.  If you know me at all, you would know I am severely impatient, so it truly is a mark of impressiveness that I can just enjoy watching this teller devote all attention to the person she is serving, ignoring any and all behind.  I have never seen someone able to tune out the “noise of impatience” so beautifully.  

But, last week, she had received a phone call just before my turn at the counter.  It was clear that it was not business after all; something family related that was not exactly pleasant as I could see tears springing to her eyes – very unlike her.  She said she would call them back & turned to help her customers.  I did ask if she was ok, but what could she really say?  There was another line behind me & she was doing her utmost to be professional & courteous.  I didn’t push & left.

I did need to return the next day anyway, and this time, I was the only customer.  So then, she revealed to me the background information.   Without sharing details, I will only tell you it was simply a story of heart-break; some things arise throughout a lifetime with relatives, and her relative was still struggling with issues that spilled over to her.  With just a small bit of insight into what she had grown up with, I asked her – what makes you get through it, then?  You clearly make the choice to spread cheer and thankfulness in a way that you were not shown.  And that’s the answer, she said – I choose.  I choose every day to be happy.  I choose to be careful of others.  I choose to make it different than what I knew.  I choose to be the best of who I know I can be – in any big or small way.  

Make your choice; I hope you choose the best.

Jodi

Jodi Naughton is a Youth Life Coach & Motivational Speaker and the enthusiastic owner of I Want and I Will, LLC. You can visit Jodi online at http://iwantandiwill.com/

Problems and Solutions

The Scenario: an all day conference in Chicopee Mass on Friday.

The Problem: there are oh so many problems! The biggest, was no time to fit Bootcamp in to the schedule. I had to be up and out of the house by 5:30am to travel to Chicopee Mass for an all day conference 9-5p, with a 3 hour drive home. I’m gonna miss every single Bootcamp class- grr!

Another problem for me was waking up before the sun! that just isn’t right in my world.

Once at the conference, we were packed in like sardines into a tiny room filling it past its capacity. Feeling a little claustraphobic, please don’t put me by someone smelly. You laugh however, I have a very big aversion to overwhelming perfumes, and body odors… well who doesn’t really?!

Next, I had to sit in a chair for 8 hours and get this… pay attention?! Two things wrong with that picture: me sitting still and paying attention. We all know from Booty that I have a little trouble paying attention. So there I sat, or some would say squirming and twitching… now what was this conference about?

Oh and did I mention… it took place in a… shhhh! Library… really? could I be anymore tested than that? Within the first five minutes of having to be silent, I wanted to scream, or break out in song. We did eventually get to break for lunch and they provided it for us… ooh this could be bad. So many problems so little time.

Heck, who am I kidding I had 8 hours of time to come up with solutions to all my problems. Did I mention I have trouble paying attention?

The Solution: Well, first of all… the sun does actually rise, eventually, when normal people get up out of bed; which  just happened not to be me this morning. By the time I hit Brattleboro VT the sun was up, about darn time. Patience is not one of my virtues.

As far as sitting,  my well thought out plan of sitting in the back of the room enabled me to sit, squirm and twitch. I was able to stand and stretch without too much disruption. I could also sneak out of the room and walk around the library belting out show tunes. As for lunch, it was about making healthy choices. It was actually quite easy. There on the table was a veggie platter, turkey rollups, as well as cookies and chips. Nix the junk, hit the veggies, pick apart the wraps for the meat.

Then I laced up the sneakers and powerwalked my lunch break! Of course I texted Nancy, (shoot I should have photo-op’d it!) for a “Yeh, ME!” and to text my satellite positioning should I end up missing in Chicopee (it wasn’t the best part of town I was galavanting.) Even though I missed Bootcamp, i was still able to get some form ofexercise in for the day and made some pretty remarkable eating choices (for me anyway). I call that a good day.

Blog you later.

gretchen

Fitness Starts Between Your Ears

Jack Lalanne at Age 71

“Fitness starts between your ears,” said Jack LaLanne “You have to figure out what you want and then go ahead and do it. Your body is your slave.”

Jack, who passed away at age 96 this week lived fitness for longer than anyone I have ever heard of. He truly practiced what he preached.

In honor of Jack, join me in embracing life, in taking charge, in making good choices everyday.

Here’s Mine:

• I choose to eat more veggies not pushing them aside.
• I choose to eat baked or grilled not fried foods.
• I choose to plan my meals and snacks each week. My life will be so much easier with a plan in place that allows me the flexibility to change it instead of being tossed around by the uncertainty of what the next meal holds.
• I choose to drink lots of water. Water is important for our bodies. It acts as a regulator of all our body’s systems. Metabolism, temperature, a detox agent, alleviates constipation, a lubricant for our joints, a base for saliva, and much more.
• I choose to take a multivitamin. I know I don’t eat perfectly 100% of the time so I want to supplement my intake with a quality multivitamin.
• I choose to get a healthy amount of sleep each night. Our bodies do not shut off when we sleep instead they use this time to replenish, repair, and refuel.
• I choose to avoid fad diets – instead I will make the changes to the way I live that will last a lifetime.
• I choose to eat smaller portions and skip second helpings.
• I choose to show my family and others the value of an active healthy lifestyle. When planning a family outing try hiking, skiing, bowling, or biking instead of centering it around the TV or computer.
• I choose to take my training seriously. I will not exchange one trip to the donut barn for a workout session.

Everyone has choices to make each day. Choices about the foods we eat or don’t eat, the people we choose to inspire and motivate us, and the activities I participate in.

I choose to Make it Happen.

What about you?

To your best health,

Coach Nancy

Karl In His Own Words – “Mr. 102” Tells How He Did It

We highlighted a few weeks ago how Karl reached his goal of losing 100 pounds (or more) last year. Now we get to hear from the man himself.

Karl’s Transformation

Karl before Get Fit NH Bootcamp

I was too fat and not happy with the way I looked or felt. The only problem was that I didn’t know what to do or how to go about changing that. I knew I didn’t have the will power to get a gym membership and work out on my own every day. I have been down that road too many times with exercise equipment at home. The first few week’s goes great then I tend to fall into the “Tomorrow night” routine, and before I knew it three more weeks had past and I hadn’t thought about working out.

It was always easier to buy bigger clothes then do anything else.

Bootcamp experience

I was hesitant to come to bootcamp. I didn’t know what to expect, and I’m not one for new things. The first two weeks was painful, but it was a good pain. It was sore muscles that I didn’t know I had. Once I was into the swing of things it has been great. Dean and Nancy are positive and encourage us to go a little further but you aren’t pushy about it. I know when I heard it was bootcamp I was picturing a strict drill instructor. As I quickly found out that is not how it is at Get Fit NH Bootcamp. I have found everyone involved in class to be positive and encouraging. I guess it’s hard to say my experience has been anything but good, especially with the results we have seen. I like the variety of exercises, and finding new limits.

Eating Habit changes

This is probably the area that I have had to change the most in. I love to eat and drink. It wasn’t unusual for me to drink 4 or more beers a night, snack, and eat a huge dinner. I wouldn’t eat much of a breakfast, usually a bagel and a coffee. Lunch was typically a sandwich, or left over’s from the night before. I would load up on dinner till I was stuffed. I would eat lots of carbs during the day. I wasn’t concerned with what I ate or how much. Now I follow a lower carb diet, making sure I get the right amount of protein and it seems to work well. I have cut back on the beer and snacking. It was difficult at first but after a few weeks it wasn’t too bad. By not having certain things on a regular basis it makes them taste better when I do. We don’t typically buy junk food now. If it isn’t in the house it is easier to avoid. I find myself looking at food and asking if I need it or just want it. Before bootcamp everything was a need, now most things are a want. I still eat the “wants” but not as often. The more weight I lost the easier it has been to stay away from the junk food, especially as goals became close. We still go out to dinner, and eat what we want but we are a lot smarter about it. We work it into our meal plans.

Karl (and friends) Now - 102 pounds lighter and counting!

Other Changes

This has been a huge area for me. I need a whole new wardrobe. I am fitting into clothes that I haven’t worn since high school. I am planning a ski vacation this winter. I haven’t been skiing for 7 years because of ski gear not fitting and not being in shape for it. I see small changes in my day to day activities.  I can take the dog for a mile walk and not be out of breath. I’m not ashamed by the way I look anymore. I can easily bend over to tie my shoes.  My mind set is a little different also.

I never would of believed that I could lose this much weight in any amount of time, let alone one year.

The more weight I have lost the more I want to see how much farther I can go. I am looking for another 25-30 pounds and then I believe I will be at a maintaining weight. It’s fun to see the reactions of people we haven’t seen in a while. They are amazed at what we have accomplished. I also believe that if I/we could do this and be as successful as we have, anyone can do it.

Be Like Karl. Become part of the fitness revolution that is truly creating change – Mind and Body. At Get Fit NH Bootcamp results are not automatic, you have to work for it. But our clients are proving every day that you don’t have to settle for second best.

Start Making It Happen Today!

Read What Diedre Accomplished in 2010!

THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!

Dean,

I now feel confident that I will live a much longer and healthier life.  Below is a copy of my blood work results  just 6 weeks or so after I started boot camp.  Today (about a year later) I received my latest blood work results:

How awesome is that?  If you are able to offer a 5:00pm or 5:30pm class in Concord in 2011 (DONE! 🙂 I will definitely go back to 4 sessions/week and make an even bigger difference in my health.  I have also committed to quit smoking on November 18th of this year, National Smoke-out Day, I have no doubt that will impact my health even more!

Thanks so much for your help, support and patience in this past year.  As you can see you have made a real impact on my overall health.  My Doctor even wrote a comment on her note to me about keeping up with my boot camp.

Dee