“I Just Did That!”

What you just watched was our 4:15 superstar, Ruth Littlefield, deadlift 165 pounds. I'll never forget the day Ruth started with us. Her biggest concerns were getting up and down off of the floor, kneeling, being in pain and just sick of feeling icky! Ruth has been training with us for almost a year (it will be a year in June!) during that time she has gained SO much to include knowledge, strength and confidence. It has been a coach's DREAM to watch this woman transform herself from the inside out. I am so proud of this woman right here and I am absolutely delighted to share her story...

In the fall of 2016 I started Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).  Through that work, I focused on mindfulness and awareness.  My therapist took me through a process to help me identifying what I value in life. The values that were calling out to me where self-care, connection, courage/bravery, humor, creativity, curiosity and contribution.  In order to move towards the things I valued, my therapist had me identify what I could do that would help me move towards those things and to be aware of what was moving me away from them. I was extremely sedentary, overweight, with high blood pressure, cardiomyopathy, asthma and other ailments.  Engaging in physical activity, especially movement that built my strength, flexibility and cardio would allow me to move towards all of my values. The challenge though was that I had never liked exercise, I had a pocket full of excuses, I was uncomfortable in gyms, and I didn't know what I needed to do to be successful.  But my therapist encouraged me to be brave, so I checked out a variety of places and programs hoping I could find a place that was a good fit.  I tried a Vinyasa yoga class that was not customized and way too advanced for me.  I looked for a personal trainer but had no idea what to look for or how to approach it. Finally, two of my co-workers told me about Get Fit NH. One has been coming here since it started.  The other friend was newer to it and had lost a lot of weight and gained a lot of strength. So I decided to check it out.  It took a while for a class slot that worked for me to open up and I was SO nervous the first time I came to a session in June of 2017. Everyone here, from the coaches to the trainees are so friendly, encouraging and non-judgmental.  

​When I started, I didn't know squat about exercising and I had no confidence in my abilities. I have learned that through my commitment to the work and the right supports (thank you coaches and all my co-trainees), I have the capacity to change.  It takes effort, patience, and a willingness to celebrate small changes while not being discouraged by set backs.  

The biggest surprise since beginning training is that I actually love working out now!  That is a bonus I never expected.  My favorite saying when I'm in session is "I just DID that!". At first, getting up and down off the floor was almost impossible.  Now I do it relatively quickly and without my knees screaming, although I am still not terrible graceful.  I just got to the place where I can bench press 40 pounds and dead lift 165 pounds (check out the video of me being "strong like bull!!!").  I feel so much better in so many ways.  Simple things, like being able to reach my shoes laces and walk places are so improved.  My Cardiologist says my cardiomyopathy is significantly better and that is life changing.  When I think back to those values I identified, Get Fit NH is definitely making it happen!!!