Our crock pot freezer meal workshop was so popular in the spring that we’ve decided to bring it back again! This time we're offering it on a Wednesday night in Epsom.

You cannot delay on this because spots fill up FAST!

I love cooking, but there are times when I don’t have the opportunity to cook each night. Lori from Epsom has been making freezer meals for the crock pot and raving about them, so she agreed to bring them to us!

These meals are another way to make dinner quickly and easily AND a different way to plan and prep your meals for the week or the month.

You could:

• 
  Find 5 recipes using only ingredients that can be frozen
• 
  Write out your grocery list (don’t forget the freezer bags, herbs, spices, oil, and vinegar)
• 
  Go shopping
• 
  Chop, cut, prep the ingredients and add them to freezer bags
• 
  Freeze
• 
  Thaw slightly and put in a crock pot to cook while you are busy with other things
  

But wouldn't it be better to avoid steps 1 through 3?

I thought so!

Sign up for the Crockpot Freezer Meal Workshop on October 5th and we will do the hard lifting for you.

Here are some of the comments from students who participated in our last crockpot workshop:

"I loved the crockpot seminar. It was fun and has been feeding my family for the past several weeks. We loved the cashew chicken and beef stew the best! I liked how we were able to leave with the meal completed and participate. Thank you for putting this on!"

"THANK YOU so much for sending these. I just loved the workshop and look forward to the next one. What a great way to prepare healthy meals quickly."

"I LOVED the Saturday class on crockpot freezer cooking. My husband and I had the balsamic chicken last night and it was great."

"I thought the class ran smoothly. I liked the set up, and it was fun to work with people I had never met. I really had fun."

Just to remind you, here are the 5 meals we will be making together and you will be taking home:

Each meal feeds 4 to 6 people, and they are yum-mee!

Space is limited to the first 15 that register, so get in on the Crock Pot Freezer Workshop by clicking the “Register Now” button below.

Crock Pot Freezer Meal Workshop
Date: Wednesday, October 5, 2016
Time: 6:00pm to 7:00pm
Location: Get Fit NH Epsom
Cost: $80 (that's just $16 for each meal that feeds 4-6 people!)

Please fill in the form below and let us know you want in on the November 5th Crockpot Freezer Workshop and we will notify you before it opens to the public!

This time on Marcia Trexler! Marcia is fairly new to the family, but has taken to the program and is always excited to be here, get better, and be coached. Listen to her story from Maria herself:

Why did you choose Get Fit NH?
I have known about Get Fit NH for several years now as I teach in Bow with several colleagues who have attended the program. Some of them have committed to their workouts with Get Fit NH for up to four years. I have seen their bodies transform. They are lean and strong. That latter description regarding their strength, I did not know about until I joined Get Fit and began this journey of transformation. I see what is on the outside - who knew they were so STRONG!

What changes did you notice in the first few weeks?
Strength- that is what I have observed about my own body changes since I joined Get Fit NH in mid-July. I am stronger. As I shared at my strength assessment meeting prior to starting, one of my rationales for joining was to stay strong and become stronger. I am a pretty active person. My teaching job as a FACS teacher (Family and Consumer Science - formerly Home Ec.) has me on my feet all day walking around my classroom. I have worn a Fitbit for about 2 ½ years now and I average 12,000 to 15,000 steps a day. I lift a lot of heavy things in my classroom. My husband jokes that I am strong because of the years of carrying and lifting grocery bags - double duty as I do it for school groceries and for home.

What outside of Get Fit NH has become easier since starting?
With all the bending and lifting I do in my job, I have found that the little aches and pains that would sometimes bother me are much reduced. I am more flexible. My movement is more fluid - I am still careful but have an increased level of surety as to how I move - like doing a “squat” (I think I am finally getting this one move down). I shared with Adam and Megan that as I approach age 60 and want to keep teaching for at least 5 more years, I need to take better care of my body - or it is not going to let me keep doing a job I love for many more years.

What are your goals?
What every woman wants - not just to age gracefully, but to look somewhat graceful and able-bodied. I have always thought that if I could be on dancing with the stars, I would need to be strong. I would need stamina. Being lean and strong can take you a long way with any physical challenge you choose to take on. Get Fit NH is a way for me to have future opportunities doing things I might not otherwise feel I could do and to continue to enjoy the activities I currently do for many years to come - like skiing, bike riding and kayaking.

What is your favorite part about Get Fit NH?
I love going! I find talking with the coaches is easy and they are always friendly. I enjoy meeting new people and like that my classmates are supportive and helpful. Many times they have “deciphered” the day’s exercises up on the board for me. Many of them have heard me say it is like “foreign language”. So, to sum up my experience thus far - I love going!!!

Keep up the hard work Marcia!
-Coach Adam

I love coaching because when you get healthier you AUTOMAGICALLY get happier, and the world needs more happier! This is Get Fit NH's mission. I am so excited to see that become a reality. My goal is to have little ole Epsom, NH be known for the place where the world started to get healthier. I see it happen before my eyes. Kellie is proof that we are changing lives for health. Not just better health, because as Kellie becomes healthier, she became happier. I'm excited for Kellie. She is making it happen daily. Check out what Kellie has to say.

I have belonged to a gym franchise for many years. I would walk in and aimlessly wander around, not sure where to begin. I was bored there and found it difficult to motivate myself to get there, knowing it was the same routine of equipment. My boyfriend Denis has been attending Get Fit NH for 5 years. I've seen the results first hand for him. He really enjoys the workout and most of all the coaches and members.

Feeling out of shape and wanting a structured program, I decided to join. Two years ago I studied with the Institute of Integrative Nutrition and received my certification as a Certified Holistic Health Coach. Health and nutrition has always been a passion of mine. In this program I learned that if our personal aspects of life are not in balance first, then it plays a role in our food choices and habits. Having my own life challenges and health issues, I could see where this played into effect for me. Exercise was a challenge and often put on the back burner for me. I realized this needed to be a priority for me. Most of all I was looking forward to working out with my life companion as a team.

In two weeks, I realized that I can get up at 4:45 am. The hour goes by fast. I'm in worse shape then I realized. But, I have really enjoyed the workouts. I've really enjoyed Coach Nancy and her sense of humor and her encouragement to push myself a little more. I Can Do It! When I leave, I feel great, and this carries me through the day. I have just completed my first month. I already feel stronger. For years, my lower back back has bothered me daily. I would toss and turn all night in pain. I woke up the other day and realized that I've had no back pain for weeks. And I sleep really well now. My overall experience has been so positive! Get Fit NH feels like one big family, everyone looking out for each other. It is so true, speaking from experience, that when you feel in shape you are happier, and when one person is happy, its contagious. Thank you Get Fit NH for creating and spreading the ripple effect of happiness...

Kellie
One Month Survivor

I have had the pleasure of meeting with a number of students who describe their training hour as a scheduled appointment. I wanted to share this thought with you, because it may help you adjust your mindset a bit.

When you have a doctor’s or dentist appointment, you have it written down or logged in your phone. You know that at 8 AM you will be where you said you were going to be, because someone is expecting you. Most of the time you will work the rest of your schedule around said appointment and if you just cannot attend then you do 1 of 2 things (usually) – you call to cancel or you reschedule….what am I getting at exactly?

I challenge you to make your training hour an appointment. When you schedule meetings and other outings, schedule around your set appointment. The luxury of training at Get Fit NH is that we are flexible. Of course every now and then life happens and you have to rearrange your schedule a bit. Another training hour is always open to you when life happens. Sometimes life happens all at the same time in one day and you really cannot make it- it happens and we won’t hold it against you! We won’t start to give you the coaching stare unless is becomes a habit!

The world we live in now is so fast paced. Our jobs, our kids, and our family are all a few factors that distract us from ourselves. When it comes to your health- be selfish. Get to your training appointment and do your best every month to get your name on that perfect attendance poster. You have the power!

-Coach Meagan

You want to lose that weight? You want to get stronger? Run faster? Run longer? Live forever? Whatever your goal is, you have to have the mentality that you need to push yourself to achieve it. Nothing in life worth achieving is easy.

We are constantly tested, constantly given that option that “Oh well, I really don’t feel like training, missing one day won’t hurt” or “It’s one double cheeseburger with bacon and ranch dressing, it’s not going to make that big of a difference, I’ll make up for it somewhere else”. Yes, missing one training in the grand scheme of things isn’t going to be dire. Yes, one cheeseburger by itself isn’t going to give you a massive heart attack (unless you have been having that one cheeseburger 2x a week for a while).

The problem we run into when we make these decisions is that we are mentally handicapping ourselves. You are teaching your mind to make it okay to skip training because you “don’t feel like it” and have that burger because “it’s not that big of a deal”. Guess what happens, though? Those choices become brain patterns and as we all know, once you do something once, it gets easier, and easier, and easier to make that decision again. So maybe the next time you want that burger or want to just stay at home on the couch, your brain already has that connection, that little voice that says, “You didn’t go the other day, and the world didn’t end, so I'll skip today too”. Before you know it you have missed 3 classes, then 4, then 5, and so on.

The good news - those brain patterns are also trainable in the other direction. You come in 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 times in a row, and you turn down that cheeseburger 3, 4, 5 times in a row… guess what happens? Think about it for a second…that’s right, your brain will pattern that as normal. Before you know it you will be halfway through your day thinking, “Man, I really don’t feel like training today” and all the sudden you will be on your way here in your car, without so much as a real second guess. Same with the nutrition. You keep saying no to that awful meal, guess what happens? Before you know it, you don’t even care that you’re not having it because your mind has already made that “burger bad” connection and it’s not even a tough decision.

This can be applied to anything, lifting heavy, or whatever you’re tackling. If you constantly underestimate yourself and think “I can’t lift that”, then you’re right, and until you push yourself in here (**points finger to head**) your fitness, nutrition, commitment, or the like, will never be as strong as it could be. So believe in yourself, and push yourself mentally and I guarantee you will get where you want to go.

Make it Happen!!!
Coach Adam

Chris and I were talking about age this morning. While age is just a number and doesn't define us, it is a part of who we are. We both agreed that if we knew what we knew now about health, we would have taken better care of ourselves earlier. Chris does a great job explaining it all for me. 

"My health was the last thing on my mind for most of my 20’s and 30’s. I was too busy with raising children, working and managing a household. I wasn’t raised in a family that made health and wellness a priority-but I’ve always considered myself ‘kind of’ in shape. I managed to walk 2 miles most days, mostly as a stress-reliever, but when I started to experience some medical issues in my 40’s I knew in the back of my mind that my physical health was going to need to be a priority someday soon. I managed to avoid that until I was 51 when I realized that the walking wasn’t cutting the mustard anymore. I was mad at my jeans, mad at my body, mad that I couldn’t eat what I wanted to any longer and mad at myself for being mad.

It was hard for me to make a plan to deal with my health. I had never joined any sort of gym, never been to a work out, and I struggle with issues around putting myself first. I hate asking for help. I was also worried about fitting something else into my busy life. But I kept going back and forth and finally I promised myself that if I could just fit into my old jeans I’d be happier and therefore my family would be happier and I could resume walking and everything would go back to normal.

I had a few friends who were going to this “Bootcamp” in Epsom. Just the word conjured up images of drill sergeants and crawling under barbed wire. One of them kept saying ‘you should try it’ but I was convinced I couldn’t do it. Plus it would be an expense that my budget didn’t welcome. But I saw one of those women one day, and she seemed to have this new attitude and looked amazing!

So I made the call and started my free 2-week trial of Bootcamp. I was scared walking through the door that first day, I saw a white board with a lot of writing on it that I didn’t understand, I saw big iron thingys with handles and some sort of crazy bar with straps hanging down. I felt like everyone was staring at me and I wanted to slowly back out the door and run. I remember doing some baseline tests and not being able to get off the floor one inch when trying to do a pushup. Then the class started and I followed along, with encouragement by others. I had no idea what I was doing, and at one point I was going to throw up so I walked outside to take a breath. I made it through.

I kept going for those 2 weeks and by the last day I knew I had made the right decision. I knew that because the bootcamp lady was genuinely interested in me and my reasons for joining. She talked to me and listened to my goals and encouraged me without ever being one ounce of pushy. In addition to the workouts, I was surprised that there was a whole other side to GetFitNH which is the nutrition aspect. I attended a free workshop and began to eat better. It didn’t happen overnight, but within 8 months I felt stronger, lighter, and more in shape than I had my entire life.

I recently passed the 2 year mark with GetFitNH and I continue to go 4x weekly. I love the variety of exercises and the consistent positivity displayed by my trainer Nancy. I appreciate that there is much thought and planning put into each session by professionals so that my entire body benefits. I’ve lost weight and inches, but what I’ve gained is more important to me. Ya I’m happy about fitting back into those jeans, believe me, but what I’m really grateful for is that I feel strong and fit. I feel in control again. By putting myself first for once, I’ve had a positive impact on my family. I recently signed my teenager up for the Athlete Academy run by GetFitNH and he actually likes it. I think he just doesn’t want his mother to be in better shape than he is! I don’t see an end to my connection with GetFit…infact I’m looking forward to the next few years and working more closely with my trainer on nutritional challenges. I have to say that the investment is worth every penny. As I continue to help my elderly parents with their substantial health problems, I know that every hour I train is one less hour my own children will have to spend taking care of my when I’m old."

Age is a number but as that number increases, there are undeniable results to our health and well being. Chris isn't going to be defined by that number. She is fighting it with all of her might. And she is STRONG so watch out age. Chris is here. 

Cut it out! Each of you came to us for a reason. I challenge you to really think about what drove you in to Get Fit NH. Did you want to:

• Look better
• Feel better
• Move better
• Perform better

Are you exactly where you want to be now? I’m not. I don’t know that I will ever settle with where I am. There are always improvements to be made. Always more weight to be picked up. So where are you struggling the most? What do you KNOW you need to get under control?

Let us help keep you accountable to that goal. It is “easy” to say you want to lose 5 pounds this month. Anyone can say that, but can you put your money where your mouth is? That action step (or behavioral goal) is where the magic happens. Here are some solid examples of action steps- these are measurable and you can honestly say you did this or did not do this each day.

Action step examples:

• Eat 3 meals/day
• No eating after 7pm
• Perfect attendance
• Personalized warm ups daily
• 80 ounces of water daily
• Bed by 9pm
• No added sugars
• Plan each meal
• 0 calorie/sugar beverages

When we talk goals we are talking 4 week increments. Be realistic in what you can achieve in a 4 week period. Your coach is here to help you set a realistic goal.

Are you ready to make it happen?
-Coach Meagan