Beach Bound For Boston – You Can Help!

onefundOn September 13th and 14th twelve amazing athletes and 2 intrepid coaches representing Get Fit NH are embarking on an odyssey to “Reach The Beach”. (Check out the madness here)

Coach Megan has been working like crazy to organize the team of 12 (not to mention getting me in line) for the 205+ mile adventure that starts at Cannon Mountain and ends up at Hampton Beach the next day.

But this group was not content to let the opportunity to help others go unnoticed, and adopted the team name “Beach Bound for Boston” shortly after the marathon bombing.

Here’s what team member (and RTB instigator) Mae Lynn has to say:

“All Americans took the horrible event at the Boston Marathon in April personally. But as runners, we took it especially hard to see our sport attacked at the most famous and most revered race there is, at the very spot many of us have dreamed of finding ourselves someday.

Like everyone else, we felt helpless and wanted to do something for those whose lives were forever changed that day. When we came together to plan for the Reach the Beach Relay shortly after the bombing, it was obvious what that something should be. We would do what runners do. We would run. We would be Beach Bound for Boston.”

The One Fund has raised more than $60M from people just like you for the victims and families of the bombings, but many still have a long road ahead. If you would like to donate directly to The One Fund, please click here

What Are You Going To Be Doing Next Week?

calendarWe are on a recovery week from regular training next week, but that doesn’t mean we have to let ourselves be lay(or is it lie?)-on-the-couch-do-nothing slobs.

In fact my suggestion is that you take the time you would normally be training and focus it on other productive activities that will help you reach your goals faster.

For you early morning exercisers, that might mean sleeping in another hour, and then taking the time to prepare and eat a nice breakfast.

For those who train later, taking the time to plan out your menu and shopping for the next week would be a fantastic way to spend an hour, especially if you struggle with doing this on a regular basis.

Get out and take a walk, hike a mountain, take a bike ride, or get on the water. Give your body a break. You will not lose muscle, gain fat (unless you eat like a horse) and get weaker in a week.

Just stay out of the gym already!

 

I take training weeks off, Nancy takes training weeks off. We feel better, get recharged and are ready to hit it hard when we get back. Seriously why are we even having this discussion again! 🙂

As a reminder this years Labor Day Sweat-A-Thon is a fundraiser for our friend Dustin Williams in his effort to raise money for the Cystic Fibrosis foundation. So come on out and let’s sweat for CF!

Recovery Week: August 26th-September 1st

Labor Day Sweat-A-Thon for CF

Date: Labor Day, September 2, 2013
Time: 9:00am to 10:30am
Place: Get Fit NH Concord
Suggested Donation: $10.00

 

Did You Know?

Sometimes You Just Gotta!

It’s not often here at Get Fit NH that we toot our own horn. Coach Dean is humble about his accomplishments and what we have built here, because we both know without you it wouldn’t happen. But we also know but there are times when bringing attention to oneself is not negative but a positive.

Because along with our world class and award winning gyms we offer so much more, when you choose to take advantage of it.

I am positive you will find one thing on this list that you did not know Get Fit NH does to help you get better!

  • 44 different opportunities to train each week. (6 training times 4 days a week in Concord, 5 training times 4 days in Epsom) That is over 2112 in a year!
  • We spend as much time developing your training on a weekly basis as it actually takes to do it! This is not some mish mash of exercises designed to get you tired – it is purpose designed to get you better!
  • Daily emails on nutrition and motivation. Each client has this paid subscription to give quick snip-its of information you digest little chunks at a time.
  • Coach Availability…… Yes, you can email, text, or call your coach as needed. We respond as quickly as we can. If you don’t have your coach’s number- ask.
  • Body composition testing. This is a $40 value, every time you get it done. Get Fit NH doesn’t charge our clients additional fees to have this done every four weeks.
  • Functional Movement Screen. Our way of keeping you as injury free as possible while giving you the best tools to do ‘Prehab’ instead of ‘Rehab’. Personal trainers in NH are are charging $50 for this service while you get this one free as a clients.
  • Nutrition Coaching. The scale is our starting point with our weight, the body composition tells us our starting point with how much lean muscle versus fat we carry on our frames. Get Fit NH assists your nutrition practices  you by reviewing food logs. Your weight and body composition will not make huge changes without changing what we use as fuel.
  • Seminars and Workshops hosted by Get Fit NH range in topics from women’s health, menu planning, Food as Fuel 101, Foam Rolling, Self Defense, and kettlebell training.
  • Holiday “All Team” Training. Our next event is planned for Labor Day morning in Concord from 9-10:30. This event is a Fund Raiser for Cystic Fibrosis, which several of our clients have a very close connection with. World class training and Making A Difference? Win-Win!
  • Do you read your copy of the weekly newsletter? This is news and events specific to Get Fit NH. Knowing why we do what we do in order to help you do what you want to do is often a topic of discussion. But the newsletter is also filled with recipes, inspiring stories to keep you motivated, and health and nutrition tips.
  • Sawabona. Your coach sees you. We are concerned with not only the outside, but the inside. True health is a reflection of the sum of all your life. The daily stresses and challenges. The successes and victories. The kids, the husband, the job. All these things make a difference to you, so they make a difference to us.
  • Mini challenges and contests. 30 Challenges in 30 Days is coming to a close. Do you remember Sizzlin Summer Slimdown? Or the 100 Day pushup challenge? What about Cross Body Mountain Climbers and Get Ups for 30 Days?
  • Continual Education of our staff. Yes, we go back to school often. But the education is ongoing. Through books, online course, videos, and being part of a coaches group we look to be better each day. We wouldn’t ask you to do something we are not doing.
  • Promoting active lives outside of your training. Get Fit NH often has a team going to 5k’s or obstacle races around the state. But hiking, biking, skiing, swimming, sky diving are activities we want to prepare you to do for a very very very long time.
  • Have you remembered the national Ski Erg team? In November we once again will ski for world record rankings.
  • Surviving your first month, Being inducted into the Hall of Fame with a red shirt, seeing the blue of 2 Years Strong, knowing you have become better with 3 years of training, Forged for 4 years, or proudly wearing Get Fit NH’s 5 year shirt lets others know you are a part of something special.

You are a part of a team. A team with coaches dedicated to your health, a group of friends that often become like family who inspire and push you to be better, a community that recognizes the close knit team by the shirts you wear. I am proud to be part of this team. I am excited to Get Fit NH offers a wide range of opportunities for everyone.

Take advantage of it!

Be Better Each Day,

Coach Nancy

 

Get Out, Get Active, And Join In On The Fun!

rtbThe weather has been gorgeous, and Coach Meagan has been working on quite  a lineup of activities for late summer and early fall!

It all starts with the Reach the Beach Relay on September 13-14. Get Fit NH has a team of 12 adventurous athletes running 200 miles from the mountains to the ocean. Should be incredible!

pforpFor all you cyclists don’t miss the annual Pedaling for Payson bike ride to benefit the Concord Hospital Payson Center for Cancer Care and the Gene Gillis fund. You can choose a 16, 30, 51 or 77 mile ride, so no matter what level of rider you may be you can participate and have a great time for a great cause. Click Here To Register.

spartanOn September 21 Coaches Meagan and Erin are headed with a crew up to Killington Vt. for the Vermont Spartan Sprint. The Spartan was the first adventure race that Nancy and I ever did, and I highly recommend it for first timers. It is a blast! Click here to register – 10:00am wave if you can

be-a-color-runner2A little bit closer to home is The Color Run, being held September 28th at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Those who did The Color Vibe back in May had a fantastic time, and this is sure to be no different.  Check out all the action and register for the fun by clicking here.

electricThe adventure continues with a foray down to Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, MA for a new event – The Electric Run – on October 5th, 2013. This is on a Friday night, and it is like nothing I have ever seen before. Looks like a big party, so check it out here.

renegadeNew Hampshire Motor Speedway is once again the host the Renegade Playground Challenge on October 12. This is also a great race for beginners, so don’t be shy! Our Team Name is GET FIT NH, and you can get special pricing with promo code GETFITNH. I’d like to see us come out in force for this one. We are getting as many people into the 9:00am wave as possible, so click here to get as close to that time as you can.

Once you register please let Coach Meagan know so we can join up with you. If you have questions, or to let her know you signed up, please get in touch with Coach Meagan at meagan@getfitnh.com

Ya Learn Something Everyday

PPW3_LogoNow I’ve heard that learning something everyday will keep you young, so why not? 🙂

Recently one of our 30 Challenges in 30 Days was to plan a menu for a week. For some that seems like a daunting challenge, but once you build the habit it does get easier, I promise.

While reading some of the posts on Facebook after completing that day’s challenge I learned some new things and I know you will too.

The Challenge: Day 14 – Plan one weeks menu. And we asked you to tell us how this will help you eat better during the week.

So lets hear what some action takers found:

Scott said “Planning helps you to shop more efficiently and you don’t end up buying stuff you don’t need (or is unhealthy for you!)

Rebecca shares “This has helped me budget and eat better!”

According to Stephanie “This helps me stay more true to my nutritional (fat loss) goals when I plan.”

Deb said “It will definitely help me to stay on track the whole week.

Stacey found “Now I’m much better prepared, feel less anxiety over “what’s for dinner” and have started making a larger variety of healthy dinner choices.”

Here’s Mary “It will help me to stay on track, and I won’t be inclined to “just pick something up”.

Melissa added “It will keep me from running to the store and just grabbing something that probably wouldn’t be good for me.”

I could go on and on. But my point is that many of you have found that planning meals for the week will;

  • Save time at the store and at meal time
  • Planning saves you money
  • Planning a menu means less stress
  • A menu plan equals a happier family. They know what the plan is and for some families they get to help with the planning.
  • A menu will provide you with healthier meals
  • Your plan will make life easier for you.
  • You will not have to think on the fly.

Nadine offers her family the option to help plan their weekly menu. She has created a card system for the planning and shopping. All of her family’s dinner meals are listed on an index card. The card contains the meal, the recipe for the meal, and all the items needed from the store. Each family member picks a card for the week and Nadine fills in the days as needed. Her family is happy because they choose the meals. In Nadine’s words, “This routine that I have been doing for awhile now makes for healthy at home meals, frees up a ton of time with only one trip to the grocery store & happy bellies.”

So I learned I can save time, save money, save my sanity, and make my family happy all with a little well spent time at the beginning of each week. And all this thinking keeps me young…..

And you?

To your best health,

Coach Nancy

 

 

 

Lay it ALL out there.

intensity“Learn to love Intensity not Duration” Rachel Cosgrove

I just experienced one of those special moments. One that sparks excitement, one that keeps you smiling, puts that spring in your step for the rest of the day and longer, one you want to share, one to be relived.

Fun Friday is a special day in training each week. A time devoted to adding a bit more to the last day of training for the week. Our Fun Friday this week had an element of team to it. On this day you worked with a group of friends to complete the 4 round challenge.

“Wait stop the music, turn off the sound system, (I even unplugged the fan), Listen up”

The ladies at 9 am needed to hear this. I’m not sure why between round 3 and 4 but I was led to stop it all and give this little pep talk. We had six minutes of training left. I knew this round was full of quick transitions. I wanted to see training going on. Like training you would see in an Olympic gym, or preparing for the Super Bowl, or the World Series. I had just read this quote. “Learn to love intensity not duration” by Rachel Cosgrove. This is what I told the group.

“We have six minutes. I want this to be the six minutes of your day. We give give give all day long, we are like a die hard battery just going going going. What if we pushed all the energy into six minutes. Instead of looking like a marathon, all out intensity for six minutes. And on top of that those six minutes are going to be broken down into smaller tidbits of times. Burst of energy – all Out Intensity.” (I then showed them what that would like for our training)

Those next six minutes were special. I saw determination on the faces of those ladies like I had never seen before. They were too busy being focused. There was no time to chat, This was the time to work. And work they did. I am so proud, many of them did more than they thought they could. They gave it their all for six minutes. It inspired others in the room. It is continuing to inspire me. Were they tired? Yes! But they are better because of their effort.

So what can you do? Do you have the intensity to focus on one thing and go all out for it? Can you make one activity more intense by paying attention to smaller details? I know you can. In training the details will get you the results you want. Skipping the details can be the reason  you haven’t reached your goals.

What about other areas? Intensify your nutrition plan? If you pay more attention to the details, each detail each meal, will you reach your health goals faster? Don’t let little things slide. Be an all out player.

I saw a miracle happen today. It was a special moment when the entire room lit on fire. I am so glad I was there. I am so glad those ladies were ready and willing to pour all their intensity into six minutes.

Get Better Each Day,

Coach Nancy

30 Challenges in 30 Days – Days 22 thru 30

hWe are over halfway home in our 30 Challenges in 30 Days, so don’t stop now.

Yes, I am calling you out. Yeah, you with the twinkie in your hand. Put it down!

Starting is important, but finishing what you started pays dividends in your mind, body and spirit. Quitting before you are done is draining and demoralizing, I’ve been there. Taking action every single day is key to reaching your goals, small and big.

You are worth seeing this through to the end, so Plan, Prepare, and Win!

30 Challenges in 30 Days 22-30

Day 22: Eat Veggies at your first meal – yes breakfast!

Day 23: Have your recovery drink before leaving Get Fit NH (or right after other strength training)

Day 24: Eat only raw vegetables today

Day 25: No Caffeine today. – (big culprits: coffee and chocolate)

Day 26: Eat 2 cups of vegetables at any one meal (salad doesn’t count)

Day 27: Replace your bread/pasta/rice with a vegetable at dinner

Day 28: Make a salad a main course for lunch or dinner today.

Day 29: Eat lean protein and a veggie anytime you eat today

Day 30: Not eat any added sugar foods – check each label carefully. Click here for sneaky sugar names

You can do it, there is no doubt.

Dig deep and Make It Happen!

Working for the CF Cure on Labor Day

cfIf you have been around Get Fit NH for any length of time you know that we are a proud supporter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Many in our Get Fit family have been affected by CF in some way, and we are happy to support the efforts to find a cure for this disease.

That made it a real no brainer when my friend and fellow coach Dustin Williams from Precision Fitness in Bentonville AK asked us if we would help him with a fundraiser he is spearheading. It is amazing what can be done when we all work together!

Dustin sent me this note from a friend of his that really hits hard about living and fighting this debilitating disease.

“As an adult with cystic fibrosis, it does change your life. But if you stay vigilant, as healthy as can be, and check in with your doctors and pulmonologists on a regular basis, you can live a some-what normal life. I was diagnosed with “CF” when I was 3 years old. I have been taking 5-7 pills every single time I eat, since than. On average, I am hospitalized once per year due to a severe cold, pneumonia or some other kind of lung infection. Daily, I do nebulizer treatments, work out and eat A LOT. I am 25 years old now and still fighting this disease. Between my wife, who is a huge support system for me, my job and family… I plan on living as long as possible and over-coming this disease, thanks to everyone who donates their time in volunteering, to find a cure. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Sincerely, Austin L. Reed”

We are going to do our part to help Dustin and Austin on  by holding a “Working for CF Cure” fundraiser this Labor Day, September 2nd from 9:00am to 10:30am at Get Fit NH Concord. This will be the only training we do that day, so get on in here, get in a training session and help us support this worthy and important cause!

Working For The CF Cure

Date: Labor Day, September 2, 2013
Time: 9:00am to 10:30am
Place: Get Fit NH Concord
Suggested Donation: $10.00

Let’s all Make It Happen for CF!

Don’t Pick The Scab

hYou ever hear that from mom when you were a kid?

“Stop picking at it Dean, it will never get better!”

It’s not only that it’s kinda gross, but my mom cared that whatever cut, slice or scrape I happened to have at that moment got better.

So what does that have to do with training?

Well actually it has everything to do with the next recovery week we have coming up in a couple weeks, the week of August 26th.

As we have explained before (Minimum Effective Dose, Recovery Is Where The Magic Happen, I Hate Recovery Weeks) it is not the training that gets you better, it is training + recovery that causes us to lose fat, build muscle and look and feel better.

And that’s where the scab analogy comes in.

Recovery = Healing.

Just like you wouldn’t keep picking at a scab and expect quick healing, you can’t keep training a tired body and expect it to get better either.

You must let it heal.

There are a lot of things that help our body heal better from training.

  • Post-training nutrition
  • Good nutrition in general (lean protein, lot’s of veggies and fresh water, less sugar)
  • Proper sleep (8 hours is a great target)
  • Massage, ART, Chiro when necessary
  • Other soft tissue work such as foam rolling and stretching
  • And other methods such as icing, contrast showers, etc.

Evidence and experience tells us that complete recovery weeks are a huge part of recovery, healing, and just plain getting better!

In fact the hardest part of most recovery weeks is between your ears. You will not “de-train”, get fat, lose muscle and turn into a couch potato in a week, so just stop picking the scab!

Recovery Week Schedule and Upcoming Dates to Remember

Recovery Week:  August 26th – September 1st.

Labor Day, September 2nd:  Working for the Cure for Cystic Fibrosis Fundraiser at Get Fit NH Concord

 

 

 

 

30 Day Challenge Update – Days 15 thru 21

hIt has been really cool to see how fantastic all of you are doing on this challenge. Some days are easier than others, but all of them are going to contribute in your efforts to lose fat, gain muscle, and feel great!

Don’t Skip Any!

Here is an additional challenge. Don’t think of these things as a one time shot, keep doing them, over and over, until they become habit.

I was reading a book by one of my mentors, Martin Rooney, called “Training to Win”. In it Coach Rooney was expounding on the power of habit. He wrote that studies show that 90% of what we do on a daily basis is done out of habit.

90%!

Now that could be a good thing and could be a bad thing.

For instance 15 years ago it was my habit to:

  • Not exercise
  • Watch hours of TV every night
  • Eat loads of garbage foods. Soda, cookies, bread, pasta, pizza, french fries and fast food.

You know back then I thought it was normal for me to be drinking Pepto-Bismol every day. I am NOT kidding, you can ask Nancy.

These things were my “go to”. I did them every day because, well, that’s what I did. It was pure habit.

And what did that habit get me?

  • At least 80 pounds overweight (I have been as low as 100 pounds under my all time high)
  • High blood pressure
  • Pre-diabetic with my blood glucose climbing higher and higher
  • Unexplained spells of passing out
  • Winded getting off the couch.

The good news is that I didn’t have to be stuck with those habits for the rest of my life, and Neither Do You!

Be A Creator!

But I want you to stop thinking that you have to “break bad habits”.

Instead I want you to think about creating new ones.

You see when we focus on what we “shouldn’t” be doing we dig in, we get stubborn, we go negative and we set ourselves up for failure.

This is one of the reasons the 30 Day Challenge has mostly “Do’s” and very few “Do Not’s”.

Human beings were created to be creative. So start creating new habits.

For instance when you start eating 20-30 grams of lean protein at each meal and adding healthy fats into your diet, you are creating an environment where:

  • Your blood sugar stabilizes.
  • Your body has what it needs to repair itself from training and maintain hormone balance.
  • You feel fuller longer because protein and fat take longer to metabolize.
  • Among many other amazing benefits.

When you do this all the time, when it becomes habit, you will most likely find that:

  • Your cravings for high sugar foods will be reduced or eliminated.
  • Your energy levels and mood will be enhanced.
  • You are eating less overall.
  • You start dropping bodyfat and inches.

And all this happened pretty much “automagically” because you were a creator and replaced habits. It largely takes the ever elusive “willpower” out of the equation because now this new habit is something that is as part of your nature as turning off the TV and going to bed early enough to get enough sleep. (You are doing that, right) 🙂

More than anything else this is the “secret” to my successfully losing bodyfat and keeping it off for years. I have no more willpower than the average bear. But I do have some pretty good habits.

So let’s get back to the challenge.

Don’t forget to keep checking in on our Facebook Page to let us know how you are doing. Be encouraged by all the people who are creating new habits, one by one, day by day.

Make it Happen!

30 Challenges in 30 Days 15-21

Day 15.    No alcohol today.

Day 16.    Eat fish for a main dish.

Day 17.    No bread or baked goods today.

Day 18.    Try a veggie you never had before. Artichoke, Kale, Brussel Sprouts? Just go for it!

Day 19.    Replace any fruit/fruit juice with a veggie.

Day 20.    Eat 5 colors at one meal. No Jonathan Kovar, Skittles do not count.

Day 21.    Stop eating at 7:30 or two hours before bed.