This week we are highlighting Brittany Collins as our 6:15 superstar! I asked Brittany to share her results with us, because they are pretty amazing and she is quite humble about the progress she has made. I, on the other hand, am going to brag on Brittany for a minute before I share what she had to say. 

When S3 came around, she was on the fence about participating. Brittany is in the Army Active Reserves so she was scheduled to go to Canada for a good part of the challenge. She asked if she could participate, but not have a partner since she would not be around for weigh ins. She did S3 with no partner and blew it out of the water. She lost 2.2 inches off of her waist and 2 inches off of her hips in the short amount of time she has been training with us (just since April 2017!). These results are excellent. She will share more about her progress below. 

I want you all to know and Brittany to know that I am SO proud of her and how far she has come. Her body composition is important to her for her job and also her confidence and she looks fantastic and is performing at a higher level than she was in April. She has already screened out of her red band, which is another huge accomplishment worth mentioning. I don't get to see Brittany as much as I would like to since she trains in the morning, but my goodness, there is such a visible difference when I look at her. I am so excited to see how Brittany performs at this time next year! Keep at it! Here is what she has to say...

​What was your absolute biggest challenge prior to starting at Get Fit NH?  
Nutrition. I would just work out like crazy and eat whatever I wanted thinking I "earned" it. I also struggled with weights, never really knowing what to do I would really only stick to running which from doing it so much would cause pain in my hips.

What changed after starting at Get Fit NH?
After I started I realized how nutrition is the biggest part in fitness. I now weigh my food, meal prep, log how many calories and carbs I've had. I also learned how important strength training is and aimlessly running can only get you so far.​

What specific results can you share?
So far I've lost around 16 pounds, I'm the lightest I can ever remember being and feel awesome.​

What would you say to somebody on the fence about starting?
If you're struggling with fitness and are ready to be given the tools to make real life changes, join.​

What has kept you coming back?
I like the group setting and also how knowledgeable coaches are there to help.  I like how nutrition is included.​

There you have it. Real people. Real results.  Keep making it happen!

Coach Meagan​

Anyone else wake up after a day of picking weeds and planting flowers and feel like they just got hit by a truck?

Yard work can be a KILLER on your back. We see it every spring and summer when the weather starts to get nice we start to hear about how planting those pretty flowers did a number on your back.

I think we can all agree that when we are working in the garden, we are in a terrible position. Bending at the waist, sitting in awkward positions to try and find relief…we push through it, because we want to look at pretty flowers.

Good news! You can still look at pretty flowers and save your back from the unnecessary pressure. Here are three things you can do while gardening to protect your back.

1) A super deep squat. Hanging out at the bottom of your squat while picking weeds is a great way to keep your back safe. Remember all of the Get Fit NH coaching cues! Chest and shoulders up, knees out, weight on the heels! This is how I picked weeds for a while yesterday and my back feels just fine today.

2) Tall kneeling or half kneeling position. You guys practice this all the time in training. When you are planting flowers in the ground, try it from one those positions to protect your back from painful positions.

3) Sumo stance. We do sumo deadlifts in training who said we can’t do sumo gardening? For those of you with knee issues try going wide with your stance and hinging at the hips or even sitting in a chair with a wide stance and hinging.

The constant bending at the waist is going to put a lot of unnecessary stress on your back. If you are sick of being in pain for days after working in the garden, then let’s pay attention to how we are doing it!

Flowers are pretty, but with a pained back you won’t be able to go outside and look at them and smell them!

-Coach Meagan

We like summer. We like food. We like frisbee. Most of all we REALLY like YOU! We thought since we like all of those things we might as well put it all together and have a party! 

Not just any party though. This is an appreciation party.

A "We Appreciate YOU" Party!

Without you we would be able to fulfill our passion every single day. We wouldn't be the family that we are. We wouldn't be the best gym (x8!) if it weren't for you. YOU have made our dreams come true and YOU push us to be better every single day so THAT is why we are going to celebrate.

This year we are going "off campus." We rented Webster Park in Epsom so we can get out the footballs, the frisbees, the corn hole, and of course the grill and make some fantastic memories.

Huge fields, a basketball court, a covered pavilion for grilling and eating, a playground for the kids - you won't want to miss coming down and visiting. Stay as little or as long as you want. We have the park for the whole day!  🙂

Mark your calendars today for Saturday August 19th at 11:00am at Webster Park in Epsom, and RSVP right here

The whole family is invited; heck bring grandma and grandpa! We want to spend some relaxed time just enjoying each other's company and enjoying the summer.

Please click the link below to RSVP! Let us know how many are in your party so we can get our shopping list ready! And as always, we are going to do our annual semi-optional side dish competition (c'mon, sharing is fun), so let us know what tasty treat you are bringing! Everyone will vote on which side dish they enjoyed the most and the winner will get a special prize and of course bragging rights for an entire year.

We would love to show you how much we appreciate you and we hope you will join us! ​

Get Fit NH Super Summer Celebration

Saturday August 19th

11:00am until the party is over

Webster Park, Epsom, NH

Lori Smith and Evelyn Gaynor were absolutely SHOCKED when they learned they won this year's Sizzling Summer Slimdown transformation contest. We can't quite figure out why they were so shocked because they  walked away with over 13 inches gone from their waist and hips and almost 30 pounds GONE and over $1300 (each) richer!! That is some pretty significant progress in only 6 short weeks! To say I am proud of these ladies would be a total understatement. These two bring positivity, smiles and laughs wherever they go. Here is what they had to say about the big win! 

What was the greatest take away from S3?

I realized that I enjoy eating certain veggies and that they are very filling along with my protein, which was often chicken! I learned that I can survive without eating a piece of chocolate daily. I realized how much added sugar I was consuming after the first week when my body went into major detox mode! ~ Lori

I was truly Blown Away in the difference in My overall measurements from beginning to end. It's really not about how much weight you lose.​ ~ Evelyn

When you first started the challenge, what were you expecting?

I was hoping to lose a few pounds and inches by the time the 6 weeks ended. At my midway scan, I was down 10 pounds and several inches and I thought, this actually works! At the reveal party, I was hoping to at least place within the top 10. Never thought we'd win! I'm still in shock. It was very humbling. ~ Lori

I was expecting to have to eat like a bird or a rabbit. Even though I knew the challenge was about inches lost off waist and hips in my mind I still felt like it was a weight loss challenge because that's what people are always trying to think of losing weight not losing inches.~Evelyn

When issues hit, where did you turn?

I turned to Coach Meagan when I was struggling with what I could eat on the fast plan. She re-explained it to me so it made sense. I turned to my partner for constant moral support and encouragement. ~ Lori

My partner was always there!! But there were times that we both turned coach Meagan! Whenever she or I had something that was confusing or we didn't understand we would bring it to class and talk it out with Meagan. It was definitely super helpful to have somebody to actually talk in person too. the myCoach app was good to ask questions or emails to ask questions or even the Facebook page but sometimes you need a face to face person just to talk something out with. ~Evelyn

What one tool helped you the most?

The My Coach app helped with the daily lesson and accountability. Also, food prepping is key!! I tried to prep everything on a Sunday night. Helped so much every morning!

I printed out the handout book and I referred to it for the recipes. I used those recipes to go and base my shopping list off of which made weekly food planning easier. I also kept track what everybody was saying on the Facebook page that helped a lot just hearing how everybody was doing and getting new ideas. ~Evelyn

Moving forward what will be easy to keep in your nutrition?

Ironically, I am continuing to eat frittata or hard boiled eggs with veggies for breakfast and black coffee with a scoop of Ump. For lunch, I'm still eating lettuce wraps with turkey and cheese or a salad. Dinner varies but it's basically what I've been eating during S3. I have cheat meals but I am very aware of my portion sizes. ~ Lori

Overall I think just eating better foods will be easy to continue. We no longer use milk in our house this is not just helped me but it's also helped my husband and his diabetes. Adding more vegetables is something I've continued to do after S3. It's easy to add more broccoli! 🙂 ~ Evelyn

What would you say to those who are considering doing S3 next year?

I would recommend that people go into S3 with an open mind. Try to make small changes to your nutrition 1-2 weeks prior to the official start of S3. That helped me realize what I needed to do and eat everyday. Once S3 started, it wasn't such a shock to my body when I completely cut out the added sugar and carbs that I was used to eating.Be willing to try new foods, especially veggies. Drink a lot of water. Reach out to your coaches, they are here to help us succeed. Work with your partner, they might be struggling just like you. Take it one day at a time. Realize that we are human and if you fall off track, pick yourself up at the next meal and keep going. Finish strong!! ~ Lori

First if you're in it for the competition like I initially was because I love a good competition don't think you can't win because you're a smaller person my sister-in-law actually goes to the gym as well and she was in the same competition and she truly didn't think that a smaller person could win because in her head,she was thinking "weight loss challenge " like I was. it really touched me when she told me how happy she was to find out that a "smaller" size person could win because it's not all about the weight loss! I really didn't think. I would come in first but I'm not going to lie I was hoping for top 10 at least!!

The nutrition part to me sounded scary at first but when you really stop to think about it and look at all the different recipes that are out there that you can make and try new things it really didn't get boring and I wasn't just eating salads. I challenged myself to try new vegetables that I would not have normally just gone out and tried on my own and surprisingly I actually like some!All in all, it was worth every penny, as I'm worth it!.... so I'd tell them You're worth it! 🙂 ~Evelyn

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For those of you who have or are athletes in the 13-18 year old range, this event is for you! The combine will be comprised of 5 events that kids all over the country are also doing in order to test their power, quickness, and speed.

The best part is this event is completely FREE!!! I want to get as many kids as possible in here to pack the building and test their skills. 

If you have any questions about the event or any other part of the Athlete Academy program, please contact me (Coach Adam) or just come down on July 22nd and participate. See you all then!

-Coach Adam
adam@getfitnh.com

Athlete Academy Summer Combine for Ages 13-18

Date: Saturday, July 22nd

Time: 12:00pm

Location: Get Fit NH Concord

When I first began running Athlete Academy a little over a year ago now, I wanted to highlight a student who had been in the Academy and liked it. However, now that Sam is a year removed from his start, I have seen how much he has grown and how hard he has worked. I wanted to get an update from Sam after seeing him accomplish more and more.

What changes have you noticed since starting Athlete Academy?

Ever since starting athlete academy last summer, it would seem fitting that I have become more overall athletic. I have noticed clear improvements in multiple physics traits such as speed, strength and agility. I've begun focusing more on how to do physical activities correctly and with proper form to increase efficiently.

​What outside of Athlete Academy has become easier since joining?

Since starting academy, my strength and speed have both improved significantly which is just generally useful for most physical sports and activities and just being active.

What have you accomplished since joining?

Since joining academy I have passed landmarks and records that I never would've thought possible. I've been lifting amounts of weight that over a year ago I would've thought would be way out of my realm of possibility and have seen improvements in speed. I was able to make it on my track 4x100 team that got 4th at states.

What is your favorite part of Athlete Academy?

What makes athlete academy so great for me and what motivates me to get out of my bed on Saturday mornings is just how it makes lifting weights and working out fun. Working out with a group of people can be great for motivation and pushing you. When you are close with those people and they're your friends and you just enjoy being with them, it makes working out seem less like a struggle and pain, and more of just an activity that we can all share and do together and allows us to push each other and strive for much greater heights than if we were alone.

How has Athlete Academy affected your performance?​

Since joining academy, I have noticed I have become both stronger and faster, but one of the biggest things is that I haven't gotten injured. In academy, we work on getting stronger, but also keeping our bodies healthy. Last track season, before I was in academy, I had a hip injury that resulted in me missing a good portion of the track season and missing out on being on a relay team. Well, this season I didn't get injured at all and was able to perform to my peak ability.

Great job, Sam, keep working hard!
-Coach Adam

No, that is not a typo! We have a FREE challenge to anyone willing to step up to the plate and as you may have guessed it is all about VEGETABLES! 

You may be thinking, "I already eat my veggies" or "Yuck, I am passing on this one." This is a GIANT accountability opportunity as well as an opportunity to add 28 more recipes to your toolbox! That's right- 28 new recipes. This 28 day challenge will highlight 28 veggies. Each day you will receive the veggie, the health benefit, what is looks like and how to prepare it. Each day is a brand new veggie with a brand new recipes - sweet! 

At the end of the challenge all 28 new recipes will conveniently be compiled and available to download and print for your very own cook book!

Oh and let us not forget...a challenge is not a true challenge without accountability, right? Since all of this is conveniently done with Coach Catalyst (formally known as Habit Catalyst) with your daily veggie education you will also get the accountability question, "Did you eat servings (fists) of veggies yesterday?"  This daily accountability will encourage you to pile on the veggies which will help you to look and feel better - win! 

This challenge does not cost you a dime. All we ask is that you take the time to explore the vegetable world and step out of your comfort zone. Try something new and share your new vegetable tales with us on the Get Fit NH Family Page!

If you accept the challenge and wish to make a positive change then here are the key dates you need to know!

Sign up: Today. The cut off is Friday July 21st...DON'T DELAY!

Start date: Monday July 31, 2017

End date:  Sunday August 27, 2017

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I felt the need to write this blog after a conversation that I had with a couple parents recently. As a kid that was overweight much of my childhood life and into my adolescent and college years, I know how it feels to have those “scared straight” doctors’ appointments. I’m here to tell you that its not what the frightened kid needs to hear to help them out. I am not here to put down doctors or medical professionals, I am just here to say that as a young kid all that talk did was bury me further in the hole.

As adults, we understand that something needs to change. We understand that we have the power to make a change and that the only thing stopping us is us. We understand what effects being obese have on an aging body. We understand that having Type 2 Diabetes is going to make life very challenging. Also, as educated individuals many of you have come to learn that through a healthy lifestyle Type 2 Diabetes can be mitigated if not negated almost entirely.

A child coming in to a doctor’s office hearing that they are obese, at serious risk for diabetes, or if they continue along a current trend will end up at weight “x” is debilitating. Most kids at that age cannot separate that, and they feel it is a judgment on them as a person and are more likely to be depressed and run into even more trouble down the road. Or in certain cases (mine in particular) they might get even bigger because they don’t understand that there is a way out.

Don’t get me wrong, I am not understating the seriousness here - childhood obesity is an epidemic in this country as is Type 2 Diabetes. Both of which are extremely serious and steps need to be taken to correct it. The problem I see is the scared straight tactic I see being used on kids, and was used on me. To this day, I am slightly phobic of the doctor’s office because of it. So the message is this, your kid is not a bad kid because he/she is overweight. Yes, they may be in danger, but a 7 to 16 year old child is not going change out of fear, they are going to change out of understanding, patience, and guidance. Trust me, this is coming from a kid who lived it.

-Coach Adam

Have you ever seen 3 emus and a penguin all stacked on top of each other? That is the distance of inches lost if you combine each participant’s loss in their waist measurement at Get Fit NH’s Sizzlin’ Summer Slimdown Challenge.

Have you measured a Beluga whale? If you could (or when you did) you’d find it was the same distance if we added up each S3 peep’s hip measurement that was lost when combined.

How cool is that?

I haven’t even mentioned that as a group we lost one thousand three hundred and sixty two pounds. That’s 5,448 sticks of butter!

Take a sneak peek into the Top 10 Winning Team’s minds. It will inspire you to achieve more than you believe you can.

What one thing did you do well over the six weeks of Sizzlin' Summer Slimdown?

AnnMarie from Team Vacation Money wrote: “Meal planning was key. Sticking to the meal plan, and avoiding the candy and ice cream at work.”

Andria from Team Chafing the Dream filled us in on her daily wins: “ I drank a lots of water. I was able to stay on track when I unexpectedly had to stay with my Mom as she recovered from surgery. Stuck to eating real foods. When I eat healthy I find I am satisfied and have no cravings!”

Lauren from Team Rose and Ginger said one day: “I said no to cake! Lol- it wasn't easy! But...it was worth it and rewarding. And I was also surprised with how it wasn't even on my radar after I had an apple.”

Millie said that she: “Found great ways to serve veggies, including fiddlehead ferns and daikon radishes.”

When we asked the top 20 people what we could do to help them one week, here are some of the things that were mentioned.

"I feel things are going well so far and can't think of anything right now. I just need to stay focus and on track.” -Wayne

"Honestly, a cheat meal. I haven't had one since April 6th. Probably Mexican food, lol”
-Katie

"Just by being here for us. I love that coach Adam pushes me to challenge and push myself! Give me more!!” -Evelyn

"Having lots of protein and veggies cooked at all times. Bulk is key to sanity!! Trays of meatloaf and sausage from previous Get Fit recipes are my savior as well as frozen bags of cauliflower in bulk to mash in” -Kim

"I realize that I don't need to eat as much as I was eating before. I went 6 weeks without it.” -Lori

"Eating! Keeping things super simple” -Melissa

Your favorite go-to meal during S3?

"Ground turkey sausage/baked egg/green beans w/mushrooms/riced cauliflower and of course hot sauce!!" -Scott

Where would they hide a giraffe?

"In the 54 acres behind my house! Lol! And I would visit her all day long! Her name will be Princess!"

"Why hide it, I’d show it off!"

And when they play Rock/Paper/Scissors, none of them will pick paper!

Seriously, all S3 peeps worked hard to change themselves. It was through consistently eating just real food over and over that led them to great change. The Grateful Plate can be accessed 24/7/365 to help you achieve your own success without having to wait for next year’s Sizzlin' Summer Slimdown Challenge.