You've already seen Rita in the spotlight last week, and now her daughter Jess is shining, too!

I asked Jess to write something up, because it has been AMAZING to watch her transform on so many levels. Her confidence, her attitude, her commitment, and her form (just to name a few) have come a very long way in a pretty short time. I cannot imagine NOT having her and her mother Rita in our 5:30 training hour. She is consistently on the perfect attendance poster. She lifts heavy every time and she makes those around her smile. It has been an absolute joy to coach Jess. Proud would be an understatement to describe my feelings about her performance. Here is what she has to say...

Jess and her mom Rita winning our "Best Mother-Daughter Accountability" award!

1. What was your absolute biggest challenge prior to starting at Get Fit NH?

I had two really big challenges before before I started with Get Fit. The first one was staying committed with what I was doing; I'd go to the the gym for a few months straight and eat really well and then completely fall right off the wagon. I think one of the reasons because of that was that I was doing it alone. My second biggest challenge was that when I was at the gym I was to intimidated to go weight section of the gym. I knew that it was an important part to working out but seeing all those buff dudes working out made me really self conscious.

2. What changed after starting?

All of that! I feel that having my mom going through this with helps big time. When I'm having a hard time getting motivated, she's always there to get me going and vice versa. Its also nice knowing that everyone one who goes to Get Fit is there for the same reason and probably has felt the same way at the gym.

3. What specific results can you share?

I've been feeling so much better! The best result is that I sleep so amazingly now. Before I would sleep so inconsistently that I'd wake up exhausted.

4. What would you say to somebody on the fence about starting?

I'd say that going to Get Fit has been the best money I've ever invested on myself. The atmosphere is so welcoming and everyone is incredibly friendly. The coaches are always there for you and make sure that you're doing exercises properly. They're so encouraging and want to see you reach your full potential. I absolutely love it here and everything about it.

5. What has kept you coming back all these months?

When I found out about Get Fit from my mom it couldn't have come at a better time. I had just lost someone incredibly close to me to suicide and Get Fit has be an amazing outlet for what I went through. I'm now focused on becoming the best possible version of myself and Get Fit is definitely helping me take steps in that direction.​

Here is another thing I love about Jess. She is in her 20's so she is younger than our typical student, but SHE GETS IT! She is setting herself for up for success so young by investing in herself and finding a way to make it happen. I am so so so thankful that Jess (and Rita) came to Get Fit NH. Keep making it happen, ladies! ​

-Coach Meagan

Since today is Friday, I thought I'd share why training on Fridays is so important!

1. Mentality - Probably the most important part of why training is important is the mentality, or the mental strength, that is required to do so. On the flip side, it’s important to avoid the bad habits you’re reinforcing to yourself if you skip it. I’m not talking about skipping one Friday if something comes up and you just can’t make it. I am talking about Fridays upon Fridays of skipping. It teaches, even if its just subconsciously, that it’s okay to not finish what you start, that after three days of training “okay, close enough” is acceptable. That is a dangerous sentiment to have. It’s the same as taking the opportunity to do 21 days of clean eating and on day 20 saying, “Well, I made it 20 days, how big of a difference is 1 day going to make?”. Nutritionally and training wise, maybe not much…at first. However, it’s a slippery slope. At first, it’s just one week. Then the next week you think, “I skipped Friday and felt fine, I don’t really feel like going this week either”… then the trend continues. Missing one class might not have a huge impact on training, but if that trend continues, that’s 4 classes a month and 48 classes a year. Don’t give yourself an excuse to not finish what you started. It starts with one thing, but we are all humans - if we give ourselves an inch, we will take a mile. It may start with training, but before you know it it’s bleeding over into nutrition and general life responsibilities.

2. Training Results - The programming at Get Fit NH is designed to affect your system in different ways to elicit an overall training response. Many of you already know this, but training is written as 2 days of metabolic work (most closely resembling cardiovascular training) and 2 days of strength work each week. That means that the training is written to work as a whole, balanced program over a week’s span, so missing a Friday leads to an unbalanced week of training. For the best training effect, we have to take advantage of all of it. Can you really tell me that missing 48 trainings in a year wont effect you?

3. Accomplishment - Its no secret that Friday's trainings are challenging, and on Friday you are tired, stressed, and ready to end your week as soon as possible. The sense of accomplishment you will feel after making sure you gave it your absolute all and saw the week through to the end will be great.

Fridays are important, too! Don’t give yourself an excuse, because it probably will not stop there.

-Coach Adam

I cannot BELIEVE it is voting season again already. I know you might have a little voter fatigue, but this voting is fun - you get to select your favorites from all over NH to be recognized as "Best of..." in a ton of different categories.

In case you didn't know, Get Fit NH has won a "Best of..." award Seven (Count 'em...7) years in a row, and that is all because of YOU!

Thank-You Again!

Would you be so kind as to help us win that honor once again? It's cheesy easy to do. There are over 100 categories to vote in, but you only have to select 15 for your votes to count. In the comment section below nominate some other worthy candidates and we will help them win too!

Please vote for Get Fit NH in the following 2 categories.:

Question #8 Best Gym: Get Fit NH Concord

Question #18 Best Fitness Class: Smart Group Training Get Fit NH Concord

Question #95 Best Fitness Instructor: Coach Nancy Carlson Get Fit NH Concord and Epsom

The Hippo Press "Best of..." helps us get the word out to many others who are looking for a place to start their health and fitness journey too, so we sure would appreciate your vote.

Click Here To Vote, or visit http://VoteGetFitNH.com

Thank-you!

Coach Dean​

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Student Spotlight time!!! This time it is shining on Rita Grenier for the first part of a mother and daughter spotlight. Rita has been a student at Get Fit NH for several months now and continues to bring a positive attitude and willingness to work hard whenever she comes. She and her daughter Jess have been a great addition to the family, coming in with a great sense of humor and looking to have some fun. Rita's hard work has paid off as she has screened out of multiple bands and is looking to take care of the ones she has remaining. Enough from me, take a look at what Rita had to say about her experience!

Rita and her daughter Jess winning the "Best Mother-Daughter Accountability" award!

Why did you choose Get Fit NH?

I had just been diagnosed hypothyroid and having metabolic syndrome. When I looked into Get Fit NH, they were offering the Metabolic Reboot which, being a structured course, I felt fit my needs perfectly.

What changes did you notice in the first few weeks?

I had much more energy and less brain fog!! My biggest issue with being hypothyroid was the exhaustion. Since joining I am not sleeping all the time and I am able to do so much more! I still have off days but they are few and far between now.

What outside of Get Fit NH has become easier since starting?

My job. I work nights, therefore I go to class before work. I go in with a much better frame of mind, more positive attitude, and a much better mood. I move around so much easier, and my feet and my back do not hurt so much as they use to. I can climb steps without being out of breath! I also have more energy to keep up with my 4 rescue labs!

What are your goals?

My goal is to develop and stick to good eating habits and losing weight. My other goal? To drop at least 3 more bands!

What have you accomplished so far?

I've dropped 3 bands since day one. I'm pretty proud of that. LOL. I've also come out of my shell so to speak. It's hard to be social when you sleep all the time. Everyone in all the classes are friendly and supportive! Also since joining with my daughter Jess, I am helping her work towards her goals.

What is your favorite part of Get Fit NH?

ALL the coaches are awesome. They are so patient when I am having a hard time with an exercise or if I don't remember how to do something they take the time to show me and they make the classes fun!

Great job Rita, and I have no doubt that when we re-test shortly for those bands, you will shed more of them!

Stay tuned for the second part of this mother daughter spotlight!

Coach Adam

​Its easy to spot Pam in training. She's the one with the smile on her face all the time. Pam has often asked me specific questions that will help her reach a short term goal best. She knows where she is currently and she knows where she wants to get to. She is doing the consistent work every day to get herself there. She recently took a trip. While she was gone she had asked if I could design some training for her. She sent me daily emails letting me know she had just finished her stuff. She is that kind of a person. She Makes It Happen. 

Pam (left) and Kathy at the Christmas party!

"The reason I came to Get Fit NH is easy to answer. I am a pediatric occupational therapist who works in the school system and have been for 32 years now. At 54 I started noticing that I was losing my strength and agility. I was struggling to pick students up that I needed to assist into their adaptive equipment and apparatus that I use. I knew I had to do something but hated the thought of going to a gym to lift weights or workout on machines. I also battle the bulge and have most my life, I started to notice that I could no longer sit comfortably on the floor with my students. I knew I had to loose some weight if I wanted to continue to get up and down from the floor and be able to squat next to my students.

I decided to try Get Fit after seeing a friend of mine that I had not seen for a while at a beach get together. She looked amazing, having lost weight and toned up. When I asked her what she had done, she told me about the Get Fit NH gym in Epsom. I decided right then and there I was going to check it out. So on August 1st I showed up for the 9:00 a.m. Ladies Only class. I figured if I was going to do this I wanted to go to a class with women who might be in the same boat as me and would not be too judgmental. Not going to lie, that first class was a killer for me. I had no idea what I was doing and could barely do any of it, but instead of being judged, I was encouraged by all present to keep coming and they were all so helpful when I couldn't quite do an exercise right. The biggest encouragement of all always came from Coach Nancy, she made me want to come back each day and try again.

Two weeks went by quickly and I was hooked. In that two weeks I could feel a difference already and knew I had found the gym for me. In two weeks I learned that I can do this, you are never too old to start, there were no more excuses, just keep showing up and they will modify the exercises to your ability level and encourage you to try the next step when they think you are ready.

I am completing month six and I feel amazing. I am so much stronger and even though my school schedule and life only allow me to get to the gym 2 times a week, it has made a huge difference. No more struggling to lift kids, my balance has improved and I can squat to their level again and join them on the floor. I have also taken advantage of the many other things this gym offers besides the exercise. I am just starting my second round of the 21 Day plus Challenge. I have attended nutrition classes and their crock pot meal workshop. As a result of better eating and sticking to it, I am down 20 pounds which is a 1/4 of the way to my personal goal.

What was really amazing as it has never happened before, I went through the Holiday season and only gained 1/2 a pound, usually I am good to gain 7 or more! This gym is truly like no other, there is never any pressure to attend and participate in all the many other things they offer. They make coming to training fun. Where else can you wear a tutu on a Tuesday in October, wear all my many Christmas hats, hear a good joke and share a common goal with people........to get more fit. Due to my school schedule I now go to the 4:00 p.m. class and feel just as welcome as I did in the ladies only class. I wasn't sure about working out with men at my age, but they are just as encouraging and non-judgmental.

This is another special thing about this gym, you can jump into any class that fits your schedule for the day and everyone in it is so welcoming and supportive. The Get Fit Coaches are so caring, where else would you get an email to check in if you missed a class? Where else would your fellow trainees notice that you weren't in class and tell you you were missed when you didn't come to class for a week? Where else do your coaches and fellow trainees ask if there is anything they can do to help when you are struggling in class or your personal life? The personal attention given compares to nothing I have ever experienced. Their motto of "Make It Happen" is something I now believe I can do, I already made my number one reason for joining Happen, to get stronger and my number two reason is a work in progress that with their continued support I know I will achieve too. Thank you to everyone I have met and that have encouraged me to keep going these past six months. I can't wait to see changes will occur in the next 6 months and beyond."

Keep Making It Happen, Pam, and always keep smiling. It's contagious!

-Coach Nancy

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Good morning crew. I have made the decision to close our facilities for this morning, Tuesday January 24, 2017. As of right now we ARE planning to be open this afternoon and evening, stay tuned!

Between the 1/4 inch of ice on the windshields to the freezing rain that is coming down now and the roads like skating rinks, I do not want you or the team here to risk going out.

Snow is one thing - as you know we have not closed during snow yet this year. But what is going on out there this morning is entirely another animal.

So if you early folks want to crawl back in bed for an hour or so, the extra recovery won't hurt.

HOWEVER, if you are already up and at it, and you just gotta get that body moving (and who doesn't), here are some training videos from the archives to tide you over!

And please, if and when you go out - drive safely!​