Testimonials

Dean Carlson

The picture on the left is me as “Fat Dad” – not a pretty sight. I may look happy, but deep down I was miserable. I didn’t like the way I looked or felt, I had no energy, didn’t feel like playing with the kids when I got home from work, just blah. Worse than that, I spent years “trying” to lose the weight. Skipping from magic pill, to crazy diet, one quick fix to another. I finally figured there is no easy way out. Hard work, determination and accountability is the only way. That’s why I created “Get Fit NH Bootcamp”, so you don’t have to waste time trying to figure it all out.

Dean Carlson, co-founder of “Get Fit NH Bootcamp”

Tammy Berrio

“Oh my!! Who is that woman??? ” That was my th ought when I came across this less than flattering picture of myself (note the spiffy cub scout uniform!) The saddest part…I thought I looked ok! I mean..Really?! At that time I was topping out at about 190 pounds with no muscle tone to speak of. My diet consisted mostly of fatty take out and comfort foods. I was a train wreck!! This past summer I finally threw away my size 16 “fat pants”…I am wearing a 10 now. Am I done? Not by a long shot…My health is great..I don’t get sick nearly as much as I used to; my thyroid meds have been decreased twice; I am flexible and I feel great. I am happy to say that I am Making It Happen!!!

Why Do I Come To Bootcamp?

The easy part of that question is that I joined bootcamp because I wanted to help maintain the 40lbs I lost in 2006. Yet, I know the answer is more complicated then that. I wanted something different then the same old routine at the gym, something that would challenge me each and everyday, and keep me coming back for more. I want to be healthy and live a much healthier lifestyle then my parents, who I watch struggle with their health, yet won’t do anything to change that. That is EXACTLY what this class has done for me. I am not a morning person yet I find myself getting up in the morning, even on my vacation days to attend class. I workout to not only maintain my weight loss, but working out gives me more energy and helps my mood. Both of which make me very happy! I can’t thank Kristin enough for telling me about the class and helping me get started, not to mention Dean and Ty and the whole 630am class that helps to challenge me and push me four days a week.

Rebecca Adams

Dear Dean,

Boot camp is awesome. At first I thought it would be too hard for me (the over 60 crowd), especially when I could not do one push-up the first day and even had difficulty doing jumping jacks. Now that I have been in boot camp for over 2 months I found myself doing 50 push ups in a drill and quite at ease with the jumping jacks and other exercises that we do.

What I really enjoy… besides feeling so much better in general – especially my core strength – is that every day is different. I don’t know how you come up with so many varieties of exercises. You introduce games and other fun activities so that sometimes we forget it is a workout, believe it or not!

Thank-you for being such a good, steady example of what is possible. I know that in another 2 months I will reach more of my personal health goals because of your great influence and support.

Many thanks.

Make it happen!
Dr. Pamela Herring

Good evening to both you! I just wanted to say thank you to both of you for everything that you do for us! As I was making my lunch and measuring stuff out I wanted Justin to tape my hips. He did and I lost another half and inch! I am so excited :)  I stuck with my goals that I wrote down last time and went from xxx to xxx. I hope to continue to lose one pound a week, even though I know the next couple of weeks are going to be very challenging for me so focusing on the nutrition side of the house is going to be very important. I ordered a food scale to meet my next goal which is to start weighing out the food I cook at the house and using measuring cups to serve the right proportion. I just wanted to say Thank You to both of you for the motivation that you give me at each and every class.

Thank you,
Rae

Nancy, I did it! Not only that I lost 11 lbs, but every time I bend down I can’t believe it! I used to have to get down on both knees. I couldn’t move! RSD send my nervous system out of control and triggered pain signals that were out of proportion to reality, I ended up in such crippling pain that I needed a wheelchair. Now I am doing things I never thought was possible. Thank-you Nancy for making my days so welcoming and pleasant. I’m so grateful for your patience. This is the best money I’ve ever spent!

Anna

Why Do I Come To Bootcamp?

The easy answer for me is that I wanted to get in better shape. But if I look a little deeper I realize that I had let myself get to what I refer to as “squishy” because I had lost interest in programs that weren’t challenging me. That’s a poor excuse to just let things go, because doing something is better than doing nothing. But it is what it is. Bootcamp has certainly thrown down the gauntlet. Sweating actually is a good thing, just difficult at the time. I have increased my flexibility and gotten alot stronger, so I move better and hopefully won’t be so vunerable to injury. I have lost almost 25lbs since I started. I still have “giggly” parts but decreasing them is part of the continuing quest. Even though I give Dean and Nancy a hard time (it is in jest), I am greatful to them for the encouragement and support. And that’s what bootcamp means to me.

Barbara Gault-Gantz

Hi Dean and Nancy,

Just wanted to let you know that since I started Boot Camp last summer my doctor has had to lower the dosage on my thyroid medication not once but twice. After YEARS of zero fitness and yo-yo dieting, I never thought my body would be able to regroup. My doctor is thrilled…not only is my thyroid condition improving but my cholesterol is what she called “Scary good”…lol! At nearly the big 40 I am in the best shape of my life thanks to you and the Boot Camp philosophy….Thank you Get Fit NH Boot Camp!!”

Tammy

Dean,

So, I’m not sure where to begin.  I was plainly horrified with the “shape” I was in following my shoulder surgery, which is what prompted me to accept Danno’s challenge to come to Boot Camp for two weeks.  At the end of the first day I wasn’t sure I’d make another day, much less a week or two.  Still with the great encouragement, not only from Nancy and you, but from my classmates, which in my mind is what makes Boot Camp superior to a random gym membership.  The others members of the class are not only a great encouragement to me, they are becoming my friends.

My greatest joy came from a rather shocking surprise this past weekend (May 16-17).  I had weighed myself and measured myself as Nancy and you strongly suggested so that we would have a “base point” from which to measure our progress. I forgot to weigh myself this past Friday, but I did measure my waist and chest Saturday morning.  I had lost 2″ from my waist measurement, and 1 3/4″ from my chest.  I’m not sure what I expected, but it sure wasn’t this!  So much progress, and in only two weeks.

I know I have a long way to go to get back to the shape I enjoyed pre-surgery and pre-office work, but I’m encouraged by this start.  We don’t look for excuses, we look for a way … “Make it happen!”

Tim Patterson

Hi Dean and Nancy,

I wanted to do this yesterday but time slipped away from me.

I want to thank you both for what you are doing with fitness and nutrition for us. If you ever are discouraged or wondering if you make a difference-be assured you are making a BIG HUGH difference  for us.

If I only judged my progress by weight loss alone I could get very discouraged. I have discovered there are so many other ways to measure progress, clothes fitting better, stamina ,ability to do more exercises faster at Bootcamp.

I have had only had 1 cold this year, usually I have had 2-3 sinus infections and other ailments. I have not had the winter spring lethargy as in past years when I sat on my butt eating everything I could get my hands on(Oreos and Judy’s cakes for breakfast we a special challenge to see how much I could eat).

At my physical yesterday the Nurse Pract. said the best thing I could do was build more lean muscle since lean muscle burns more calories even at rest. I explained this was your exact philosophy! My labs are returning to normal, my lungs, heart and carotids were clear, my BP was very good.

It does look like my goal of stopping some of the meds will have to wait since she wants to be aggressive treating me due to age and risk factors.

We have changed how we think act and live in relation to food and activity.

I feel especially blessed that Judy is also making progress and we are doing this together.

So thanks, and I pray the Lord blesses you and your family!

Greg Swain

You and Nancy are awesome at what you do. What a gift both of you have to be able encourage and help people with their goals-no matter what level of fitness or knowledge of health and fitness they have when they begin your program.

Both of you are nothing short of inspiring. Thank you for getting me back on track-and for making me see that I actually can do push-ups!!!”

Jodi

Wow, thank you!!!! What a fun workout, and I never would have done it if I were at a gym or  by myself.  I was pretty sure I wouldn’t be able to do all 15. But I did! because you were walking around with your watch and marking them on the board. WOW, I LOVE Bootcamp.  Thanks for encouraging us and believing in us.

Have a wonderful day!

Chris

So you may have already heard of my dressing room story. If not I can share it again. I recently visited one of my favorite clothing stores in the mall. I went to the dressing room with my clothes to try on in my usual size. I put them on and I looked like a bag lady. I had to go out and get a smaller size in everything, shirt, skirt, and yes even pants. I was excited. I am making better choices, preparing my foods ahead of time and not just crabbing things just to eat. I feel better, and people say I look better also.

I also love how I can just grab a pair of pants in the morning, after bootcamp of course and they fit, they are even loose. No more imprint of the button in my belly after I have been sitting.

Robin

I just celebrated 11 pounds lost by buying myself a new workout outfit! It’s only taken 10 months, but who’s counting? The first eight came off as sweat, as Bootcamp is so good at making us do, the rest with the Fat Loss diet. Of course the first step is always the hardest, right? Here’s to more steps (and more outfits)!

Louise Palmer

I’m getting married in August, so a little while ago I picked out my wedding dress and they took my measurments, I really didn’t like what they were. So I came to bootcamp and stuck to eating healthy while at home and at work (which was hard) and last Wednesday I went for a dress fitting and I had to hold the dress up because it would have fallen off!

I was so proud of what I accomplished and thankful for the support I got from everyone I go to bootcamp with! I now know anything is possible!! !

Amanda Stone

I have been doing almost exactly what Nancy tells me to do, for real, I’m not just saying this. I have a few off days, but mostly on days. Sometimes it does not seem like much is happening, but I take measurements occasionally which is very helpful. I took out all my summer clothes the other day and I honestly could not fit into any of my shorts – they just fell off!!! So I had to go shopping and I must say I actually had a positive shopping experience for once.
I have felt great since doing bootcamp, I come to all the classes that I can and have eaten very healthy. I feel great and have energy that I was lacking for a long time. Thanks Nancy! (and Dean of course too!)

Jamie Carrier

Hi Dean and Nancy,

Today I ran 2 miles…I have NEVER run 2 miles, not at once anyway! You have no idea how this has changed me. Well, okay you do, but I have to make my point:) Just before I started Bootcamp I asked Robb what he thought of when he thought of me. He said he thought of a climber stuck in a mommy’s body. After Elias was born I never thought I would get the body I had before back. I am not just talking about being “skinny”. Who cares about being skinny. I was spending hours a day on the couch with a heating pad or hot water bottle (or both) because I was so achy. My knees, hips, back…..I felt like an 80 year old lady. Gone were the days of hiking and climbing and my ability to move….to be strong. Today I ran 2 miles….sprinted at the end….kept up with Robb…but more importantly I could have kept going. This is not about the joy of running, but instead, the joy of moving. The joy of playing with my kids…even after all the chores and a night of little sleep. The joy of waking up in the morning and not dreading the pain and exhaustion the day will bring(not to mention the night before, etc) Thank you doesn’t seem like enough, but it is all I can give you. So, thank you….I can’t wait till August! Bring It!!! Ha Ha:)

Have a wonderful recovery week:)
love in Christ,
Chris (ed. – who is expecting another little one, congrats!)

Dean, Nancy and Tyler,

I just want to start by saying thank you for all of the help you all have provided me during my company’s Biggest Loser contest. It all made a big difference for me, from the workouts, the encouragement and the very informative seminars that you have provided. The contest began February 1st and ended this past Monday April 26. Even though I did not win the contest I still was able to meet my goals and exceed them. I set out to lose 20 pounds and I was able to lose 25 pounds in the 12 weeks. The winner of the contest lost 44 pounds which in my opinion is phenomenal! So many people have noticed the changes in my appearance from February to now. I am constantly being asked, “how did you do it?”. I always tell them that it has been two changes I have made in my life. First, I have changed how I eat and second, I joined Get Fit NH Boot Camp.

My advice to others who may be considering joining Get Fit NH Boot Camp, “Do not purchase a new suit prior to starting a weight loss program!” Believe me though, the benefits of what I have accomplished exceed the issue of my suits now being too big for me. Obviously I will have to have them tailored again for my new body size. I think I will wait a few more months before doing that just in case I lose a few more pounds and inches.

Rick Demmons

Why Do I Come To Get Fit NH Bootcamp?

Why am I at bootcamp? Didn’t really think past the “normal” answers of “I want to lose weight”, and “I want to get in better shape”. As I look deeper into myself for an answer it comes to me. I am in bootcamp because I wanted to challenge myself to do something outside my normal “box”. I used to talk to friends, mostly women and how they went to Aerobics or body pump and never envisioned myself in a class. You know I enjoyed working out but the “manly” way with weights! I have been in bootcamp since October and I have to tell you except for a day here and there, I have been there 4 days a week and it has made me feel like a million bucks. Well now I want to feel like a billion so I will continue to go. Hope to see you all there!!!

Steve Ainsworth