Routine vs Extra Sleep

Let me tell you a little story about a man named Jed, the poor mountaineer barely kept his family fed… then one day he was shooting at some food… Anyone know the rest of the song? When my family moved from the back woods of eastern Kentucky to Augusta Georgia, I swear I heard that theme song when we pulled out of the driveway. In case you don’t recognize it, it’s the theme song from Beverly Hillbillies.

It’s totally random I know, but I wanted to tell you a story and it popped in my head 🙂

So here’s the story;

Yesterday, morning my normal early morning athlete (who is an absolute superstar at McIntosh) that is 16 and actually gets up before school to come train with me, was heading out of town to visit a prospective college.

So, that meant I got to sleep in a bit.

I was so excited, but then I got to thinking about my schedule. Normally I see her, have about 30 minutes to read, pray and practice what is called Miracle Morning then I see Sue Zeller for her private torture session then immediately go for a tempo run.

It’s become my routine, and is working really well.

Since I was sleeping in, I decided to ask Sue to meet me later in the morning when the studio was clear of classes.

That meant, I got to see the kids off to school, complete my morning ritual and then it hit me… I’m off schedule. I’ll see Sue at 10:30, then I have a consultation and a couple of meetings then have to get my brakes worked on before heading out of town. Then I got to see another one of my favorite people, Patti Kadkhodaian for coffee.

I was supposed to be breaking in my new trail shoes before an 8k trail race this weekend and my big 50mile hike next week on the Appalachian Trail. But I don’t want to run at 3pm, it’s supposed to be 90 degrees. Arghh…

Can you see how easy it is to miss or skip a workout (or something important) when you don’t follow your schedule?

What started as excitement on getting to sleep in, turned to a little chaos as I tried to figure out WHEN I would get this important run in.

That’s why Routines and Schedules are SO important when exercising. Without it, life can take over, things come up and before you know it it’s evening time and all you want to do is relax after a long and busy day.

A few extra zzz’s may seem exciting, but as it pertains to workout success it can be a HUGE obstacle.

I know everyone doesn’t have set schedules for work every single day and week, but try your best to stick with a time each day that is dedicated to YOUR workouts.

Hope you have an amazing weekend, filled with lots of outdoor activities.

Your Coach

Jeremy

P.S. Yes, I did get my run in 🙂

Quit Dieting

Why do 95% of people who go on a diet end up gaining back more than they lost?

Because they thought their weight was the problem.

Rather than focusing on THEM, they focused on IT (the number on the scale).

Here’s a quick quiz to see if you are focusing on IT, rather than YOU.

  1. Do you weigh-in more than once per week?
  2. Are you often times happy or sad, based on a number on the scale?
  3. In the past month, have you ever said… “I feel strong today”? If you say NO, count that as a YES in the totals below.
  4. Do you keep several “sets of clothes” in your closet? (ie… skinny clothes, normal and fat clothes)
  5. You often refer to yourself as fat or overweight (non verbal and or outloud)?

If you answered YES to at least 3 of the above, you might need to re-evaluate what you focus your attention on.

My assumption is that you did, so here is a little tip to help you shift your goals to YOU instead of IT.

Tip #1 – Gratitude of Power: Pick two body-parts that you feel are an attribute and either say them out loud or write them down every day! (Such as, I’ve got really great calves or I feel like my core is really strong)

Tip #2 – Shift your goal setting to a Habit Goal instead of a Weight Goal. Something specific like, 2 extra 30 minute cardio sessions each week.

Tip #3 – Put the scale away and ONLY get on it once per week, in the morning, just to check progress rather than obsessing everyday and night about IT.

I know these are relatively Small changes, but that’s what makes them do-able. I also think it makes them something you can fit into your life without doing any kind of crash or fad diets that are doomed to the 95% failure rate.

Over the past decade, the vast majority of my clients who have taken this approach are the ones who have those dramatic life changes. Some are amazing body transformations and others are more mental shifts in thinking and confidence.

Here is a perfect example from a former client:
“Well, I want to share how much your staff and you have inspired me and helped me get back on track with exercise and healthy living.


Although I was not able to continue with the 5am boot camp, i am currently training for my first 5k run (with the C25K app) in November, and I’m continuing to lose weight and eat healty. I’m in my third week of training and am excited and anxious at the same time. :-%

It was your generosity and encouragement that made me want to push myself and believe that I could do more. Thanks again for helping me get back on track”

It’s not always about dropping a bunch of weight or getting back into your skinny jeans (guys, I know y’all have them too).
Wishing you an amazing day!

Your Coach

Jeremy

One Year Anniversary

Oh what a day this was one year ago… Sep 1 was our first day at the new studio and something I had dreamed of for nearly 10years. Although we didn’t even have our Occupancy Permit yet, so we did everything on the sidewalk.

  

If you are new to the GTS family you are probably not aware of HOW we got here.

I wanted to share this amazing journey (to show my thanks and to hopefully inspire you)

Every single night for 10 years I would go to a place I called the Theatre of my Mind
and I would visualize my studio. All the way down to the colors on the walls, the natural
light flowing in the windows, the kind of people who would be in class and the quality of
the leaders (coaches) I had in place.

Over those 9+ years I came close multiple times, including having a second space in
conjunction with one of the local gym owners. That was doomed to failure by my own
mistakes during the negotiation period.

Closed it after 16 months, drained my life savings, downsized and got very very humble.

The home office was a folding white table and DIAL-UP internet. I kid you not, we live
out in the country and satellite was out of our budget so we actually had DIAL-UP
internet until about 4 years ago!

Throughout all this, I held the dream really close to my heart not sharing any details with anyone, but every
night I continued with this visualization.

Then the good Lord blessed me with the RIGHT coaches and leaders to take my business
to the next level. Kathy, Jodi and Molly (Kim was already in place and being a wonderful instructor).

So a year or so later I began the process of trying to leave my shared space at this gym, only to run into
road block after road block.

After a year of diligent visualization, saving every penny possible (which is hard for someone with
a shoe addiction…yes, I have over 50 pair) and continued to battle for a legal exit from my place of employment.

BUT, I knew the time was right and I knew that we would find a way. So we left, scared/excited and
pumped for this next chapter in the GTS journey.

After the decision was made and only having 6 weeks to turn this dump of a space into what it is today,
was going to take around the clock dedication. I’ll never forget the conversation Kathy and I had
2-weeks before we were officially supposed to open.

Kathy – “boss… there’s a hole in the back slab, the air isn’t on, the floor isn’t down, we have no permits
and it smells awful in here, are you sure we are going to be able to open?”

Me – Oh, we WILL open Sep 1st

Kathy – as only a woman could do, a slight smirk and an “OKAY Boss”…

Whether it was fate, my amazing clients and coaches taking time off from work and away from their families
or the big man looking out for me… We did it!!!!!!!!

All I can really say is,

THANK YOU

Thank you to everyone who has made this past year truly something special.

Thank you especially to:

  1. Our amazing clients, some who have been with me for over 8 years!
  2. GTS staff (including our newest star, Ruthie Brown) who held together through all the struggles
  3. Those clients who came and helped build this place throughout those 6 weeks of renovation.

  

  1. My wife, Brandy, for trusting me and believing in my dream (even though there had been multiple failures in the past)
  2. My personal coach Camelia, who has taught me so much
  3. All our new clients to join the GTS family, my dream was to make a bigger impact on our community and that is YOU

From the bottom of my heart I want to say, THANK YOU to everyone who has enabled this dream to become a reality.

More amazing things to come in year two, I hope to share the journey with many continued friends and clients
as well as a host of new relationships.

My main goal for this email is Gratitude, but I also want to make sure you know that Dreams do come true
if you NEVER GIVE UP on them!

Whatever your dream is, fight through the failures, the struggles, the humbling events and hold tight to what
you really want. This studio, the GTS Home, is a living breathing testament to Dreams becoming Real.

Here’s to your dreams and thank you again.

Jeremy

P.S.
Current GTS clients, just a reminder that we are closed Monday.

P.P.S.
Also for current clients, be READY… We’ve got a Celebration Workout and Snacks planned for next week!

Dream Big. Start Small. Be Ridiculously Faithful.

As you know, I’ve been training like never before for a Navy Seal inspired
program in early October. The program, called SEALFIT, is like hell week for
civilians.

Week one, I was so pumped up and excited I could hardly sleep as I thought
about my new routine (and yes, a little fear as well).

Week two, I’m still excited because I’m learning so many new things.

Week three, WOW… this is getting hard. Can I really do this?

Week four (last week), there were two days that I completely did NOT want
to do my workouts. I did them, but the decision was getting harder.

This weekend (before week five) I read a book that re-inspired me and reminded me
that the big goal of completing SEALFIT is SEXY and exciting. The small things of
daily workouts, yoga, eating a gazillion calories of lean healthy foods are NOT SEXY.

Here is the quote, that I hope will stick to your ribs like it did mine.

Dream Big. Start Small. Be Ridiculously Faithful.

It’s easy to set a goal like; “I’m going to lose 40 pounds”.

That’s the Dream Big portion.

The harder, not so sexy, part is the starting small. Something such as, this first
week I am going to stop eating at 6pm. No snacks or treats after dinner.

The even more challenging part, the LEAST SEXY part, is being ridiculously
faithful!

The book I referred to earlier is called “Chop Wood, Carry Water” by Joshua Medcalf
and the concept is to fall in love with the process/journey of becoming great.

I want to encourage you today, Dream big… go ahead… make a big scary goal.

BUT then, start small and be ridiculously faithful to the process. Those small things
are the ones that add up.

Everyone thinks that greatness (or a great physique) is sexy, it’s not… it’s hard dirty work
that must be completed consistently.

Just focus on what you can control and don’t worry about the end result.

Your Coach

Jeremy

P.S.
If you have not heard, we are starting a YOUTH program here at GTS. We are offering a
free trial session on Wednesday Sep 7th. 6-9yrs old at 3:45 and 10-13yrs old at 4:15.

If you have interest in this small group EMAIL ME to RSVP the complimentary workout.

Programs goal is developing Strength (both physical and mental), Flexibility, and Mobility
through fun and challenging activities. 6-9 is more Games and Skill Based and 10-13yrs old will be
slightly more focused on helping develop a foundation for athletes.

Anything Good is Hard

It’s true you know, anything worth anything in life is going to be hard. That’s what makes is so special.

Seems like every day at our new GTS studio (as we try to complete construction and prepare for our September 1st opening) something, some new obstacle, comes up that we have to work around.

We overcome that issue (like our electricity being fed into our space from the suite next door) and then on to easy sailing right? Nope, next day we find out… there is a leak in the roof. Start working on that, get the repair guy there and all good right? ANNNNNNND wrong again, now we find out part of the plumbing is connected to the suite next door.

IMG_7969IMG_7971

That’s okay, because anything good makes you become more. Whether it’s fulfilling a dream like mine (of opening my own gym) or it’s a dream you have it is totally and 100% worth it.

If you are working towards a major goal like trying to lose weight or a big race of some kind, it’s never going to be easy. There will be days when it’s hard, darn near impossible to keep going and stay the course.

Honestly though, that’s the point isn’t it? I’ll tell you that without this push, this struggle we won’t ever be stretched and pushed and challenged to become more than what we are right now.

It’s this journey that makes the end result so special. Jim Rohn said it best when he said “Whatever good things we build end up building us”. I believe that with all my heart because I’ve watched clients build themselves into something inspiring year after year.

Here’s the thing though, every day you’ve got to just show up and work up. Even on the days when you don’t feel like it, or you feel like you are just treading water, still show up for your workout and make smart choices that day. Because what is the alternative? Giving up, quitting, trying yet another thing and moving on to start all over with a new weight loss program?

Let those days be what make you stronger and challenge you to BECOME more.

Speaking of becoming more, if you feel you want to have someone to push you and a family of supportive GTS clients/coaches to provide the support you need… we are in phase two of our pre-sale for the new location. Phase one is over, but phase two still provides you with over $1000 in upgrades and bonuses… If you want more information email me and I can give you the breakdown of all our personal training sessions.

Be sure to check out the progress at our new location on our facebook fanpage.

Wall of FameSpecifically this wall, my favorite part of the entire facility. We are going to call it the “Wall of Fame” and it will be how our GTS community encourages and supports one another. This way you never have to worry about being just a number and getting lost in the crowd.

 

Your Coach;

Jeremy

P.S. Friday August 21st ends phase two of of our pre-sale so let me know if you want the upgrades and bonuses before they are gone.

Dreams Come True Part 2

Part two of DREAMS COME TRUE

That’s me and the family the day we closed on the new personal training studio.

The dream, that has been 10 yrs in the making… If you’ve been looking for a place to call home and somewhere that you feel welcome, cared for and inspired is coming your way. September 1st will be opening day for the new GTS personal training facility.

The GTS training studio will be a place where everyone knows your name, a place where you can’t get lost in the crowds and a place that I believe will become a home away from home. A small place where BIG Dreams are realized by way more than just me.

Two big things are in this post, I guarantee it’s worth the read.

  1. We have completely changed our business model – Now we only offer Semi-Private personal training packages. That means 1 coach and no more than 5 people. More on that in a moment, but the biggest reason is so that we have more time to coach and help each person during all our workouts.
  2. We are rolling out a huge pre-sale where you can reserve one of the remaining spots with several upgrades and discounts. If you act quick you can get over $1,000 in bonuses/savings.

These semi-private sessions are designed so that my coaches and I can have more interaction with each person. Including a monthly private coaching session that will allow everyone to have that personal time outside the workout.

I will tell you, that because the size of each coaching group is so much smaller, we are being very particular with whom we give a spot to. This is not a low price, cross-fit or other version of boot camp/ large group training. What we are now offering is a premium service with all of the following:

  • Tons of flexibility – we have sessions all over (5am, 5:45am, 7am, 7:45am, 9am and 9:45am… then 5 and 5:45pm). Anytime there is an opening you can plug your name into any of those days or times. So if your schedule is unpredictable this flexibilty will ensure you get your workouts in each week.
  • Monthly private coaching session – the first Tuesday of every month each person will receive a private consult for nutrition, exercise, accountability, etc
  • Monthly cardio assignments – we are providing a specific workout for you to do on your off days, so you never have to waste another minute or wonder what your schedule should look like.
  • Fusion of Training Styles – we have taken the best parts from our Kettlebell, Boot Camp and Gravity (TRX) training and fused it into a SAFE and incredibly effective workout. PLUS – now we can ensure that if anything with high impact doesn’t work for you (but you still want to get a killer workout in) we can give you another “challenge” designed just for you.
  • Packages of Sessions Like 1-on-1 Personal Training –  Based on how long you enroll you will receive a # of sessions so that even if you miss a session you do not lose it.

I could go on and on, but I know you are wanting to hear about the pre-sale so I’ll get to it.

There are three tiers (packages) you can come in at, if you beat the deadline…

Deadline #1 – August 14th you will receive the same package that I offered my current clients… (This is up to a $1125.00 upgrade/savings)

  • It is an automatic upgrade where you pay the lower two day per week option, but get the three day per week option at that price.
  • Our new GTS Starter Pack  that has a GTS Embroidered Towel, GTS Water Bottle, GTS T-Shirt and Advocare Summer Sampler filled with limited time flavors of Spark, Snack bars, Electrolyte Replacements, Energy Drinks called SLAM and everything else you need to blast through your first month of training with us. (This pack is a $125 Value)
  • We will also WAVE the one time $99 enrollment fee.

Deadline #2 –  August 21st (This package will still give you a $1,000 upgrade/savings)

  • GTS Starter Pack (listed above)
  • The current clients GTS pricing and upgrade to the higher packages.

Deadline #3 – August 28th (Will still save you up to $900) 

  • Current GTS client pricing and upgrades

I must share with you that the 5am and 5:45am sessions are already booked and having a waiting list, but we do have a few spots in the other time slots for Mon, Wed and Fridays (7am, 7:45am, 9am and 9:45am).

If you would like to setup a time to meet and discuss in more detail email me directly: jeremy@grittonstraining.com

I can’t wait to share this dream of mine with you, while helping you reach your dreams.

Jeremy

Stay Tuned for the Transformation as it Happens.