Merritt Clubs Blog

One of the most popular diet plans out there today is the Paleo Diet, which focuses on lean meat, vegetables, fish, eggs, and nuts. The concept is based on what our Paleolithic ancestors supposedly ate, and has garnered a lot of attention in fitness circles and the press as the perfect answer to the highly processed foods we consume in the modern world. The Paleo diet might support a healthy lifestyle, but is the Paleo diet also an effective way to lose weight?

A panel of diet experts was hired by U.S. News & World Report to review 28 popular diets to determine if they were effective for both long-term and short-term weight loss. They also looked at the safety, nutrition statistics of the diet, and whether it was easy to follow.

The top-rated diet on the list was the DASH diet, and last on the list was the Paleo diet, which was cited as having studies that were “few, small, and short.”

Three of the five studies on the Paleo diet plan had no control group that randomly assigned them to either the Paleo diet or another diet. As a result, without the corresponding control group following another diet, study researchers could not tell if people lost weight because they were simply participating in a study or on a particular diet.

Two other studies that did have control groups assigned participants with heart disease or type 2 diabetes to either a Paleo diet or a Mediterranean diet consisting of whole grains, fruit, olive oil, fish, vegetables and low-fat dairy products. After 12 weeks, the Paleo eaters had lower blood sugar levels, but did not lose any more weight than the Mediterranean group.

Other trials have tried to answer the question of how a particular diet stacks up in the long run. Comparisons of diets such as Atkins, Weight Watchers, or the Zone diet have shown that none of them were better than others. The most important factor in the success of the diet was whether people stuck to them, with more extreme diets like the high-protein Atkins diet being harder to stay on.

If you are trying to lose extra weight, there is no hard evidence that a Paleo diet will get rid of those extra pounds.

For more information on how we can help you reach your fitness goals, please contact us.

One of the most popular diet plans out there today is the Paleo Diet, which focuses on lean meat, vegetables, fish, eggs, and nuts. The concept is based on what our Paleolithic ancestors supposedly ate, and has garnered a lot of attention in fitness circles and the press as the perfect answer to the highly processed foods we consume in the modern world. The Paleo diet might support a healthy lifestyle, but is the Paleo diet also an effective way to lose weight?

A panel of diet experts was hired by U.S. News & World Report to review 28 popular diets to determine if they were effective for both long-term and short-term weight loss. They also looked at the safety, nutrition statistics of the diet, and whether it was easy to follow.

The top-rated diet on the list was the DASH diet, and last on the list was the Paleo diet, which was cited as having studies that were “few, small, and short.”

Three of the five studies on the Paleo diet plan had no control group that randomly assigned them to either the Paleo diet or another diet. As a result, without the corresponding control group following another diet, study researchers could not tell if people lost weight because they were simply participating in a study or on a particular diet.

Two other studies that did have control groups assigned participants with heart disease or type 2 diabetes to either a Paleo diet or a Mediterranean diet consisting of whole grains, fruit, olive oil, fish, vegetables and low-fat dairy products. After 12 weeks, the Paleo eaters had lower blood sugar levels, but did not lose any more weight than the Mediterranean group.

Other trials have tried to answer the question of how a particular diet stacks up in the long run. Comparisons of diets such as Atkins, Weight Watchers, or the Zone diet have shown that none of them were better than others. The most important factor in the success of the diet was whether people stuck to them, with more extreme diets like the high-protein Atkins diet being harder to stay on.

If you are trying to lose extra weight, there is no hard evidence that a Paleo diet will get rid of those extra pounds.

For more information on how we can help you reach your fitness goals, please contact us.

On September 9th 2010, I weighed in at a whopping 337 lbs.... I know the day and the weight so well because that's the day my doctor said he wouldn't operate on my hip because he was worried Iwouldn't be able to do the physical therapy needed to rehab. He said that if I could prove to him that Iwas motivated by losing just 25 lbs. he would schedule the replacement. This made me take a closelook at my lifestyle since the day I retired from the Army.... In 2003 I came home from Iraq wounded and ittook 14 operations too get me to the point where I could live a normal life again. I was suffering fromPTSD and depression after leaving the only life I had know for 24 years. My way of dealing with all of thiswas to eat and I mean eat EVERYTHING!!!!! I went from a 6'1" 185 lb. soldier serving in the special forcesover three wars to a 330 lb. man who was acting like his life was over.

After Dr. Boucher told me what I weighed and all that went with it, I decided to give myself one last try at being healthy. I joined Merritt and was amazed at not only what the club does for you physically but also themental benefits. Thanks to a great group of people helping me led by Cindy,Lauren, Spencer and Michelle, I have now lost over 155 lbs. and as of thiswriting weigh 171 which is less than what I weighed in college. My body fat% while still a work in progress has gone from 44% down to 17%. The bestnews of all is that after 18 times under the knife, I have now gone twoyears with no major health issues and I thank Merritt for a big part of this.

On September 9th 2010, I weighed in at a whopping 337 lbs.... I know the day and the weight so well because that's the day my doctor said he wouldn't operate on my hip because he was worried Iwouldn't be able to do the physical therapy needed to rehab. He said that if I could prove to him that Iwas motivated by losing just 25 lbs. he would schedule the replacement. This made me take a closelook at my lifestyle since the day I retired from the Army.... In 2003 I came home from Iraq wounded and ittook 14 operations too get me to the point where I could live a normal life again. I was suffering fromPTSD and depression after leaving the only life I had know for 24 years. My way of dealing with all of thiswas to eat and I mean eat EVERYTHING!!!!! I went from a 6'1" 185 lb. soldier serving in the special forcesover three wars to a 330 lb. man who was acting like his life was over.

After Dr. Boucher told me what I weighed and all that went with it, I decided to give myself one last try at being healthy. I joined Merritt and was amazed at not only what the club does for you physically but also themental benefits. Thanks to a great group of people helping me led by Cindy,Lauren, Spencer and Michelle, I have now lost over 155 lbs. and as of thiswriting weigh 171 which is less than what I weighed in college. My body fat% while still a work in progress has gone from 44% down to 17%. The bestnews of all is that after 18 times under the knife, I have now gone twoyears with no major health issues and I thank Merritt for a big part of this.

My name is Maria and I’m 46 years old with hypertension, a strong family history of heart disease and no longer overweight. It’s been 3 months since I began my quest.I had been putting on weight slowly but steadily for the previous 8 years. I was a good 63 pounds above my ideal weight of 145lbs.The weight was easy to put on and hard to take off - I knew I had to do something and finding someone skilled to work with was my first big step in my journey. That’s where my personal trainer, Steve, came in.I’m truly very thankful that I found him!Steve is very observant, easy going and knowledgeable.Steve takes “personal trainer” to a whole new level providing me with the fitness and nutritional tools that I need to succeed and holds me accountable every week. Communication with my trainer is almost daily!

With Steve’s help & support, I made some serious lifestyle changes since I began this journey. Live healthier and lose weight – that has become my mantra. With Steve’s help, I’ve adapted to a new way of eating, thinking and exercise.I’m realizing my goals through these changes with the support of Gary, my better half, and Steve, my trainer. I won’t lie; at first it was very scary as there were a lot of people at the gym. These people were beautiful and fit but I was determined that I was going to be one of them!!!Steve gave me the confidence I needed to get started.The beginning was painful not to mention slow going.Whenever Steve said “time for planks” I wanted to run to the nearest Exit door and/or scream “UNCLE!!!”- I’m pretty sure that there were, at times, tears. I hadn’t exercised consistently since Moby Dick was a minnow…. It was rough but I was determined.

Every week, Steve custom designs workout routines that are tailored to my needs and he always reminds me “remember your goals Maria”.Whenever I feel like I want to give up I hear Steve’s words and I stand firm. After the first 3 weeks - I no longer felt as if I needed to carry an oxygen tank around with me or feel as if I needed to go to the nearest Emergency Room. I could do this… was doing it!I had become “one of those people” at the gym. I have the support of both, Gary, my biggest cheerleader and the support of my trainer.

Steve has found ways to mix up my routine to ensure that I got the most out of every session – even going so far as to mix up my planks so that I don’t“get bored”. Steve has provided me with nutritional guidance, switching this with that, journal writing and educating me with web site tools to utilize. Don’t get me wrong, there are times where I want to cave, but Steve won’t let me.Support and encouragement is there every step of the way. Steve knows when I push myself.He provides me with the encouragement to continue and will pull me back when he knows I’m pushing too hard. I now look at gym equipment and exercise in general with excitement - no longer with fear.With the nutritional, lifestyle changes and my training sessions with Steve, I’ve lost 23 pounds.My blood pressure has been normal for the past 2 months!I look in the mirror now and say to myself….. “Not bad!”I’ve gotten lots of compliments lately; I just smile and say “Body by Steve!”

My name is Maria and I’m 46 years old with hypertension, a strong family history of heart disease and no longer overweight. It’s been 3 months since I began my quest.I had been putting on weight slowly but steadily for the previous 8 years. I was a good 63 pounds above my ideal weight of 145lbs.The weight was easy to put on and hard to take off - I knew I had to do something and finding someone skilled to work with was my first big step in my journey. That’s where my personal trainer, Steve, came in.I’m truly very thankful that I found him!Steve is very observant, easy going and knowledgeable.Steve takes “personal trainer” to a whole new level providing me with the fitness and nutritional tools that I need to succeed and holds me accountable every week. Communication with my trainer is almost daily!

With Steve’s help & support, I made some serious lifestyle changes since I began this journey. Live healthier and lose weight – that has become my mantra. With Steve’s help, I’ve adapted to a new way of eating, thinking and exercise.I’m realizing my goals through these changes with the support of Gary, my better half, and Steve, my trainer. I won’t lie; at first it was very scary as there were a lot of people at the gym. These people were beautiful and fit but I was determined that I was going to be one of them!!!Steve gave me the confidence I needed to get started.The beginning was painful not to mention slow going.Whenever Steve said “time for planks” I wanted to run to the nearest Exit door and/or scream “UNCLE!!!”- I’m pretty sure that there were, at times, tears. I hadn’t exercised consistently since Moby Dick was a minnow…. It was rough but I was determined.

Every week, Steve custom designs workout routines that are tailored to my needs and he always reminds me “remember your goals Maria”.Whenever I feel like I want to give up I hear Steve’s words and I stand firm. After the first 3 weeks - I no longer felt as if I needed to carry an oxygen tank around with me or feel as if I needed to go to the nearest Emergency Room. I could do this… was doing it!I had become “one of those people” at the gym. I have the support of both, Gary, my biggest cheerleader and the support of my trainer.

Steve has found ways to mix up my routine to ensure that I got the most out of every session – even going so far as to mix up my planks so that I don’t“get bored”. Steve has provided me with nutritional guidance, switching this with that, journal writing and educating me with web site tools to utilize. Don’t get me wrong, there are times where I want to cave, but Steve won’t let me.Support and encouragement is there every step of the way. Steve knows when I push myself.He provides me with the encouragement to continue and will pull me back when he knows I’m pushing too hard. I now look at gym equipment and exercise in general with excitement - no longer with fear.With the nutritional, lifestyle changes and my training sessions with Steve, I’ve lost 23 pounds.My blood pressure has been normal for the past 2 months!I look in the mirror now and say to myself….. “Not bad!”I’ve gotten lots of compliments lately; I just smile and say “Body by Steve!”