Merritt Clubs Blog

Week 6!!! Can you believe you made it this far?? Hows it going? How are you feeling? Are you ready to quit? Have you quit? Why the questions huh? Well, next Monday will mark my one year "FINALEversary." This time last year I was on a flight to L.A. to prepare for the live finale episode. This was going to be the last time I would ever step on the Biggest Loser scale (as a contestant) and would show THE WORLD my progress since they last saw me on TV just a month before. What most people did not know was that leading up to that moment, there were weekly check ins that I had to have with the producers and trainers so that they could monitor my progress. As a contestant, I had a choice. I could have lied about what was really going on in Baltimore and tell them what I thought they would want to hear...all the good things of course, because I was so perfect. OR I could be 100% honest about what was happening. Letting them know about my good days, bad days and those UGLY ones we try to forget about. Looking back, I am so glad I chose the honest route....because I was honest about how I was feeling I was able to work through those things with people who could understand and help me get on the right track. There were some things that were happening to my body chemistry that had I not been honest about some things, I would have developed a severe case of gout which if you don't know anything about it, know that you don't want to know about it. So here you are, take advantage of this time to "check in" not only with yourself, but also with your coaches and fellow "Losers." I promise you will so glad you did.

Week 6!!! Can you believe you made it this far?? Hows it going? How are you feeling? Are you ready to quit? Have you quit? Why the questions huh? Well, next Monday will mark my one year "FINALEversary." This time last year I was on a flight to L.A. to prepare for the live finale episode. This was going to be the last time I would ever step on the Biggest Loser scale (as a contestant) and would show THE WORLD my progress since they last saw me on TV just a month before. What most people did not know was that leading up to that moment, there were weekly check ins that I had to have with the producers and trainers so that they could monitor my progress. As a contestant, I had a choice. I could have lied about what was really going on in Baltimore and tell them what I thought they would want to hear...all the good things of course, because I was so perfect. OR I could be 100% honest about what was happening. Letting them know about my good days, bad days and those UGLY ones we try to forget about. Looking back, I am so glad I chose the honest route....because I was honest about how I was feeling I was able to work through those things with people who could understand and help me get on the right track. There were some things that were happening to my body chemistry that had I not been honest about some things, I would have developed a severe case of gout which if you don't know anything about it, know that you don't want to know about it. So here you are, take advantage of this time to "check in" not only with yourself, but also with your coaches and fellow "Losers." I promise you will so glad you did.

When I was eliminated from the show (The Biggest Loser) during week 7, I had so many different thoughts going through my mind. After a good nights sleep, a long flight home from L.A. and being reunited with my family and friends, I realized I still had a job to do and that was lose this weight I started losing during production. Fast forward a year and I find myself in the real competition. NBC has wrapped season 15, I have settled back into my life as a professional speaker and college instructor, not to mention being a husband and father. That is the TRUE reality. While I was blessed to be afforded the opportunity to be trained by television personalities in a "state of the art" fitness center, that was a vacation compared to where the true competition is.

As you are embarking on this challenge, remember to keep everything in perspective. One of the biggest lessons I learned while on "The Ranch" was to make sure I celebrate EVERY single victory, no matter how great or small. During an on camera workout, Bob Harper was teaching my team how to do Thrusters. The other four members of my team got to do them with just the bar while he actually made me perform the workout with weight on the bar. This particular part of the workout was 3 rounds for time and I was very discouraged that I was the last person to finish my three rounds. Later that night, while icing following the workout, our athletic trainer Sandy Krum was talking to me about that workout and told me how proud of me he was. I looked at him as if to say, "are you kidding me?" and he IMMEDIATELY retorted that I did a great job! "How?" I asked and he said, "not only did you have the most weight of everyone to lift, but you were able to complete it and last week, that probably would not have been the case. You need to make sure you celebrate all the victories so that you can reflect on them when the times are rough or you need to be encouraged."

While I am not satisfied with where I am physically ( remember I still weighed over 300 pounds during my finale weighin), I look back at who I was a year ago and realize I have come a LONG way. Now, the key is moving onto this next challenge and getting to my goal weight which is going to take time.....but what fun it is going to be along the way.

Hey Biggest Loser Club, yeah, there is a $1,000 prize on the line and who couldn't use an extra $1,000? But remember what the BIGGEST prize is. Yes, for most of us, this is going to be one of the hardest things we have ever done. But there is a reason you signed up and I am almost certain that prize money was a secondary reason. What will your success story be when the April finale comes along? What are the goals you are setting for the next 2 months and how are you going to celebrate your victories (great or small)? I am so honored that I get to take part in this journey with you all....so what are YOU waiting for?!

When I was eliminated from the show (The Biggest Loser) during week 7, I had so many different thoughts going through my mind. After a good nights sleep, a long flight home from L.A. and being reunited with my family and friends, I realized I still had a job to do and that was lose this weight I started losing during production. Fast forward a year and I find myself in the real competition. NBC has wrapped season 15, I have settled back into my life as a professional speaker and college instructor, not to mention being a husband and father. That is the TRUE reality. While I was blessed to be afforded the opportunity to be trained by television personalities in a "state of the art" fitness center, that was a vacation compared to where the true competition is.

As you are embarking on this challenge, remember to keep everything in perspective. One of the biggest lessons I learned while on "The Ranch" was to make sure I celebrate EVERY single victory, no matter how great or small. During an on camera workout, Bob Harper was teaching my team how to do Thrusters. The other four members of my team got to do them with just the bar while he actually made me perform the workout with weight on the bar. This particular part of the workout was 3 rounds for time and I was very discouraged that I was the last person to finish my three rounds. Later that night, while icing following the workout, our athletic trainer Sandy Krum was talking to me about that workout and told me how proud of me he was. I looked at him as if to say, "are you kidding me?" and he IMMEDIATELY retorted that I did a great job! "How?" I asked and he said, "not only did you have the most weight of everyone to lift, but you were able to complete it and last week, that probably would not have been the case. You need to make sure you celebrate all the victories so that you can reflect on them when the times are rough or you need to be encouraged."

While I am not satisfied with where I am physically ( remember I still weighed over 300 pounds during my finale weighin), I look back at who I was a year ago and realize I have come a LONG way. Now, the key is moving onto this next challenge and getting to my goal weight which is going to take time.....but what fun it is going to be along the way.

Hey Biggest Loser Club, yeah, there is a $1,000 prize on the line and who couldn't use an extra $1,000? But remember what the BIGGEST prize is. Yes, for most of us, this is going to be one of the hardest things we have ever done. But there is a reason you signed up and I am almost certain that prize money was a secondary reason. What will your success story be when the April finale comes along? What are the goals you are setting for the next 2 months and how are you going to celebrate your victories (great or small)? I am so honored that I get to take part in this journey with you all....so what are YOU waiting for?!

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The holiday season is officially upon us. As many people will do, you could pig out at every opportunity – and there will be a lot of opportunities between work, friends and family gatherings – and wait until New Year’s to get back on the bandwagon in terms of fitness. You could do that, or you could maintain a healthy base fitness level that will help you to feel better about those holiday indulgences and make it easier to get back in shape for swimsuit season.

It’s important to continue working out regularly if you don’t want the holiday food fest to take its toll and leave you in the post-holiday doldrums, where sometimes it’s all you can do to put on your workout clothes, drive to the gym and look at the machines. Even if you find that the holiday treats are too tempting to pass up every time, you can control the damage by keeping your regular appointments with the treadmill, elliptical machine, barbells or whatever you enjoy doing most at the gym.

Base training during the holidays is a good way to prepare for spring events. When you’re ready, the experienced staff at Merritt Athletic Clubs, the premier fitness health club in the Baltimore area, will be happy to help you renew your commitment to fitness and health. In addition to the top-quality fitness equipment and variety of fitness classes that set us apart from the competition, we offer running and triathlon clubs at each of our locations that will help you get in shape and work toward being able to complete an athletic event at the same time. Did you run competitively in school and think you might like to get back into it? If so, then consider working out within your comfort zone through the holidays and then joining our Biggest Loser or 5 Weeks to 5K Success program to see what it can do for you. In this program, you will have a one-on-one session for a run assessment with one of our trainers, a 5-week training plan for your upcoming 5K race, a nutrition plan to fuel your workouts and weekly group runs where you can meet and mingle with others who are working toward a similar goal. If a triathlon is more your speed, we also offer triathlon training programs for every ability level – from newbies to veteran Ironman competitors – for all sprint triathlons, Ironman competitions and everything in between.

If you don’t already belong to a health club, now is the time to form a new, good-for-you habit and make a commitment to improved health and fitness that will carry over into the new year and the rest of your life. Our experienced staff of fitness professionals is ready and eager to help you meet your goals! Contact us today to learn more.

Whenever someone takes a class for the first time, it can be a little intimidating or overwhelming. When you arrive for your first group fitness class, you do not know how to start or what equipment you should use. A group fitness class should be fun and energizing. The class should also give you a relief from everyday stress, not give you a headache.

Here are some tips to help you handle the first class:

Meet Your Instructor

Introduce yourself to your group fitness instructor. Let your instructor know you are participating in your first class. Your instructor may recognize that you are new to the class, and he or she will be able to help you with the first steps. Your instructor can get you accustomed to the equipment, and give you helpful advice on what to expect.

Meet Other People

Introduce yourself to anyone standing near you. Most people who participate in group fitness classes are sociable people. When you are running on a treadmill surrounded by people who are pushing you and motivating you to succeed, it can be an amazing experience for you. The other participants can have great information and advice on how to feel comfortable in the class. The other group participants all had a first day of class too, and they stuck with it. So can you!

Try A Few Classes

Before you decide if you like the class, try attending three or four classes first. Not every group fitness class has the same skill level and learning curve. When you go into each class, go in prepared and willing to try new things. If you are participating in a cardio class that has music, you will probably need to learn the steps before you can get down! If you are participating in a strength class, you will have to know your weight limits. Give yourself time to learn everything you need to know before you make a decision.

These tips can help you gain the confidence to participate in a group fitness class. One day you may be able to help a new participant in his or her first group fitness class.

Contact us for more information about group fitness.

Whenever someone takes a class for the first time, it can be a little intimidating or overwhelming. When you arrive for your first group fitness class, you do not know how to start or what equipment you should use. A group fitness class should be fun and energizing. The class should also give you a relief from everyday stress, not give you a headache.

Here are some tips to help you handle the first class:

Meet Your Instructor

Introduce yourself to your group fitness instructor. Let your instructor know you are participating in your first class. Your instructor may recognize that you are new to the class, and he or she will be able to help you with the first steps. Your instructor can get you accustomed to the equipment, and give you helpful advice on what to expect.

Meet Other People

Introduce yourself to anyone standing near you. Most people who participate in group fitness classes are sociable people. When you are running on a treadmill surrounded by people who are pushing you and motivating you to succeed, it can be an amazing experience for you. The other participants can have great information and advice on how to feel comfortable in the class. The other group participants all had a first day of class too, and they stuck with it. So can you!

Try A Few Classes

Before you decide if you like the class, try attending three or four classes first. Not every group fitness class has the same skill level and learning curve. When you go into each class, go in prepared and willing to try new things. If you are participating in a cardio class that has music, you will probably need to learn the steps before you can get down! If you are participating in a strength class, you will have to know your weight limits. Give yourself time to learn everything you need to know before you make a decision.

These tips can help you gain the confidence to participate in a group fitness class. One day you may be able to help a new participant in his or her first group fitness class.

Contact us for more information about group fitness.

Photo Courtesy: Ray Salas, Trainer

Tired of your current workout?

Not sure how to lose those unwanted inches or having trouble toning muscles?

Always feel fatigued, never have enough energy, or need help staying motivated?

If you answered Yes to any of the questions, then bootcamp is for You!

“All you have to do is show up and let me take care of the rest” –Ray Salas, Trainer

Each week Ray’s got a new playlist that’s bound to get your body moving. No matter what your fitness level is, this class is made to do one thing, Burn Calories and have fun doing it!

Challenge yourself and try a class!