Merritt Clubs Blog

   

3 Reasons to drink the CrossFit KoolAid

Posted by Joanna Meade

Apr 11, 2014

Looking at these pictures, I am reminded of why I love CrossFit. I can see the agony and determination on our faces. What’s more difficult to see is the the elation. This was one of the most fun and challenging competitions I’ve ever experienced. The pictures are from the Mid-Atlantic Affiliate Challenge, a team competition for CrossFitters from the entire Mid-Atlantic region. This weekend I’ll be competing for a second time. A lot has happened in the last year, including a shoulder injury, a lot of time off and rehab. Leading up to this point every time I think about it I fight back the urge to toss my cookies. All the old self-doubts surface. Am I ready to compete again? Will I hurt my shoulder? What if I let my teammates down? And so, on. What's worse is after last year I know just how bad it hurts physically. Why on Earth then, would I voluntarily put myself through the agony once again?

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Topics: Personal Training, health fitness tips, Merritt blog, Weight Loss, baltimore gyms, help with weight loss, workout routine to lose weight, fitness, Mid-Atlantic Affiliate Challenge, Fitness workout, Personal trainer, merritt charm city crossfit, Baltimore fitness, get healthy, diet lifestyle change, group fitness

How Tiera Lost 128 Pounds Without The “Weight Loss Surgery”

Posted by RaySa

Jun 13, 2012

Tiera's Journey

Background

Weight loss has always been a struggle for me. I have dieted on and off with short-term success, then I would gain it all back. September 1, 2010 was the day this journey truly began. The decision to commit to losing weight was due to my health insurance provider’s requirement to undergo 6 months of supervised weight loss. I was planning to have bariatric surgery. After my initial consultation with the potential surgeon in August 2010, it was an awakening to see my weight was almost 365 pounds! Within the first three months, I had lost over 30 pounds. Over time, I started to find it frustrating and costly to meet with my doctor monthly for a weigh-in. By November, I realized I could do this on my own and let go of the “crutch” of weight loss surgery. I also had firsthand knowledge from a friend that gastric bypass surgery would not offer me a long-term solution. The short and long-term side effects of obesity were evident in my family: diabetes, heart disease, asthma, and cancer. My motivation could not be greater. Big family meals were a constant in my home and there was no accountability. I suffered with depression, social woes, and other issues due to my weight. Food was my comfort and I often used my personality to convince myself I was happy. I realize today that I was NOT!

Breakthrough & Success

Today, I am 128 pounds lighter! I am still working towards my goal of losing another 75 lbs by Spring 2013. My goal weight is 160 lbs.

The Place

I have been an ongoing member of Merritt Security since October 2009, but had previously been sporadically dropping in at various Merritt Cub locations since 2007. Merritt Security is somewhat of a second home where I work out at least five days a week alternating between cardio and strength training. I am now trying new things to keep my routine fun and interesting. I finally had my first Spinning Classes with Sharon and Cheryl, respectively, and for me that was a major victory! My favorite classes are Zumba, Spin, and Absolutions. Out of all the Merritt clubs I have attended, I feel most at home at Security.

Diet

My daily calorie intake is about 1600 calories that I monitor with an online application called MyFitnessPal and I burn an average of 500-1200 calories a session with exercise. I cut out sugary beverages and I drink mostly water.

Looking Ahead

I am motivated, focused, and working on continued success. I still struggle with issues of daily living and have good days and bad but I remain positive. I credit my strength to Yahueh throughout this journey and my prayers and faith have gotten me through the challenges, pains, and struggles. My words of advice to others like me are that you have to prepare yourself in order to take that first step. You MUST be ready! I have kept Yahueh in the midst of this journey. I take life one day at a time. This experience has taught me patience and self-appreciation.

Celebrate

The Merritt Family celebrates the success of Tiera’s weight loss as we continue to encourage her in her journey. May she be an inspiration for others who are facing the same challenges, and her story will be your story.

Tiera, Merritt Athletic Clubs member since 2009

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Topics: lose weight fat, help with weight loss, weight loss struggles, weight loss plan, weight loss and exercise, weight lose plans, best way to lose weight, weight lose plan, how to lose weight, weight loss healthy, quick ways to lose weight, Member Success Stories, healthy diets

Three Tips for Keeping a New Year's Fitness Resolution

Posted by RaySa

Jan 6, 2012

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Topics: Personal Training, health fitness tips, help with weight loss, Fitness Tips, New Year's Resolution

Weight Loss Intervention

Posted by RaySa

Jul 18, 2011

The Alive protocol is so effective and yields such great results for one reason, it presents the participant with such a wealth of information that one cannot help but become a health aficionado after completion of the program. The way the information is given to the participants assures optimal grasp of the material by starting off with dispensing of the nonsense that has been taught to the general public for years. I have seen firsthand participants go from completely unsure of what to eat or how to exercise to individuals who are confident going grocery shopping and even more confident in the gym, finally moving away from the 45 minutes of cardio and 20 minutes of arm curls and sit ups that they did 2 maybe 3 days a week at the gym. It got to the point where I would completely shut up, allow them to take themselves through the session and just follow my clients around making very small adjustments and basically being their own personal cheerleader. If you want to finally learn how to properly eat without fad dieting or worse starving yourself as well as learn how to use much more than just the elliptical at the gym give the ALIVE protocol a try.

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Topics: weight loss exercise, Rapid weight loss, easiest way to lose weight, weight loss help, help with weight loss, top weight loss, best way to lose weight, A.L.I.V.E., chronic disease, loose weight fast

Aggressive Lifestyle Intervention through Variable Exercise

Posted by Kathleen Moxey

Jul 18, 2011

My ALIVE client had exercise experience being a former high school/collegiate athlete, but many parts of his body were on a program of their own! He wanted to decrease the aches and pains he had developed from his past and continue to stay active as much as possible. The low intensity workout in his regular visits to the gym and less than healthy eating habits were not benefiting him, so he signed up for the ALIVE program. I was excited to work with him in the ALIVE program because many of the exercises were ones I use with my clients so they were familiar to me. I had concerns about how he would do working out on his own, and deal with the change in eating habits. To make the weekly exercise progressions smoother, he used a weekly cheat sheet we put together from the information in the program. I have been totally impressed how hard he has worked on all of the exercises -even when I wasn't there! (We did modify any exercises that may have caused him problems w/ past injuries.) The eating has been a tougher challenge, although he has changed more to the supportive eating and does love the cheat day. The supportive eating is real food and easy to put meals together. The program seems too easy at first, and then it gets more challenging as the client learns to figure some of the fitness stuff on their own, and then it is do-able. After two weeks on the program, he saw a loss of 6 lbs! After six weeks, 17 lbs down and definitely feeling stronger! Less aches and pains! I would say he is on a better path to fitness for him! It's so exciting to see the program work so well! I'm looking forward to seeing how he does in his last two weeks and comparing the final numbers against the beginning numbers! But I can already see the difference and so can others! He's ready for round 2 and I'll be there pushing and cheering him on! GO!!!GO!!!GO!!! COME ON!!! YOU CAN DO IT!! KEEP GOING!!--sometimes he calls this harassment or torture (it's "training!") :-) Guess you would have to experience the ALIVE program and the results from it to understand.

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Topics: weight reduction exercise, help with weight loss, life style fitness, diet and exercise, exercise and health, exercise and weight loss program, best way to lose weight, exercise and diabetes, A.L.I.V.E., chronic disease, exercise weight loss