Merritt Clubs Blog

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!”

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!

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!

A new poll provides evidence that exercise at any time of day is good for sleep, which makes 24 hour gyms sound better than ever. The 2013 National Sleep Foundation (NSF) poll may make you want to reconsider any curfew you set on working out.

Researchers found that exercise at any time of day improved sleep quality for most people compared to getting no exercise at all. The overall results about the connection between exercise and sleep quality were dramatic with 67 percent of exercisers reporting good quality sleep compared to 39 percent of non-exercisers. While conventional wisdom used to warn people that exercising too late at night might keep them up, the NSF has now changed its position to encourage exercise at any hour. The one exception is for people who already suffer from insomnia, who are advised to stick with their doctor’s treatment plan.

This is all good news if you enjoy normal sleep. The new recommendations provide you with more options for when to schedule your workouts. If you travel frequently or work rotating hours and evening shifts, the overnight hours may be the only time you can visit a fitness center. Even if you follow a typical work week, there may be times when a 24 hour gym is convenient like when your schedule is thrown off by holidays or house guests. Of course, you may just be a night owl and like the perks of less traffic and shorter lines for the abdominal machine.

No matter what time of day you work out, you’ll find the doors open at one of our 24 hour gyms. Merritt Athletic Clubs is the largest fitness center operation in the Baltimore area. Contact us to learn more about our 24 hour facilities including 24 HR Downtown Athletic Club, 24 HR Buckingham, 24 HR Canton, and 24 HR Cranbrook.

A new poll provides evidence that exercise at any time of day is good for sleep, which makes 24 hour gyms sound better than ever. The 2013 National Sleep Foundation (NSF) poll may make you want to reconsider any curfew you set on working out.

Researchers found that exercise at any time of day improved sleep quality for most people compared to getting no exercise at all. The overall results about the connection between exercise and sleep quality were dramatic with 67 percent of exercisers reporting good quality sleep compared to 39 percent of non-exercisers. While conventional wisdom used to warn people that exercising too late at night might keep them up, the NSF has now changed its position to encourage exercise at any hour. The one exception is for people who already suffer from insomnia, who are advised to stick with their doctor’s treatment plan.

This is all good news if you enjoy normal sleep. The new recommendations provide you with more options for when to schedule your workouts. If you travel frequently or work rotating hours and evening shifts, the overnight hours may be the only time you can visit a fitness center. Even if you follow a typical work week, there may be times when a 24 hour gym is convenient like when your schedule is thrown off by holidays or house guests. Of course, you may just be a night owl and like the perks of less traffic and shorter lines for the abdominal machine.

No matter what time of day you work out, you’ll find the doors open at one of our 24 hour gyms. Merritt Athletic Clubs is the largest fitness center operation in the Baltimore area. Contact us to learn more about our 24 hour facilities including 24 HR Downtown Athletic Club, 24 HR Buckingham, 24 HR Canton, and 24 HR Cranbrook.