Supercharge your metabolism with My Personal Trainer

By Patricia Nugent

Sometimes simply having an appointment on the calendar is enough to make the difference between getting in the best shape of your life, or not.

Ten months ago, Kevin and Carole J. of Brunswick had reached the point where they knew they needed help, but didn’t know how to go about it. Then they received a postcard in the mail from My Personal Trainer in Strongsville, and thought they’d give it a shot.

“We’re approaching 70 and realized it was now or never to turn our health around,” says Kevin.

“As soon as we started, just having that appointment on the calendar, that sense of accountability helped us stick with the workouts,” says Carole. “The 20-minute sessions twice a week were a perfect fit with our schedules.”

Their results are pretty impressive. Kevin has gone from 44.3 percent body fat to 21.5 percent, and Carole from 49 percent to 26 percent, taking both of them from the obese range to standard muscular. Between them, they’ve lost a whopping 70 pounds. But what they’ve gained is just as important: Kevin put on 31 pounds of muscle, and Carole added 15 pounds of muscle.

They report they are much more flexible and have increased energy and sounder sleep. And Kevin says his added strength, stamina and endurance have played a big role in his volunteer work as a Red Cross disaster responder.

“I work 12-14 days, sleeping on a cot in a gym and am constantly on the go,” he says. “It helps to be able to keep up with the physical demands.”

For Carole, the improved level of health has meant she could go off her blood pressure medications.

Keeping Track of Daily Nutrition
Carole and Kevin say that one of the things that has made a difference in their wellness is keeping track of everything they eat.

“Eric Schaefer, the studio owner and trainer, suggested we use a helpful app to keep track of calories, and it’s been great,” she says. “It’s remarkable how much less you consume in terms of calories and bad-for-you food if you are aware of it. Now we read every label, and when we eat out, pay attention to calorie counts.”

Why the Workouts Work
“Each workout is different, and the trainers do everything for you, from setting the machines to the correct weights, to constantly watching your form, and recording your progress on their clipboards,” says Kevin.

“Every step of the program is catered to your individual needs and capabilities. They keep track of every rep and amount of weight from week to week. They seem to know exactly how far to push you.”

Professional Training at a Fraction of the Cost
Eric says the My Personal Trainer program is roughly 30% less cost than most other local personal trainer programs. Rates ranging from $109-$159 per month.

“Our clients get the same one-on-one attention with state-of-the-art equipment in a luxurious private studio—for less money,” he says.

The happy couple says that the positive and motivating atmosphere within the studio has an impact on why they love it here, and why they have referred so many friends who have noticed their weight loss.

It’s said that nothing succeeds like success, and over the past 10 years, in addition to the Strongsville location, Eric has opened three other successful My Personal Trainer studios, including Berea, Broadview Heights and Westlake.

“We are making our imprint on Northeast Ohioans’ health and that means a lot to us,” he says. “The month of January is all about turning over a new leaf and setting yourself on a better path. We’re here and ready. Are you?”

How Relevant is Lean Muscle Mass?
“Science and research tell us that the amount of muscle mass you carry is like the fountain of youth, as it affects many other health indicators, like metabolism,” says Eric.

“But, unfortunately, for most men and woman starting into adulthood without strength training will lose muscle mass each year and add body fat. And men will lose a total of 30 percent of their muscle mass over their lifetime.”

He also points out that sometimes dieting can backfire when it impacts a person’s amount of muscle mass.

“People might lose weight on those restrictive diets, but along with losing fat, they’re probably losing muscle, too, which isn’t healthy in the long run,” says Eric.

“A big misconception is that all people who are overweight are over eating,” he continues. “In fact, it’s their metabolism that isn’t working at top performance. And since they don’t have enough lean muscle mass, fewer of the calories they consume are digested, and instead are stored as fat.”

My Personal Trainer is conveniently located within a shopping plaza at 20930 Drake Road in Strongsville. Program rates run $109-$159 per month and there are no hidden fees. For more info, call 440-878-9000 or visit OhioMyPersonalTrainer.com. A new Medina location will be opening soon. Pre-sale rates are now available.