Member Spotlight: Megan Ruiter

For Megan’s entire adult life, she has tried on and off to exercise and make it work.

“I knew this was something I had to do but could never get to a place where I was consistent.”

Last September, after the kids went back to school, she returned to the gym with a different approach and wanted to just keep things simple this time.

“I approached Matt to give me a simple program to get me started back in the gym.”

That program was a full body strength routine plus walking on the treadmill that took 1 hour, 3 times per week.

Megan did that routine for 3 weeks until it became a habit.

Then, she added a fourth day, still the same routine but increased some of the weights and started cleaning up her diet.

Megan kept the slow and steady approach and it was working.

In January of this year, she added Pilates as part of her strength routine in the gym as well.

By that time, she really started to notice changes and her weight was dropping.

Now, a year later, she is still going strong, has lost 20lbs of body fat, completely changed her body composition, went down 3 pant sizes and is stronger and has more energy then she ever has.

“I’m constantly trying to outdo myself and better myself.”

“I always used to just want to be skinny but I changed my mindset to I want to be strong, I want to go to the gym, and it became a lifestyle.”

Megan said that she didn’t have a lot of self confidence before and didn’t like how she looked.

“I’m a performer, I’m a singer in a band, and it effected how I performed and what I would wear on stage. Now I have more stamina to perform and am more confident on stage.”

She also said she had to get out of her comfort zone and that it took until 40 to get comfortable working out and to prioritize it.

“It has also been a positive outlet for my mental health and stress.”

When asked what one of her proudest achievements has been she said it was that when she first started, she could barely do 5 minutes on the step mill but can now do 25.

“My heart used to beat out of my chest during those 5 minutes and now I do 25 minutes no problem.”

She is also very proud of the fact that her kids watched her do all this and are now showing interest in working out and their own health and fitness.

“They seen that you can do this anytime, whether you are working, in school or raising kids.”

If she hadn’t got started back last September with a simple plan and different mindset, she says she thinks she would not have stuck with it and be miserable, not feel good about herself and stuck in the same viscous cycle.

“I work with the elderly and see what can happen if you don’t take care of yourself. I feel really good that I have built this foundation and strength and have no plans of stopping.”

“I look at it that it’s a privilege to go to the gym. I get to go.”

When asked about some advice for others she says to choose something you like in the gym and just do that and create the habit.

“It’s about feeling good and being strong, not about being skinny. Once you create the habit, the sky is the limit!”

Thank you for sharing your story, Megan! It’s been a privilege for us to watch your success and can’t wait to see what else you accomplish!