Working out at the San Jose Athletic Club (SJAC) has greatly enhanced my quality of life. I'm stronger and more energetic than I have been in years. I returned to regular workouts at the SJAC six months ago after my kids were grown. Running and regular exercise was a part of my daily routine for 21 years until my kids entered competitive team sports. It was very important to me to be involved in my kids' activities, so I started coaching their Junior Olympic travel ball teams which took me across the country to play in tournaments. I loved coaching my kids and their teammates, but youth sports was so consuming and a major time commitment that it edged out my regular workouts. While coaching was a very active avocation, it was frequently followed by post-game celebrations and post-practice teambuilding outings, including lots of pizza, burgers, and, yes -- beer, and I don't mean light beer.

Over the course of nine years I packed on more than 53 excess pounds thanks to the combination of pizza, beer, and the lack of a regular workout regimen. I couldn't believe that I had become that big dude who moved sluggishly on the field. The positive outcome from this experience is that my student-athletes received college athletic scholarships, and my JO teams attended several national championships. The downside is that I felt huge and was not as healthy as I should be.

I am a manager for the U. S. Federal Courts in San Jose, and we have been experiencing record level court filings in recent years. It's an intense and stressful environment. I look forward to my daily workouts at the SJAC. It helps me decompress and relieve stress. The staff at SJAC is friendly and courteous. The trainers are knowledgeable and inspiring, and the facility is welcoming and state of the art. In the last six months since I returned to the SJAC, I have lost more than 46 pounds! I've modified my diet to a low-fat, high protein diet with sensible portions. I feel better than ever and look forward to my daily workouts. The SJAC provided the environment I needed to be disciplined and to have a comfortable place to work out. Not to mention all the amenities this place offers. And my cholesterol level and blood pressure look great.

Thanks to the SJAC I am now back in the Z O N E. Only this time, it will be a lifetime membership with the San Jose Athletic Club.