Alex Perlin loses 100 pounds training at PEAC!
January 30th, 2012

Lifelong Trenton area resident, Alex Perlin, recently celebrated a life changing accomplishment by losing more than 100 pounds at PEAC Health & Fitness!  Alex joined PEAC in 1997 while in middle school, along with his parents.  Although Alex frequented the club throughout middle school and high school, visiting on his breaks, during college and law school, he was overweight (and struggled with fitness).  Alex is currently a lawyer in the Trenton area.

“I have battled weight my entire life – gym class in school wasn’t enough to keep me healthy,” recalls Alex.  As an adult (now 27 years old), Alex always enjoyed spending his free time working out.  In October of 2008, Alex was diagnosed with non Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (non Hodgkin’s Lymphoma is cancer of the lymphoid tissue, which includes the lymph nodes, spleen, and other organs of the immune system).  “While I was going through chemotherapy, I became very weak, and didn’t feel like myself.  Then I received a surprising phone call from PEAC President, Michael Briehler, encouraging me to come in and work out throughout my treatment.  The staff at PEAC welcomed me and became my extended family during this challenging time.  The atmosphere at PEAC has always been friendly and non-intimidating.  I was happy to return to PEAC to find a great mix of people.  I never had to worry about my physical appearance throughout treatment,” remarked Alex.

“In April 2009, I was given a clean bill of health.  Regrettably, I quickly gained back the 60 pounds I’d lost through the healing process,” said Alex.  Given a new lease on life, Alex began eating healthier, losing 20 pounds relatively easily.  However, he never seemed to break through his plateau.  Alex took advantage of PEAC’s fitness orientation and assessment with PEAC Trainer, Mike Kelderman.  With a revised mission, Alex began training with Mike one session per week and completed two eight-week sessions of PEAC’s weight loss challenge “I Lost it at PEAC.”

Alex recalls working closely with Mike to develop a personal and motivational fitness regimen to include creative warm ups and exercise programs.  “Mike would make me run the track, physically pushing me beyond my limits, challenging me in ways I’ve never experienced before,” said Alex.  “Activities that used to be the max of what I could accomplish, are now easy warm ups for me,” explained Alex.  Mike also recalls, “Alex grew from a comfort zone of warm up  type exercises to a more intense and challenging program.  I began looking for new ways to motivate Alex; I would greet him at the beginning of our session and challenge him to beat his personal best timed mile on the track.  Alex would improve his time with each effort and is now considering 5K races, triathlons, and iron man competitions.  He now continues to strive for new ways to grow and challenge himself.”

With this new exercise regiment and completing two sessions of PEAC’s eight-week weight loss challenge, Alex lost 1/3 of his body weight!  He went from 310 pounds to 205!  Alex was eating better, sleeping better, and wearing clothes off the rack—a convenience he never experienced as an adult.  He was now including workouts in his normal daily routine--at times coming to the club twice a day.

Alex added group exercise to his weekly routine as well.  “The boot camp classes are a real challenge and fortunately for me, in the beginning, I never felt like I didn’t belong there.  The classes welcome all levels and I was amazed by the response and support I received from the members.  Complete strangers offered congratulations and kudos on my weight loss and health battle.  Personal Trainer, Julie McCulley, taught me the biophysical workings of my body and how I was reacting to my workouts on the inside, which helped me better understand the benefits from Mike’s intense workouts.  I grew through the experience of training with both Mike and Julie,” reports Alex.

“The hardest part for me was training when I was not well,” said Alex.  He wasn’t able to curl more than 10 pounds, but is now able to curl a substantial amount of weight.  As a give back to all who had helped him through his difficult times, Alex is dedicating his time to raising money for cancer research through competing in various charitable fitness competitions.  “Alex is an inspiration for me and continues to motivate PEAC members who are faced with similar challenges.  I look forward to coming up with new ways to assist Alex in meeting his fitness goals and will continue to text him when I don’t see him at the club!” adds Mike Kelderman.

For more information please contact Laura Geltch, Marketing at PEAC Health & Fitness at 609.883-2000, or by email Laura Geltch. PEAC is located at 1440 Lower Ferry Road in Ewing.