Taking Charge

One man's journey to reclaim his health and fitness.

Keri Guten Cohen

But through this program, he was able
to reclaim his athleticism and use it to his
advantage.

Story Development Editor

A

t age 50, Dr. Mark DeVore of

West Bloomfield weighed 271
pounds. He had trouble button-
ing his suit jacket. He wasn't a convinc-
ing role model for his gastroenterology
patients he advised to lose weight. And he
could easily graze through 2,000 calories a
day on the job without eating a meal.
"I promised myself I would do some-
thing about it by age 50, and time was
going by quickly;' he said.
So when his wife, Carol, a Beverly Hills
allergist, saw an ad in the IN looking for
a IN reader to participate in a weight loss
and fitness program Franklin Athletic
Club was developing, she gave it to Mark.
"When Carol saw it provided food, that
sealed the deal: he said. "She told me to
show up for the interview."
More than 30 others had the same idea.
Mark was one of three finalists at a sit-
down interview with Franklin staff at the
club in Southfield.
"I really did want to do it," he said. "I
told them I'd do it anyhow and join else-
where. I was that determined."
Mark earned his spot, along with four
others already selected to test the 16-
week program free of charge beginning
last June. All were assigned certified per-
sonal trainers and provided with three
meals and two snacks a day prepared by
Gourmet Everyday in Ferndale. The meals
added up to about 1,500 calories a day
and were based on the South Beach Diet.
Rules were pretty simple: work out
three hours a week with a personal trainer,
take an additional strength-training class

Left: Mark DeVore's "before"

photo from January 2007.

Right: Carol and Mark DeVore
looking healthy and fit today.

once a week and add five hours per week
of cardiovascular exercise on top of that
for a total of nine hours weekly; eat the
Gourmet Everyday meals, adding extra
protein and approved snacks as necessary.
Each participant also met with an on-staff
dietitian.
"Before" weight and measurements were
taken as well as a metabolic test and a
body fat reading. Each week, participants
had to weigh in; and at regular intervals,
body fat measurements were re-taken.
A chart in an office off the exercise floor
kept track of everyone's progress week to
week and provided a little friendly corn-
petition.
Mark rearranged his work schedule to

Comprehensive Program

Franklin Athletic Club's new fitness and
weight loss program is multi-dimen-
sional. Rather than just working with
a personal trainer as at most clubs or
weighing in once a week at a diet cen-
ter, this eight-week program focuses
on both elements together.
Add-ons can boost success. A staff
dietitian as well as a Detroit Medical
Center psychologist are available on-
site for counseling. Freshly prepared,
portion-controlled meals tailored to

most diets can be ordered for delivery
to the club from Gourmet Everyday in
Ferndale. Owner Michelle Kobernick
also has an office at Franklin.
"We are trying to emphasize both
exercise and weight loss," said Cindy
Wilkinson, Franklin general man-
ager, explaining the comprehensive
approach.
Program participants receive unlim-
ited use of the health club for eight
weeks, eight personal training ses-

accommodate all the exercise. He was ready.
"I was very overweight and looking
for a viable way to lose a lot of weight
quickly," he said. "I felt like I was sheathed
in insulation and could go out in any cold
weather and feel comfortable. After one
flight of stairs, I was not looking forward
to the second. I would avoid going to the
doctor because I'd know what I'd hear -7
A benefit Mark had going for him was
that he'd been a competitive swimmer,
ranked in the top two in the nation, during
high school. He made All-American in the
butterfly and distance freestyle and had
made it to Olympic trials.
"I seemed like a failed athlete when I'd
talk about it when I was heavy," he said.

signs, eight weigh-ins, eight 15-minute
nutrition and exercise review sessions,
metabolic testing, three body fat anal-
yses before and after measurements,
and use of a heart rate monitor.
Requirements include five hours
of cardiovascular exercise per week
plus three hours of strength training,
consumption of 64 ounces of water,
maintenance of food and exercise dia-
ries and calorie consumption within a
recommended zone.
"We are looking for a lifestyle
change and for consistency," said ltzi
Saar, fitness director. "We like to com-

Baby Steps
Shannon Aldridge, Franklin's group exer-
cise director, became Mark's personal
trainer. She weaned him off the stationary
bike he found so comfortable and intro-
duced him to her world — the Pilates
studio, with its dim lights, calming music
and versatile equipment like the Reformer
and the Cadillac.
Pilates, a discipline that strengthens the
body's core, helped Shannon learn how
Mark moved.
"Things were really hard at the begin-
ning," she said. "He was extremely chal-
lenged with balance and just bending
down. He told me about being an athlete,
and I didn't believe it. He loves to eat and
drink. He indulged. But he was motivated."
In the first few weeks, they developed
mutual respect for each other, and a
friendship developed.
"I brought a good sense of humor about
myself;' Mark said. "At first, I was laughing
so hard in Pilates because I found myself
in positions I'd never been in before, with
my legs spread wide and up in the air.
After the first two or three weeks, I saw I
could do it and that I had Shannon's sup-
port. She wanted me to do well, and she
would push me more than I would have
done on my own7

Dramatic Results
"I made the commitment on my part to
make myself more important;' Mark said.

Taking Charge on page A36

bine everything to keep people moti-
vated and healthy."
Expected weight loss is up to 30
pounds for the eight-week period.
Program cost is $525; if purchased a
la carte, it would add up to $1,034.
"Training alone for eight weeks
would cost $520," Wilkinson said. "We
didn't want the price tag to turn pro-
spective participants away. Our main
goal is to change lives."
For more information, call Itzi Saar
at (248) 352-8000 ext. 273. E

- Keri Guten Cohen, story development editor

November 27 2008

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