

6
Centegra
HealthSystem
A
s Maureen Schroeder drove her son,
Brady, to preschool 6
½
years ago, a
construction site caught her eye. It was
Centegra Health Bridge Fitness Center
taking shape in Huntley.
“I thought: ‘How can I drive right past this
to go to another gym? I’m going to have to
get out of my comfort zone and join,’” she
says. She never imagined this one decision
would kick off a transformation in her
whole life.
BREAKING DOWN BARRIERS
Though physical fitness is central to
Schroeder’s life now, it wasn’t
always easy for her. Diagnosed
with a heart condition at 16, she
had to be monitored carefully when
playing sports. Heart surgeries
corrected the life-threatening
condition, but she still thought of
herself as a “chicken” about gyms.
“I was once too scared to even go
to one and get on a treadmill,” she
says.
But something about Centegra Health
Bridge Fitness Center felt different. At first
it was the social aspect she loved and the
“come as you are” atmosphere. It helped her
feel comfortable, whether she was working
out or talking to a friend.
That’s not unusual, says Matt Carlen,
vice president of health and wellness with
Centegra Health System. “It’s a lot easier to
exercise when you know your friends will
be there. We have members who have been
taking group fitness classes together for
10 years.”
Over time, Schroeder ventured into new
activities—tennis, swimming, step aerobics.
It became a way of life that boosted her
‘Not today...’
Cut out the excuses, and stay on the fitness
track. Read more at
gethealthy.centegra.org
.
Project:
Me!
Centegra helped
Maureen love fitness—
and change her life
See for yourself!
Try a free three-day membership
to Centegra Health Bridge
Fitness Center. Go to
healthbridgefitness.com
.