It’s been two and a half months since those New Year’s resolutions were made, and if yours went the way most do, then at this point you are probably looking for Plan B.

Look no further than Nutrition Discounters at 148 W. Roosevelt Road, Villa Park.
This specialty store opened in Villa Park in 2005. Owned by Villa Park resident Jeff Gruskovak, Nutrition Discounters started in 1992 as a mail-order outlet for bodybuilding supplements. The business, which is not a franchise, saw steady growth, and after several years at different west suburban locations, Gruskovak moved his business to Villa Park.

“I realized that the potential of our retail or walk-up business and had added more mainstream supplements to my stock such as vitamins, herbs and minerals. My retail end continued to grow, and I needed more exposure for the business,” Gruskovak said. “My current location offers easy access to all the suburbs. We’re basically dead center from Chicago and the far western suburbs like Naperville and Aurora.”

Nutrition Discounters carries a very wide range of nutrition supplements. It no longer concentrates on just bodybuilding supplements. You can find protein and weight-loss products, vitamins, minerals, cleansers, herbs, nutrition bars, meal replacements and a wide variety of general health and sports nutrition supplements.

Weight loss products are some of the most popular items sold at the store.

“Our best-sellers this time of year are weight-loss products. This is also our busiest time of the year. Everyone wants to get in shape,” Gruskovak said. “It’s our job to help them and not just for a quick fix but for permanent, rest-of-your-life type of results.”

Nutrition Discounters serves all types of customers, according to Gruskovak.

“Our customer base is everyone from high school athletes to senior citizens, both men and women,” he said. “Most people are surprised to find out how many general health products we carry. We are known for our sports nutrition products, but we have greatly expanded our vitamin/general health stock.

“We do our best to help people make lifestyle changes — to strive for permanent results. Too many people tell us about how they lost weight but gained it back,” Gruskovak said. “We try to help our customers by educating them about lifestyle changes and not a quick fix. What works and what does not.”

The entrepreneur really enjoys this aspect of his work.

“That’s what this is all about. That’s what keeps me going,” he said. “If I can help someone and save them some aggravation of navigating all there is to learn, then I’ve done my job.”

Gruskovak practices what he preaches. He’s been lifting weights since he was 13 and did competitive bodybuilding as a teen and young adult. He said he stopped competing when he saw the increase in steroid use and now just lifts for the love of the sport and the health benefits.

The store has been well-received by area residents.

“We have a strong customer base, and it continues to grow daily. We do our best to get involved with the community by holding blood drives, seminars and special events,” Gruskovak said. “We recently had the World’s Strongest Man at the store. We also donate to local charities and events. Having my business in the same town I live in is a big plus for a short commute and it allows me to spend more time with my wife, Christy, and sons Jacob and Johnny.”

For more information, call Nutrition Discounters at (630) 279-7310.