RENEW, RETHINK, RESTART

23 September 2011

The word of the day: BALANCE.

At 5:04 this morning, we welcomed Autumnal Equinox. That is, of course, the time when day and night were equal. The daylight hours now become shorter as we move towards winter.

We know a healthy life is often too hard to achieve alone. The constant battle for more time, motivation and balance can make you feel overwhelmed.

Change of seasons is a great time to renew, to rethink, and to restart!

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MAKE IT WORK

22 September 2011

We enjoyed seeing many of you at The Chamber of Commerce of St Joseph County Business Expo After Hours yesterday. Passing out apples and tips on how to stay active during the workday, we heard that many of you are interested in how you can make healthier choices for yourself and your kids.

We found additional information in an online article entitled AN APPLE A DAY ISN’T ENOUGH about Corporate Wellness Programs and what they can do for your company's bottom line (as well as your waistline.)

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BE A FAMILY DAY STAR

16 September 2011

Take the pledge to be a Family Day STAR who:

S Spend time with the family by having dinner together

T Talk to your kids about their friends, interests and the dangers of drugs and alcohol

A Answer questions and listen to what kids say

R Recognize that parents are the key to helping keep kids stay healthy

According to The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University, frequent family dinners make a difference!

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TOGETHER EVERYONE ACHIEVES MORE

13 September 2011

At the Y, we offer a variety of group exercise classes to help everyone reduce their risks for diabetes, heart disease and other chronic illnesses.

12 Weeks to a Better You is a program designed to make fitness a lifelong habit. We begin with a baseline fitness test, followed by an individual fitness program set up to assist you on your way to a healthy lifestyle change.

A new study suggests that women may be able to prevent type 2 diabetes with a healthy diet and regular exercise. Combined, the two activities have the greatest result.

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ABILITY TAKES YOU THERE, CHARACTER KEEPS YOU THERE

12 September 2011

Take it from us—anyone can benefit from staying active.

The story of Jim Milliken, Vietnam War veteran, former accountant and lifelong athlete, inspires us here at the Michiana Family YMCA. Not only is Jim a “regular swimmer” at the Y, but he shoots baskets here too. He challenges his grandkids to get outside at least as much as they get on the Wii

“Balance,” this quiet, thoughtful man said recently, “that’s the right word.”

And Jim does all that from his wheelchair.

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BE A PART OF SOMETHING WONDERFUL

07 September 2011

September is National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month, and the Michiana Family YMCA is reminding parents about the importance of incorporating regular physical activity and healthier eating habitsinto their children’s lives.

Childhood obesity puts kids at risk for chronic diseases often seen in adults, such as high cholesterol, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure and type-2 diabetes. This health crisis sheds light on the need to provide children and their parents with the resources and the support they need, emphasizing that small steps can lead to big results to reverse the trend.

One key to fighting childhood obesity is prevention. Regular physical activity – 60 minutes a day for children – and nutritious foods like fruits, vegetables and whole grains can lower children’s chances of becoming obese or overweight and developing chronic diseases.

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HEALTHY WORKFORCE

05 September 2011

Happy Labor Day!

According to today's South Bend Tribune, new research suggests that a major cause of the expanding American waistline is the decline in physical activity during the workday.

At the Y, we know that finding a work-life balance is a challenge for families who find that spending time together gets pushed aside because or work, school, and other obligations. When parents play with their kids -- in our pool, our gym or athletic fields -- they build deep bonds and connect with other families who wish for a healthier life to themselves as well.

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CHANGE IN SCHEDULE, CHANGING LIVES

01 September 2011

At 63, Ben Farland has always been in pretty good shape, having been a jogger for years. But, he said, he wanted to help ensure he could live a longer, healthier life as he aged. He started taking part in group fitness classes at the Michiana Family YMCA. He’s lost 28 pounds and feels he’s healthier than he’s been in years.

In group fitness classes, participants are pushed to perform harder than they may do if they exercised on their own by the other people in the class. The workouts vary but typically involve a mixture of strength-training, body-weight exercises and calisthenics. A trainer can create multiple variations so that no two workouts are the same. One reason the classes are so popular is because they create a challenge beyond the routine gym workout.

It’s important you know your limits, Farland said, in order to avoid injury doing some of the more strenuous moves.

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HEALTHY LIVING IS KIDS' STUFF

31 August 2011

The server at my favorite lunch spot asked me if we were getting used to the quiet now that the kids have returned to school and are not playing outside our office door here at the Michiana Family YMCA.

We enjoy the silly things we overhear when our day camp counselors are welcoming each family as they arrive, calling the kids to their activities, lining them up for bathroom breaks and the happy sound of laughter as the kids are having fun.

And we miss them now that the hallway is no longer filled with their voices.

At the Y, we know that when kids are involved in fun activities, surrounded by caring adult role models who nurture their curiosity, they become teens who are confident, connected and secure.

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LIFE LESSONS LEARNED IN THE POOL

30 August 2011

At the Y, we have been teaching Michiana to swim for generations.

We form our swim lesson groups by ability and develop your child’s comfort around water. All swimmers advance from simple to intermediate levels.

Swimming is an especially social experience for your kids to interact with others and build the foundation of a lifelong habit of physical fitness.