Getting Back on Track

Of all times of the year when you should be stepping up the exercise routine, this is one of them...but I haven't seen the gym in 2 weeks. I can't believe how quickly you start to feel sluggish (and how fast the pounds come back on) when you don't keep up with exercise. I want to feel healthy again soon. My cousin who was several sizes bigger than me is now a couple of sizes smaller than me, so I'm hoping her success inspires me to get back on track. I'm so proud of her!

Posted by Wendy Smith-Wilczynski, Y Member and Preschooler Parent, Carroll County

Body Pump Off and Running!

Body Pump is off and running - - - and popular!!! So popular that members wait in line to get a ticket for the session. Some of the members wait as long as 30 minutes in line. Rather than complaining about the wait, one of the members suggested that as members come in the front door, they sign in that they want a ticket for class and then they can work out instead of waiting – what an effective approach – solution focused and a great idea.

Posted by Jessica Pearsall, Fitness Instructor, Dancel Family Center Y

My First Marathon!

I recently ran my first marathon! I can still remember when a mile was so hard for me to do – I never imagined I’d be doing a marathon. I didn’t get there over night and I didn’t get across the finish line alone. With all the snow this winter, I did most of my training on the treadmill in the Y. Staff and member began to notice my patter and long run days. They would stop by, ask about my training, make sure I had water and nourishment, and encourage me. The coolest part about completing the marathon was all of the excitement from the staff and members at the Y the first day back after the marathon – they were more excited than I was!!

Posted by Jessica Pearsall, Fitness Instructor, Dancel Family Center Y

A Busy Saturday at the Y

Last Saturday the Y of Central Maryland celebrated Healthy Kids Day. At our Carroll County Y, it was a very busy day for us. We not only had our normal activities of exercise classes, swim lessons, and the fitness center being busy, but we had many employees on hand to help set up and be available for the activities planned for this day. We had many community groups available to share information about safety, nutrition, exercise and having fun while taking care of our bodies.

One of the best parts of the day for me was having all the staff who work at the front desk participating in this event. Because most of us are part-time employees, we don’t get to see each other often. It was nice to see everyone there to help out with this event, but also to reconnect with everyone. I think I work with one of the best groups of people I have ever worked with. The personalities are all diverse but we are all supportive of each other and I ALWAYS end up laughing with the stories they tell.

Although this is a little bragging on my part, the Carroll Y is very fortunate to have the group of people they have working at the front desk. They are hard working, available to offer information, an ear to listen or a much-needed smile at a moment’s notice. For me, as I went from a member at our Y to an employee, it was in part, because of the front desk staff always ready to help with body, mind but also lifting the spirits of the members at our Y.

Posted by Peggy Curet, Member Services Representative, Carroll County Family Center Y

Save the “Mommy Guilt”

I often have “Mommy Guilt” when I add up all the hours Tootie is in pre-school. In the morning, I drop her off between 8:30 and 9:00am. At pick up I’m there between 5:45 and 6:27pm (the Pre-school closes at 6:30). Most times I rush through the door to find her immersed in a coloring project, dancing with her friends, or “reading” a book.

I build up all these thoughts in my mind about how much time she stays at school, how long we’re apart, etc. Add to some of these long days, my exercise routine that includes classes at the Y, and that could extend her day by another hour or two.

Every now and again, I have to take a breath. I get to school and realize she’s well taken care of, and actually having fun! Her nine or ten hour day has been filled with singing, dancing, arts and crafts, reading, nature walks, and all the hard work of being a pre-schooler. When I take her over to the Y for my classes, she fusses for a while, but gets right in the swing of things with the Child Watch staff and all the activities they provide.

It’s good to know that I can save the “Mommy Guilt” for some other occasion. When she’s at school, she’s in good hands. When I’m working on the “Mommy Gut” at the gym, she’s still in good hands. Maybe I can channel my guilt elsewhere… like the fact that she won’t be getting a $50,000 car for her 16th birthday, like the kids on MTV.

Posted by Angie Kirk, Y Preschooler Parent, Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Family Center Y

To Be Young at Heart

Here at the Y of Central Maryland Baltimore County Head Start, we have a teacher who has never forgotten how it feels to be a young child. Mrs. Nadene Evelyn is 57 years young, and has worked for the Y for over ten years. She has three adult children and eight grand children. Yet, Nadene has taken it upon herself to be our resident Choosy.

Who is Choosy you may ask? Choosy is an ambassador for healthy children and the prevention of childhood obesity. Through contemporary music, dance and appropriate activities, Nadene (as Choosy) spends up to 45 minutes in a costume that can get up to 90 degrees. Nadene (as Choosy) talks to children about making healthy food choices and showing them how to move their bodies as a way to promote exercise and fitness. Nadene visits all ten of our Baltimore County Head Start centers and on April 17, she will visit our Druid Hill Y Head Start program in Baltimore city.

No one had to ask Nadene to have the Choosy costume made and she receives no pay to do it, she just loved the message Choosy gives to young children. When asked why she does this, she replied “The children, they love Choosy. I love seeing the fun they have while dancing and moving, and the smiles on their little faces. That’s what makes me want to do this, that’s my pay.” Many of us are younger and have more nimble bodies than Mrs. Nadene, but are we willing to step out of our adulthood (RUSH, RUSH, RUSH… and RUSH) to take the time to become a child’s hero? Wow TO BE YOUNG AT HEART!

Posted by Felecia Veale-Buckson, Baltimore County Head Start Site Manager, Y of Central Maryland

Exercising Outside

Thank goodness the weather is warming up and spring-time is here!!! I recently got back out to use the walking path which goes all the way around our Carroll Family Center Y. It is a beautiful path which many people use. One time around the path equals about a half-mile. Usually when I walk, it is with a small group of people and we are walking fast to get our cardio workout in, but also talking and sharing and before you know, we have done several miles! Using the path just brings in another dimension of exercise, but also allows us to be outside.

So many people use the path. I have seen people go in for their classes and then meet up with some friends and they all walk to catch-up on things. We have many runners using it and even the local high school has kids that run from their school over to the path and then back to the school. It’s nice to see that the Carroll Family Center Y not only offers all the typical fitness/cardio equipment and classes, but also gives us this beautiful outdoor path to use.

Posted by Peggy Curet , Member Services Representative, Carroll County Family Center Y