She Said

We have taken this Weight No More contest as an opportunity to return to the healthy lifestyle we used to live-whole foods, daily activity, more energy, better sleep, lots of water, and a lot less coffee.  There have been plenty of small wins in the last few weeks:

1. I’ve stopped making excuses and started working out again.
2. We bought fruit that didn’t go bad before we could eat it.
3. The dogs have had some nice, long walks,
4. For the very first time in 32 years, I drank the recommended eight glasses (64 ounces) of water in a day! (Only one day.)

It’s all about progress and making better choices every day.

That being said, there have been plenty of poor choices along the way too:

1. We ate an entire pint of ice cream in 2 days.
2. I counted 4 minutes of stretching as “yoga.”
3. Mr. B drank (the NOT recommended) 8 cups (64 ounces) of coffee in a day.
4. We let the girl child count pizza sauce as a vegetable.
5. We followed up a great hike with three rounds of whiskey & ginger ale.

It’s about half way through this year’s Weight No More contest, so it’s time to get serious! As a family, we are headed in the right direction, but we haven’t pushed it and made any difficult or uncomfortable commitments. There are changes to be made that won’t be easy at first but are necessary to meet our goals. These are things like:

1. Sticking to suggested servings and portion sizes. Yeah, an apple with peanut butter is a healthy snack, but not if you’re using a measuring cup as a serving size. (A serving of peanut butter is two tablespoons. Please don’t look in my lunch box.) It’s not just snacks that need to be measured out; cereals, cheese, pasta, etc., are easy to over serve. How difficult is it to check the side of the box for how much you should put on your plate?! (Not as difficult as it is only to eat that much!)
2. Cutting out snacks before bed. Healthy snacks or not, we all know you don’t have to eat after 8 pm. It’s simply a mindless habit we’ve fallen into.
3. Consistently prioritizing our health & well-being over other commitments. What can we get done and what good will it be, if we’re tired and hungry and using stressful work days as an excuse to ignore what our bodies need? We already have the answer to this- it’s what our family has been doing, and we know it doesn’t work because that’s why we’re in the contest this year! (Yeah, I’m looking at you, Mr. B., no more mulligans!)

We have six more weeks until the final weigh in. It’s time to double down and make those changes for good!

Making better decisions more of the time is a start, but making the best decision most of the time is the goal.

He Said

Halftime, time to look in the mirror and look at the progress ( or regress) I have made since the beginning of the Weight no more contest. I have named the theme of this reflection the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Working out. The good. I have worked out more the last 4 weeks than I have in several years. The bad, it has been sporadic, different times of the day and lacking focus. The ugly, I have not worked out enough to see results in my quest to lose weight.

Water. The good, water has been a much larger part of my daily routine. I have been getting the “recommended” 8 eight ounce glasses daily. The bad, after some research, it seems water intake should be based on your weight and activity, the more you weigh and the more active you are, the more water you require. It actually makes sense instead of the standard 64 ounces no matter your size.  My recommended daily water intake is 136 ounces. I see many more trips to the bathroom in my future. The ugly, coffee. I am still drinking too much coffee and although it does count toward daily fluid intake, the cream and sugar adds to my daily calorie intake.

Food. The good, as a family we have been eating more fruits and vegetables on a consistent basis (I would be doing much better if coffee were considered a vegetable) The bad, adding butter and cheese to your vegetables is counter productive as is adding a banana to your bowl of ice cream.  The ugly, there was a lot of ugly this week. To start, as soon as I finished last weeks column where I took a mulligan, a co-worker brought in a dozen glazed donuts (Thanks Ashley) I ate 2.  The pizza I grabbed on Friday had pepperoni and sausage.  The pint of ice cream that Mrs. B said we finished in 2 days was actually a half-gallon of ice cream.  The last ugly of the week I will call Super Bowl of chips and dip.

This week I will focus on more of a structured exercise routine, setting aside time in the morning and evening for strength and cardio. The other focus will be on eating, concentrating on when I eat, and how much (no more 9 pm dinners followed by 10pm dessert).

We have made some progress in our goal to lose weight and make healthier choices in what we eat and what we do, there is, however, a lot more wok to be done….

WOMEN’S RESULTS

MEN’S RESULTS

Female Contestants: 723 Pounds
Male Contestants: 291 Pounds
Total: 1014 Pounds
In other words, we’ve lost about the same as the weight of a Grand Piano.

HE SAID/SHE SAID

When I asked if Mr. B and I could write He Said/She Said for Weight No More this year, Tina asked, “What do you have to write about? You work at the Y and your family eats well.” I was holding my fourth cup of coffee, a bag of salt & vinegar chips for lunch, and I had just gotten winded walking up the stairs. “This is the first vegetable I’ve eaten all week and I never actually work out at the Y- I’m only wearing workout clothes because none of my jeans fit.” So here we are.

Mr. B. & I have been married for 5 years and for the first few, we did have a healthy lifestyle. All of our meals were vegetarian, made with fresh vegetables straight from the garden. Everything was made from scratch, even our yogurt, bread, and beer!  I think we got away with buying just coffee, rice, flour, and sugar on most of our grocery trips.

Then our daughter started Kindergarten and there was a lot more rushing around in the morning and less time after homework at night; We started buying cereals for breakfast and snacks for school. That year, I was diagnosed with Celiac’s Disease, an autoimmune disorder that lets my body attack my digestive system any time I eat wheat, barley, or rye.  We started buying gluten free breads and pastas that sound healthy, but are heavily processed with extra sugar and fat to make them tolerable. Soon Mr. B.  started work at the paper and I went back to school. We both started staying up late working on the couch and eating snacks. Then we were up early and rushing around, and out the door with a third cup of coffee, and forgot to grab lunch, and there’s a meeting tonight, so just grab pizza on your way home, and suddenly…here we are. We have not maintained any of our healthy habits from 5 years ago; we are tired and heavy and on a dangerous path.

For me, Weight No More isn’t about fitting back in those smaller sized jeans, though that would be nice, they were expensive. It’s not even about the number on the scale, that’s just a numeric representation of my relationship with gravity.  I’m not worried about the pounds, just the bad habits that put them on.  The next ten weeks will be our family trying to make our way back to the energetic and vibrant life we started together.

How to talk to your daughter about her body, step one: Don’t talk to your daughter about her body, except to teach her how it works.

Don’t say anything if she’s lost weight. Don’t say anything if she’s gained weight.

If you think your daughter’s body looks amazing, don’t say that. Here are some things you can say instead:

“You look so healthy!” is a great one.

Or how about, “You’re looking so strong.”

“I can see how happy you are — you’re glowing.”

Better yet, compliment her on something that has nothing to do with her body.

Don’t comment on other women’s bodies either. Nope. Not a single comment, not a nice one or a mean one.

Teach her about kindness towards others, but also kindness towards yourself.

Don’t you dare talk about how much you hate your body in front of your daughter, or talk about your new diet. In fact, don’t go on a diet in front of your daughter. Buy healthy food. Cook healthy meals. But don’t say, “I’m not eating carbs right now.” Your daughter should never think that carbs are evil, because shame over what you eat only leads to shame about yourself.

Encourage your daughter to run because it makes her feel less stressed. Encourage your daughter to climb mountains because there is nowhere better to explore your spirituality than the peak of the universe. Encourage your daughter to surf, or rock climb, or mountain bike because it scares her and that’s a good thing sometimes.

Help your daughter love soccer or rowing or hockey because sports make her a better leader and a more confident woman. Explain that no matter how old you get, you’ll never stop needing good teamwork. Never make her play a sport she isn’t absolutely in love with.

Prove to your daughter that women don’t need men to move their furniture.

Teach your daughter how to cook kale.

Teach your daughter how to bake chocolate cake made with six sticks of butter.

Pass on your own mom’s recipe for Christmas morning coffee cake. Pass on your love of being outside.

Maybe you and your daughter both have thick thighs or wide ribcages. It’s easy to hate these non-size zero body parts. Don’t. Tell your daughter that with her legs she can run a marathon if she wants to, and her ribcage is nothing but a carrying case for strong lungs. She can scream and she can sing and she can lift up the world, if she wants.

Remind your daughter that the best thing she can do with her body is to use it to mobilize her beautiful soul.

This article was originally posted on 07/30/2013, The Huffington Post, by Sarah Koppelkam

 Weight No More Contestants 2016

Male Contestants

• Don Barney
• Al Beck
• Kevin Bernitt
• Craig Bodie
• William Bowen
• James Bowen
• Paul Bunnell
• James Clark
• Ken Crum
• Kyle Curtis
• Vito DeLaOrange
• Paul Diamond
• Scott Faatz
• Steve Fountain
• Mark Goda
• John Gustafson
• George Heeman
• Edward  Holmes
• Samuel Ingenito
• David Jagger
• Kevin Kearney
• Clyde Kreider
• Tim Lauffenburger
• Justin LeBlanc
• Jeff Lesek
• Kevin McGinnis
• Peter McNulty
• Walter Mendler
• Anthony Meyers
• Charles Miller
• David Mitchell
• Craig Moyle
• Bill Murray
• Bob Nurnberger
• Seth Pennington
• Don Pontosky
• Mike Poska
• Terry Roberts
• Richard Roberts
• Mike Ruddy
• Joe Sarge
• Terry Schwartz
• Josh Schweighofer
• Chris St. Clair
• Chris Stein
• Lee Swingle
• Mark Wilmot

Female Contestants

• Maureen Allen
• Betsy Austin
• Melissa Austin
• Linda Barney
• Teresa Bates
• Joann Bates
• Andrea Beck
• Morgan Bernitt
• Alexandra Blaine
• Chey Bodie
• Katie Bowen
• Sandra Boyd
• Heather Boyd
• Nicole Branning
• Emily Bunnell
• Catherine Bunnell
• Michelle Bunnell
• Nancy Camper
• Sarah Canfield
• Judy Castek
• Kathleen Chicoski
• Amy Costantino
• Natalie Cottell
• Donna Smith
• Diane Dailey
• DJ Daniels
• Melanie Deighton
• Juliana Demasi
• Terry  Dippel
• Bonnie Drake
• Keara Drew
• Lisa Edwards
• Cassandra Egan
• Cynthia Eike
• Terri Erdmann
• Cassie Erdmann
• Alixandra Fils Aime
• Mary Fitzgerald
• Janine Fotusky
• Sarah Frammigin
• Grace Frisbie
• Lisa Frisbie
• Loretta Gentile
• Sharon Gill
• Meghan Gilleran
• Christine Goda
• Lynn Gormley
• Kathy Grandjean
• Sue Grasse
• Chelsea Grasse
• Laurie Greco
• Roberta Griffis
• Shannon Guinard
• Tina Hoehn
• Bethann Holbert
• Karen Hopkins
• Tammy Jensen
• Audrey Josefek
• Marilu Justice
• Heather Kennedy
• Barbara Korteling
• Carolann Krehel
• Sharyl Kreiter
• Heather Kretschmer
• Heather Krisovitch
• Myra LeBlanc
• Connie Lindsey
• Evelyn Lippert
• Elizabeth Lopez
• Jessica Lurvey
• Perri MacLauren
• Chris Maloni
• Larissa Margraf
• Jennifer Marold
• Kim Masker
• Laurie McKean
• Joye McNulty
• Robin Mead
• Karen Menza
• Linda Meyers
• Linda Miller
• Diane Mitarotonda
• Dawn Mitchell
• Kristen Montauredes
• Sandy  Morahan
• Kathryn Moyle
• Marleen Mullen
• Lori Mulvey
• Jennifer Murray
• Theresa  Nurnberger
• Laurie Ordnung
• Kristen Orellana Anton
• Leann  Parenti
• Deidre Patrisso
• Arleen Peck
• Laurie Peterson
• Linda Pontosky
• Brandy Porosky
• Katherine Prati
• Tina Quatela
• Jennie Quatela
• Sally Rapp
• Chris Roberts
• Nancy Roberts
• Lois Rogari
• Kathy Schaffer
• Johanna Schultz
• Carolann Schwartz
• Patsy  Schwegman
• Alyssa Schweighofer
• Jasminka Selimovic
• Megan Sherman
• Vera Shields
• Wendy Simons
• Dehlia Smith
• Jeanne Snyder
• Cynthia Sprong
• Jennifer Stanton
• Erin Stinavage
• Patricia  Stuart
• Jacqui Sturgis
• MaryAnn Swingle
• Samantha Syrylo
• Janine Traynor
• Heather Trojnacki
• Ashley Trojnacki
• Karen Tucker
• Georgette Ursich
• Emily VanOrden
• Cindy Wilcox
• Nicole Wilson
• Lori Wood
• Diane Yaddow
• Nichole Yannone
• Kristina Young
• Brittany Zebrowski

 MY Y STORY

I retired March 1, 2012 after 31 years of teaching.  Some people thought I took an early retirement but I would say it was just right!

 Labor Day 2012 came and I kept my promise and drove to my closest YMCA a day or two after – the Raritan Valley YMCA in East Brunswick. Arline from the front desk was the first to greet me and give me a tour of the facilities. The first class I ever went to at the East Brunswick Y was the 10:00am Cardio Circuit with Amanda as the instructor. I love both these classes but a game changing  situation was about to happen in January 2013.

 Then another realization hit me, both these Y’s had classes in the evening…why wasn’t I going?  Perhaps because I thought watching TV was more important?  Heck no…not any more!!!  So in addition to the daytime classes, I returned at night for Step & Sculpt and more Spin…2 classes in a row!  I also started working out on the Elliptical machine. It didn’t matter what I did, as long as I did something!!  I was a woman on a mission.

 February 25, 2013 came and my doctor’s appointment had arrived.  I looked up to the heavens when I got weighed.  It turned out I was a mere 2 pounds more than last year’s number.  That meant I lost 14 pounds in 6 weeks!!  Fourteen pounds!!!  I was jumping out of my skin – but acting cool because the number was still high for my height. At an appropriate time during the check-up, I told Dr. HW the WHOLE background story and although still a high weight I am continuing my exercise and efforts to lose more.  He was delighted! He told me to keep it up as I was adding 20 years to my life.  That put a big smile on my face!

 I remember that day very clearly and I have continued my journey at the Y as many of you that know me can attest to. I feel so fortunate to have the support and encouragement of my fellow members as well as the fantastic instructors.  Less than 1 year later, I can proudly say I have lost over 65 pounds and feel fantastic!  My daughter is also quite proud of her mom.  I still have more weight to lose and this is not the finale to my story but rather a pause looking back up to this point.  If you can’t decide when the best time for you to make your move is, then just answer this question: If not now, when?

 The Y staff welcomed me and embraced me.  They knew the situation which brought me to them and I became part of their family. I formally give a special “shout-out” and heartfelt “thank you” to Ned Kane and Kristin Leung and ALL the staff and wonderful instructors at the Princeton Y- who along with the East Brunswick Y (Raritan Valley) has allowed me to successfully continue my weight loss goals.

 I am a regular participant in a variety of group exercise and water fitness classes and in this updated segment can proudly report at my Feb, 2014 annual check-up with Dr. HW, I lost 63 pounds from my 2013 visit – plus the 14 pounds I lost just before that check-up- equals a total of 77 pounds!! (Dare I say –so far?)   I raise my water bottle and say “Here’s to you YMCA(s)…Thank You!”

 Written by Anita.

Submitted by the Princeton YMCA.

Across the Movement: Stories of Impact

07/08/2015

My Y is Every Y- Y members can now access facilities across Pennsylvania for free

Honesdale, PA, 09/28/2015 – The Y stands for healthy living and to make sure all members continue to be involved wherever they may travel or work, YMCAs across Pennsylvania have joined to offer reciprocal membership through their “My Y is Every Y” program.

The program, which will launch in October, allows Pennsylvania YMCA members to access any YMCA in the state, at no charge when they present a valid YMCA membership ID card.

“Our members count on their local Ys for their health and wellness needs. Now they’ll be able to take advantage of what Ys across Pennsylvania have to offer. We’re very excited to be able to bring this added benefit to members,” said David John, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Alliance of YMCAs. “We look forward to welcoming members from other Ys as we all stand together to strengthen our communities.”

Through the “My Y is Every Y” program, full facility/full privilege members will have access rights to all YMCAs in Pennsylvania. Members should bring their YMCA ID card and a photo ID card to access a partner Y. Some restrictions may apply depending on the YMCA, so members are encouraged to check with the Y they plan to visit ahead of time to learn the specifics.

YMCAs in New England began the “My Y is Every Y” program in 2010 and with its successes the program has expanded to other states.

About the Y

The Y is one of the nation’s leading nonprofits strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. Across the U.S., 2,687 Ys engage 21 million men, women and children – regardless of age, income or background – to nurture the potential of children and teens, improve the nation’s health and well-being, and provide opportunities to give back and support neighbors. Anchored in more than 10,000 communities, the Y has the long-standing relationships and physical presence not just to promise, but to deliver, lasting personal and social change. For more information visit ymca.net

When the school day ends, children and teens need opportunities to learn and engage in meaningful activities. Their success out of school can have a positive effect on their success in school. Unfortunately, one in four U.S. children and 18%[1] of children in Pennsylvania are left unsupervised after 3 p.m., according to Afterschool Alliance, a nonprofit public awareness advocacy organization. To help youth reach their full potential, the Wayne County YMCA is offering afterschool programming in the Wallenpaupack School District that supports social-emotional, cognitive and physical development.

The Y’s afterschool program offers activities in a caring and safe environment where all youth can achieve, feel like they belong, and build friendships. Youth in Y afterschool programs demonstrate improvement in the skills needed for successful living and in academic proficiency. As a leading nonprofit committed to youth development, and a pioneer in afterschool programs, the Y believes in supporting the holistic processes that all youth experience – from birth to career – to support success in school and life.

“When the final school bell rings, continued learning opportunities can have a positive influence on how well youth perform in school,” said Tina M. Hoehn, CEO, Wayne County YMCA. “Afterschool programs also fill gaps in schools and communities where some recreational opportunities like art, music and physical activity offerings are limited.”

Studies show participation in afterschool programs helps boost school attendance and academic performance and reduces gaps in academic achievement among children from disadvantaged households[2].

In the Wayne County YMCA’s Wallenpaupack Afterschool Program, youth receive help with homework and can also explore group sports or the arts. Financial assistance is available to those in need, to ensure every child has the opportunity to learn and grow at the Y.

For more information about the Wayne County YMCA’s afterschool program, please contact Rich Palazzo, Health & Wellness Program Coordinator, at 570-253-2083.