With the new year comes the customary resolution to get fit.
In an effort to support health-conscious individuals, the Greater Johnstown Community YMCA is offering a smorgasbord of programs to satisfy the tastes of most participants.
Fitness director Debra Smith is encouraged by the number of people trying to make lifestyle changes and get fit.
By introducing new exercise programs and expanding a weight-loss challenge, Smith is striving to achieve the YMCA’s goal of making human beings better when it comes to their health.
“Statistics show that Cambria County is the second-fattest county in the state, trailing only Blair County,” Smith said. “That is not something to be proud of.”
The organization is in the midst of its second annual Lean Team Weight Loss Challenge, which began Jan. 14 to help people lose unwanted pounds and adopt lifestyle changes.
“One out of three people are on a diet at any given time in this country, so why aren’t we all thin?” Smith asked.
“The goals are to make people understand how to eat healthy, develop a great attitude, gain self-esteem, lose weight and maintain a lifestyle that will keep the weight off.”
More than two dozen teams and 20 individuals have accepted the challenge.
Some teams consist of two people while others have as many as eight.
“We have corporate groups, such as the four teams from AmeriServ, and we have family teams, and some are made up of groups of friends and neighbors,” Smith said.
“By expanding the program to 12 weeks from the 10 we did last year, it makes for a better fit for a drop-off point for people to make a commitment to continue on their own.”
Smith said every Wednesday during the challenge, updates are printed in The Tribune-Democrat listing the biggest losers and the top three teams leading the effort.
Following the team challenge, an awards ceremony will be held in April to recognize the participants.
“Anybody can lose weight, but the real challenge is committing to a change in lifestyle to ensure continued success,” Smith said.
The YMCA has introduced the Les Mills Body Pump, which is a barbell workout for the entire body.
It is designed to challenge all major muscle groups by using the best weight-room exercises, such as squats, presses, lifts and curls.
“We offer personal instruction and have some great music with a choice of weights to inspire the best results,” Smith said.
The program began the first week in January, and new sessions have been added.
“We also have expanded our Zumba classes and now offer these fun and challenging workouts in the morning,” she said. “We had to add more because these classes have become so popular.”
The YMCA also is a participating Silver & Fit facility providing a program designed specifically to help senior citizens achieve better health through regular exercise and health education.
“This is an easy-to-use health tool to help people monitor various health indicators,” Smith said.
The program is available to all Medicare-eligible beneficiaries.
Information: 535-8381.
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