The New Year is a time for new beginnings! For the Marietta Family YMCA, a leading nonprofit that strengthens the community through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, one of the most important resolutions is to make positive changes that strengthen individuals as well as entire communities.
Following are five resolutions the Y recommends for 2012:
1. Live healthier - Achieving greater health and well-being is about taking small steps. Take care of your health by eating nutritious foods and being physically active each day. Experts recommend 30 minutes of daily physical activity for adults and 60 minutes for kids. This can be achieved throughout the day by incorporating physical activity into your daily routines (i.e., taking stairs instead of elevators, walking instead of driving, etc.) The Y offers many fun opportunities for individuals and families to be active.
Our 30 minute workout options include Y X-Press, gravity training as well as other opportunities. Our YMCA fitness center features 18 nautilus machines, treadmills, Stairmasters, Star Trac and CYBEX bicycles, Life Cycles, rowing machines, elliptical fitness cross trainers, Nautilus tread climber, Precor Stretch Trainer, free-weights, benches, and a full range of medicine balls. Visit mariettaymca.org to learn more.
2. Volunteer - Doing good feels good, and giving back to support neighbors benefits everyone involved. Volunteering also provides individuals the opportunity to meet new people and to develop new relationships. Find an opportunity in your community that you may enjoy, such as cleaning your neighborhood park or distributing food at a local food bank.
The Marietta Family YMCA welcomes volunteers and is appreciative of the help and support volunteers provide year round at their local Y. It would be difficult to run such a successful program without the help and support of individuals, businesses and the community at large. Thank you.
3. Help inspire children and teens, be a mentor - Children and teens often need caring adults to look up to and seek guidance. By nurturing our youth, we can help them strive to accomplish success and reach their full potential. Whether a relative or neighbor, use your experience or talent to help youth realize who they are and how what they can be. The Marietta Family YMCA encourages mentoring programs and will be happy to work with mentors in our community. We also encourage youth volunteers to assist at the Y, to encourage youth to learn more about fitness, working well with others and skills that will assist them as they enter the job market.
4. Learn something new - Step out of your comfort zone, have fun and grow by exploring personal interests. Is there a swimming, Zumba, or painting class you've always wanted to take? Try something new that you've always wanted to do to build your spirit, mind or body.
Perhaps an active older class which will allow you to swing to "Big Band" or "Bee Bop" to the oldies in a group exercise class especially designed for the active older adult. Class includes aerobics, step aerobics, light weights, exercise bands, and body ball. Improve your strength, flexibility and stamina with this well rounded fitness class. The Marietta Family YMCA also has an experienced, certified, aquatic team responsible for bringing you some of the best in fun, fitness, and safety programs for all levels of swimmers. Find additional opportunities at the Marietta Family YMCA.
5. Spend time with family and friends - Socializing is good for your well-being and spending time with people you care most about really helps strengthen meaningful relationships. It is also helpful to have a community of people you can reach out to during times of need. So try to carve time out each month, depending on your schedule to connect with family and friends, and to get involved with community organizations such as the Marietta Family YMCA.
As a full YMCA member, you are entitled to use of the equipment in the fitness and weight training centers, Y X-Press, pool and gymnasium, use of the locker rooms and showers, priority registration, reduced fees for classes, and free fitness classes. The benefits are endless - 50 group exercise classes offered per week! The Reno Campus X-Press also offers a circuit of "dial up" hydraulic resistance machines plus cardio equipment to give your body a complete workout in just 30 minutes!
The Marietta Family YMCA is dedicated to building strong kids, strong families, and strong communities. Come see why we have been serving Marietta for over 100 years!
Suzy Zumwalde is executive director of the Marietta Family YMCA, 300 Seventh St., Marietta. This column appears monthly on the Opinion page.
