Gaining Independence: Ruth Builds Strength and Confidence

In 2013, Ruth thought she had pneumonia. It turned out that it wasn’t pneumonia, but that she needed open heart surgery.  The surgery itself was a huge wake up call for her. After her surgery, Ruth was referred to Memorial’s Cardiac Rehabilitation located in the same building as the Gus and Flora Kerasotes YMCA. This program allows cardiac patients to be monitored by a nurse while growing stronger using the fitness equipment within the YMCA. She worked with Grace, a nurse with Memorial’s Cardiac Rehabilitation program, to rebuild her strength.  Despite her hard work, she was still having issues with balance and coordination.

Grace felt Ruth could benefit from the services provided at Memorial SportsCare. As luck would have it, Memorial SportsCare is also located in the same building as the Gus and Flora Kerasotes YMCA.  Ruth continued her journey with Josh at Memorial’s SportsCare and it was there that she saw really big changes in her life. Josh challenged her to work hard and get stronger. The therapy not only made her physically stronger, but increased her confidence. She had been using a cane (which she affectionately calls Ethel) for the past three years and felt that she would never get rid of it.  Josh was confident she would eventually walk without it. He challenged her to leave “Ethel” in the lobby and walk in unassisted. This was terrifying to her, but she trusted Josh. Now, she leaves “Ethel” at home and is so excited about the independence she has gained.

Her husband is a heart patient as well, and he is the motivation for her to get to the Y three times a week. They spend about four hours at the Y using the different equipment. Ruth likes to use the elliptical machine and the NuStep Recumbent Trainer. She admits she doesn’t love working out, but she knows the exercise is so important and has given her the freedom, the coordination, and the confidence to be able to do so much more in her life. 

Ruth is looking forward to the Springfield Heart Walk that will take place on May 14^th at Lincoln Park. She is excited about being able to participate in the walk without her cane. In September, she and her husband are taking a trip to the Smokey Mountains. She said her goal is to go hiking with no walking aids. She can’t wait to say she did it. She radiates pride with the accomplishments she has attained. She looks and feels great!

Join the Y. 

Building Strong Careers: Billy Gets His Start at the Y

Billy grew up in a single parent home with his father.  When he turned 18, he and his father had a falling out and Billy moved out of his father’s house. He moved in with a friend and his family. The mother of the friend knew Billy needed something to occupy his time so she went to the Kerasotes Branch to see if they could add him to her membership. The staff at the Y told her to send Billy in and he could apply for a scholarship membership. Billy thought he was just going to get a membership to a fitness facility.  But what he got that day was invaluable friendships and skills he still uses today.

The membership personnel were so impressed with Billy that they asked if he would like to apply for a front desk job at the Y. He did and was immediately hired. Billy says, “The Y really started the good things in my life rolling.” While working at the front desk, he developed many long lasting friendships with his co-workers and members. He says, “Working at the Y never felt like a job. It felt more like a place to go and be part of something bigger.” In addition to working part-time, he also took a full-load of college credits. Although it was a busy time, it allowed him to save enough to buy his first car. He says he still has the car to this day and that car is a constant reminder of his first job and the lessons, friends and “family” he made while he was here. 

Billy spent most of his time at the front desk, but he also spent some time working in Child Watch.  Growing up as an only child he didn’t have a lot of practice with younger kids. He says it is in Child Watch that he discovered his true calling. He says, “God put kids in my life so I could see the value they add to me and what I add to theirs.” He has taken that love and those learned skills and extended it into his personal life.  Billy serves as a youth minister for the Pasfield Southern Baptist Church.  He spends most of his Sunday afternoons with a group of young boys teaching them life lessons and the importance of God and faith in their lives. He says he really enjoys this ministry and wouldn’t have realized he enjoyed working with kids if not for his experiences at the YMCA. 

A lot of things have changed for Billy since he first stepped foot into the Kerasotes Branch. With encouragement from his supervisor at the Y, he received his associate degree in Math and Science from Lincoln Land Community College. He has since reconciled with his dad and moved back home. Currently he is employed at Marine Bank as a Personal Banker. As a member of the Y, he enjoys taking yoga and the body conditioning classes as well as spending some time in the gym playing basketball. Billy says, “The YMCA is really more than a place to work out, it’s a place where the employees really make a difference in someone’s day.” For Billy, the Y has made more than a difference in his day; the Y has made a difference in his life. 

Interested in working for the Y? Check out our current job opportunities. 

Building Strong Bodies: 75 lbs Lost

Jamie decided in July of 2015 that she needed to get healthy. She knew she needed to change her lifestyle by eating healthier and introducing exercise into her life. Before July, she had never even thought about exercise. She knew she couldn’t do both so she concentrated on what she was putting into her body first. She started to eat fresh fruits, vegetables and lean meats. To her surprise, she lost quite a bit of weight. 

She was certain in December 2015, that it was time to introduce exercise into her routine. She knew she needed cardio and weight lifting to help tone and get her into shape and help her reach her weight goal. She surveyed her friends for the best wellness facility to help her on her fitness journey. 

She decided to join the Springfield YMCA. When she walked in, she immediately felt she was in the right place. From the front desk, to those assisting her with learning the equipment, everyone was so friendly and accommodating. Jamie has taken advantage of the personal training offered at the YMCA and is so glad she did.

Since January she has been working with Natalie, a personal trainer at the Kerasotes Branch. She works with Natalie once a week and then does her own workouts four days a week. Natalie is behind her every step of the way whether it is a monthly fitness challenge, a reminder of the importance of food journaling or an encouraging word to keep her lifting heavier and longer. Jamie says, “I love working with Natalie because she is a great accountability partner, and she is realistic in her expectations of me; but all the while keeps me really motivated."

She also loves that she is a member of the YMCA. She feels like it was the socially responsible thing to do as the YMCA isn’t just a gym. It's great place for everyone regardless of age, income or background. It allows individuals the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive. Jamie says, “I am sure glad I have made the decision to join the Y. It has made a world of difference and I can’t wait to go every week!”

Congratulations to Jamie for her hard work and determination and for making the Y her choice for getting healthy. Feeling like you need help jump-starting your journey? Check out our trainers. 

2016 YMCA Strong Kids Campaign Video

2016 YMCA Strong Kids Campaign 

Throughout Springfield, countless people know the Y for adult fitness or youth sports. It seems every child learns to swim at the Y. But there’s so much more to our Y than gym and swim. We are exercise and education, volleyball and volunteerism, preschool gymnastics and preventive health. The Y doesn’t just strengthen our bodies, it strengthens our community.

The Y is more than a gym. It’s a cause dedicated to youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Fortunately, where some see obstacles, we see opportunities for our members, volunteers and staff to make a difference. But we need your support to make it happen. No other organization can impact as many people as powerfully as we do every day.

Last year we served 20,430 youths at the Y. We provided 2,949 youth scholarship memberships and nearly 200 summer camp weeks to underprivileged youth ages 5-14. We also provided programming to an additional 212 participants who are physically or mentally disadvantaged. We do this amazing work with your generosity and support.

For only $50, you give two children with special needs the opportunity to learn to swim. And, $150 provides a child a one-year membership to the Y! ‪#‎ForaBetterUs‬

Donate today.

71-Year-Old Looks Forward to Completing 71 Marathons and Inspires Us Every Step of the Way

Chances are, you’ve seen Don at the Y, and chances are, you’ve read about him in the paper at some point.

Don likes to run… a lot.

In fact, his nickname, which is also stated on his business card, is “The Flying Turtle.” Consistency and commitment can get you far… very far.

Don Van Houten didn’t even start running until he was 57 years old, but he had ridden his bike to the East Coast. An “Iron-Man-friend” told him, “If you can do that, you could run a marathon.”

Don told another friend, “I’m going to run a marathon.” The friend replied, “That will kill you.” Don said, “Well, we’ll see.”

He joined the Y in 2000 so he could start training for his first marathon. That was in Chicago in 2001. Since then, he has completed a marathon in all 50 states. It took him over 10 years. For 3 years he completed one a month! His next goal is to catch up to his age… he is 71 years old. Unfortunately, his doctor told him he would need a hip replacement, but, fortunately, that was 8 years ago without incident.

Did we also mention he’s biked across the US and canoed from Minneapolis to the Gulf of Mexico? (Just to mention a couple trips.) And right after retirement at the age of 62 he decided to hike the Appalachian Trail for 5.5 months. He ran/walked from Riverton to the state of West Virginia. He is also a cancer survivor. Listening to Don talk about his endurance feats is overwhelming but most importantly, it’s completely inspiring. His smile, good nature, and sense of humor light up the Y and are a manifestation of our mission.

He told us, before you embark on an endurance endeavor, you may need a few things:
“1. Be physically able (train), 2. Be financially able (save), 3. Make the time (schedule… or retire if you can) and 4. Find a supportive spouse (or at least a tolerant one)!”

Yet, he also clarifies... "Family always comes first."

At the Y, we preach a healthy spirit, mind, and body for all. Don lets his spirit carry his body through his journeys, and we can’t help but follow along with our hearts. We are lucky to have him in our Y family. He reminds us not to let our thoughts or personal barriers ever get in the way of our dreams.

And Don’s mantra? “I would rather wear out than rust out.”

Interested in getting in shape for your next feat? Consider a Y membership today. Or better yet, personalize your fitness for your goals.

DuBois Elementary School Teachers Lead by Example and Work Fitness Into Their Day with Help from the Y

DuBois Elementary School was one of three District 186 schools that received the 2014-2015 Sangamon County Excellence in School Wellness Gold Award, an award that recognizes schools who put forth extra effort to provide a healthy, safe, and prosperous environment for students and staff.

This award inspired the principal and staff at DuBois Elementary to do more to make their school a healthy and safe place. Christina Taylor, a second grade teacher and member of the Y approached us and asked if we would be interested in bringing Zumba and Hip Hop classes to DuBois Elementary once a week. YMCA instructor Yenny Jimenez was all for it!

Yenny spent eight weeks from December to January going to DuBois School to provide Zumba and Hip Hop instruction for a class of teachers. About eleven of the DuBois teachers participated in the program. Christina said, “It was a great way to build community, let stress go, promote health and do something as a group.” Jenny Nolting, a teacher at DuBois Elementary and class participant said, “It was great fun, my co-workers kept me accountable by coming to get me to go to the class, and it helped bond the teachers together.” Christina and Jenny both felt that the biggest advantage of this program was that the instructor came to them. There were no excuses not to participate in the program. In some ways it was effortless.

The Y's mission of strengthening communities in the Springfield area is evident in this program. We congratulate this group of teachers on their dedication and commitment to making their school a healthy and safe environment, and for leading by example.

Group Exercise Classes help you make friends and stay accountable. If you are looking for a non-judgemental, inclusive, and social way to get into shape, check out the Y!

Jamie Gives an Inspiring Account of Her "Lose Big" Transformation

"Confidence. Empowerment. Control.   

The YMCA Lose Big program involved so much more than losing weight. 'Losing Big' really meant gaining what I had lost within myself.

My clothes were getting tighter and tighter, my face was getting round and swollen, and my dimples were no longer noticeable. I had lost confidence in myself to look and feel good in my own body.

I felt powerless, weak, and exhausted, and it showed. It showed at home. It showed at work. I just existed, and I was too tired to worry about anything else but going through the motions of life.

I had gotten to the point that I allowed food to control me. Sugar controlled me. Diet Coke controlled me. I craved it. I had no concept of portion sizes. I would overeat and think that I would just try again tomorrow. However, the next day came and the cycle would repeat. I had lost the ability to be in control of myself and my food choices.

What I had lost in myself, I had gained on the scale. So, when I saw that the YMCA was doing the Lose Big program, I thought, "What more do I really have to lose?"

The beginning of the program was tough. Kicking the soda habit, reducing portion sizes, and nearly eliminating sugar was like sending an addict through detox. Add that to several more workouts per week, and my body wanted to cry.

However, after the first week, I already felt so much better internally. I felt energized and motivated. I began to feel healthy again. This, along with a lot of encouragement from my family and coaches, gave me the willpower to keep going and going and going some more. As I started losing, I really started gaining so much more.

I gained confidence. Slowly but surely, my clothes began to fit again, and I even had to purchase new, smaller sizes. My face and body became more defined. I began to feel good about myself again for the first time in a long time.

I gained empowerment. I no longer was afraid to join new group exercise classes. In fact, I began to enjoy the challenge of learning new exercises. My energy transferred from the gym to home to work, and the positive effects showed. I felt alive again for the first time in a long time. I became a much better wife and mother.

I gained control. By tracking my food intake and staying accountable to my coaches and myself, I realized that I am the one who decides what to put in my body. I am the one with the choice to make myself healthy or not. I am in control.

When I first started this competition, I never imagined that I would be the winner. Thirty-two and a half pounds and 18.4% weight loss later, I am proud to say I am the winner of Lose Big! Reflecting upon the the past eleven weeks, I have learned that what I have lost in the past can be transformed by what I have gained in the present, and only I am in control of my future!"

Jamie

If you're ready to start your life changing journey, click here.