Joyce Bessette

All of my problems FLY at the Y!

The clamoring voices of life-the responsibilities that need to be dealt with-my hour or so at the Y provides a mini-escape. Everything else takes a back seat while my main focus becomes learning a new step rhythm in aerobics, or pushing myself in my own spinning marathon on the bicycle. With the variety of exercise venues that the Y offers I am able to switch off into some new adventure if I get bored-it’s fun! When I leave I know I’ve done something good for ME, and I start with a brand new slate to refocus my priorities.

As the Health and Wellness rep for my company branch, I post the latest YMCA program brochures. The Y is affordable and anyone can get into the exercise habit. I tell people that it provides a low-risk learning appeal: you aren’t graded and who cares what you look like- you’re doing it for YOU! It’s a supportive environment to get started on your own life changes.

Why do I Y? It strengthens me and keeps me fit for endurance at the job and for the demands of life that just keep coming!

The Y also abounds with inspiring life examples- from the program developers whom I’ve had occasion to meet, to my class instructors who model excellence and creativity in every class they teach, to the volunteer Spanish teacher, to parents guiding their youngsters into good habits, to the avid senior center participants…I have yet to meet a grumpy person at the Y!

I embrace the inclusive principles that the Y was founded on, and they continue in its current motto- “We build strong kids, strong families, strong communities.” GO Y!