At the Y, we are dedicated to helping individuals reach their fitness goals. And for Rori Griffin, a senior at Morris High School, working out at the Y has helped her lose over 70 pounds. 

Rori said she has been a Y member for over a year but didn’t fully commit to a healthier lifestyle until this past summer when she honed in on what she wanted to do for a career.

“I’ve always wanted to be in the military or in law enforcement. In both of those fields you have to be physically fit. I was willing to make the change for myself,” Griffin said. “At first I felt I couldn’t do it but decided that I might as well try. When I tried, I got into the gym and realized how much I love it.”

Beyond the weight loss, Rori believes her overall fitness levels have improved significantly. 

“It’s not just about losing weight, it’s about learning to breathe better or stretch properly. I’ve never been a good runner and I’ve been able to challenge myself on the treadmill,” she said.

Like many who experience positive changes at the Y, Rori said the cultural environment is what sets it apart from other facilities. 

“Not many people look at the Y like it’s an average workout center. They look at it as a place where they can be in a community,” she said. “It’s family friendly and I love that feeling. Everybody here is so helpful and caring, even the people you might not know personally.“

The end result has been relishing every opportunity to stop by the Y. 

“It’s like my escape. I can turn a bad day into a good day. It boosts my mood. When I get a good workout in that’s when I feel I’m at my highest point,” she said.

Rori is undecided about her college choice but she is focused on attending a school where she can join the Reserve Officer Training Corps. 

“The next few months are going to be busy, being a senior can be stressful, but I plan to find time for myself to go to the gym and use a Y facility close to wherever I go to school,” she said. “You can never really prepare for basic training but you can try. This is going to help me.”

She feels maintaining a relationship with the Y is important because it is a community willing to help anyone succeed.    

“There have been times where I wanted to stop working out because I thought I wasn’t seeing results,” she said. “But other people saw them in me and that kept me motivated. When you walk into the Y you feel like you belong. And everybody belongs here.”

If you are interested in becoming a member, stop by your local Y or register online.