Helping You Live Better: Fad Diets vs. Well-Balanced Diets
March is National Nutrition Month, which focuses attention on embracing good eating and physical activity habits. With the help of social media, it’s extremely easy to discover new ways to revitalize your workout routine and diet—including some not-so-healthy diets. In celebration of National Nutrition Month, consider choosing a well-balanced diet as opposed to a new fad diet.
Fad diets are not new. In fact, it’s said that these trendy diets have been around since the 1930s. For many years, people have wanted a quick and easy solution to lose or maintain their weight. And, because fad diets tend to promise fast weight loss, many people are willing to give them a try. But, there is more to these diets than just rapid weight loss. A diet that is highly restrictive and focuses solely on weight loss can be harmful to your overall well-being.
Instead of focusing on a quick solution to achieving your weight loss goals, try embracing a healthy lifestyle. A healthy diet with the right amount of physical activity will help to improve your overall health. If you’re thinking about transforming your diet, consider making small changes, including drinking plenty of water, limiting saturated fats, eating a good amount of fruits and vegetables, and limiting your sugar intake.
Once you develop a healthy diet, be sure to incorporate the right amount of physical activity into your weekly routine. Making changes to your diet and exercise routine can be challenging, but the Y has wellness attendants, fitness instructors and personal trainers to help you along the way!
If you have questions about your nutrition or if you’re looking to make modifications to your diet, be sure to speak with a member of our Wellness team during your next visit. And, make sure to consult your physician or other health care professional before starting a new diet or fitness program.
To learn more about how you achieve a well-balanced eating plan, check out this article, courtesy of the CDC.
Now Accepting Counselor in Training (CIT) Applications!
The summer camp environment provides a unique opportunity for youth to build leadership skills by gaining hands-on experience assisting our team of camp counselors with our younger campers. Open to registered summer day campers entering grades 7-8, the goal of the Y’s Counselor in Training (CIT) program is to teach teens leadership skills that can be used at school, home and in the community.
In order to apply to participate in the Counselor in Training Program, prospective participants must:
- Be a registered summer day camper in grades 7-8 (fall 2019). Regular camp fees apply.
- Submit a CIT application
- Submit two letters of recommendation from a teacher, coach or pastor
- Participate in an in-person interview with our Youth and Family team
Applications and accompanying materials must be submitted by Friday, April 26.
Fitter and Faster Swim Clinics Returning to Plainfield
National Champion Nic Fink and Olympian Carlos Calverie will lead a two-day swim clinic at the C.W. Avery Family YMCA in Plainfield on April 27 and April 28.
The clinic will feature a comprehensive demonstration focused on breaststroke. Over the course of four sessions, participants will have the opportunity to complete drills, ask questions and get hands-on instruction from our renowned hosts.
Day 1 – April 27
- Session 1 (Ages 11 & Under): Elite Breaststroke Technique
- Session 2 (Ages 12 & Up): Elite Breaststroke Technique
Day 2 – April 28
- Session 3 (Ages 11 & Under): Open Turns, Breaststroke Pullouts, and Breaststroke Finishes
- Session 4 (Ages 12 & Up): Open Turns, Breaststroke Pullouts, and Breaststroke Finishes
Sign up for one session or SAVE by signing up for both days!
Supporting Your Well-Being: Health Benefits of Playing Pickleball
Pickleball has been a popular sport since 1965 and has recently become a favorite pastime at the Greater Joliet Area YMCA. In fact, many of our YMCA members have begun to incorporate pickleball into their regular exercise routines. This paddle sport is simple, fun and a great way to stay physically active.
Staying active at any age will help to improve your physical and mental health in a variety of ways, including:
Stress Relief
Playing a game or two of pickleball will help to release endorphins, which are feel-good chemicals in the brain. When these endorphins are released, you can say ‘goodbye’ to your stress.
Improved Cardiovascular Health
It won’t take long to notice that pickleball serves as an excellent cardio workout. As you play, you will boost your cardio health and help to prevent heart disease.
Weight Management
Pickleball is a great cardio workout, so you will be sure to burn lots of calories during each game. This can help participants to achieve and maintain their healthy weight goals.
Improved Muscle Strength
This game is an excellent way to work against the loss of muscle mass, especially for women. Pickleball is considered a weight-bearing exercise, so you’ll be toning your muscles while you play!
If you’re wondering where you can find this popular game, look no further than the C.W. Avery Family and Morris Community YMCAs. The C.W. Avery Family Y offers free open adult pickleball for YMCA Facility Members, ages 18 and up, on Friday mornings from 10-11:30 a.m. Or, you can join one of two new pickleball sessions at the Morris Community Y. New sessions will get underway on Wednesday, March 13, at Shabbona Middle School in the old gym.
To learn more about the physical and mental health benefits of staying active and playing sports like pickleball, check out this article, courtesy of Mueller Sports Medicine.
YMCA Receives $10K Grant From Midland States Bank For Third Consecutive Year
Plainfield South High School students were thrilled to join Greater Joliet Area YMCA staff and board members in accepting a $10,000 grant to help fund the Y’s Teen Achievers program. For the third year in a row, Midland States Bank Foundation chose the Y as a recipient of these generous funds through a competitive grant process.
“Teen Achievers is one of our most impactful youth development programs,” said Jim Watts, President and CEO of the Greater Joliet YMCA. “Support from the Midland States Bank Foundation helps expand young people’s horizons through our annual college bus tour, where 60 kids get to visit campuses and interact with leaders among those student bodies. That experience has the power to change the trajectory of their lives.”
In front of a full classroom, Greater Joliet Area YMCA Board Chairman and Midland States Bank Senior Vice President Dan Stevenson presented the check to the students and shared words of support for their bright future. Stevenson encouraged students to take advantage of every opportunity ahead of them because it will shape who they become. The students were receptive and eagerly joined the presentation of the oversized check, with several offers to hold it for the picture.
Teen and Young Adult Advisory Council Chairman and Board member Dr. Larry Wiers was on hand to accept the gift and thank Dan and his bank colleagues Dena Steele and Chris Uram. It was a proud time for Plainfield South High School Principal Bob Yanello who joined in the presentation, representing another pillar in the program partnership.
Teen Achievers is a national college and career readiness program with an emphasis on equipping first-generation college students with the skills and mentorship needed to graduate from high school and pursue higher education. Launched in 2005, the Greater Joliet Area YMCA Teen Achievers program has a 100 percent high school graduation rate and 92 percent of participants are enrolled in college, trade school or military careers within one year of receiving their high school diploma.
Teen Achievers serves approximately 150 students at three area high schools and additional students from Will and Grundy County through workshops and special programs held at the YMCA branches. Programming is free or offered at a modest fee, though no one is turned way for the inability to afford the experience. Contributions from grantors, the community, and the United Way of Will County help underwrite the YMCA’s investment to provide Teen Achievers.
YMCA staff pictured include CEO and President Jim Watts; Teen & Young Adult Advancement Manager Kelsey Kruel; Youth & Family Director Shannon Stawikowski; and Senior Development Director Julie Wilkinson.
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