GREATER JOLIET AREA YMCA

Six months ago today, the Morris Community YMCA opened its doors to a temporary facility, located at 320 Wauponsee Street. In that brief period of time, our membership base has grown tremendously, and we’ve had the opportunity to introduce a variety of new programming. We’d like to thank everyone who had a part in our growth, from our partners at Morris Hospital and Healthcare Centers to our board members to our staff. Last, but certainly not least, we’d like to thank all of our members! The best is truly yet to come.

There’s no question about it: Since moving into our new home, the Morris Community YMCA has left quite an impression on Wauponsee Street.

With the support of Morris Hospital & Healthcare Centers, the Y was able to open its doors to the community in January.

Since then, with a core of just three full-time staff, we’ve welcomed in more than 2,000 members and introduced an assortment of both youth and health-based programming.

Now, here we are, halfway through the year, and the Y is ready to introduce a new era of programming – thanks to the recent hire of our fourth full-timer, a health science buff by the name of Ian Stewart.

Stewart, a Champaign native, officially started with the Morris Community YMCA in late May, becoming the first Health and Wellness director in its history.

This, however, isn’t his first stint with a YMCA: While Stewart earned a degree in Exercise Science from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, he spent five years at the local Y in town, where he worked extensively in conditioning, rehabbing and sports training.

Stewart’s intentions are to bring similar practices to the Morris YMCA, where he plans to pioneer high-quality programs while sharing his expertise on embracing a healthy lifestyle.

“Healthy is a broad term,” he said. “When I think of someone being healthy, I don’t just think of someone who looks healthy.

Instead, I see someone who’s able to walk around freely and enjoy their life, who has found a happy medium between exercise, wellness and nutrition.”

Stewart definitely knows his stuff. Words such as “biomechanics” and “plyometrics” are part of his daily vocabulary. It’s clear that he’s excited to hit the ground running.

One of his top priorities, he says, is to get members acquainted with the Y’s fitness center and weight room, where he’s already noticed some equipment being underutilized.

As a result, Stewart has invited members to sign up for a free fitness orientation, where he will demonstrate how to use strength equipment properly. For those interested in taking their health to the next level, the Y also has begun offering personal training.

What Stewart’s most excited about, however, is a sports-specific training program that he’s developing. The program, which can be tailored to individual athletes or entire teams, relies heavily on strength and conditioning, as well as plyometric training – a form of situational training that aims to prevent injuries and develop speed and agility.

Each workout features an extensive and specific design that varies from sport to sport, and may include anywhere between 20 and 30 different exercises. His goal is to pilot the program as early as fall 2015.

The Y offers a variety of different wellness-based programs for people of all fitness levels.

With a membership at the Morris Community YMCA, members have access to our fitness center and weight room, and are invited to participate in our free fitness classes.

For information about health and wellness programs at the Morris YMCA, please contact Ian Stewart at 815-513-8080, ext. 514 or email [email protected].

Our Teen Achievers program is a grant-based program that guides teens through high school, encouraging them to set and achieve educational, professional and personal goals, while developing their talents and leadership skills. Since 2005, 92 percent of graduating seniors in the Teen Achievers Program have advanced to college.

Each year, the group embarks on an out-of-state college trip, where they visit several universities over the course of three or four days. This year, Executive Director Maurice Fears and the Teen Achievers travelled to Indiana and Kentucky to visit Butler University, the University of Kentucky and the University of Louisville, among other institutions. For a firsthand perspective of this impactful program, check out the video above.

Back in the 80s, a young and talented swimmer named Tony Blake etched his name into Joliet Y Jets history books by setting three records that have yet to be broken today. He eventually went on to swim at Yale, where he’d become the first African American to earn a spot on the All-Ivy League Swim Team. Nowadays, he’s known as Siphiwe Baleka and has switched to a unique profession. Watch the video above to learn more.

In 2009, when I was diagnosed with having Type 2 Diabetes, I viewed it as just another ailment. Another medication to add to my list. Every three months I would see my doctor and hear the same story: Lose weight through diet and exercise. Over the years, I’ve tried various diets and fitness routines, losing a few pounds only to gain them back. In December 2014, my lab work came back and it scared me. That’s when I decided to make some changes in my life.

My weight loss journey began on January 10, 2015. I read about the Y’s Get Fit Challenge in the program guide. I was not a member at the time but decided to become one and sign up for the program. On the first day of class, I was a bit nervous. I wasn’t sure if I had made the right decision. But our instructor, Julie Miller set me at ease, and I made quick friends with other members of the class.

I did not know it at the time, but this program would change my life forever.

The Get Fit Challenge class was incredible. The program includes weekly weigh-ins, an education session on nutrition and exercise and, lastly, weekly group workouts. I knew I had to be willing to change if I wanted to improve my health and have a better life. I made the decision to fully commit to doing what Julie said from day one of the program.

Our first nutrition session focused on the diet plan that we would be following. Julie discussed the Paleo diet in detail and gave us the option of going “all in” from the start. A few classmates and I decided to go all in from day one.

I’m not going to lie, the first three days on the diet were rough. My body was going through a detox.  I had a dull headache and people around me told me that I was a bit “crabby”. I questioned if I would be able to follow the diet, but each day got better. I noticed that I felt full throughout the day, and was not starving between meals, which was different than other diets I have tried in the past.

I was nervous when I weighed in for the second week, but was pleasantly surprised when the scale said I had lost six pounds. I kept following the diet and the following week I had lost another seven pounds. A couple of weeks I had small weight loss numbers, sometimes only half a pound, but in my mind, it was still a loss and not a gain!

Our first workout, Julie led us in an AMRAP (“As Many Reps as Possible” high-intensity interval training) style workout and I was scared. I honestly did not think that I would be able to finish. I was using muscles that hadn’t been used in a long time. I came home from that first workout and could barely walk. I wondered if I would be able to continue the program and if my body would hold up. It took me until Monday before my legs felt normal, but again I decided to keep moving forward with my commitment to Julie and her program.

Each week brought a new workout. One week Julie introduced TRX Suspension Training. I had never heard of it before. I wondered how it could be used for a workout. Julie showed us all the different uses of the straps, and how they can be used to target specific muscles, and I actually enjoyed the workout.

Last week was week 10 of the 12-week program. I had a doctor’s appointment the morning of our Saturday class, but I decided to swing by the Y first and check in. I explained to Julie that I wouldn’t be attending the full class, but I at least wanted to weigh in. Julie replied; “Now that’s commitment!” The scale showed I had lost 3.8 pounds from the previous week. To date, I have lost a total of 28 pounds following the program.

The weight loss is one benefit of the program, but I have seen improvements in other areas. I routinely check my blood sugar throughout the day, and I have seen great improvements in their numbers. I’m waiting on the lab results from my recent doctor visit, but I have to say this is the first time that I’ve ever seen my doctor happy with my progress.

My blood pressure was at an all-time low. Depending on the lab results, my doctor stated that he might take me off one of the diabetic medications and possibly my blood pressure medication. He may also reduce the dosage of another maintenance medication. I have a renewed sense of confidence and commitment as a result of the program, but I’m not done yet. I’m going to continue following the program and work towards meeting my goal weight that my doctor has set for me.

I share my personal story to encourage other C.W. Avery Family YMCA members that are looking to make changes in their life to take the Get Fit Challenge. I owe a big thank you to Julie Miller and the rest of my friends from the class for helping me change my life for the better.

After selling out two weeks beforehand, the Greater Joliet Area YMCA’s Giving Gala welcomed a record-setting 500 guests into the Bolingbrook Golf Club on Saturday, February 28. By night’s end, a whopping $140,000 was raised—the most in the event’s eight year-history.

Those in attendance were not only treated to an elegant dinner and top-notch entertainment, but were also invited to bid on a number of silent and live auction items, including signed sports memorabilia, exclusive getaways and premiere golf packages.

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