Boot Camp and Sunshine

It was surprisingly beautiful yesterday. I think I may even have a slight sun burn. Has summer truly arrived?...

Hmmm, I'm not going to hold my breath.

 

Boot camp was a lot of fun yesterday.

I kinda tricked Graham to coming this week again. I invited our visiting friend from Vancouver to the class, which left Graham no choice but to come as well. My slightly evil plan worked and both of them joined in on the boot camp fun.

I started the class unmotivated (post from minutes before the class), but once I got into the groove of things I started to see the light. I started to remember why I sprint, lunge, and push. It’s all for me, my health, my body, and my mind. I get what I put in, so if I quit it’s me that’s losing.

I have also decided that it is way easier to be motivated when there’s someone yelling at you. Sort of like a personal cheerleader. Thanks Faydra.

I’m still working on finding my motivation mojo. But I think I’m moving in the right direction.

On a happy note my mini goal is going well. Day 1 of 7 salad challenge completed.

Mondays.

First of all, I like trees. And apparently they give good advice too.-->
..Secondly, today is a sleepy day. A two cups of coffee kinda day. 


This weekend was very busy. We had two of our friends from Vancouver come visit us and stay the weekend. We played squash, hiked, ate (a lot), and had fun catching up. 


On Sunday I helped out at the Y's Fathers Day Event and I got to meet a lot of cool families. I rode a plasma car for the first time and that was pretty awesome. (Kids get the best toys). 


The event went smoothly and was a lot of fun. I think it's awesome that the Y and the Parenting Committee are able to hold events like this for the community. Working for the Y makes me happy. Promoting health, fitness, families, and community makes me happy. I like what we do and why we do it. 


It makes me Happy.


I would love to know what your favourite Y event is or why the Y makes you happy. Feel free to use the comment box :)
 

Scott McWalter: Part 2

Now that I am officially a member of the PG Family Y again, this time around I've decided to pass on the undeniably terrific gift of maintaining a healthy, active lifestyle to others in two ways: one, by becoming a volunteer group fitness instructor; and, two, through motivating friends and family to get memberships. Since not everyone's psychologically wired to get up in the morning and go to the gym, it took a bit of work convincing people; however, I'm proud to announce that since establishing this latter goal, I encouraged my parents to acquire Family Y memberships in January, and since then they've lost a collective 27lbs. They've trained exhaustively and now feel better than ever.  

Some people experience a lot of anxiety when starting something new, such as a new exercise program. What they have to realize is that anxiety isn't the enemy; it's just a clear indication to what they need to work on first in their life. It's unrealistic - in fact, probably a little unfair - to sit back and expect the Family Y to do all the hard work for you. You have to earn it for yourself, and the most powerful way to do this is by setting goals. I'll never be able to emphasize how powerful setting meaningful goals can be. It's life-changing! I started setting goals two years ago - daily, weekly, monthly and long-term - and it's absolutely astonishing how quickly it changes your life.

I can honestly say that spanking goals is one of my favourite things in life; in fact, if it weren't for creating and following through with goals, I wouldn't be half way through the YMCA National Certification Course for becoming a certified fitness leader. It's a proven fact that once you write down a goal, you're more than 100% more likely to accomplish (spank) it. I challenge you to test this theory out - you'll be amazed how productivity-enhancing such a simple step  can be, and how quickly you’ll start receiving dividends.

Once I start instructing Cycle Fit this autumn, maybe you'll even make it one of your goals to attend one of my classes. Together, we'll be able to contribute to the Family Y of Prince George's goal of building a healthy community. I look forward to seeing you there :)

Scott A. McWalter, B.Comm.

Email:    mail@scottmcwalter.com

Twitter:  KitsBeachCanuck

www.goalspank.com

Tony Cue

Tony Cue is such a wonderful person. He hasbeen a volunteer running leader for the YMCA running clinic and he is such ajoy to be around. I have gotten to know him over the past 10 weeks during ourruns. He sincerely makes an effort to get to know you and commits everyone’sname to memory. He always greets you with a warm smile. I am so grateful thathe is sharing his story.

Tony is so modest and humble. Here isresponse:

Tony is on the left

“Thank you for inviting meto be a guest blogger. It is quite an honour. I really do not havean awe inspiring story to tell. For many years I have been interested infitness. It really started in the early 1970’s with a fitness areaat Queen's Park in New Westminster. I would visit it quiteregularly. When my wife and I moved to Prince George in the 1970’s Iwould enter the Father's Day race that was held at the old Lakewood High Schooltrack. The Labour Day Classic was another race that I enjoyed being aparticipant.

It is within the last tenyears that I have been with the Y. Without a doubt, they have beenwonderful years. I have met many great people, far too many tolist. (And I do remember names) Running with others through the Y has meant a new focus with my running. Whereas before the YMCA running clinic I would mainly run on my own, but nowthere were others who also enjoyed running.

I particularly enjoy running with those whoare perhaps just starting out. It is a joy to see the confidence that grows asthey see their progress. We have just completed a Learn to Runclinic, with Carol Reimer leading it so well, and a number of veryenthusiastic volunteers, assisting.

The Y has been very effective with regards tomy fitness because of the thought that goes into their fitnessprograms. Very gradually one's fitness level increases. I hope tocontinue to enjoy the Y, and all that it offers, for many more years.

Tony Cue ”

YMCA Events: Healthy Kids Day, Road Race, & Aurora Leadership Program

Perfect Weather

So if you have been reading my blog you will know that the YMCA Road Race is June 3^rd. Yes, 6 days away!!!!

If you’re interested at all check out this link-> road race info. 

The weather is supposed to be perfect. Not too hot and not too cold.-->

However, not only is there a 10K happening this weekend but you can also choose to run a 5k or a ½ marathon. Woot woot, Go Prince George! Lets get our run on.

But wait, there’s more. After the Road Race there is the Healthy Kids day marathon at Masich Stadium which kicks off Healthy Kids day. This will be the 5th Annual Healthy Kids Day, where families are invited to come join us in a variety of different activities promoting health and well-being. (More info -> Here)

And what’s this Photo Contest I keep hearing about? Oh right, the one where you can win free registration into the new Aurora Leadership Program! So if you know anyone between the ages of 13-15 years old, encourage them to submit a photo of themselves rocking their favourite outdoor activity on our Facebook wall.

Wow, that’s a lot. I'll give you some time to digest it all. J

Cheers

-H

One Twenty Five

Hi everyone! So today a co-worker told me about this really motivational blog and I wanted to share it with you guys. (I’m blogging about a blog…Strange.) It’s called One Twenty Five and it’s about a women, her life and weight lost journey. She started in 2009 and has gone from 200lb to 149lb, which is pretty awesome, because in my opinion losing weight is really the hardest thing in the world, and seeing real people do it is so inspirational.

One thing that I really like about her blog is how honest she is. She writes the things everyone is thinking, but is too afraid to admit. She’s funny and relatable and I’m defiantly routing for her. She makes me feel like I’m not alone. Read this post!>You're invited<

Would your healthy-accomplished-self like to join me for a drink next April 16, 2013??

Why the Y?

Because many of my friends and family have been asking me about my experiences with work since I started at the YMCA as an Outreach Coordinator, I decided I would share with you what I've learned and felt so far.

People are often surprised to find out that the local YMCA is not just the fitness facility on Massey Drive. I was. In fact, many residents of Prince George don't even realize that we are a charity - not just non-profit - but an actual registered charity that is dedicated to giving back to our community every day. So yes, we ARE a gym, but we are also so much more.

When you become a member at the YMCA, you pay membership fees. Paying these fees not only grants you access to our wide range of fitness equipment, classes, steam room, lockers, discounted programs and REC Room, but also contributes to a variety of initiatives created to enhance the community in which we live. We rely on income from our programs as well as donations to provide for the hundreds of locals who can't do it on their own. Other gyms might engage in occasional acts of philanthropy, but we make social responsibility a daily priority.

Operating out of TEN facilities in Prince George, the YMCA meets the needs of a very wide demographic. I can't tell you everything that goes on at every facility each day - there is just too much - but I can say that I have witnessed firsthand the impact our organization has on the individuals who benefit from our services.

I've talked to a Camp Kannanaq counsellor who has never been so touched as she was at the end of the session when one child, whose parents weren't able to attend, couldn't believe she was actually there just to watch him in their final performance.

I met a mother who battled cancer while taking classes at the Y and is now an inspirational fitness instructor.

I listened to one young man say, after being left immobile from an automobile accident, that doctors told him he would never walk again. Well, with the help of some of our amazing YMCA staff, he is DEFINITELY walking now!

I'll be blogging more about our Y Champions soon - these are only three of the dozens of stories I've heard in just the last couple of months since starting here. I can only imagine how many more there are left to discover. Each service that we provide really deserves its own post, but here I'd like to summarize some of the main duties our departments perform at the YMCA:

Membership/Health & Fitness (Massey): Provides support, guidance and education about keeping healthy in a fun, safe and engaging way. They offer everything from treadmills to child minding to climbing walls and try to make everyone feel welcome. Assisted memberships allow those who want to join but can't afford it to work out payments that they can manage.
http://www.pgymca.com/membership/index.php

Child Care (various locations): From Early Childhood Education to School Age Care, all of our licensed child care programs, including Preschool, are built to help your child learn in a supportive, secure environment that fosters growth in all areas of physical, mental, emotional and social wellness.
http://www.pgymca.com/child_care/index.php

Seniors' Recreation (Simon Fraser Lodge): The staff and volunteers involved with SFL recreation programming take pride in improving the quality of life of the seniors that reside in the long-term care facility. They create individualized fitness regimes, organize social outings and take care of the residents' pets!
http://www.pgymca.com/seniors/simon_fraser_lodge.php

At-Risk Youth Services (Youth Around Prince): For years, the YMCA has maintained a safe place for at-risk youth to visit and receive assistance by way of advice, clothing, food, work programs, counselling services and more. Working with these teens allows them access to opportunities they would not have otherwise and gives them the chance to make self-improvements.
http://www.pgymca.com/teens/youth_around_prince.php

That's not all, but I hope I've been able to get you interested in learning more about the YMCA. I encourage you to really get to know us. There are several different ways... find the method that works best for you and don't ever hesitate to ask questions! We can only continue to grow and improve by listening to our community and working to address its ever-changing needs.

When you choose to become a member, employee, volunteer or donor of the YMCA, you choose to become part of a caring, dedicated family that you can count on through good times and bad.

Oh, and don't forget, you get that 'gym' pass too!

-Tia

Find us here:
Website: http://www.pgymca.com/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/pgymca
Twitter: www.twitter.com/pgymca
E-mail: communications@pgymca.com
or comment below!

Photo by Birgit Allgaier of Your Mind's Eye Photography