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We're back with another great recipe to make your summer party fun.  This month, Chez Mike is whipping up some Grilled Peaches with "Great Hill Blue" Cheese & Balsamic Vinegar.  Enjoy the recipe and let us know how good it was!  You can also upload a photo of the dish, or your family enjoying it to our Facebook page.

 

Ripe Peaches                            4

Arugula                                    ¼ Pound

Honey                                      ¼ Cup

Olive Oil                                   2 Tablespoon

Balsamic Vinegar                       ¼ Cup

Blue Cheese of Your Choice      ¼ pound  

 

Whisk oil, honey and vinegar together.  Quarter peaches by cutting around the pit.  Coat with vinegar mixture.  Grill peaches until just charred. Top with arugula and blue cheese.

 

 

 

Welcome to It’s My Y!  The Capital District YMCAs Weekly Internet Show that brings you inside all the events, people and programs that make your YMCA great.  On this episode we’ll celebrate the 20th anniversary of the capital district YMCA and then we’ll meet Ellen, who like so many of us is taking her first steps back to a healthy lifestyle and we’ll take a peek at the Albany YMCAs Student-Educator Breakfasts that celebrates the achievements of local students and teachers.

During the summer of 2008, I was getting ready for High School and wanted to start losing weight.  Also, at a physical during my 8^th grade year, my pediatrician said that I needed to lose weight or I would get Type 2 Adult Onset diabetes, at that time I weighed in at 268.

I talked with my Mom about wanting to lose weight and she arranged for us to join the YMCA as a family.  At first I went to do weight training, because I wanted to build up my chest muscles but that didn’t make much of a difference in how I looked or did not help me lose weight.  In September 2008, I was frustrated that I did not lose much weight and my mother suggested that we go talk to the YMCA’s nutritionist Kendra Evans and that’s when my weight loss really began.

At the first meeting I weighed in at  260 pounds.  Kendra explained that if I wanted to lose weight I would need to eat 250 calories less a day and burn at least 250 calories.  She gave me healthy lifestyle tips sheet, food tips and a list of healthy foods to choose from.  We agreed to start seeing Kendra once a week to check in on my progress.

So, I looked at the food sheets and tried to figure out meals that I would like eating.  I got into a routine of having cereal in the morning and would pack my lunch for school which usually consisted of a peanut butter sandwich on wheat bread, an apple and 100-calorie pudding or pretzels.  At dinner, I tried to cut down on seconds, which was hard because my Dad is a really good cook.  Mostly I tried to cut down on the starches (rice and pasta).  I also stopped drinking 2% milk and replaced it with skim milk.

For exercise, I would use my mom’s elliptical machine in the basement and would try to burn at least 250-500 calories a day.  Now, I’ve worked my way up to burning 1,500 calories a day or working out for about an hour a day. 

When a year had passed around the summer of 2009 I had lost 85 pounds, and I’ve kept it off.  I want to lose more weight and go lower.  Now I’m in the 180s, but I’m starting to lose again. And I am not over exaggerating when I say that most of this is because of Kendra, a large part of it was her pushing me and me being determined to do it.

-Matt Gariepy

We'd like to thank Matt for sharing his Y story with all of us.  Everyday, someone starts their journey to a healthy lifestyle at the Capital District YMCA.  If you would like to share how the YMCA has affected your life, email Rob Totaro at rtotaro@cdymca.org.

The Capital District YMCA, in celebration of Healthy Heart Month, is giving families, children and seniors an opportunity to give a gift from the heart. On February 14, Valentine’s Day, all twelve Capital District YMCA locations will be waiving the joiner’s fee, a value of up to $100. “Is there a better time than Valentine’s Day to remember the importance of having a healthy heart,” asked David Brown, President and CEO of the Capital District YMCA.

A recent New York State Comptroller’s report indicated that obesity-related illnesses and complications cost the state $7.6 Billion each year in health care costs. And it’s estimated that more than 50% of U.S. adults don’t get enough exercise to positively impact their health. “At the YMCA, we’re focused on programs that get people moving,” said Brown. “A culture of inactivity has been created in this country. We need to get our children up and moving, and by doing so help form habits that provide the foundation for a healthy life.”

All Capital District YMCA branches will be open their normal Sunday hours for this special promotion. To find the branch closest to you, or for more information visit www.CDYMCA.org or call 518.869.3500.

As 2009 comes to end, many of us take the time to look back and reflect on the year that has been.  With New Years Day drawing closer by the minute we think it's time to kick off the new year with some resolutions.  What are you looking to do in 2010?  Lose weight, Spend more time with your family, eat better, Relax?  Whatever your goals, the Capital District YMCA can help.  Stop in today to find out how and remember on January 1st we are waiving the joiner fee at all of our branches.

So Tell us... What is your 2010 New Years Resolution?

Have fun. Enjoy traditional holiday meals and party foods with family and friends while maintaining a healthy lifestyle, too.

 

A very special thank you to Linda Crowley, Dietitian/Nutritionist, & Allison Eisele, Wellness Coordinator, of the Guilderland YMCA for supply us with these great holiday tips during the 12 Days of Wellness.

The most important thing is to be realistic and go easy on yourself. You aren't always in charge of your schedule during the holidays so you can only do your best. Remind yourself that you can get back to your routine when you're back home.

 

Only 1 wellness tip left.  Come back at 2pm to finish the 12 days of wellness.

Be realistic. Don't try to lose weight during the holidays—this may be a self-defeating goal. Instead, strive to maintain your weight by balancing party eating with other meals. Eat small, lower-calorie meals during the day so you can enjoy celebration foods later without overdoing your total calorie intake.

When you are getting ready for those big holiday meals remember to maintain perspective.  Overeating one day won't make or break your eating plan. And it certainly won't make you gain weight! It takes days and days of overeating to gain weight. If you over-indulge at a holiday meal, put it behind you. Return to your usual eating plan the next day without guilt or despair.

Rally up the Family: Instead of following the tradition of playing cards after dinner, get everybody together for a game that involves moving around.  If you or your family owns a Wii, this would be perfect!

 

Or if the 9 ladies dancing are really looking for a treat, they should try ZUMBA!!