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Christmas is a time for celebration and togetherness. Unfortunately for many families, the Christmas season presents additional financial hardships. Families are faced with financial decisions and are unsure if they will be able to make ends meet at the end of the month. We are fortunate that so many GREAT members and staff demonstrated the true meaning of Christmas this season to help others in need. Whether it was buying one less Playstation game, bottle of wine or stocking stuffer to wrap for their own family, our great team at the Troy Family YMCA pitched in to give a Christmas miracle to a local family in need.

 

In early December, a scholarship member contacted the branch and asked if we had a holiday gift giving program. She was recently given custody of her grandchildren and was unable to purchase any gifts. After discussing her needs, we found out their ages, likes and any specific items they needed or wanted. We created gift tags for each of the six children for items such as winter boots, clothes, baseball gloves and other items and hung them on a tree in our lobby. Within two weeks, our kind members and staff donated over 100 items! When she and her husband came in on December 23 to pick up the gifts, she was overwhelmed with emotion and couldn’t express enough gratitude. Tears ran down her face as she exclaimed this was going to be a Christmas that they will never forget because of the generosity of the members and staff at the Troy Family Y.

Submitted by Alecia Bilpuh, Membership Director at the Troy Family YMCA

The New Year is quickly approaching and its time to put your resolution to get healthy into action. So, where to begin….

Choosing a form of exercise that you enjoy will help you stick to your plan. Also, be realistic when setting up your exercise schedule. If it doesn’t fit into your lifestyle there is little chance you will be able to maintain over a period of time.

Remember the 80-20 rule when it comes to how to eat healthy. Maintaining healthy weight loss should be 80% diet and 20% exercise. If you take a zumba class you can burn up to 700 calories, which can be quickly cancelled out if you choose an unhealthy food option.

Plan meals ahead and stock the fridge with healthy snacks. Keeping cut up vegetables in single serving size bags will help you to choose wisely when you are looking for a snack or grabbing something quick on the go. Packing your lunch for work will also help you avoid take out or fast food when those mid day hunger pains set in.

Drink plenty of water! Not only is water essential to good health it gives you a sense of feeling full. To ensure you are drinking the recommended eight 8oz glasses each day, keep a water bottle with you at all times and sip on it through out the day.

Avoid high calorie drinks. Did you know that a single serving of cola can contain 150 calories? If you drink several glasses of soda a day that can really add up. Making a small change to eliminate pop from your diet can result in significant daily calorie reduction.

Set a time in the evening to stop eating and stick to it.  For some, late night snacking can add anywhere from 300-500 calories when most aren’t even hungry.

Get your rest. Getting a good nights rest will keep you feeling motivated throughout the day resulting in better energy for your workout and better recovery from your workout.

Be patient – breaking old habits and developing new ones takes time. Determination today leads to success tomorrow.

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Nancy Gildersleeve has been a fitness professional for over 17 years. She holds many group exercise certifications as well as personal training and pilates. Additionally she has worked as an examiner for the Aerobic and Fitness Association of America. Nancy is an avid runner and completed her first marathon in October 2011. She is the Associate Executive Director of our Schenectady branch and serves as the Health & Wellness Product Group leader for the Capital District YMCA.

Top Ten reasons why NOW is the best time to join the Capital District YMCA

By Nancy Gildersleeve

10. No contract you have to sign.

9. Friendly, knowledgeable Wellness Coaches ready to design a customized workout plan for you ― free with your membership.

8. For adults 65 and older ― senior rates are available. We’ve even partnered with several insurance companies that provide you with a free membership. Call today to see if you’re eligible.

7. For those with a family membership, we offer on-site baby-sitting in a safe, fun environment so you can exercise knowing your kids are happy.

6. As a Capital District YMCA member, you can enjoy working out in any of our 8 branches.

5. Our group exercise classes are free with your membership and cover all levels, from beginner to advanced.

4. Enjoy a variety of programs for all ages, from infants to active older adults.

3. Already a member? Refer a friend and when they join YOU receive a free month of membership as our thank you gift to you.

2. We never turn someone away because she/he cannot afford our services. Ask about our Membership For All financial assistance program.

1. You don’t have to wait until New Year’s Day to start your resolution to get active. We’re waiving the joiner fee right now thru January 7. You save $100!

Still not sure? Visit any of our branches for a tour and receive a 14-day guest pass to try us out. Let us show you why we’re so much more than a gym. 

At the Capital District YMCA, we’re for Youth Development, Healthy Living and Social Responsibility. Every day, we work to strengthen community.

 

Now's your chance to join the Y and save $100.  Join any Capital District YMCA location by January 7, 2012 and we'll waive the Joiner's Fee (up to a $100 value).  Join today at http://www.cdymca.org/join.aspx

Over the past year, we've heard a great deal of feedback from members regarding class schedules on our website, the ease of accessing those schedules, and the accuracy of the schedules.  With that feedback we have instituted a few changes. 

First, you can now access your branch schedules via PDF on the website.  This change eliminates a cumbersome search function that frustrated many of you.  Second, we are excited to announce the launch of a FREE mobile app where you will be able to access class schedules, facility updates (closings, etc.), program and event updates, as well as receive push notifications of important information and closures. Both of these changes were made to ensure that you will have the most access to up-to-date information regarding classes.

The app is now available for the iPhone through the App Store and on the Android Market. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work to improve your experience at the Y.

Sincerely,
Rob Totaro
Communications Director
news@cdymca.org

The Y would like to welcome two new members to our Capital District YMCA family, Mark Straubel and Gussie Yonashiro.

Mark Straubel
Senior Vice President of Operations/Chief Operations Officer

With 19+ years of YMCA experience in three different states, Mark has enjoyed success in diverse settings and communities. He brings to the Capital District YMCA his passion and commitment for the Y mission, coupled with a strong track record of community leadership.

Mark has been an Executive Director for YMCA’s in both New Jersey and Texas, where he championed increasing the impact and collaborative opportunities within the community. Most recently, Mark served as Vice President of Operations for the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas, one of the largest YMCAs in the country. While in Dallas, Mark helped the YMCAs he oversaw become healthy, vibrant focal points for community development.  

Mark is a graduate of Springfield College (MA) where he received his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees. Upon graduation, Mark and his wife Colleen (also a Springfield College graduate) relocated to Wilmington, Delaware where he began his Y career.  

Mark believes the Y must continue to develop its role as a community leader and organizational partner with a focus on nurturing youth development, energizing healthy living, and inspiring social responsibility. He feels fortunate to be part of an organization that lives its mission every day and truly makes a difference in the lives of kids and families within the community.

Mark has his private pilot’s license and enjoys all sports. He has a special passion for volleyball, having coached at the high school, collegiate, and club level, and officiated for USA Volleyball competitions.

The Straubel family spends their summers on Lake George. Mark and Colleen are excited for their children (Cailyn, Rebecca, and Brian) to enjoy all that the northeast has to offer.

 

Gussie Yonashiro
Senior Vice President of Membership & Program Development

With17+ years of Y senior management experience, Gussie brings a wealth of expertise to the Capital District YMCA. She has served as the COO/VP of Operations for the Lake County YMCA and as the VP of Operations for the YMCA of Greater St. Paul. In both positions, Gussie led or provided her expertise in centralizing Association-wide strategies regarding organizational strategic direction and tactics, financial development and fiscal stability, leadership development, and community engagement and partnerships.

While at St. Paul, Gussie led leadership development for all 12 membership directors. In that role, Gussie implemented training on connecting, retraining, and enhancing the value of membership.

Gussie is passionate about improving the quality of life for others and helping people realize their full potential, and has built strong staff teams that work together to deliver Association strategic initiatives. While at St. Paul, Gussie lead many new ventures including the Emerging Leader Program which involved training and developing top-performing leaders. Gussie also led the Diversity Initiative and the creation of the Corporate Urban Youth Development Department.

Gussie has a Master’s of Science in Human Services from National-Louis University in Evanston (IL) and a Bachelor’s of Arts in Psychology from Carthage College in Kenosha (WI).

Gussie is a member of a number of Y-USA affiliations, including the Multicultural Executive Development Initiative (MEDI) Program, the Association of YMCA Professional Directors, and the National Association of Asian American Professionals.

In her spare time, Gussie likes to read science fiction & detective novels, cook and garden. She has two daughters, Aubrey who is a High School teacher for the Chicago Public Schools, and Colleen, who is an intensive care nurse.

By Nancy Gildersleeve, Capital District YMCA

For most of us, the holiday season means less down time and planning nutritious meals, more stress, and difficulty sticking to our workout routine. Even dedicated exercisers can have difficulty staying on track during the holidays.  

Studies show that on average most people gain 1-4 lbs from Thanksgiving through New Year’s Eve. For those already trying to lost weight, these statistics can be discouraging.  

Planning ahead and making exercise a priority can reduce your stress level and help you combat unwanted holiday pounds. Here are a few tips to help you stay on track this holiday season.  

Set realistic fitness goals and stick to them.  
If you can’t make your favorite group exercise class due to holiday parties or shopping, re-arrange your schedule to try a new class (the Y offers classes throughout the day). If you typically prefer aerobics, try a workout with weights. We can help you make the change. If you love weights, try a group fitness or a spin class. Any exercise is better than none.  

Include family time in your exercise.  
Pulling the kids up a hill a few times can make sledding as beneficial as a jog. Taking the dog for a walk, ice skating, snowshoeing or cross country skiing provides quality time with the one's you love and great exercise.   Keep a water bottle with you at all times to avoid being thirsty or dehydrated. Drinking water also gives you a sense of fullness which helps limit your temptation to eat more food.  

Use moderation when indulging in party foods.  
Try smaller portions of not so healthy foods and larger portions of salads, vegetables, fruit or lean meats. Having a light, healthy snack before a holiday gathering can help curb your hunger and avoid binging on sweets or other high calorie treats. 

Take advantage of a lunch hour power walk. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Park your car further away to increase your steps to and from work. Always have your workout gear with you to help stick to exercising.  

Remember: the holidays are a time to enjoy with family and friends. It’s not what you do and eat from Thanksgiving to the New Year but more about what you do and eat from New Year to Thanksgiving. Think moderation when it comes to indulging this holiday season and make exercise a priority.  

Keeping yourself on track and being health conscious is the best gift you can give yourself and your family.

Tis the season to give thanks for all we are grateful for.  At the Y, we are grateful for our amazing members and staff who give so much to our community.  Please take note of the following holiday hours:

 

Day	Branch	Hours
Thanksgiving Day	All Branches (Except Troy)	Open 8am - 1pm
Christmas Eve	All Branches	Closed at 3pm
Christmas Day	All Branches	Closed
New Years Eve	All Branches	Close at 5pm
New Years Day	All Branches	Open 8am - 1pm

As a former YMCA childcare worker, Timothy Tocco understands the link between the values learned at the Y and those he teaches at In Nae Taekwondo in Glenville, NY.  For this reason, Master Tocco decided to begin teaching Taekwondo out of the Capital District YMCA's Glenville branch.

 

For more information visit www.CDYMCA.org or www.INNAETKD.com