RYE Y STORY PROJECT: JEANNETTE A.

Jeannette I am here for my health and my family. The Y has been a safe environment for me and my kids and grandkids. I feel like this is my second home.

My sons are 35, 33 and 21 and have been coming here since they were kids for swimming lessons and classes. My son had a problem with his weight and started going to the Fitness Center when he was old enough. He learned to eat better and his health improved along with his outlook – it is a domino effect.

I had my third baby when my younger son was twelve and exercising really helped me. I took aqua aerobics – it was a class for pregnant women. My labor was only three hours! I am a grandmother now. My grandkids are 14, 12 and 3; they come here for swimming lessons, teen nights and to the ExerZone and open gym. They come home sweating, red-faced and happy.

I come to the Y every morning at 8:30am for aerobics class or spinning – or for any class that is on at that time. Everyone says hello here. The parking guys are amazing, always smiling and being helpful. I feel happy coming here. The staff is so helpful. Barb and Diana are especially valuable. I can count on both of them. They are always there for me.

I am more dedicated to exercise now because it is so important as I get older. When things are bad, I get through it by exercising. When I stay home I have less energy. The more I do, the better I feel. If I stop coming, I’m afraid I’ll become an old woman. Exercise is my Fountain of Youth!!