In communities across the nation, the Y is a leading voice on health and well-being. Over past 15 years, the Y has driven innovation in prevention and control of chronic disease to save lives and reduce healthcare spending. With support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Y delivers tangible results in evidence-based chronic disease prevention and control. Across the country, Ys are increasing opportunities and policies promoting physical activity, improving access to healthy affordable foods and advancing environmental change that makes the healthier choice the easy choice.
LIVESTRONG AT THE YMCA
LIVESTRONG at the YMCA is designed for adult cancer survivors who have recently become de-conditioned or chronically fatigued from their treatment or disease. The small group, physical activity program utilizes a private, non-intimidating circuit style that helps participants build strength, increase flexibility and endurance and ultimately improve quality of life. Additional goals include reducing the side effects of treatment, preventing unwanted weight changes and improving energy levels and self-esteem.
A final goal of the program is to assist participants in developing their own physical fitness program so they can continue to practice a healthy lifestyle, not only as part of their recovery, but as a way of life. In addition to the physical benefits, the program provides participants a supportive environment and a feeling of community with their fellow survivors, YMCA staff and members.
The program consists of one 12-week session, where participants work with Y staff twice a week, and is provided without cost to participants. YMCA fitness instructors work with each participant to fit the program to their individual needs. The instructors are trained in the elements of cancer, post rehab exercise and supportive cancer care. The program is conducted outside of medical facilities to emphasize that LIVESTRONG at the YMCA is about health, not disease.
Free for Members and Non-Members.
Contact host branches for more information:
Y'S WEIGHTLOSS PROGRAM
The Y’s Weight Loss Program is designed to help people seeking a healthier weight achieve their goals by making small, modest changes to their daily behaviors, and forming sustainable healthy habits.
Participants joining the program should be ready to commit to daily food and physical activity tracking as well as developing self-designed weekly action plans that incorporate what is learned during each session. This program helps participants build skills for successful lifestyle changes as opposed to advocating any specific or restrictive short term solution.
WHAT IS THE WEIGHT LOSS PROGRAM?
The Weight Loss Program is designed to help people seeking a healthier weight achieve their goals by making small, modest changes to their daily behaviors and forming sustainable, healthy habits. Participants joining the program should be ready to commit to daily food and physical activity tracking as well as developing self-designed weekly action plans that incorporate what is learned during each session. This program helps participants build skills for successful lifestyle changes as opposed to advocating any specific or restrictive short-term solution.
WHO CAN ENROLL IN THE WEIGHT LOSS PROGRAM?
The program is designed for adults 18 years and older who desire a healthier weight. This program is not intended for individuals with specialized needs due to chronic disease or the onset of chronic disease.
HOW LONG IS THE PROGRAM, AND HOW OFTEN DOES IT MEET?
This is a 12-week program that meets one time per week. Each weekly session is 60 minutes.
WHAT HAPPENS DURING EACH WEEKLY SESSION?
Each week, participants will weigh in, be introduced to a new topic relevant to weight loss, discuss as a group successes/challenges/suggestions around the weekly topic, and develop goals for the upcoming week. Topics covered during the program include balanced eating, physical activity, stress and sleep, positive psychology, goal setting, and sustainability.
WHAT CAN I EXPECT FROM THIS PROGRAM?
This program will introduce participants to behaviors that have been shown to lead to sustained weight loss and invite participants to develop personalized plans to incorporate those behaviors into their personal lifestyles.
WILL I RECEIVE A PERSONALIZED NUTRITION OR EXERCISE PLAN IN THIS PROGRAM?
No. Because weight loss is unique to each person, this program focuses on helping individuals identify ways to make small, modest changes to their behavior within the context of their own life and in support of their weight loss goals. The tools provided during this program, along with the knowledge and support of the group, are used by participants to develop their own balanced eating and physical activity plans that work for them. Prescribed meal or exercise plans are not provided in this program.
WILL ANYONE SEE MY WEIGHT DURING WEEKLY WEIGH-INS?
Participants weigh in weekly during the 12-week program. This will happen in a private location with only the participant and program facilitator present. Once collected, this information is used only in aggregate form to help assess the program’s quality.