YMCA JULY 2013 Newsletter

SWIMMING IS THE OVERALL BEST EXERCISE!

The benefits of swimming make it one of the most effective exercises for maintaining overall health. Swimming strengthens your muscles, helps ease the pain of chronic illnesses such as arthritis and reduces your risks of conditions such as adult onset diabetes and heart disease, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Swimming is often regarded as superior to other workout methods since you can perform the activity with only your legs if you have an arm injury, or swim primarily with your arms if you suffer a knee or leg condition --- including a replaced hip. Swimming also differs from many other exercise methods in that the aquatic activity provides a workout for your whole body. People who swim on a consistent basis often have less stress due to the release of natural painkillers called endorphins, as well as a reduced risk for high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes and cancer. You'll also gain more energy and a stronger immune system. The CDC reports that people with arthritis who take up swimming can improve their ability to use joints that were formerly stiff from the condition. Swimming can also help improve the quality of life of people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis and heart disease.

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Swimming also can lower your overall body weight, reducing your chances of contracting adult onset diabetes and cardiovascular conditions like hypertension. Three out of four senior citizens do not get enough exercise, according to American Family Physician. You are never too old to swim. Swimming is especially beneficial for you as you get older because it exercises your whole body without putting stress on your joints and muscles. This activity increases bone density in postmenopausal women. Increasing your bone density reduces your risk for breaking a bone if you fall. If you are an elderly citizen in a nursing home, swimming may motivate you to improve your exercise habits and increase participation in other activities. Swimming may prolong your life. Swimmers have lower mortality rates than runners, walkers and those with sedentary lifestyles, according to Nancy L. Chase, lead author for a 2008 study published by the "International Journal of Aquatic Research and Development." A sedentary lifestyle increases your risk for developing life -threatening health conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes & cancer.

Some things you have to do every day. Eating seven apples on Saturday night instead of one a day just isn't going to get the job done. Jim Rohn

July Calendar
July 3 Facility closes at 5 pm July 4 Facility Closed July 8 New Swimming Session begins Summer Day Camp Themes: July 8-12 Butte History Week July 15-19 Science Week July 22-26 Extreme Sports Week July 29-Aug 2 Super Hero Week July 15Aug 30 FREE Fitness Classesbring your non-member friends! Details at the welcome center.

Y SUCCESS STORY!
Tina Pantano started coming to the Y last November to get some exercise. While on the treadmill, she was encouraged to try a class, and reluctantly she went to Laurie Petersons Build & Burn class. Tina not only enjoyed Build & Burn, but Laurie made her feel so comfortable that she has been coming almost daily to the Y ever since. Today at 40 lbs. lighter, Tina says she feels stronger and has more stamina throughout the day. You feel good after exercising, and wearing smaller clothes is exciting. Angie Harrison, who works at the Welcome Center, invited Tina to join her team for the 3rd Annual Lighten Your Load Challenge. Tina thought the Saturday workouts were great because they got her up and going on the weekend. She loved the incentive to lose weight, be competitive, and experience different types of workouts each week. Tina said she was motivated by the weekly nutritional information and has changed her diet, which has helped her energy level. People at the Y are awesome, she said. It keeps me going back. They remember my namethats a big deal. Tina is well on her way to living a healthier lifestyle and says, I know I have a long road ahead of me, but it doesnt seem so bad when Ive gotten this far.

In her book, The How of Happiness, Sonja Lyubomirsky says, "Exercise may very well be the most effective instant happiness booster of all activities...It essentially serves as a time-out from your stressful day, with positive spill-over effects for hours afterward" (pp. 245-246). In other words ...Exercise is one of the cheapest, quickest, and most successful activities we can undertake to increase our level of happiness. Some experts recommend a minimum of 30 minutes of exercise a day. Anything we can do to increase our exercise levels, no matter how small, will be good for both our bodies and our spirits.

Summer Swim Lessons

Classes are filling fast so sign up soon!
4 Weekday Summer Sessions Next Session beings July 8th Ages 3 through Adult Did you know?....Montana is among 10 states in which drowning surpasses all other causes of death to children age 14 and under. Overcoming the fear of water and learning swimming develops a persons pride and inner strength. ONE ON ONE!
Take advantage of the summer months for your child to learn how to swim. This is a skill they will use throughout their lifetime. Did you know we offer private lessons? We also have Semi-Private lessons for two or three children together. Please check with our Welcome Center for pricing and more information.

Explore! Get your hands dirty! Be Creative! Splash Around! Meet New Kids! Have Fun! Discover the Possibilities this summer at the YMCA! YMCA Summer Day Camp Now Through Aug 30 Ages 5-12
Sign up for a month at a time and save!

We have a Field Trip every week that will keep your children moving and learning all summer long!

Field trip to NCAT Greenhouses!

Y5 COMING IN AUGUST!
FALL SOCCER REGISTRATION
Get ready for the annual Y5, Saturday, August 24th. New this year is our first YMCA Triathlon for Kids on the same day! Ages 5-17 125 yard Swim 2.75 Mile Bike Registration for Fall Soccer begins July 22nd. Deadline Aug 18. Program runs August 26October 11. Please register your child on time to allow equal participation for every child in the program! 1 Mile Run
(Life Jackets or swimming belts allowed. Bike Helmet Required.)

Thank you to Jenny Zimmerman for donating a beautiful refrigerator to Youth Development! We are putting it to good use filling it with healthy snacks for the Y Summer Day Camp Program.

Share the warmth by helping us reach our goal of $20,000 to bring a mens sauna and a womens sauna to our members. Contact our Welcome Center today to make a donation.

Butte Family YMCA 2975 Washoe St. 782-1266