The New Year often brings a renewed commitment to health and wellness, with individuals setting resolutions to get in shape, eat healthier, and adopt a more active lifestyle. And since the YMCA has a lot of options to make it a great fitness center for young adults, busy families, or aging seniors, we get to play an important role in supporting these aspirations by offering a variety of group fitness classes, adult sport leagues like our pickleball ladder leagues, men’s basketball league, and adult futsal soccer on our NEW Outdoor Multi-Sports Court. However, as February rolls in, many people begin to struggle with maintaining the momentum of their New Year’s resolutions.

At the YMCA, the focus is not just on short-term success but on long-term sustainability. Which is why we find it is simply a matter of finding your fun to prevent burnout and improve overall mental health too. 

The Post-January Drop-off: Why It Happens

It’s no secret that gym attendance spikes in January, but by February, many individuals lose motivation. Several factors contribute to this drop-off:

• Unrealistic Goals: Many people set high expectations that become overwhelming.
• Lack of Immediate Results: Progress takes time, and frustration sets in when results aren’t immediate.
• Busy Schedules: As life gets busier after the holiday season, workouts often take a backseat.
• Loss of Motivation: Without proper support or accountability, enthusiasm can dwindle.

But we have found one of the best ways to stay committed to a workout routine is to keep it interesting and fun. 

Here are 3 Things We Bet You Didn’t Know We Offered

By now as a new member we hope you have tried multiple different free group fitness classes and you have a sense of increased accountability, connection with others, and even FUN! But did you know we also offer Single or Duet Pilates Reformer Sessions? That is right tucked away in the back corner of our Spirit Studio (upstairs) we have two pilates reformers, and we have two certified pilates reformer trainers. Pilates is a wonderful way to power up your core, and focuses on stretching and is truly for everyone. Your certified trainer will tailor your sessions together to your physical limitations and wellness goals, and is a fantastic training option for:

• People who have physical limitations that make other types of exercise difficult.
• People who have joint issues, like arthritis, because it doesn’t put any stress on the joints.
• Pregnant women and people with chronic back pain.

And include many physical benefits that you can start experiencing in as little as 2 or 3 sessions, like:

• Pilates strengthens muscles and increases flexibility.
• It helps with posture, balance and coordination.
• It improves breathing and circulation.
• Pilates can also help relieve stress and anxiety. It’s an excellent way to de-stress.

DONUTS! Yes we said it. Donuts. We find more Bill’s, Hurts, and even Duck Donuts at the office this time of year, and Valentine’s day is right around the corner. It seems like there is no way of escaping the sugar temptations even if we have successfully meal planned for the week. If that sounds like you it might be time to meet with our Nutritionist Carrie Lintner and she can help you eat your way to a healthier life! 

Carrie is passionate about helping people achieve their nutrition and wellness goals.  She has 19 years of experience in the health and wellness industry. She has a wide range of healthcare experience including working with clients who have: end-stage kidney disease, eating disorders, heart disease, diabetes, high cholesterol, cancer, and more.  Carrie received her bachelor’s degree in food and nutrition from Bluffton University and her MBA from Tiffin University.  In addition to working part-time at Countryside YMCA, Carrie works full-time at Fresenius Kidney Care.

Exercise and nutrition go hand-in-hand in creating a healthy lifestyle. If you’re working on improving your fitness, don’t overlook the value of changing your eating habits. We offer two nutrition counseling packages to fit your needs and budget. Option 1 is a one-hour session for intake, followed by two 30-minute sessions for $121. And option two is a one-hour intake session, followed by four 30-minute sessions for $160.

Now if you are really looking to turn up the FUN and competition. Pickleball at the Y will do just that. We have open and arrange play times available in our Lower Level gym during the school year and at our Outdoor Multi-Sports Court in the summer. And a Group Me of over 125 local Y Members to connect and compete with. If you are new to Pickleball we also offer an Introduction to Pickleball, which is a monthly class taught by one of our member coaches Holly Saunders. Class is every Wednesday from 12:30 pm to 2:00 pm, and is open to members ages 12 and up. Making this a wonderful way to get active with your teenagers too. This is a beginner class that goes over the rules of the game, and basic skills like dinking and serving. You will also learn proper etiquette and how to score, and it only costs $15 a month. Making it the perfect crash course before stepping into our pickleball community here at the Y or before your next cruise.

We hope a few of our lesser known offerings will become another tool in your health and wellness toolbelt to stay dedicated and motivated to your new year’s resolutions and long term health goals. 

Overcoming Common February Challenges

Disclaimer. While the Countryside YMCA offers excellent resources, individuals still need strategies to maintain motivation and overcome common challenges such as:

• Set Realistic and Measurable Goals: Instead of aiming for drastic changes, focus on small, achievable milestones.
• Schedule Workouts Like Appointments: Prioritizing exercise by treating it like a commitment can help maintain consistency.
• Find a Workout Buddy: Exercising with a friend can make workouts more enjoyable and create accountability.
• Celebrate Small Wins: Recognizing progress, no matter how small, can boost motivation.

Maintaining New Year’s resolutions beyond January is challenging, but with the right support system, it’s entirely possible. Instead of letting February be the month when resolutions fade, let it be the time when real progress begins. By taking advantage of all that the Y has to offer, members can stay committed, overcome obstacles, and continue their journey toward a healthier, happier life.