Nancy's Story
Nancy described her relationship with the Y from 2006 – 2016 as “on and off again”, taking a few step classes here and there. For 6 years, her daughter swam on the Y Barracuda team. Nancy confesses, “For many years, I continued to be a member of the Y, but I never took advantage of any of the programs or even stepped foot inside the door.”
In the Spring of 2016, Nancy was diagnosed with type 2 Diabetes. “It was a wake up call that made me want to make some changes to my diet and lifestyle.” For over a year, Nancy made small changes on her own at home. When her 10 year old treadmill died, her daughter Kasey encouraged Nancy to go to the Y and use their family membership. Nancy remembers, “My first thought was, ‘I can’t go there. I would be the fattest and oldest person there.” Kasey convinced Nancy to come to the Y with her and Nancy realized, “The Y is ‘everyone’s gym’. Young. Old. Fit. No so fit. All people just trying to live a healthy lifestyle.”
Nancy’s ultimate goal is to live with diabetes without taking medication. “Meeting with Craig, Y Personal Trainer, has been the best thing I could have done for myself.”
In July 2017, Nancy signed up for the Diabetes Wellness program, a 12 week program designed to encourage exercise and lower body weight. During twice a month training sessions, Nancy learned new exercises and weight training workouts.
“Not only has it provided me with motivation to come to the Y regularly, Craig has challenged me to do things I did not think I could do. He even has me doing the rowing machine!”
At the end of her 12 week Diabetes Wellness Program, Nancy’s fasting glucose went from 114 to 98 and her A1C went from 6.1 to 5.6 and considered normal for a non diabetic person.
“I couldn’t be happier with the results from working out, strength training and the Diabetes Wellness Program. The Middlesex YMCA, programs and especially the staff members have had such a positive impact on my health and my life.”
YMCA Member, Successful participant of Diabetes Wellness Program & Personal Training