From Health Seeker to Healthy: The Journey Begins

Denise Woodin
Rye Y Director of Community Impact and Social Responsibility

I am a health seeker. 

When I started working at the Rye YMCA a few weeks ago, I didn’t know that there’s a term for people like me—those of us who are well-intentioned, health-conscious, if not health active, exercise wanna-bees, mean- to-bees, if only work, family and other responsibilities didn’t take so much time and energy.  We make New Year’s resolutions to lose weight, build strength and eat better.  In 2011, I was determined to lose 15 pounds by Memorial Day.  Like other health-seekers who swell gym membership rolls every January, I tried to find a routine that worked for me.  But when my village pool opened in June, my weight, not surprisingly, was unchanged. My solution?  To  buy a more flattering bathing suit.

(In 2012, my resolution was to know more about the origins of my food; to eat more healthily and humanely. I’m actually making progress on that front, but that’s another story.)

I have told myself that I’m not a couch potato because I go hiking and cycling and swimming with my young daughter.  But the reality is that my most of my career has been spent sitting at a desk.  And when winter sets in, I hibernate in the relative warmth of my apartment, content to watch a movie or play board games with my daughter.  Clearly, I needed to make some changes.

And then I landed an amazing job at the Y.  Sometimes life gives you just what you need when you need it.   As a health seeker, I have no more excuses.  In my brief time at the Y, I’ve been encouraged to take fitness classes.  I’ve gone swimming with my daughter on weekends, and once before the work day started.  Most importantly, I’ve found support for my goals and non-judgment about where I’m starting from.  In the “Let’s Move” class that started last Wednesday, JT and Diana pushed me, just a little, and cheered my panting efforts.

What I’ve learned is that the Y nurtures and supports health seekers. If you are a member, you probably know this to be true.  If you’re not, join me on a health seeking journey.  There’s no better place to do it.