Phillip Peelor

I began running races in 2004. Over the first four years of running ( 2004-2007 ) I had moderate success, while still enjoying every moment. In January 2008 I joined the Middletown YMCA and began a work out/training program to help improve my physical conditioning and running ability. Kristen Enering played a key role in getting me started and provided encouragement. The results of the training were seen very soon in 2008. My times in the races improved and my placements were much better. I enjoyed running even more than before. From 2004 through 2007 I had two 1st place age bracket finishes, one 2nd place finish and six 3rd place finishes. In 2008 I had six 1st place age bracket finishes, three 2nd place finishes and four 3rd place finishes. I continued my training and in 2009 I have to date eight 1st place age bracket finishes and one team 1st place finish ( this was as a member of the Middletown YMCA Team in the 1/2 marathon). I have four 2nd place finishes and won a King of the Mountain recognition/trophy for completing 5 grueling mountain challenge races.

I wish to thank you and your Staff for providing such a wonderful facility at which to work out and get into good physical shape.

Marcella Glueck

Marcella joined the Middletown YMCA 2½ years ago after receiving a membership as a birthday gift from her sister and with financial assistance from the YMCA’s access program.

Marcella lost 45 lbs in her first 6 months! She exercised at the YMCA 3 times a week, modified her diet and stopped drinking Pepsi. Her exercise program was focused on using cardio equipment.

Trainers Marlo and Rachel provided helpful advice and support, such as healthy eating hints and exercise suggestions. She then began adding free weights to her exercise program.

With her exercise program, Marcella lost an additional 55 lbs during the course of her first year. After reaching this plateau, exercise trainers helped with changing her routine in order to maximize the results.

Over the next 6 months, she lost an additional 50 lbs, for a total of 150 lbs lost in 1½ years. As wonderful as this is, it is not the end of the story. Marcella has kept that weight off a full one year later!

Marcella is thankful to her sister and the Middletown YMCA for helping her attain her weight loss goal. She has begun to bring a friend to help them lose weight and get healthy.

Marcella’s tips for a healthy lifestyle:

• Be active during the day – do something to keep moving!
• Start easy – don’t be hard on yourself
• Set small goals for yourself
• Healthy eating is so important – don’t skip breakfast

I joined the YMCA four years ago with the intention of losing ten pounds and feeling better after the birth of my third child. I finally had a place I could work out with the comfort of knowing my child was being well taken care of in the child care room.

Well, besides that ten pound loss I have gained so much more. I feel so at home when I get to the facility. The people who work out in all of the different classes I participate in have become friends and everyone cheers each other on. When one of us is absent there is always the question “where were you?” Glad you are back! Then just when I think I have worked every muscle a very knowledgeable staff member will give me a tip to make a slight change and I feel I am challenging myself even more.

My family life has also improved with the family membership. I feel I am setting a good example for my children and the YMCA helps to do that with their commitment to youth and all of the great programs they have for the children. My eight year old son loves to work out in the kids cave and says he feels strong. All of my kids love to come to the special events. Everything is geared toward families spending time and having fun together.

I also can’t say enough about the swim instructors. All three of my children have learned to swim at the Y and the instructors are very patient and kind. My daughter at eight years old refused to take her feet off the bottom of the pool, and was afraid to jump in or float. Her swim instructor was determined to teach her. Within four months she was swimming laps. Now she is in the school swim club and it has given her much needed confidence.

I can honestly say, looking back now on my Y experience the atmosphere at the YMCA has helped me keep my commitment to get in shape and stay there. The YMCA has not only changed my body, it has changed my life!

Lauren Reggio

I joined the “Y” sometime in the mid 80s. I was still working in NYC. So the only participation at that time was a group exercise clad held in the gym. That’s was the only place large enough at to accommodate the 15/20 participants, So I now am entitled to wear my 20 year badge and a couple of additional striped as well.

We did our push ups, jumping jacks, stretching and breathing exercises…and I remember we jogged around the gym; there was no track, so we all had to stay outside of the basketball court lines. Otherwise we were cheating. I think 7 jogs around the court was the equivalent of a 1/4th mile. But don’t quote me.

I also remember the adult fitness room was at the end of the corridor where the little kids now do there exercises and learn social skills by interacting with their peers. That room was very small and I was afraid to use it. We also had our ladies and men wash rooms in that original corridor.

My fear and patience was rewarded when the new addition was built. The home of the Fitness Center with the myriad of equipment, big windows, and loud music hold court. There us something for everyone. Some do every machine, and are looking for new additional all the time. Others have their favorite piece of equipment and are reluctant to give it up at the end of the half-hour mandate.

I do my own thing. I use 5 pieces of equipment. But my favorite is the track. I jog about a mile; walk a mile with weights for my stretching and strength training. Once in awhile you can see me skip 2 full laps. When I was a kid in public school, I could only skip on one leg. Now that I am a grown man, I can skip with both legs and I am so proud of that.

I keep score of my progress with Exercise Planner. I am pleased to say that with the passage of time, I have been increasing the weights that are an essential part of resistance and building of muscle.

In conclusion, I find that the “Y” is vital in my everyday living in three different ways – It is good for my mind, replenishes my soul and rebuilds my body. Any by the way, I may be one of oldest fitness work out members. But, I cannot reveal my age. But, I was born before 1930.

LONG LIVE THE MIDDLETOWN “Y”