Impact Story February 2019
Personal Fitness: Embracing a Healthy Lifestyle
“For me, the Y stands for an extension of family. I would have never guessed that before joining the Y or working here, but now after being here a while and being in the environment, I see and feel it every day. Before getting a membership here, I would have said it was just a place to exercise, but it is so much more than that. Not only do I feel it myself, but I see it every day with the way members and staff interact with each other,” Dave Toole, Towpath Trail YMCA member and employee remarks.
Eleven years ago, in 2008, Dave was told he needed knee surgery. When the doctor suggested losing some weight to make his recovery easier, he took it to heart. He became a member of the YMCA that year and continues to be active in his membership today. Currently visiting the fitness center five to six days a week outside of his job at the Towpath Trail Y Welcome Center, he has seen drastic changes in his health consisting of better eating, weight loss (a total of 50 lbs), and lowered cholesterol. His favorite exercise is push-up pyramids and other similar activities recommended by personal trainers, Dave Lingo and Scott Laudermilk. Although he has seen a lot of positive changes already, he still aims to lose some weight, but more importantly, to keep it off. When asked what his life was like before joining the Y he states,
“I didn’t want to admit that I was overweight and needed a lifestyle change. I guess I was happy where I was, but at the same time, I knew that I needed a change. And when I first started working out I would gain a little weight back here or there and before I knew it, I had gained all of it back. I am determined to do it right this time.”
With his friends, family, and the health conscious atmosphere of the YMCA to support and motivate him, Dave has maintained a healthy, positive attitude that is helping him through his fitness journey. He embraces a happier outlook on a day to day basis, saying, “I just seem to enjoy life more.” Something he believes to be special about the YMCA is its friendly, relaxing, and welcoming environment that makes working out something he can look forward to. He says,
“I’ve talked to a lot of people who’ve tried going to other fitness centers around here, but they’ve come back to the Y because they just didn’t like the atmosphere. They’re not near as friendly. There is a tremendous amount of friendly people here. It’s hard to get a workout in sometimes because I run into someone I know and wants to chat every time I turn around. What could be an hour long workout turns quickly into two or three.”
He advises us not to give up saying, “If you feel like you are getting nowhere, don’t forget about your family and friends around you. Look to them for support and encouragement.”
Above all, Dave hopes that people will see the positive impact the YMCA has had on his life and that it’s a good place to get healthy, stay healthy, and meet new, amazing people. He passes on to us a piece of advice that his dad used to tell him, “If you’re going to do it, do it right or don’t do it at all.”
3 John 1:2
Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul.
For further inquiries or to submit your own story, please contact the author at
estefanick@weststarky.org
