The single most important tip I can pass on to someone else is to say you have one life to live. Make what you do with it count.

Pat Murphy, age 66 was in the group of charter members that opened the East Side YMCA last October, 2005. She immediately joined the PFP (Personal Fitness Program).  Pat enthusiastically reports that the East Side YMCA is her favorite place to work out. "The staff is so cheerful, friendly and helpful. When I walk through the doors into the bright light, hear all the sounds and feel the energy…I know I'm in a special place and I leave all the worries and stress behind.

Pat has lost 21 pounds during her 12 weeks in PFP; she has more energy, strength and flexibility. She is still shooting for more endurance, stamina and to lose 10 more pounds!  One of Pat's big payoff moments happened after being at the Y for 12 weeks, a friend saw her and said, "Pat you are looking great. You're absolutely vanishing! "Vanishing" has become a favorite word I keep in mind. I want to 'vanish' into something better," she says. "The PFP --I can't say enough good things about it. It laid the groundwork for confidence, skill and the independence which I needed in order to have success on my own. My Coach, Brian, was a perfect match for me. His skill as an instructor, belief in my ability, patience and encouragement assured me of success. And even after the 12 weeks, he continues to check up on me. The other coaches too, are always there for assistance when needed.'

Pat treats exercise as a part-time job. "I have to show up and be responsible. The pay is self-improvement and you can't beat the health benefits!" Pat also says, "I make a weekly and daily time calendar and pencil in exercise time, then try to schedule commitments, appointments and activities around those times."

Her favorite quote comes from Danny Kaye: "Life is a great big canvas, and you should throw all the paint on it you can." And she says "The single most important tip I can pass on to someone else is to say you have one life to live. Make what you do with it count."

The YMCA has meant a tremendous amount to me. It is an organization and a place where values, faith and behaviors come together for the benefit of all who participate in its offerings. It is a place where I can meet old friends and new, choose from a variety of fitness options, participate in a Bible study or an Active Older Adults planned outing and so much more.

For Pat, the Y is a social network, she has all of the members of her book club involved in the Y. They have fun together and support each others efforts. She says she is now more of a "doer" than a "sitter".  Pat finds competing with herself is the best… recalling a quote by someone who once said, "The only person you should ever compete with is yourself. You can't hope for a better match."

Just do it!

Jim Turner not only has a great Fitness Success story, but also a motivating story of survival.

A 58-year old retired father of three, Jim Turner began working out at the YMCA after sustaining a frightening heart attack and heart transplant. His goal was to be able to do everything he could do before the heart attack, and working with his trainer, Marcia in the Personal Fitness program at the Downtown YMCA he has come an amazingly long way.

Marcia designed a 3-times per week series of exercises for Jim based on his cardiac rehabilitation plan. By starting small and working his way up, Jim feels he has since regained his life after accomplishing a series of "firsts" since the surgery. These included the first step in the hospital, the first jog crossing a busy street, the first time swimming the front crawl, and the first pull-up.

Jim now knows that heart disease is the #1 killer of adults today, killing more people than the next three diseases combined (including breast cancer). His transplant has given him a second chance at life, and the YMCA has given him an environment that has made the changes easier and more enjoyable.

He advises others to "just do it, track your results, and don't expect overnight results. Once you have heart disease, you don't get better – just stop getting worse. Fighting heart disease is not cheap. Medication is expensive. Prevention not only improves one's quality of life but also saves money --which can in turn be spent enjoying that improved life!"

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Determination, persistence, perseverance, and patience makes for a healthy lifestyle.

Rob Beno, age 52 says, "The YMCA is a place to meet new friends and an affordable place to exercise."

Rob started exercising on March 14, 2005 and he shows determination, persistence, perseverance and patience.  He enjoys exercising in the PFP area of the downtown YMCA because the downtown Y is just one block from where he lives and he never has to wait to use the machines.

"Exercise makes me feel better, both physically and mentally; it makes me feel better emotionally and it has improved my mood," says Rob.  With help from Marcia, his personal trainer, whom he notes is the person who has been a role mode and an inspiration, "she pushes me to do better and has always been there to answer questions," they've set some goals.  Rob's first three goals for himself are:

1. To be free from smoking cigarettes,

2. to get his weight down to 180-185 and

3. to increase his water intake to 96 oz. daily.

Already Rob has achieved weight loss of 22 pounds.  He's kept his meals down to about 500 calories each and he's made time in his busy life to actually go to the Y, "suit-up" and exercise!  Rob wants to share with the world how exercise makes him feel.  As someone who suffers from clinical depression, his mood is improved after his exercise, "I really feel on top of the world for a few moments.  A lot better than my anti-depressant makes me feel," reports Rob.

Rob walks on the treadmill and rides the recumbent bike back to back for a total of over 60 minutes.  He also does a strength training routine on the weight machines and stretches.

Advice from Rob: "If a person gets out of the habit of exercising for a week or longer, don't give up and don't be hard on yourself. The lives we live now days are very busy ones.  Just accept that you made a mistake and take up where you left off.  Strive for excellence and you will become excellent at what you do.  But remember, excellence is not perfection."

Rob says his favorite motivational quote is, "Where the Mind Goes, The Man Follows".

Thanks Rob, we'll see you in PFP!