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My Story: Healthy Living Program Testimonials

The Harrisburg Area YMCA has recently embarked on a Healthy Living and Chronic Disease Initiative to expand the LiveSTRONG at the YMCA, National Diabetes Prevention, and Tobacco Cessation programs in our Harrisburg Area YMCAs. Many lives have been positively impacted by these programs, and we would like to share some of their testimonies.


LiveSTRONG at the YMCAlivestrong

LIVESTRONG at the YMCA is a program dedicated to helping cancer survivors and is run by YMCA staff who are specially trained to design workout programs for participants who are bouncing back or currently undergoing cancer treatment.

Maureen, a participant of this program, shared her story with us. On May 4th, 2013, Maureen was diagnosed with stage 3 lung cancer. Not long after, she started daily chemotherapy and radiationtreatment to shrink the tumor. Maureen said, “I started the program to be able to keep up with and play with my 5 grandchildren and I have accomplished that goal easily. I feel much healthier than I have in over 3 years, plus I’ve lost over 30lbs.”


Tobacco Cessationstop smoking

Freedom from Smoking is a tobacco cessation and prevention program that is designed to offer a variety of techniques to help smokers gain control over their behavior. A participant from the Freedom from Smoking program shared the following testimony with us:

“My journey began with a friend asking me if I would be interested in joining her in a quit smoking class. I agreed to attend, unsure if I was actually ready to quit my pack a day. After our first class, I decided that I was ready to make an attempt. Our instructor, who has never smoked, was very kind, patient, and non-judgmental. She only ever wanted us to take accountability for our decisions and actions so that we could realize what was causing us to want to smoke in the first place.

It has been 3 weeks since my quit day. At times I have stumbled, however, I keep pressing forward using the wonderful tips, tricks, and materials that we were given in class. I am so thankful for this free quit smoking course! It has given me control over my life again, and I have already begun feeling the health benefits of quitting. So if you are tossing around the idea of wanting to quit smoking, I urge you to check out this free course. The support is very helpful. It is a hard addiction to kick, but is worth all the effort and work!”


National Diabetes Preventiondiabetes

The National Diabetes Prevention Program helps you learn how to change your lifestyle to prevent type 2 diabetes. Cindy, a participant of the Diabetes Prevention Program, shared the following testimony after completing the program:

“The Diabetes Prevention class at the YMCA has meant so much to me. I have found constant consistent support, encouragement and knowledge from the instructor Amy Paul.” She says, “With a history of negative self-talk and lack of consistent support of those closest to me, my weight loss efforts had not been too successful over the years. Amy has gone above and beyond, giving us her cell phone number, social media connection, and personal testimony of her efforts to be healthy. She always tells us how proud she is of the class and points to our
successes and when there is a setback she is ‘get back with it!’ She was positive, motivating, encouraging and full of energy. That alone made the class enjoyable and profitable.

When I started the class I was using meal replacement shakes in my own personal efforts to lose weight. I have learned to eat real food and how to make some changes that can last for a lifetime. I also learned how to deal with negative self-talk, how to eat out and still make good choices. ”


If you’re looking to be a part of one or more of the following healthy living programs at the YMCA, we encourage you to give them a try. Our participants are happy they did.

Emily Sanville, Digital Communications Coordinator

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