|
|
|
 |
 |
June 27, 2003 - Exercise, laughter melts away pounds... |
 |
Exercise, laughter melts away pounds
By DAVE GERSHMAN
Staff writer salem News: June 27, 2003
SALEM -- In between the leg lifts, jumping jacks, squats and stretches, there's a laugh, followed by a bit of gentle ribbing.
The group of a dozen people, mostly in their 60s and 70s, were strangers just a few weeks ago. But now, they've come together, united in sweat.
"This group has really bonded," Florence Cooper said.
They were the regulars, the folks who consistently showed up Tuesdays and Thursdays to exercise on Salem Common as part of the Salem YMCA's City-wide Slim Down. When one was absent, the others would call to find out if anything was wrong.
The slim down wrapped up with a party at Winter Island Saturday, following several weeks of exercises, walks and lectures. Everything was free.
Brandi Hodsdon, one of the organizers, said 126 people made it to the final weigh-in. The average person lost 4 1/2 pounds. She thanked her volunteers and said she plans to organize a similar program next year. The goal, she said, was to motivate people to change their lifestyles.
Cooper said she joined because her doctor recommended that she start a new medication. "I said, 'There has to be an alternative.'"
Others exercised at home but found they could learn from the program's lectures and benefitted from working out in a group.
"I exercise every day," Bob Connell said. "But this was more regimented."
Merle Noll said she signed up after she retired in January.
"I kept saying to myself that I wanted to lose weight," she said. "But I just couldn't get with it."
Not everybody wanted to lose weight. Dennis Dragonis, 79, said he had trouble getting up the stairs in his home. The exercises strengthened his muscles.
"I was having muscle pains," Dragonis said. "When I started doing exercises, I felt much stronger."
Hodsdon said the group convinced her to offer a new program, keeping alive the workouts on Salem Common Tuesdays and Thursdays. It's a five-week program that begins June 24. The workouts will be held rain or shine from noon to 1 p.m.
YMCA members pay $15; nonmembers $40.
Call Hodsdon for more information at (978) 744-0351, Ext. 25.
Want to read more YMCA articles? Click here!
 |
PDF Documents: Our web site contains several .pdf documents.
If you do not have Adobe Acrobat, please click here for a free download. |
|
|
|
|
|