TWIN RIVERS YMCA

100 YMCA Lane, New Bern, NC 28560

March 2018

www.trymca.org

MEMBER ENGAGEMENT NEWSLETTER

GOOD NEWS!

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DIABETES ALERT DAYTuesday, March 27, is American Diabetes Association (ADA) Alert Day®, and the TWIN RIVERS YMCA wants residents of Eastern North Carolina to know their risk for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes, as well as preventive steps they can take today to reduce the chances of developing the disease.

In the United States alone, diabetes affects over 30 million people; another 84 million Americans have prediabetes, yet only about 10 percent are aware of it. These statistics are alarming, and the impact on the cost of health care (in 2012 alone, the ADA estimates that diabetes cost the health care system $245 billion) makes preventing the number of new cases of type 2 diabetes more important than ever before.

The nation’s struggle with obesity and type 2 diabetes is no surprise but the number of people with prediabetes is a growing issue, especially when so few people realize they have

IN THIS ISSUE

DIABETES ALERT DAY, p. 1-2

DECREASE YOUR RISK, p. 3

3RD ANNUAL SPLASH MASH DASH INDOOR TRIATHLON, p. 4

WHAT’S HAPPENING?, p. 5-6

KIRA’S CORNER, p. 7

2ND ANNUAL PANCAKE PURSUIT 5K & 10K, p. 8

continued on p. 2

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the condition. Prediabetes is a condition in which individuals have blood glucose levels that are higher than normal, but not high enough to be classified as diabetes. Often preventable, people with prediabetes can reduce their risk for developing type 2 diabetes by adopting behavior changes that include eating healthier and increasing physical activity. People with prediabetes are at risk for not only developing type 2 diabetes, but also cardiovascular disease, stroke and other conditions.

As the leading community-based network committed to improving the nation’s health the TWIN RIVERS YMCA encourages all adults to take a diabetes risk test at www.ymca.net/diabetes. Several factors that could put a person at risk for type 2 diabetes include family history, age, weight and activity level, among others.

“ADA Alert Day can serve as a wake-up call for people to learn their risk for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes—conditions that are preventable if they take steps to improve their health,” said Kira Parker, Health & Wellness Director, TWIN RIVERS YMCA. “Many people don’t realize they are at risk and finding out is not only good for your health, but good for your wallet too.”

The TWIN RIVERS YMCA is helping people potentially reduce the risk of developing prediabetes or type 2 diabetes by participating in the YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program. This small-group program helps people with prediabetes eat healthier, increase their physical activity and lose weight, which can delay or even prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes.

For more information on the YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program, visit trymca.org/YDPP, or contact Kira Parker at kparker@trymca.org or 252-638-8799.

continued from p. 1

THANK YOU! During the month of February, we collected 24 raincoats for our Togetherhood project, Raincoats for Refugees. All of the raincoats

will be donated to children associated with Interfaith Refugees.

We are so proud of our members for donating the raincoats and wanting to make a difference in our community.

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B asic lifestyle changes that contribute to weight loss and an increased focus on healthy living can decrease the risk for

type 2 diabetes. Among these are:

Reduce portion sizes of the foods you eat that may be high in fat or calories.1Keep a food diary to increase awareness of eating patterns and behaviors.2Be moderately active at least 30 minutes per day five days a week.3Choose water to drink instead of beverages with added sugar.4Incorporate more activity in your day, like taking the stairs or parking farther away from your destination.5Speak to your doctor about diabetes risk factors, especially if you have a family history of the disease or are overweight.6

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SPLASH MASH DASH: 3RD ANNUAL INDOOR TRIThe 3rd Annual TWIN RIVERS YMCA Indoor Triathlon was a success!

Participants signed up for a 10 minute swim (“SPLASH”), 30 minute spin bike ride (“MASH”), and a 20 minute treadmill run (“DASH”). Points were tallied by volunteers for number of laps, distance on bikes, and miles on treadmills for each competitor. The Indoor Tri was held on Friday night and Saturday morning, February 9th & 10th.

Each and every participant did a fantastic job. We would like to thank all of the wonderful volunteers that helped us with this event.

Congratulations to our overall male and female winners David Haidt with 124.18 points and Lauren Arnette with 119.48 points (pictured left).

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WATER SAFETY IS HEREOur Water Safety program is back for the spring. We are in need of volunteers for this important program. During Water Safety 3rd & 4th grade students learn life-saving skills, understand safety around water, and develop confidence. For more information, or to volunteer, contact Adrienne Payton at apayton@trymca.org or 252-638-8799.

CELEBRATINGA BETTER US Annual Impact CelebrationTWIN RIVERS YMCA

Join us as we celebrate our members, programs, volunteers and staff building a better us.

Wednesday, March 28, 2018 5:00pmNorth Carolina History Center at Tryon Palace

Impact Stories

Volunteer & Staff Awards

Drinks & Hors d’oeuvres

RSVP to Megan Benvenuto:mbenvenuto@trymca.org 252-638-8799x236

Presented by:

Total hours of cardio logged:

GREAT JOB!

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Questions or comments about TWIN RIVERS YMCA Good News?Contact Amy at memberengage@trymca.org or 252-638-8799.

WHAT’S HAPPENING AT THE Y?

4TH GRADE WATER SAFETY2/27-3/28

YOUTH SWIM LESSONSRegistration: thru 3/1Sessions: 3/1-4/28

YOUTH SWIM LESSONSRegistration: thru 3/4Sessions: 3/5-3/29

INTRO TO YOGARegistration: through 3/9Saturday, 3/10

Y-BERN BASKETBALL LEAGUERegistration: 1/22-3/4Session: 3/12-5/4

5-ON-5 ADULT BASKETBALL LEAGUERegistration: 1/22-3/4Session: 3/18-5/6

SPRING YOUTH SPORTSRegistration: 1/22-3/4Session: 3/12-5/5

ADULT SWIM LESSONSRegistration: thru 3/5Sessions: 3/5-4/30

ANNUAL IMPACT CELEBRATIONWednesday, 3/28

MIDDLE SCHOOL STEM CLUBRegistration: thru 3/19Session: 4/2-4/20

SPRING BREAK CAMPRegistration: 2/19-3/26Session: 4/2-4/6

RED CROSS LIFEGUARDING COURSERegistration: thru 3/26Sessions: 4/2-4/6

TRX FUNCTIONAL TRAININGRegistration: thru 4/1Sessions: 4/2-4/26

SPRING FEVER BOOT CAMPRegistration: thru 4/4Sessions: 4/7-4/28

SUMMER DAY CAMPSRegistration: 4/2-FullSessions: 6/11-8/17

SPORTS CAMPRegistration: 4/2-FullSessions: 6/11-8/17

MIDDLE SCHOOL CAMPRegistration: 4/2-FullSessions: 6/11-8/17

YOUTH SWIM LESSONSRegistration: thru 4/8Sessions: 4/9-4/28

INTRO TO SPINRegistration: through 4/13Saturday, 4/14

PICKLEBALLRegistration: thru 4/22Sessions: 4/23-6/8

TRX FUNCTIONAL TRAININGRegistration: thru 4/29Sessions: 4/30-5/24

2ND ANNUAL TWIN RIVERS YMCA PANCAKE PURSUIT5K &10KEarly Registration: thru 4/30Registration: thru 5/13Saturday, 5/19

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THESE AND OTHER PROGRAMS,SEE OUR PROGRAM GUIDE OR VISIT TRYMCA.ORG.

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KIRA’SCORNER

LET’S LAUGH DAY Let’s Laugh Day is celebrated every year on March 19th. It is an unofficial holiday that encourages people to laugh and enjoy the benefits of laughter.

You may be wondering how exactly laughing can improve your health. Research has shown that with just a few minutes of laughter a day, people may see some of these amazing benefits:

• Reduced Blood Pressure• Increased immunity response of the body (a great bonus during cold and flu season)• A boost in heart rate• Improved overall mood• Improved blood flow to the heart and brain• Reduced stress hormone levels• Increased pain threshold due to release of endorphins• Better and longer sleep when laughing occurs before bedtime

Laughing also exercises several muscles, including your abdomen, back, shoulders, and facial muscles. In fact, just 10-15 minutes of laughing has the potential to burn up to 50 calories.

Laughter is the best medicine and the great news is that it is also free! Try to laugh for at least 15 minutes a day and see what you notice.

Here are a few of my favorite jokes to help you get started:

• What did one strawberry say to the other strawberry? “If you weren’t so fresh, we wouldn’t be in this jam!”

• Why don’t lions eat clowns? Because they taste funny.• Don’t trust atoms - They make up everything!

Did you know?

The average child laughs about 400 times a day while the average adult laughs about 15-20 times a day.

10KDOUBLE STACK

SHORT STACK

5K

TWIN RIVERS YMCAPANCAKE PURSUITPresented by CarolinaEast Health System

10K COMPETITIVE

RUN7:30

AM

5K RUN/WALKDOG JOG8:

00 A

M

KIDS DASH 9:

15 A

M

TABERNA COUNTRY CLUB PANCAKE BREAKFAST 8:30AM - 10AM

WILL RUN FORPANCAKES

REGISTER NOW TRYMCA.ORGSATURDAY, MAY 19TH TABERNA

7:45

AM