by Glendale Sports Center | Nov 19, 2021 | Glendale City News
Here Are 3 Tips To Stay Balanced
by Jennifer Lease, RD, CDN, Director of Nutrition Initiatives, YMCA of Metro Denver
Are thoughts of all the holiday sweets and treats causing you stress?
Do you feel like you can’t enjoy your favorite holiday foods when you’re working on your health?
Are you worried that what you eat during the holidays will throw off progress toward your goals?
You’re not alone!
The holiday season is a time of celebration that usually comes with lots of sweets, treats and traditional dishes that feel indulgent. It can be difficult to find balance during the holidays — wanting to enjoy all the foods you love while being mindful of your health.
You might hear that word balance and feel frustrated by it. What does it even mean? Balance means enjoying nutritious foods most of the time, while giving yourself grace (and space) to enjoy those sweets and treats.
So, how can you find that balance during the holidays and enjoy your favorite foods without the side order of guilt? Here are some tips:
- Balance your plate and practice portion control — You can enjoy a bit of everything with some balance and portion control. Plus, you’ll feel better after the meal, too! The basics of a balanced plate include protein, veggies, and a starch or grain. Try filling half of your plate with veggie dishes and then take a smaller portion of the others you want to try. Holiday dishes tend to be heavy, starchy foods, so don’t forget to add some protein like turkey or chicken to your plate to create that balance. Then, enjoy every bite!
- Move your body — Move your body, not because you think you should make up for eating those holiday treats, but because movement makes you feel good both physically and mentally. Movement can set a positive mindset for the day and the after affect is the feeling of doing something good for your body. Movement also helps with digestion. If you’re feeling super stuffed after a holiday meal, some exercise can help you feel better. Remember, it’s important to find exercise that you enjoy and that truly feels good for you. Exercise is often looked at as punishment for eating “badly,” but it’s really part of a healthy lifestyle that contributes to your overall well-being.
- Remember that every day is a new day — A healthy lifestyle should be sustainable. This means having flexibility and leaving space for the foods you enjoy. You don’t need to “compensate” for what you eat at the holidays. You don’t need to work out for three hours the next day to make up for last night’s meal. Instead, make the intentional choice to enjoy what you want and to be present in the holiday season. Each day is an opportunity to get back on track with your regular eating habits and routine.
Do you want to take the guesswork out of nutrition and work to set realistic healthy lifestyle goals? The nutrition team at the YMCA of Metro Denver can help. Reach out at nutrition@denverymca.org or visit us at denverymca.org.
by Glendale Sports Center | Oct 22, 2021 | Glendale City News
by Jessica L. Giffin, MPH, CHES, NBC-HWC, Director of Health Partnerships, YMCA of Metro Denver
November marks the beginning of the holiday season — a festive time when our thoughts turn to re-connecting with friends and loved ones to celebrate the holidays. During the colder Colorado months, we are gathering for celebrations that take place indoors and, as we know, that can put some of us at greater risk. Did you know that older adults with diabetes or pre-diabetes can be at higher risk for becoming very ill, particularly with COVID-19?
During November — National Diabetes Awareness Month — it is a call to action for those at risk but there are some steps you can take to protect yourself.
Get Vaccinated
According to a study by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, coronavirus vaccines have prevented 265,000 infections, 107,000 hospitalizations, and 39,000 deaths from the virus in the first five months of this year.
Older adults with multiple underlying medical conditions are most at risk of serious illness. Throughout Denver and the state, there are many sites where you can get immunized. Check the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment at covid19.colorado.gov for answers to frequently asked questions about the vaccine and convenient location of vaccine clinics.
Take Precautions While Traveling
Even though you may be vaccinated for COVID-19, there are rare breakthrough cases. In recent domestic travel guidance, the Centers for Disease Control recommends for those who are vaccinated to wear a mask and take precautions like hand washing and social distancing and then self-monitor for symptoms post-travel. For those who are unvaccinated, the recommendation is to take the same precautions in addition to getting tested 1-3 days before travel and 3-5 days after travel.
Reduce Your Diabetes Risk
Your age, lifestyle, and being overweight can put you at risk for diabetes. Taking a risk test or asking your doctor for a blood test. Type 2 diabetes doesn’t have to be permanent.
If you have prediabetes, there are things you can do to prevent or delay Type 2 diabetes. Consider joining the YMCA Diabetes Prevention program. Trained staff can help you make healthy food choices, get physically active and, in turn, lose weight, all of which can make a big difference! For those with Medicare Part B and United Health Care Advantage, the YMCA program is covered. Learn more and connect with our team at denverymca.org.
Stay healthy and safe this holiday season and beyond!
by Glendale Sports Center | Sep 27, 2021 | Glendale City News
by Cate Plekon, Lifestyle Medicine Manager, YMCA of Metro Denver
You can tell a friend about losing your hair or chemo, but if you haven’t been through it, it’s hard to understand. For Sandra, the Livestrong program gave her the chance to be with and talk to people who could relate to what she was going through. In Sandra’s case it was lymphoma.
Today Sandra is doing well and, in talking about her experience, says “I didn’t want the program to end. It made me exercise!”
In partnership with the Livestrong Foundation, the YMCA Livestrong program helps cancer survivors return to health after treatment. The 12-week program is offered at no cost to participants who have been diagnosed with cancer. Improving physical strength and endurance is our goal, but mental and emotional support is equally important. You do not have to be a member of the YMCA to be part of the program, but if you are not, you get a complimentary family membership for the duration of your time in the program. An extra incentive!
For Dave, a participant who underwent four cycles of chemo and 35 high doses of radiation, he needed guided support. “The impact of the program has been tremendous.”
We believe in total wellness at the YMCA. Through the Livestrong program, we meet participants exactly where they are. The program is open to any cancer survivor — you may be recently diagnosed, undergoing treatment, preparing for surgery, or a year into remission. We can help.
This is the fifth year of our program, and we are proud to have helped more than 100 participants through the program. While COVID-19 sidetracked in-person interaction in 2020, sessions continued virtually for those who were able to join. 2021 sessions restarted this month at the University Hills and Littleton YMCAs.
If you or someone you know wants to learn more about the Livestrong program at the YMCA, visit www.denverymca.org or contact us at communityhealth@denverymca.org.
by Glendale Sports Center | Aug 27, 2021 | Feature Story Bottom Left
by Claudia Morlan, Sr. Director of Communications, YMCA of Metro Denver
“As an international student, winter holidays were often challenging. I was far away from friends and family. I often felt homesick and isolated. A friend from college invited me to spend my first Thanksgiving with her family. They opened up their home to me like I was family, even though my own was far away in Jordan. It’s now my responsibility to treat newcomers with the same hospitality. My hope is that people will experience the same kindness that made me feel like I belonged.”
Fairouz A. describes this story as part of Belonging Begins with Us, a partnership with organizations across the U.S. to create a more welcoming nation where everyone belongs.
Belonging Begins with Us is also the theme of Welcoming Week at YMCAs this year, including the YMCA of Metro Denver. During Welcoming Week, September 10-19, 2021, we recognize that there are many more things that unite us as neighbors and citizens than divide us. We can all play a role in making sure everyone feels safe and welcome in our community.
What can you do to foster a more welcoming place? Here are five easy steps:
- Read a book written by or about an immigrant’s story.
- Learn to say “hello” in a different language and try it out with a friend.
- Share a story on social media about your family’s heritage or immigrant story and invite others to share.
- Support an immigrant-owned business.
- Try a recipe from a cookbook like the “The Taste of Belonging” by Immigrant Pathways Colorado.
Whatever you choose to do, remember finding points of connection and sharing experiences help create strong, supportive communities. Learn more about Welcoming Week at denverymca.org/new-american-welcome-center.
by Glendale Sports Center | Jul 23, 2021 | Feature Story Bottom Left
by Katie Canfield, Community Relations Manager
As a volunteer, you don’t always know the impact you have on the people around you. To the Roberts Family, they will never forget the impact Coach Robert Diaz had on their son Jack. Serving as a volunteer baseball coach for the YMCA of Metro Denver for five seasons, Coach Diaz left an indelible mark on many young athletes.
Crediting Diaz for “including and encouraging” their son Jack, Sasha Roberts says Diaz accepted him for “who he is and met him at his level.” She praised Diaz for giving their Park Hill baseball team “a safe space to develop and grow and ‘develop a love for the game.’”
It was a year of limited in-person connection, but 2020 was also a time when many stepped up their effort to help their communities through volunteering.
For East High School Student Aitiana Wilson, volunteering for the YMCA’s Beyond Hunger food pantry program was her salvation.
“I was surrounded by negative news … and decided to go out and help someone,” said Wilson, who became a YMCA volunteer during her junior year of remote learning. At the weekly food distribution, she says, “I started talking to people, built connections and it felt great. I want to do it as often as I can.”
As we are, once again, safely and freely connecting with friends, family and our communities, there are so many opportunities to volunteer.
Consider joining the volunteers at the Southwest YMCA who are assembling and distributing bags of fresh groceries to families in need. The YMCA distributed 220,000 pounds of food to 23,000 individuals in 2020 and the need has not abated.
Across the city, nearly 16,000 youth athletes are participating in basketball, baseball, lacrosse, tennis, soccer, and tennis leagues under the direction of trained YMCA staff. But they couldn’t do it without the help of dedicated volunteer coaches assisting in teaching the fundamentals of the game and good sportsmanship.
Or join “Team Y” at neighborhood events this summer and fall including hosting the YMCA Kids Zone at the Littleton Western Welcome Week (Aug. 21), South by Southeast Community Festival (Aug. 21), or hosting the Kids Zone at the Arvada Harvest Festival (Sept. 10-12).
As Coach Diaz attests, “Coaching at the Y has been one of the best service experiences of my life. Through giving, I have received so much in return.”
There are so many opportunities to contribute in your community. Visit denver ymca.org/volunteer and learn how you can support a program or event near you.
