FINDING HER PEOPLE: LAURA SIPPEL

“Last July a friend of mine invited me to go to the Y and join her Tuesday morning workout group at 6:00 am. At first I was very intimidated. What is a man-maker exercise? I had no idea! But the cool thing was, everyone I met had their own story to share with me. Everyone has their own journey on how they got to better health. I felt like I was not alone!

“I feel like everyone at the Y is my champion, everyone is so supportive. There is no judgement and I don’t feel like I have to prove anything. It’s become addictive. I have seen the results of the comradery and community that the Y brings, and I just want to keep coming back. I want to help change myself for the better, and I feel like the Y can help me every step of the way.

“There is such a wide variety of group exercise classes to choose from too. On a whim I attended the Zumbathon last October, and got hooked. I feel like the instructors have become part of my family. Now I’m going to as many classes as I can get to. Tonight I’m doing Zumba and BodyBump back to back. Sometimes I’ll do CORE Power and BodyPump in the morning, then come in the evening for Zumba. There’s something for everybody.

“People talk about New Year’s resolutions, but the Y has given me the stepping stones to create a whole new lifestyle. I turn 55 this month, and I feel better than ever. Between eating better and exercising, I’ve lost 35 pounds since July. My original goal was to fit into a size 14, but I’m down to a size 10! I’m wearing sizes I haven’t worn since high school. And…I still have a life. I go out to dinner with my husband and girl’s night out with friends. But the Y helps me reset every week.

People make the Y a community. You will find your people here.” – Y Member, Laura Sippel