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Y Stories

Our Y and community are full of incredible people and we love to share their stories! Please tell us your story in the submission form below to be featured!

Y Member standing in lobbyKrissy Jackson – Strive for progress, not perfection.
Every journey has a beginning. For Y member Krissy Jackson, it was in mid-2019. “I felt like death. I was at my all-time biggest weight, and I didn’t want to go anywhere.” It’s hard to believe this when you meet Krissy, because of her infectious laugh, warm demeanor, and she is a self-described social butterfly. “I decided then to go the doctor, I started watching what I ate and coming to the Y. In six to eight months I lost 73.5 inches overall and 59 lbs. and I was feeling great. Then the pandemic hit,” says Krissy.
“It took me a while to get started again. I kept trying off and on to get going, but I put some of the weight back on. I was getting frustrated with it. Anyone who’s been on this journey knows that it’s not easy. You have to focus and get your mind right,” shares Krissy.
“Finally, on August 16, 2020, I said I have to get rolling with this. I went to a dietician and started coming to the Y again. I’d say I probably do an average of four hours a day in the water, seven days a week. I come to the Y in the morning and jog in the pool non-stop for two hours, then come back again in the evening and do a water group exercise class. I also did the Y’s November Step Challenge and did over 500,000 steps. I love the Y because I think it’s great for the mind. It’s my happy place. And, I’m getting back to where I need to be. I’ve lost 10 inches and 25 lbs.”
“I’m a diabetic, and I’ve been able to keep my sugar numbers down. The doctor says if I keep this up, I won’t have to go on medication. I keep a food diary and drink 80 ounces of water a day. Before I started getting in shape, I was drinking nine diet cokes a day. I think the water makes a huge difference!”
“For me, I have to take this path one day at a time. I do have my cheat days. I think that you have to have that. And if I mess up, I work it off in the water. This is an overall lifestyle change. Once I got that good feeling, I can’t lose it.”
“One of the other biggest things for me is the Y staff. When I walk in here, I love it. Everyone is so friendly and knows your name. From the Wellness Center staff downstairs to everyone in the pool. I feel like I’m at home. I want to share it with my friends. Now that I’m doing well, I want to help others. I’ve gotten a couple to come in and do the water classes. Now they’re regulars. And, now I’m working on getting some more friends to join me,” Krissy shares with a smile.
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