The Suffolk Family YMCA is here waiting to help you meet your fitness goals and stay on track in 2009. To help you financially make the right change today, we invite you to join by Jan. 19 and save up to $75. I’m here to tell you why I believe the Suffolk Family YMCA can help you make that change, and to share with you from the heart.

As the new membership director here at the Suffolk Family YMCA, I have been with the YMCA for three years, and I genuinely believe in our commitment to build strong kids, strong families and strong communities. The Suffolk Family YMCA is a nonprofit organization that is committed to helping people just like you and me learn how to build a healthy spirit, mind, and body. The YMCA represents so much more for so many people in the Suffolk community; just ask a friend, a co-worker, or a neighbor.

Our goal is for you to not only join the Suffolk Family YMCA, but to incorporate it as a lifestyle change for you and your family. That’s why we are dedicated to programs like free fitness orientations that help you learn how to use our new cardio equipment; Y-Change, a free six-week program designed to help you meet your fitness goals; starter group exercise classes; water fitness classes; ChildWatch, where we watch your children in a safe environment and engage them in activities; and so much more. Here at the Y, we want you to see that you can be the physically fit, healthy individual you have always desired to be.

Our staff is waiting for you to come in and take a tour of the facility and learn more. Many people are not aware that it’s just that simple. You can take a tour of the facility at any time – no appointments necessary. Driving to the Y is the hardest part.

Never been on a treadmill? Don’t know what an elliptical is? Neither did most of us before we started. That’s what’s great about the Y. Our staff is trained and ready to help design a workout plan that is right for you.

As a mother, I can attest that we are a YMCA family. My daughter keeps me motivated, staying involved in YMCA programs such as SPARK, the Interactive Zone, basketball and our after-school program. My fiancé and I work together to stay motivated, encouraging each other to work out two to three times a week and make healthy nutritional choices for our family.

Since my start at the Suffolk Family YMCA in August, I’ve lost five pounds, increased muscle, gained energy, tried a new Yoga class with my fiancé and challenged an old friend to take kickboxing with me. My fiancé, who was initially 5’10, 255 pounds, has lost 15 pounds and gone down an entire pant size. In 2009, we are committed to starting a healthy marriage and continuing to work towards our fitness goals. The YMCA offers us the support to tackle that challenge.

We are not the only family taking advantage of all the YMCA has to offer. Each week in January, we would like to share how people just like you are making a change with the YMCA. I would love to give you a tour, answer your questions, eliminate your doubts and show you how the Suffolk Family YMCA can work for you. It’s time to get started today. Y: It’s not a question, it’s the answer.