The New Year can be an exciting time, brimming with the promise of fresh starts and new beginnings. It’s also an opportunity to recommit to your health and well-being. But while most New Year’s resolutions have the best intentions, it’s rare that they all end up sticking with you. In fact, according to a 2016 study by Statistic Brain, less than half of resolution makers report success with carrying out their resolutions. But have heart: New Year’s resolutions can be attainable if we simply adjust our perspective, set the right goals and find support. Wherever you are on your fitness path, the BRYMCA wants to help!

If you’ve been to the Y lately, you know that whether you come to the Y to take a swim in our beautiful pools, walk/run the indoor track, find tennis or pickleball, lift weights on new Cybex and free weight equipment, use cardio machines, shoot hoops in the gym, or take one of our many varied classes, you know there’s something for everyone, something for all ages and abilities, something for all schedules and something for members and “drop-ins.” Indeed, something for you!

What’s new this year?

• Once again, we offer to members and non-members a special New Year’s Resolution Program. This year we call it “Getting Healthy 2018 Together!” This 10 week program is one of our few programs with a fee ($40 for members, $80 for non-members) – and it’s worth it! Class meets: Tuesday and Thursday at 10:30 a.m. and/or Monday and Wednesday at 6 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday classes include Cardio Interval Training, Strength Training and, if interested, we’ll incorporate the latest Fitness Trend called “Barre.” Monday and Wednesday evenings will offer small group Personal Training, Guided Weight Machine use and Nutrition! Please consider Getting Healthy 2018 Together, a great New Year’s option for everyone.
• Relatively new to our Y, popular yoga instructor Romee Mae continues with her amazing Yoga Flow at 9 a.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays. All abilities and ages welcome.
• We’re happy to introduce another class specifically for stretching and flexibility, on Tuesday and Thursday at 4 p.m., taught by certified Personal Trainer, Nick Rippey. Nick comes to us from summers as a Maine Guide with Tidal Transit Kayak. He calls this class, “Back in Action” with a focus on back flexibility and reducing back pain. However, you will find it to be a great stretch program for all athletes young and old! We hope that both men and women of all ages will feel especially comfortable in this class.
• Monday/Wednesday/and Friday at 9:15 a.m. have fun walking the track with Certified Instructor Bill Greuner. He calls this program “Easy Walker.”

For more information about these programs and more of what the Y can do for you, please call the Y at 207-633-2855 or email Abby Jones at ajones@brymca.org. The Y offers over 50 additional classes per week, for all ages and abilities. Classes include Water Aerobics, Low Impact Aerobics, Stretch and Strength Training, Zumba, Yoga, Indoor Cycling (aka "Spinning") and Kickboxing.

And with the cold temperatures of 2018, you know where you can warm-up and workout!

The president and CEO of YUSA, Kevin Washington, tweeted his top-ten Healthy Resolutions List, a good one for all to consider!

The Healthy List:

1. Get more sleep

2. Find time to exercise

3. Drink more water

4. Eat less sugar

5. Stay teachable

6. Read and write more

7. Remove clutter

8. More random acts of kindness

9. Don't respond to negativity

10. Spend quality time with family

11. Show gratitude 

12. Forgive first

Let’s make it a healthy and happy new year. Of course, exercise is just one important part of Healthy Living, but do remember #2 on the list above — Find time to exercise. Here’s to seeing you at the Y in 2018!