Healthy Living – YMCA of Coastal Carolina

Healthy Habits Month 12: Be Proud

Posted on December 1, 2024 Updated on November 1, 2024 by Hatton Gravely

You did it! This year, you’ve followed along with our Healthy Habits challenge to be 1% better, every day.

Think back to January of 2024 and the lifestyle you lead. While still focusing on your healthy habits, use this month to reflect on how the 2024 Healthy Habits challenge changed your lifestyle. Answer the following questions:

At the beginning of 2024, what was your daily routine? What is it now?

How has your mood and motivation changed over the course of 2024?

What was your goal when starting this challenge? Have you reached that goal?

Which habits were the easiest to build, and which were harder?

Rate yourself! On a scale of 1-10 (10 being perfect), how consistent were you?

What would you like to see out of yourself next year?

Next, it’s time to set new goals. Using your reflection from 2024, set yourself 5 new achievable goals for 2025!

For more information on Self Reward, check this out!

https://ymca360.org/categories/8582/videos/8589

Healthy Habits, Month 11: Build Holiday Habits

Posted on November 1, 2024 by Hatton Gravely

The holidays are right around the corner! This time of year brings joy, cheer and … sweets. Keeping yourself in a consistent routine of healthy habits can be hard when you are surrounded by holiday parties and holiday foods. That’s why this month, focus on building holiday habits.

Holiday habits are healthy ways to enjoy the season, while still improving 1% better every day! First, enjoy the sweets! Avoiding sweets altogether will most likely backlash into giving up and binge snacking. However, if you can allow yourself to eat a few sweets without overindulging, you can stay on the right track!

Next, stay moving! With shorter and colder days, it can be hard to stay motivated. You only have two months left! Make the most out of 2024 and keep pushing. Whether you go to the gym, workout from home, or take a brisk walk outside, you are keeping up with your healthy habits!

Lastly, keep using all the healthy habits you have learned this year. Building up these habits each month should give you a great routine to fall back on, even amongst the holiday chaos. Don’t throw away all your hard work! Keep logging your habits every day to stay on track.

For more information on relapse prevention, check out this link to YMCA 360!

https://ymca360.org/categories/8582/videos/8586

Myrtle Beach Power thru Parkinson’s Class Receives Donation

Posted on October 7, 2024 by Hatton Gravely

Lanette Barnes, Parkinson’s advocate and Power thru Parkinson’s participant, held a fundraiser for Parkinson’s this past weekend. On October 7th, Lanette presented the Claire Chapin Epps Family YMCA a donation to support the class.

Tricia Harrison, Center Executive for the Claire Chapin Epps Family YMCA shares, “Lanette is an inspiration to us all. She changes lives every day with her positive spirit. We are so grateful she is a part of our Y Family, and for this incredible gift to support our Power thru Parkinson’s work.”

Learn more about the YMCA of Coastal Carolina Power thru Parkinson’s classes

Healthy Habits, Month 10: Know What’s on Your Plate

Posted on October 1, 2024 Updated on May 30, 2024 by Hatton Gravely

Have you ever read a nutrition label or could not understand one? Nutrition labels are a very important way to understand what you are eating. They contain the serving information, calories, and nutrients. Learning how to read a nutrition label can help you make healthier decisions in the grocery store. For more information, check out this link on how to read a nutrition label.

https://www.fda.gov/food/nutrition-facts-label/how-understand-and-use-nutrition-facts-label

Once you understand what’s in your food, you know what goes into your body. Using nutrition labels, you can prioritize balanced meals. A balanced meal contains fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy proteins. Fruits and vegetables should take up half of your plate, whereas grains and proteins should take up the other half.

Fruits: Apples, oranges, bananas, etc.

Vegetables: Broccoli, peppers, carrots, etc.

Whole Grains: Oatmeal, whole grain pasta, whole wheat bread, etc.

Proteins: Chicken, fish, nuts, etc.

Choosing balanced meals while reading the nutrition labels is great to know what is on your plate. The last component to eating a healthy diet is scheduling your meals in advance. Have you ever been to the grocery store without a list and ended up overspending and buying too much? Thats what happens when you don’t have a plan. Before your week starts, schedule out what meals you will make each day. This ensures that you know when you need to cook and what you need to buy. Setting aside food for each day is a great way to reduce snacking or ordering takeout.

Each day, make sure you track the 3 factors of knowing what’s on your plate. Check off when you schedule your meal, read the labels, and eat a balanced meal. Focusing on your diet this month will help you be 1% better every day!

To learn more about food quality, check out this link to YMCA 360!

YMCA360

VIDEO

VID

WATCH YMCA360 NUTRITION VIDEO

October Programs for Active Older Adults

Posted on September 30, 2024 by Hatton Gravely

Active Adults 55 and Older: You’re Invited to attend a FREE 30-minute Educational Seminar”!

Our educational seminar will cover many topics affecting those who are Medicare-eligible:

A Free Lunch will be provided.
30- minute Educational Seminar.
30- minute BINGO Fun & Prizes.
Learn the basics of Medicare programs: Medicare Advantage, Prescription Drug Plans, and more.
Understand the gaps in healthcare coverages including common mistakes to avoid and how to maximize savings.
Learn new rule for Medicare in 2025.

YMCA – BINGO Events – Lunch and Prizes provided by WellCare

YMCA Location	Date/Time	Address	What is it?
Bethel AME Church YMCA Fitness Class	Wednesday, Oct 2nd 11AM: 12: 15PM	417 Broad Street Georgetown SC	Fitness from 11AM -11:30 AM 11:30 AM Lunch provided by WellCARE & Presenter will speak & possbile BINGO from 12:00PM – 12:15pm.
Andrews YMCA	Friday, Oct 4th 2pm-4pm	30 East Main St, Andrews	BINGO from 2-3pm & Prizes provided by WellCare3-4pm_ Lunch provided by WellCARE & Presenter will speak
Pawleys YMCA	Tuesday, Oct 8th 1pm-2:00 PM	12965 Ocean Highway Pawleys Island	BINGO from 1-1:30pm & Prizes provided by WellCare1:30- 2:00pm- Lunch provided by WellCARE & Presenter will speak
Myrtle Beach YMCA	Thursday, Oct 10th 1:45PM: 2:45PM	5000 Claire Chapin Epps- Myrtle Beach	BINGO from 1:45pm-2:15pm & Prizes provided by WellCare 2:15pm-2:45pm_ Lunch provided by WellCARE & Presenter will speak
Georgetown YMCA	Friday, Oct 11th 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM	529 Browns Ferry Rd, Georgetown	BINGO from 11:AM-11:30AM & Prizes provided by WellCare 11:30 AM-12:00 PM_ Lunch provided by WellCARE & Presenter will speak

Join us for a free lunch!

Sign Up

Healthy Habits, Month 9: Try Something New

Posted on September 1, 2024 Updated on May 30, 2024 by Hatton Gravely

You have been working so hard! Building and sticking to new healthy habits can be so overwhelming. This month, it’s time for some fun. Having a routine is great for your body to keep itself on track, but sometimes it can get boring. In fact, changing up your routine in little ways helps your brain adjust to change and increases creativity. So, to be 1% better in September, try something new!

There are so many ways to shake up your routine while keeping a healthy lifestyle. Trying new foods, workouts, or hobbies are a great way to do that. Thats why we’ve provided a list of 10 new things to try this month. When you’ve tried that activity, check it off!

Learn a new recipe from a cookbook or online

Listen to a new podcast or music genre

Read a book you haven’t read before

Visit a new place or hike somewhere new

Try a meditation

Invite someone new to workout with you

Try a puzzle instead of watching TV

Workout outside

Try a new workout class

Learn a new word or phrase

Keep up the good work! Incorporating healthy habits into your life should be a challenge, but ultimately it should be fun. Use this month to be mindful of your routine and where you might need to tweak it. With all the previous healthy habits under your belt, it should be exciting to wake up each day and have a new opportunity to change your routine for the better!

September Events Calendar

Posted on August 27, 2024 by Hatton Gravely

YMCA-Health-Fair-flier Download

Health Fair

What: Tidelands Health is offering a quick and easy way to get several health screenings right at the Y! Screenings will include A1C, lipid profile, PSA and CBC lab work, blood pressure checks and more.
Please note: the lipid profile testing will requireovernight fasting and some of the screenings include a fee.
When: September 12 from 7 – 11 a.m.
Where: Claire Chapin Epps Family YMCA
More info: [email protected]

Labor Day Hours

YMCA Center Location Hours: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.
When: September 2, 2024
Where: Claire Chapin Epps Family YMCA, Tidelands Health Pawleys Family YMCA, Tidelands Health Georgetown YMCA

SAFE SITTER® Class

What: SAFE SITTER® is designed to prepare students in grades 6-8 to be safe when they’re home alone, watching younger siblings or babysitting. This class is led by a SAFE SITTER® instructor.
Students will learn:
- Safety Skills
- Childcare Skills
- First aid and rescue skills
- Business skills
When: September 28, 2024
Where: Claire Chapin Epps Family YMCA
Register: Safesitters® – YMCA of Coastal Carolina (coastalcarolinaymca.org)

NON-PROFIT OF THE MONTH AT TIDAL CREEK

What: Donations and round-ups when you visit Tidal Creek will support YMCA of Coastal Carolina programs.
Where: Tidal Creek Brewhouse at The Market Common
When: Every day in September

Back to School Fundraiser

Bridging the Afterschool Gap

As summer comes to an end and families begin to plan for the upcoming school year, one significant decision weighs heavily on parents’ minds:

The hours after the last school bell and before parents come home from work are a risky time for children and teens to be unsupervised. That’s why the YMCA provides afterschool programming to more than 300 kids in our community each day.

The YMCA of Coastal Carolina Hope and Possibilities Fund makes it possible for parents to say “yes!” to out of school support like Afterschool and summer camps.

Donate to help a family in need send their kids to Afterschool.

Through the support of generous and caring neighbors like you, the Y is able to provide high-quality and affordable after school care to local families – even those on already stretched budgets.

When you give to the Y, you give children the opportunity to thrive, teens a place to belong, and parents the support they need.

Please consider a special back-to-school gift to the Y today. We are all in this together. Thank you for caring for our community’s kids!

DONATE NOW!

The YMCA Celebrates National Senior Citizen Day on August 21

Posted on August 13, 2024 by Hatton Gravely

Wednesday August 21, 2024

The YMCA of Coastal Carolina plans to celebrate National Senior Citizen Day on Wednesday, August 21, 2024, by distributing 50 “Senior Care” bags to the first come, first serve to our 65 and up members at all three center locations in Myrtle Beach, Pawleys Island, and Georgetown. The YMCA of Coastal Carolina strives to meet the needs of the senior population in our community through diverse and age-appropriate programs.

In addition to distributing 50 care bags, our centers will have an array of vendors on site to provide some goods and services to our 65 and older population regarding:

Home Health Care Services
Help with everyday activities
Nutrition, food, and meal services
Money Management and Medicare Coverages.
Transportation Services.
Emergency Medical Alert Systems
Help for Caregivers
Other Professional services.

Our vendor services and hours will vary per center location. All vendor services will conclude before or at 12:00pm.

The YMCA of Coastal Carolina provides a wide variety of classes and programs for our Active Older Adults. We encourage our seniors to grow in the areas of physical, emotional, social, and spiritual well-being. Our on-line registration classes consist of:

Aquatic classes.
Strength and Conditioning classes.
Yoga
Swimming
LiveStrong at the YMCA.
Moving is Medicine and
Tai Chi for Arthritis.

Senior Connection Programs

Mah-jongg,
BINGO.
Pickle Ball.
Volunteer opportunities and many others.

Our programs and classes are open to all senior members and additional information can be found at the center’s welcome desk.

Not a member? You may be eligible for a YMCA membership with a qualifying Medicare Advantage Plan!

Click here for details about Medicare Plans we accept

Healthy Habits, Month 8: Reach 10,000 Steps per Day

Posted on August 1, 2024 Updated on May 30, 2024 by Hatton Gravely

Burn calories

Stay moving

Increase energy levels and improve heart health

Looking for an easy way to exercise? Getting enough steps in throughout the day is a great low-impact exercise. There are also incredible health benefits from consistently having enough steps in your day! These benefits include a lowered risk of

Dementia
Premature death
Cardiovascular disease
Type 2 diabetes
Form of cancer
Obesity

Did you know that the CDC recommends having 10,000 steps per day? That is a lot of steps! If you work at a desk, it might be hard to hit the recommended number of steps. While that number might seem impossible, there are always small things that add up. By the end of the month, try each one of these tactics!

Go on a walk

Take the stairs

Park your car further away from your destination

Walk to nearby stores

March in place during TV time

Use a treadmill

Take your dog for a hike

One way to help keep track of your steps is through technology. Products like smart watches keep track of every move you make! If you walk with your phone in hand, it will also help you keep track! At the end of each day, make sure you log your progress. Building up these tricks to get your steps in will help you hit your goal and be 1% better every day!

Press Release: YMCA of Coastal Carolina to Expand Programs to Conway and The Market Common

Posted on July 11, 2024 by Hatton Gravely

YMCA of Coastal Carolina to Expand to Conway and The Market Common

The YMCA of Coastal Carolina secures state funding to expand programs into Conway and The Market Common

Myrtle Beach, July 11, 2024 – The YMCA of Coastal Carolina is thrilled to announce it will receive significant funding from the state of South Carolina to support expansion of YMCA programs into Conway and The Market Common. Horry Georgetown Technical College is donating office space on each campus to support this expansion. This generous allocation from the state budget and partnership with HGTC underscores the vital role that the YMCA plays in promoting community health, youth development, and wellness.

The funding and partnership will enable the YMCA of Coastal Carolina to enhance current offerings and introduce new initiatives aimed at serving a broader segment of Horry County. The YMCA will hire a director for each location to begin building partnerships, secure locations to run programs, and start programming this fall.

“We are incredibly grateful for the state’s support and recognition of the YMCA’s impact on community health and youth development,” said David Byrd, CEO of the YMCA of Coastal Carolina. “Our partnership with HGTC and this funding will allow us to offer more services, reach more families, and make a larger impact in our Grand Strand community. As we continue to grow, our vision is to ensure all in our community have better access to mental health programs, healthy living opportunities, childcare options, out-of-school support, and water safety programs.”

Horry Georgetown Technical College will provide office space for each of the new site directors, in addition to partnering to bring new iniatives around workforce development and community health programs to the Grand Strand community.

Dr. Marilyn Fore shares, “Horry Georgetown Technical College is pleased to partner with the YMCA assisting in its valuable services to our communities. The “Y” has a longstanding history of serving others throughout our country. And now we can help with its footprint in Conway and Myrtle Beach to further support their worthy legacy.

Hatton Gravely, Chief Development Officer for the YMCA of Coastal Carolina added, “We extend our deepest thanks to Representative Case Brittain and the entire Horry County Legislative Delegation for their dedication and advocacy. Their support was crucial in securing this funding. In addition, our partnership with HGTC will be critical in how we work together with community partners to improve college and career readiness for teens, ensure all in our community are safe around water, make quality childcare affordable for parents who want to work, launch early childhood development programs, and expand our healthy living programs to reach more in the community.”

Category: Healthy Living