Category: Healthy Living

The Y HELPS YOU LIVE A HEALTHIER LIFE. 

1. Our new #HealthyHabits Challenge will launch on January 2^nd to help you reach all your health and wellness goals! It’s free for members to participate.
2. When you’re a member, all fitness classes are included! 
3. We’ll watch your kids in Child Watch while you work out.  
4. You’re not roped into a long-term contract! You can cancel your membership anytime with 30 days notice. 
5. Our health and wellness staff are always in our fitness room to answer your questions and keep everyone safe! 
6. We have up-to-date equipment that is replaced regularly so our members always have the best equipment. 
7. For those with tricky schedules, the Tidelands Health Georgetown Family YMCA members can have 24/7 access to the wellnesses center and group fitness room. 
8. The Y has in-house personal training packages with certified trainers to ensure you reach your 2023 goals. 
9. When becoming a member for the YMCA of Coastal Carolina, you have the option to become a member at all three branches! We offer membership for ALL and provide financial assistance for those who need it.
10. Your Y membership will include the online fitness streaming app, YMCA360, for FREE in 2023! 
11. You can swim year-round! Lap lanes are available to reserve every day at all three YMCA locations. 

THE Y GIVES BACK TO THE COMMUNITY. 

12. We provide financial assistance to families to be able to join the Y and participate in our programs. 
13. The Y taught 1,554 children life-saving Safety Around Water skills in 2022. 
14. We offer memberships and childcare services to eligible military families and personnel.  
15. With our partnership with Tidelands Health, we will be hosting more health and wellness programs at all three YMCA locations in 2023! 

THE Y PROVIDES QUALITY AND SAFE CARE FOR CHILDREN. 

16. All YMCA employees undergo extensive trainings, background checks, certifications to ensure the safety of our members. 
17. Kids learn and have fun! Our programs are a mix of academic support and play. 
18. Our After School program works to strengthen interpersonal and social skills of young people. 
19. In 2023, we will be expanding our Jumpstart Preschool program, which offers half-day childcare Monday – Friday to include extra “lunch bunch” hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
20. We offer an incredible summer camp to keep children involved in academics, build friendships, enjoy physical activities, and explore their talents. 
21. We are partnering with a new program in 2023 for Afterschool called BellXcel. BellXcel gives children access to updated data-based curriculums that continue their academics in and out of the classroom.   
22. In 2022, 1,517 kids participated in YMCA youth sports that help shape their physical, mental, and social abilities. 
23. The Y will be hosting Healthy Kids Day on April 29^th, 2023, at all three locations!

Join the Y Today!

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Sign up for the #HealthyHabits Challenge

We’ve all been there: New Year, New You, New Year’s Resolutions. It’s no secret that resolutions tend to get broken. The Y is here to help you reach your goals this year! We designed a challenge to help you develop simple daily healthy habits this year. Small habits add up to big results!

Move more.

Drink more water.

Get more sleep.

Eat healthy meals.

Our Health and Wellness team created the 90 Day #HealthyHabits Challenge for anyone to join. Whatever your health goals may be – losing weight, having more energy, reducing your risk for chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease – creating healthier habits will help you achieve those goals.

Join the #HealthyHabits 90 Day Challenge

Each week, you’ll track healthy habits using our free tracker. Turn in your points every week to be eligible for our weekly drawings!

• Register for the #HealthyHabits Challenge
• If you are not a member of the Y, join today! We have three branches located in Myrtle Beach, Pawleys Island, and Georgetown. We provide financial assistance so anyone in our community can enjoy all the benefits and amenities the Y has to offer.
• Download the #HealthyHabits tracker or pick up a printed copy at the Y
• The challenge will run from January 2 – April 1, 2023
• Pick up your #HealthyHabits t-shirt on January 2nd at your Y (while supplies last!)
• Check your email for our weekly challenges!
• Each week, turn in your tracker at the front desk to be eligible for prizes. We’ll draw a winner from participants who submit their points!
• Any YMCA of Coastal Carolina member who submits their points every week for all 13 weeks will receive a $50 program credit to be used on any of our programs such as swim lessons, youth sports, Personal Training, and more. (Program credits can only be used on programs, not dues.)

Weekly Prizes

Each week, any of our participants who turn in their weekly tracker will be entered to win a $50 Lowes Foods gift card!

Healthy Habits Tracker

“The YMCA’s healthy challenge is a brilliant way to help turn a generalized “get healthy” New Year’s resolution into a concrete plan of action that will track progress and actually lead to results,” said Dr. Sean Nguyen, family medicine physician at Tidelands Health Medical Park at The Market Common in Myrtle Beach. He continued, “Often, resolutions are doomed from the moment they are made because there’s no plan with specific goals or a system for steady accountability. The YMCA of Coastal Carolina’s healthy habits challenge can provide that crucial guidance and simple tracking system to help participants achieve their health goals and start to live better lives through better health.”

Happy December and Happy Holidays to the YMCA of Coastal Carolina community! With the start of December comes the beginning of the holiday season. Although these holidays bring together family and friends for fun celebrations, it is such a hard time to stay healthy. Holiday parties with an endless buffet of baked goods and sweet treats can be tempting. To keep yourself in line during the long holiday season, here are a few tips that might help!  

1. Drink water.  

2. Eat homemade, not processed goods. When you eat homemade foods, you are more likely to avoid extra calories.  

3. Don’t try to avoid sweets, just eat in moderation. Restricting can lead to binging. You can indulge in one meal, just not every meal!  

4. Take walks after meals.  

5. Stick to a consistent sleep schedule / consistent schedule in general.  

6. Focus on the fun in holiday activities, not the food. For example, making gingerbread houses does not necessarily mean you have to eat gingerbread toppings.  

7. Don’t couch it. Try to stay on your feet as much as possible.  

8. Eat a healthy breakfast! When you start your day off with a protein and fiber-filled breakfast (eggs) as opposed to a carb-loaded one (pancakes), you are more likely to follow that trend the rest of the day.  

Happy Healthy Holidays!

Join us October 1 – 7 for a week of fun Grand Opening Week activities at the Tidelands Health Pawleys Family YMCA.  

Join the Y

Members joining October 1-7 pay NO ENROLLMENT FEE! Be sure to tell your friends!

Grand Opening Week Activities

Please stop by the front desk to Spin for a Special Gift!

• Jump Into Shape with Childwatch! For each visit, enter a drawing to win a 30-minute massage or mini facial.
• Test your “YMCA” knowledge: During each aerobics class, both land and water, be the first to answer the Y Trivia Question correctly and win a prize. 

Saturday

• Healthy snacks all day: Information tables and tours available.

Sunday

• Healthy snacks all day: Information tables and tours available.

Monday

• Poker Walk: Find a partner, walk 5 laps on the track, draw a card for each lap, best hand wins. This event is available all day from the fitness staff.
• Half court shoot out! Winners receive a free month membership. Must be witnessed by a staff member.

Tuesday

• Flip for our Members: Join us for a special pancake breakfast (6-9 a.m.) 
• Scavenger Hunt: Find the Y’s hidden throughout the facility and redeem for a special prize at the front desk.

Wednesday

• Fill the Floor: Be on the fitness floor at 11:45 a.m. for a special event and be entered in a drawing for a 30-minute thera-massage session.

Thursday

• From the Day Spa: Chair Massages and Hand Paraffin available from 9 – 10 a.m.

Friday

• Body Pump Release Party 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.
• Dancing in the Dark All land classes, glow sticks provided!
• Special Splash Classes All aquatics classes will include a surprise activity!

The YMCA of Coastal Carolina started a new monthly challenge program to keep our community active, mindful, and happy. Each month, we will pick a new challenge and share weekly tips and tricks to help you participate! Follow us on Facebook @ClaireChapinEppsFamilyYMCA to tune in to our weekly tips on #WellnessWednesday and #FitnessFriday. 

Our October Challenge: Try New Ways to Get Moving!  

Moving your body is one of the fundamentals to maintaining a healthy lifestyle.  “Staying active through regular exercise is one of the best things people can do to support overall health,” said Dr. Sean Nguyen, a physician at Tidelands Health Family Medicine at The Market Common. “Regular physical activity lowers your risk of conditions such as high blood pressure and stroke — and can improve cognitive function and your overall mental health, as well. I strongly encourage everyone to incorporate walking, yoga, fitness classes, swimming – really any kind of physical activity you enjoy – into your routine as part of a healthy lifestyle.”

The CDC says that physical activity can: 

• Keep your brain healthy 
• Maintain a healthy weight 
• Keep your muscles and bones strong 
• Reduce your risk of illness and disease 

Not only are there physical benefits to staying active, but mental ones as well. Physical activity can: 

• Strengthen your attention span 
• Improve your sleeping habits 
• Decrease anxiety 
• Increase self-esteem  
• Improve your mood 

Did you know that only half of adults get the levels of physical activity they need? Life can become chaotic! When life gets busy, adults tend to fall behind on physical activity. Routine can make moving your body feel like a chore, and thus it is often neglected. When staying active gets boring, you need to mix it up! Trying new ways to keep you on your feet and your heart rate up is vital to a healthy lifestyle. Moving your body does not have to be a major commitment. There are plenty of ways to include movement throughout your day that are short and sweet. Exercise can always be exciting!  

8 Tips and Tricks to Move More

1. Add 15 minutes of stretching every morning and before bed. Stretching is a major factor that keeps your body running smoothly. The American College of Sports Medicine recommends stretching at least 2-3 times per week. However, it is also important to stretch before any physical activity. While you’re stretching, it is really important to hold your stretch for at least 60 seconds. Did you know that stretching can help your body relax, as well as improve your posture? I like to start my day with 10 minutes of stretching, and I’ve also found that stretching before bed helps me sleep better. To shake things up, you can even follow a short YouTube video if you want to learn different types of stretches! Keeping your muscles loose helps keep you active! 
2. Try an at-home workout video. It can be really hard in our busy lives to find time to exercise and going to a gym can seem like a huge commitment. When the gym feels intimidating, there’s always ways to get moving! YouTube is a great source to use, where you can watch certified trainers walk you through fun exercise circuits. They can be short or long videos and can vary in difficulty level. The best part is that no equipment is necessary, and you can do it from the comfort of your own home!
3. Attend one of the YMCA’s exciting fitness classes. Our YMCA offers many opportunities to stay active in fun ways. Here at the Y, our experienced trainers lead many group classes running from 5:45 in the morning, to 6:15 at night! Each class is great for all ages and fitness levels, as our instructors show modifications for beginners. Check out our class schedule
4. Try taking a short walk after eating each meal. For working adults, finding time to incorporate walking into your day can be very hard. Even so, the CDC recommends that each adult should aim for 10,000 steps per day. Although that number seems intimidating, finding time to take 5-minute walks during the workday can help you reach that goal, and it is a great way to clear your head! Not only is walking in general good for you, but studies have also shown that taking a 15-minute walk after each meal will help lower your blood sugar levels. This can help your body avoid conditions like Type 2 Diabetes! So, the next time you have 5 minutes to spare, take a lap around your block!
5. Workout with a friend. Working out with a buddy can make you more adventurous and inclined to try new things! Although working out alone can be a great way to focus on your own personal goals, there are many more benefits to staying active with a buddy. According to the CDC, working out with a buddy can help motivate you, allow you to be more adventurous, and keep you consistent. Exercise partners can push you to show up, try new things, and keep you engaged in fitness. There is nothing like celebrating a fitness victory with a friend! Going on long walks or bike rides can keep you sociable, while boosting your heart rate. So, next time you want to get your body moving, call a friend and invite them too!
6. Switch up your scenery. Try out a new park or walk along the beach for beautiful scenery when you walk. One of the main reasons people lose interest in fitness is because routine can be boring. When your walks or gym sessions start to look the same and unappealing, then it’s time to switch it up! Try picking a new hiking spot or working out outside. A change of scenery can keep you entertained and engaged. Studies have shown that switching your environment can increase your mood and motivation. Mixing up your scenery is a great way to learn more about your area and all the wonderful spots within it! So next time you think about walking, biking, or working out at home, consider trying out a new park in your area!
7. Take a personal training session. Is one of the things holding you back a lack of knowledge?   Personal training sessions are a great way to learn the ropes of the fitness floor with experienced professionals. Many people of all age groups feel intimidated in the gym and don’t know where to start. Personal training is a great way to learn the ins and outs of the fitness floor. Our YMCA offers a variety of personal trainers, all fully equipped to help you reach your fitness goals. Our YMCA trainers will help you feel comfortable and supported as you learn new ways to work out and they are committed to helping you succeed. Learn more about personal training
8. Don’t forget about swimming. The YMCA offers Aquafit classes as well as free swim lap lanes to use during facility hours. When people are trying to add movement into their lifestyle, they often think to lift weights, walk, or bike. However, did you know that swimming is also a great low-impact way to move your body? Swimming can be intense or relaxing, but regardless provides a full-body workout that improves your cardiovascular health. On average, 200 calories are burned for every 30 minutes you swim!

Thank you all for following along with our #HealthyHabits Challenge of the month, Try New Ways to Get Moving! I really hope our weekly tips and tricks have pushed you to get up, move around, and have fun! Adding movement to your lifestyle is vital for your health, and here at the YMCA we hope you continue to incorporate physical activities every day. Please check our website and Facebook page for our next #HealthyHabits Challenge for the month of November! 

Join us to learn more about the Tidelands Health diabetes prevention program, or DPP. Better health begins here. Information sessions will be held at the Claire Chapin Epps Family YMCA at the following times:

• Monday, September 12th at 12pm
• Monday, September 26th at 10am

What is the Diabetes Prevention Program?

The Diabetes Prevention Program, or DPP, is a nationally recognized lifestyle change program to
help you build healthy habits, lower your risk of type 2 diabetes and improve your health. DPP is offered in a relaxed setting where we laugh, learn and share stories.

DPP encourages you to:

• Eat healthy without giving up the foods you love
• Add physical activity to your life, even if you don’t think you have time
• Deal with stress
• Cope with challenges that can derail your hard work • Get back on track if you stray from your plan

Call or email today to sign up: Shawn Garret, [email protected] or 843-652-8184