Nothing is more important than your health | News, Sports, Jobs

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Keisha Lockhart, assistant health and wellness director at the Marshalltown YMCA-YWCA, talks with Y member Kirk Jones.

I watched a TV show several months back that had some retired men talking. They talked about how many of their peers were of bad health because they spent their whole life chasing success in their careers at the expense of their own bodies.

That really hit home for me and reinforced some things I’ve been doing.

Hey, I’m all for chasing your dreams in your chosen career field, but at some point you take a step back and say, “What does it all mean if I don’t have my health?”

That’s where the Marshalltown YMCA-YWCA comes in.

Taking time to visit a health and wellness facility like ours pays dividends much more than money can buy. We are changing lives for the better here and I’m a witness to these stories every day. And, in many ways, I am one of those stories.

Making a conscious effort to exercise has made the difference in my life, especially as I came out of college with many poor habits and not in the best of health.

I try to jog on the Y track, outside, or on one of the Y’s treadmills daily, Or, if I’m not feeling like jogging, I go to the Y and use one of the ellipticals and strength train. The Y gives me those various options to keep my workout fresh. It’s already on my daily schedule and I don’t give myself the option to take it out.

I’ve touted for years that exercise is benefiting me just as much mentally as it is physically.

Nothing breaks up a clogged mind like a good workout. I also see the benefits of socializing at the Y, even if it is just a brief conversation, I feel better after those connections.

I don’t claim to be in perfect shape, but I’m doing my part to keep moving and progressing forward each day.

When I moved to Marshalltown in the fall 17 years ago, it was just a few weeks prior to my wedding. I was ecstatic that the Marshalltown YMCA-YWCA was going to be part of our life. I still feel that way as I see our kids swim, play basketball, take part on sports teams and even lifeguard at the Y.

We still have a top-notch facility here at the Y and, thanks to the efforts of our Annual Campaign, we are open to our whole community.

Take the time to visit the Y and you will feel our sense of community and a place where everyone is welcome. That’s what has brought me back to this Y thousands of times through nearly two decades.

If I can do it, I know you can too.

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Andrew Potter is Marketing and Communications Director at the Marshalltown YMCA-YWCA.