Woody Fitton
President & CEO
Great Miami Valley YMCA

Dear Members and Friends of the YMCA:

Happy holidays to each of you. It is at this time of year that we often focus on our own state of health and most of us are not typically satisfied with what we find. As such, YMCA memberships become more attractive commodities. We have all heard how a healthy diet and regular exercise will contribute to better health and a longer life. But did you know that you can actually fool your body into believing that you are younger than you actually are by following these principles? I recently read a book titled "Younger Next Year" which explored this premise. Through clinical and experiential research the authors found that individuals age 50 and above who consistently eat a healthy diet and exercise a minimum of 4 to 5 times a week not only slow the rate of physical deterioration that naturally occurs for all of us, but their aging process can literally plateau. The authors contend that our bodies are fooled into believing that we are still 50 up to the age of 80 due to cell regeneration that occurs through a healthy diet and regular, vigorous exercise. While I certainly cannot validate their findings clinically, I have seen many examples of people in our YMCAs who exemplify these findings. They demonstrate physical attributes such as strength, balance, flexibility and stamina that aren't typically present in most of their peers. And most of them have faithfully exercised multiple times per week for many years. One conclusion that can be drawn from this is that a lifetime commitment to proper nutrition and consistent exercise will pay huge dividends the longer we live.

The YMCA is more than a good place to work out. We are more than a fitness club. We have a heritage of strengthening not only the body, but also the spirit and the mind. Our commitment to strengthening our communities by collectively focusing on healthy living, youth development and social responsibility is what separates the Y from all other organizations. As a member of the Y you are a part of this great tradition and important cause. We welcome you and encourage you to make time at the Y a regular part of your life.

Woody Fitton
President & CEO
Great Miami Valley YMCA