West Roxbury Resident Celebrates 20 Years at the YMCA

WEST ROXBURY, Mass. – In the past 20 years, Bronwen Feeney of West Roxbury has completely transformed her mental and physical health through exercise as a member of the Parkway Community YMCA. At 71 years old, she walks one mile to and from the Y to take classes and workout with a personal trainer. For her New Year’s resotlution in 2018, she aims to continue this fitness regimen, possibly adding swim aerobics into the mix, with the ultimate goal of becoming stronger and lower her cholesterol to less than 200.

Feeney originally joined the Parkway Community YMCA in 1997 when she and her son, then age 3, moved to the area. With an administrative job at Harvard Law School, she lived a sedentary lifestyle before she retired. Initially, she joined the Y to increase her upper body strength while overcoming a right arm disability – her arm was left partially paralyzed after a car crash in the 1980’s. She began taking pilates and yoga classes at the Y. Last year, after an annual bone scan revealed she had 30 percent bone loss in her forearms in just one year period, she started working with a personal trainer three times a week to improve her strength and balance.

“Due to my osteoporosis and former problems with right arm tendonitis, I knew I needed to ramp up my exercise levels,” says Feeney. “I cannot run anymore due to arthritis in my knees. And, in the last 10 years, I’ve lost two inches in height. I really needed to improve my strength. As the adage goes for older folks, use it or lose it.”

The results speak for themselves. Since joining the Y 20 years ago, she has increased her exercise regimen to counteract the effects of an aging body and loss of upper body strength. Since 2006, she has greatly increased her lung capacity and core strength. She has also regained total strength and mobility in her right arm. With increased cardio work starting in April 2017, she has lost nearly 20 pounds. As a result, she has increased her metabolism and gets better sleep. She is now feeling happier, more energetic and happier than ever.

“All of my teachers at the Parkway Community YMCA are terrific,” says Feeney. “If I cannot do something, they are not judgmental; they encourage everyone to push themselves, but only to a safe limit. I don’t think of my workouts as work, but more as a new kind of part-time job to improve my health. Now, I find activities, such as gardening, shopping and housecleaning, easier because of my increased strength.”

As others make New Year’s resolutions, Feeney hopes to inspire other seniors looking to increase their activity and develop healthier lifestyles. The key, she says, is to start small but stay focused.

“For those just beginning a new routine, don’t be too hard on yourself,” says Feeney. “Have the occasional high calorie treat so you don’t become overly obsessed with eating a healthy diet. However, let fresh fruits and vegetables and lower fat proteins replace junk food filled with sugar, salt and fat. Try to be consistent with diet and exercise. Think of your workouts as part of your life that you cannot miss, like an appointment or a job. Eventually, after eating better and becoming stronger, you will feel happier and more energetic and you’ll want to continue.”

The YMCA of Greater Boston is the state’s leading nonprofit committed to strengthening communities. Every day the Y works with thousands of men, women, and children to make sure that everyone, regardless of age, income or background, has the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive. For more than 165 years, the Y has been developing skills and emotional well-being through education and training, welcoming and connecting diverse populations, preventing chronic disease and building healthier communities through collaborations and policymakers. For more information about the YMCA of Greater Boston and its health, fitness and education programs, visit: http://ymcaboston.org.