This post is sponsored and contributed by River Crossing YMCA, a Patch Brand Partner.

Community Corner

YMCA Offering Free Cancer Wellness and Healthy Lifestyles Programs in Easton and Nazareth

River Crossing YMCA along with LVHN provide 2 new FREE 12-wk programs in Easton & Nazareth with certified professionals in supportive group

River Crossing YMCA, Brand Partner
(River Crossing YMCA)

This is a paid post contributed by a Patch Community Partner. The views expressed in this post are the author's own, and the information presented has not been verified by Patch.

Change rarely happens alone. That idea sits at the heart of two free, twelve-week wellness programs now enrolling at the Easton and Nazareth branches of River Crossing YMCA. Made possible through a partnership with Lehigh Valley Health Network, part of Jefferson Health, the Healthy Lifestyles and THRIVE programs are built around the simple premise that people do better when they have a team behind them.

Both programs are open to the community at no cost, and both pair participants with certified fitness professionals within a small group of people working toward similar wellness goals. These programs are made possible by Lehigh Valley Health Network, part of Jefferson Health.

Healthy Lifestyles: Building Habits That Stick

Healthy Lifestyles is the free twelve-week program for adults looking to lose weight and lower their risk for chronic disease. Instead of handing participants a diet plan and sending them off alone, the program leans on behavioral change strategies practiced together in a professionally guided group setting. Small, steady changes made alongside a group tend to outlast the willpower it takes to go it alone, and the weekly time spent together gives participants a place to trade encouragement, laugh off a hard week, and feel less alone in a process that can otherwise feel isolating.

Participants get access to the Y Wellness 24/7 virtual platform, a pre- and post-program InBody scan to track progress, and two weekly touchpoints with their group, one classroom based and one exercise based. Enrollment includes a complimentary twelve-week family YMCA membership during the program, plus eight additional free weeks for adults who complete it.

“For me, exercise can be challenging, and I like to take the easy way out. However, it is easier with someone pushing me and encouraging me to do it. Hearing other people talk about their own experiences gave me the opportunity to be supportive to them as well. We helped each other.” - Dianne, graduate of the Y’s Healthy Lifestyles program (photo courtesy River Crossing YMCA)

THRIVE: Rebuilding Strength After Cancer

THRIVE takes a similarly personal approach, but for individuals currently undergoing or who have undergone treatment for cancer. This free twelve-week group program pairs participants with specially trained personal trainers who help rebuild muscle mass and strength, improve flexibility and endurance, and restore the everyday physical capacity that treatment can quietly erode. Just as important, it puts participants in a room with others who understand exactly what recovery feels like, a kind of company that can be hard to find once treatment ends and the rest of the world has moved on.

THRIVE participants receive the same core support: the Y Wellness 24/7 platform, a pre- and post-program InBody scan, live weekly classes with their group, and a complimentary twelve-week family membership followed by eight additional free weeks upon completion. Participants are also welcome to sample group exercise classes in the encouraging, low-pressure environment the program is built around.

“I had a double mastectomy, and a bunch of lymph nodes removed, followed by 30 days of intense radiation. The YMCA Thrive program is one of the best choices I have ever made. To meet all people that are in the same place that I once was, and understand what we're all going through and how much of an event it is just to do what we're doing.” - Lynn, graduate of the Y’s THRIVE Cancer Wellness program. (photo courtesy River Crossing YMCA)

Getting Started

Twelve weeks is long enough to build a habit and short enough to feel achievable. With a certified professional, a supportive group, and a program built on research that works, showing up the first time may end up being the easiest step of all.

For Healthy Lifestyles, contact Abby Clinton at aclinton@ymcarivercrossing.org or visit ymcarivercrossing.org/pathways/healthy-lifestyles to learn more and sign up. For THRIVE, contact Jennifer Gaj at jgaj@ymcarivercrossing.org or visit www.ymcarivercrossing.org/pathways/thrive. Enrollment for both programs closes on Sept. 7, with classes beginning Sept. 14. at the Easton-Phillipsburg branch, 1225 West Lafayette St. in Easton, and the Nazareth branch at 33 S. Main St. in downtown Nazareth.

River Crossing YMCA (formerly YMCA of Bucks and Hunterdon Counties and Greater Valley YMCA) is a charitable, nonprofit organization committed to strengthening communities through membership and programs that foster youth development, healthy living and social responsibility for all. Annually, the Y serves over 100,000 members and participants at its 11 member branches, 12 early childhood centers, 20 summer camp locations and 44 school age child care programs. River Crossing YMCA provides over $12 million of community impact annually in the form of financial assistance to individuals and families in need and free programming for veterans, cancer survivors, older adults and more. To learn more visit ymcarivercrossing.org.

This post is an advertorial piece contributed by a Patch Community Partner, a local brand partner. To learn more, click here.

This post is sponsored and contributed by River Crossing YMCA, a Patch Brand Partner.

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