
"When I started working out at the Y, I was not fit in any way. I weighed 325 pounds and life felt very overwhelming. As I changed my diet and stayed committed to working out, my fitness level changed along with my body. In 2016 I ran the first mile of my entire life on a treadmill in the wellness center. I remember crying like a baby right then and there. Since then I have run countless 5Ks, a 10K and an 8 miler. I’ve taken uplifting and I’ve lost 140 pounds. The Y has been a part of my journey the entire time.”

" I joined the Kishwaukee Family Y over two years ago. Prior to coming here, we were part of the YMCA in Hawaii. My daughter was four and enrolled in the preschool here at the Kishwaukee Family Y, my son was two and had never been away from me. He ended up loving Kids Zone. I was 180 pounds and started circuit training class with Laurie. I was able to lose 20 pounds before getting pregnant. At this point, my daughter transitioned to Kindergarten and I enrolled my son in the preschool here. I continued circuit class up until two weeks before I had my third child. I came back to the Y three months after giving birth. I now utilize more than just circuit training. I do yoga, the Wellness Center and other classes. My baby is now ten months and I’ve lost 46 pounds! Besides losing weight and being healthy, I’ve gained a family here. I was very alone and had no friends here before joining. Now I’ve had two baby showers put together for me, my kids have friends and I have lasting adult relationships I could consider family! I love my Y!"


“When I first learned about the LIVESTRONG program at my Y, I felt a sense of hope,” shares Conni Schubert, graduate of LIVESTRONG program at Kishwaukee Family YMCA. The feeling of regaining control physically after feeling hopeless for quite some time is what I gained from this program. Knowing you’re not alone is an amazing comfort.”

"I use the Y two to three times a week for cardio and then the weight lifting is two to three times a week. The Y has just been a really good fit for me. You have access to weights, cardio, swimming, racquetball, all the group exercise classes you could ever want. I have been lifting weights for the past forty-seven years and two years ago I asked my YMCA personal trainer, Mike Sweeney to help me get back to lifting. My goal was to increase my bench and suddenly I find that Mike entered me into a contest! A year and a half ago I won the state meet in 2016. Then the world meet happened to take place in Chicago. I entered and won first place in the Amateur World Power Congress World Drug Free Championships. I set a national record for my age and weight. I’m sixty-two years old and weight class of 185. If it weren’t for Mike, I never would have entered a contest in my life. If you are looking to become more physically fit, the YMCA provides personal trainers. I would suggest get a personal trainer; get in a group which the YMCA all provides. It makes a huge difference."