Family and fitness are entwined for Shamaine. She and her daughter, Akeysha, are members of the Kandiyohi County Area Family YMCA. Three generations of Shamaine's family walk the track almost daily in pursuit of health and fitness (although in all fairness, newborn Kaysen "walks" the track from his baby carrier strapped to grandma's chest!). Shamaine says that she wants to be a good role model for her family for healthy behaviors. She has diabetes and grew up eating "meat and potatoes” but switched to a healthier lifestyle in recent years. The result – Shamaine has lost 100 pounds and has more energy to dedicate to her family.
Another attraction for Shamaine's family is the Y's free on-site Child Watch. Shamaine had a membership at a different local fitness center closer to her home, but the Y offers more services, like child watch, where her other grandson, Keegan, plays while the others exercise.
But the Y isn't just about fitness to Shamaine. Another of her goals is to make connections and meet someone new each week at the Y.
So why does Shamaine Y?
"The Y is about family!"