NORWICH – The Norwich Family YMCA began hosting a Weight Watchers meeting on Tuesdays at 6 p.m. beginning Mid-April. Both organizations aim to create a long-term, healthy lifestyle relationship to benefit Chenango County residents. Starting in April, local Weight Watchers participants began utilizing the YMCA facilities for a weekly meeting. “We are extremely pleased to have the Weight Watchers community join us here at the YMCA,” said James Mullen, executive director of the Norwich Family YMCA.

For more than 45 years, Weight Watchers has been assisting individuals with weight-loss goals through teaching healthy eating habits, modifying behaviors, exercising and providing support. For its part, the Norwich Family YMCA has been promoting healthy lifestyles locally for over 145 years. “Separately, these two organizations have helped thousands of local residents achieve weight-loss and fitness goals. To provide what each has to offer will be a perfect combination,” said Shannon Gawronski, the Norwich Family YMCA’s Health and Fitness Director.

To pursue fitness goals without a solid nutritional and dietary plan often yields poor results over the long term, Gawronski explained. “Short-term weight-loss competitions provide some benefit, but once the incentives disappear, inches around the waistline can easily reappear,” said Gawronski. In order to sustain any weight loss achievement, or to maintain a healthy condition, individuals need a life plan that they can follow and enjoy year in and year out, Gawronski continued.