Our inaugural Exercise Is Medicine (EIM) went amazingly!

Dr. Kim Smith and I had a blast with our first group. And we had great improvements! The biggest thing we want people to understand is that a healthy life is a journey. There is no end to this program. In this program we give you the tools to become a healthier you.

The following were accomplished with our first group. The cardio vascular test (6 minutes walk — and some only could do a few minutes including walker, and or cane, which was OK!). We had a 23 percent improvement. For muscular fitness (sit to stand), we improved 12 percent. Flexibility (hamstring range of motion) saw a 14-percent improvement. The following improved over the 12 weeks too: Weight loss (not our goal for short term) — 2 percent improvement. Hip flexor flexibility saw a 10-percent improvement. Resting heart rate improved by 2.5 percent. Systolic blood pressure (top number) saw a 3-percent improvement. Diastolic BP (bottom number) improved by 2 percent. Balance (combined right and left leg) improved by 7 percent. And waist to hip ratio was a 5-percent improvement.

Set aside these great assessed improvements, seeing this group improve every week with mobility, spirit, attitude and more, was so exciting for Kim and I! Once again, we are so fortunate to have Dr. Kim Smith in Salisbury but especially at our J.F. Hurley YMCA! And again I am looking forward to take on this next group with her! For the ones who have not heard about this yet; EIM (Exercise Is Medicine) is a 12-week journey toward improved health and fitness.

Patients must be referred by a medical professional (MD, DO, PA, NP). EIM is a comprehensive 12-week, medically based exercise program led by credentialed EIM staff (Dr. Kim Smith and me, and Ethan Swicegood at the J.F. Hurley YMCA). This initiative is to learn how to reduce health risks and improve overall health through exercise and health education. Many people in the U.S., due to inactivity and poor diet experiencing, or are at risk for chronic health conditions such as hypertension, obesity, hyperlipidemia, hypercholesterolemia and musculoskeletal weakness and pain (just to name a few). This 12-week amazing program will start Jan. 16 and will be twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays noon-1 p.m. this 12-week session. This program is discounted which is made possible through a grant from our local generous United Way. The cost is $75 for members and $125 for non-members (regular $199 and $249) and this includes a 12-week membership if you are active in the program, and as always, financial assistance is available! For more information, visit our website https://rocabymca.org/exercise-medicine

Classes will be held at our J.F. Hurley YMCA branch.

At this time spots are limited, so get your referral from your doctor soon!

For more information you can also email Dr. Kim Smith eimhurley@rocabymca.org or emarsh@rocabymca.org

Exercise truly is medicine!

Ester H. Marsh is director of healthy living at the J.F. Hurley YMCA and EIM certified professional.