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Question:
Shirley asks: What exercises will help me tone my arms?
Expert Answer:
Shirley, what a great question! With summer right around the corner, I get asked this question a lot. For “toning” the muscles in the arms, the strength training exercises usually target the bicep and triceps. Some basic arm exercises are bicep curls for the biceps and tricep kickbacks, or dips for the triceps, just to name a few. These exercises can be done using machines, free weights (dumbbells) or even tubing for resistance. However, keep in mind that we must also burn off body fat by doing cardiovascular exercises, and take in the right amount of calories, so that the muscles can be seen in the arm giving us that “toned” look.
Our Expert is Ericka Dawydko, Wellness Director at the Livonia Family YMCA.
summer camp!
It's time to start thinking about summer experiences for your child! Consider YMCA Residence Camp or Day Camp -- an experience of a lifetime!
Wendy's Night
On Wednesday, July 22, dine at a local Wendy’s restaurant from 5-8 p.m. and Wendy’s will donate 15% of all sales to the YMCA Strong Kids Campaign (SKC).
Spring Programs
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Features this Month:
Healthy Recipe: Crazy Crunchin' Tuna Salad
Ingredients:
2 cups uncooked whole wheat pasta (macaroni, penne)
2 6 ½ oz cans tuna, light, packed in water
½ cup zucchini, chopped
½ cup carrots, diced
1/3 cup celery, diced
1/3 cup radishes, sliced *
¼ cup plain non-fat yogurt or reduced-fat mayonnaise
black pepper
salt substitute
* optional ingredient
Preparation:
Cook pasta according to package directions.
Drain pasta and tuna.
Wash vegetables. Chop, slice and dice veggies.
Mix pasta, tuna, and vegetables together in a bowl.
Stir in yogurt.
Season to taste with pepper and salt substitute.
Chill until ready to serve.
Serve on whole-wheat bread or pitas.
Serves: 4
Playing as a Family in the Great Outdoors
It's much easier to play every day now that the weather is beautiful! With the arrival of spring, we're eager to get outside and stretch our legs after a long winter hibernation. So get your family together for a day out at the park and enjoy the sunshine. Here are a few great local parks and greenways you can visit to enjoy the outdoors, hike and get some play in your day:
The Dequindre Cut Greenway - Downtown Detroit
The Dequindre Cut Greenway, an urban recreational path connecting the east riverfront with the Eastern Market district in downtown Detroit, will open to the public on Thursday, May 14 with a grand opening ceremony. While the bike path is already accessible, the grand opening ceremony will include activities and entertainment between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
The 1.2-mile paved greenway was developed through a public, nonprofit and private partnership. The Dequindre Cut is part of a growing network of greenway paths developing around the city.
At more than 60 feet wide, the below-grade trail serves as a paved biking, walking and running path while still offering plenty of surrounding green space. It stretches from Woodbridge Street to Gratiot Avenue, 1.2 miles, with exit ramps at Lafayette Boulevard and Gratiot.
The Rouge River Gateway Greenway - Dearborn
The Rouge River Gateway Greenway trailhead starts on Michigan Avenue, in West Dearborn. With a maze of trails and walkways, you can hike on to several areas on the Henry Ford Estate or wind up at Hines Drive. A wonderful space to get ourdoors and hike, this area includes a range of fun things to explore (i.e. the Great Meadow, the Hidden Lake and the Red Bridge at the Rouge River) and boasts a variety of wildlife. Keep an eye out for birds such as Mallard ducks, Kingfishers, Canada Geese, Pied-billed Grebes, Wood Ducks, as well as turtles, and even deer.
The Detroit International Riverfront Area - Downtown Detroit
The Detroit International Riverfront is a planned 5 ½ miles of public waterfront, linked by a continuous RiverWalk and parks, plazas and green spaces. As of June 2007, more than 2 ½ miles of East Riverfront is open to the public, including:
- 1 ½ miles of RiverWalk from Joe Louis Arena to Rivard Street
- 1 ¼ miles of RiverWalk from Stroh's River Place at Joseph Campau Street to Mt. Elliot Park, as well as RiverWalk at Gabriel Richard Park
- Rivard Plaza and Pavilion, located at Rivard Street
- Gabriel Richard Park Plaza and Pavilion
Work continues by the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy and its public and private partners to complete the remaining portions of Riverfront. Enjoy Detroit's beautiful new Riverfront and stay tuned for more!
learn more about the Riverfront Area...
Tri-Centennial State Park - Downtown Detroit
As the first urban park in Michigan, the 31 acres carved out on the banks of the Detroit River offer a green oasis in the midst of downtown Detroit. The first phase of the park - the harbor - was opened to the public in 2004 and offers several covered picnic areas, shoreline fishing and a newly renovated 52-slip harbor. A 63-foot light tower marks the harbor entrance. It is a scaled-down replica of the recently-renovated lighthouse at Tawas Point State Park, originally built in 1876.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Parks & Recreation has already begun work on the second phase of development at the park. This phase will include a wetlands demonstration project, which will show how wetlands act as nature's water filtration system. Interpretative signs will explain how the wetland naturally cleans the water and then returns it to the Detroit River as clean water - without going to a wastewater treatment plant.
The RiverWalk will pass through the park in the area closest to the Detroit River, and a quiet, contemplative area with a memorial to Peter Stroh, a noted conservationist who, for 25 years, was a tireless advocate for the opening Detroit's waterfront the public, will be featured in part of the park. A bike path, with financial support from the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), will lace through the area on the other side of the wetland. Fishing platforms are planned along the riverfront edge of the park.
Boll YMCA's Healthy Kids Day Proves to be a Fun Day!
On Saturday April 18th the Boll Family YMCA celebrated Healthy Kids Day with the community of Detroit. Families came to the Y to enjoy a massage, Tai Chi and spine screenings. Other activities that captivated audiences were the Aquatic Safety Safari where participants learned about boating safety and then took a ride through the water safari. The climbing wall had a steady stream of kids trying their hand at climbing to the top of the wall. Even the Little Caesar guy gave it a try! The Child Development Center put on a presentation about pet care and responsibility for animal family members. Some Hub members came to the YMCA to put on a bicycle safety rodeo and the weather was perfect for a lovely bike ride in the parking lot!
The highlight of the day was the Basketball clinic that Coach Cheryl Reeve, Assistant coach for the 3 time WNBA Champions Detroit Shock, put on with her assistant Carly Knox. There were about 25 kids in attendance ranging in age from 6 years of age to 16 years of age. The clinic focused on basic dribbling, ball reaction drills and defensive posture. Coach Reeve encouraged participants to keep practicing and that great players are great because they have “heart”.
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