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A Story of Hope and Transformation: “Weight of Being” Author Kara Richardson Whitely Visits the Summit YMCA

“Weight of Being” is a new memoir by renowned author, motivational speaker, and Summit YMCA member Kara Richardson Whitely that chronicles her trials and tribulations with her self-image and weight.  Join us Friday evening September 21st at the Summit YMCA as we celebrate its release!

Cheryl Strayed, author of Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail praises Kara’s writing as “fearlessly honest and powerfully intelligent.”  

Kirkus Reviews also comments on Kara’s memoir: “Written in brief, punchy chapters…Those curious about the pros and cons of weight loss surgery will find some answers here, though Whitely makes it clear that her decision is a personal one and that others might take different paths.”


“Weight of Being” Book Release Party

WHEN: Friday, September 21 from 7:30PM – 9:00PM
WHERE: The Summit YMCA, 67 Maple St in Summit
COST: Free and open to the community
QUESTIONS: Terry Clinton at 908 273.3330 ext 1126, terri.clinton@thesay.org

Copies of “Weight of Being” will be available for sale/signing. Refreshments will be served.

Kara’s weight reaching over 300 pounds pushed her away from what she wanted to do which included exercise. Her inspirational journey towards to a healthier life included a relationship with the Summit Area YMCA.

 

Kara shares her feelings about the Y, “I could not be more grateful for the place that the YMCA has in my heart, and in my family, and my life. Everyone at the Y is interested in your well being, your health and there’s a sense of community. I love the group exercise classes. I absolutely love TRX, spinning with Ginger, yoga on the weekends.

For me personally, I’m so proud to be a YMCA member! I see how much people care about this community… It’s way more than a place to work out; It’s a place where the directors know my kids and they know my story.” Kara also participates in the Summit YMCA community garden which she says has been a huge part of my own healing. She begins every spring growing things like lettuce, cauliflower, and kale.

The Summit Area YMCA’s holistic approach to wellness focuses on building a healthy spirit, mind, and body for all. Whether you are seeking to build muscle, lose weight or becoming healthier in general, we strive to provide staff, programs, resources and equipment that can best help you to achieve your goals. Our myriad of programs includes: youth and adult fitness, personal training, water fitness, nutritional coaching, and much more. 

For help with nutrition, work with a registered dietitian through our Nutritional Programs and receive on-going support, customized information, realistic and individualized goals that allow for lasting lifestyle changes, amazing recipes, motivation, sample grocery lists, meal planning assistance, and more. Click here for information on nutrition coaching.

For assistance with general wellness make an appointment with one of our wellness coaches. Our wellness coaches meet one-on one to discuss wellness goals and design a wellness vision with weekly and monthly goals. Click here for more information on wellness coaching.

To monitor your fitness progress, check out our recently acquired InBody machine where you can calculate your body composition (BMI, Weight, Body Fat Percentage, Lean Body Mass, even the weight of each body part), which will help you customize your lifestyle and routines to reach a healthier you. Learn more about InBody here.

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About Kara Richardson Whitely
Kara has hiked Mount Kilimanjaro three times while weighing as much as 300 pounds inspiring her to write Gorge: My Journey Up Kilimanjaro at 300 Pounds. She’s a motivational public speaker, has written for Self, Everyday with Rachael Ray, Runner’s World magazine, Courier News and The Star Ledger. She was featured on Oprah’s Lifeclass and The Megyn Kelly Today Show, was one of Outside magazine’s 127 Defining Moments finalists, and has been written about in Redbook and American Hiker magazine. She lives in Summit, New Jersey, with her husband, Chris, and two daughters.

About the Summit Area YMCA
The Summit Area YMCA is one of area’s leading 501c3 organizations. Our programs and services are open to all through our financial assistance programs made possible through the generosity of our members, donors, staff and partners. To learn more about the Y, visit us at www.thesay.org.

 

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SUMMIT AREA YMCA

BERKELEY HEIGHTS YMCA | SUMMIT YMCA | THE LEARNING CIRCLE YMCA

In 1886, we were founded as the Young Men’s Christian Association, but today, we are The Y; an association that values, and is made stronger by, its diverse people. We stand for youth development, healthy living and social responsibility — For a better us. We are committed to creating equal opportunity for all regardless of gender, age, disability, income, ethnicity, sexual orientation or religious affiliation. We strive to create a welcoming and inclusive culture in which our four core values — responsibility, honesty, caring and respect — are integral to everyday operations.

Each year, as one of the area’s leading 501(c)3 charitable organizations, the Summit Area YMCA serves more than 15,000 individuals with our free and fee-based programs and services in an area spanning the New Jersey communities of Berkeley Heights, Gillette, Millburn, New Providence, Short Hills, Springfield, Stirling and Summit. Our history is rooted in working side-by-side with our neighbors to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive. Through the generosity of our members, donors, and partners, we are able to offer financial assistance for our programs and services to those in need.

Please note that the Hurst Pool at the Summit YMCA will be closed on Sunday, March 31, 2024 and will reopen on Monday, April 8, 2024 due to regularly scheduled maintenance. Group Ex Pro will reflect amended aquatics schedules.