Hit the Waukee Family YMCA indoor track on any given day between 6:15 and 10 a.m., and you may see Scott Wiley. With his earbuds in, iPhone with external charger at the ready, and Fitbit clipped to the center of his shirt, Scott is likely walking his daily half marathon.

Yes, you read that right. Scott, age 45, walks an average of 20 miles every day, with 13 of those miles around the Waukee YMCA track and building, or on different trails around the city.

“I started with nine walking routes at five miles each,” said Scott. “I am able to cover the entire city of Waukee in one week! Take into account I cannot run, but I am a heck of a power walker!”

During his time on the track, he multi-tasks by talking with friends, tackling Fitbit challenges, and listening to music.

“It’s usually rock or country that I listen to…if I ain’t rockin’, I ain’t walkin’,” Scott laughed.

Scott was born with Cerebral Palsy and began walking five years ago “out of boredom” and to be healthier.

“I needed something to do, so I started walking and never quit,” said Scott, who works at the Waukee Hy-Vee in the afternoons.

Scott has walked the IMT Des Moines Half Marathon and the Drake Relays Hy-Vee Road Race Half Marathon. He keeps meticulous track of his steps with the help of his trusty Fitbit. His Fitbit friends have christened him “THE BEAST” on the fitness-tracking tool.

It’s a proper nickname for him, as all of this walking—over 28 million steps, or 13,000 miles at the time of interview—equates to walking halfway around the world. All these steps have kept him at the top of every leaderboard in Iowa, ranking between number one and two. He has also previously been the number five Fitbit stepper in the nation.

Beyond the leaderboards, Scott’s Fitbit usage has also led to other major healthy lifestyle changes for the Waukee resident. When he started walking, he weighed 240 pounds. Between walking, clean eating (think fruits, vegetables and no artificial sugar), and medicating a thyroid condition, he has lost 90 pounds.

Scott uses Fitbit to track his steps, calories burned, mileage, and floors climbed—among other analytics. The in-app gamification functionality acts as a natural motivator for steppers. Users can earn badges, participate in challenges, or start challenges for other to join in—like Scott does.

Users can also join groups within the app or on Facebook for motivation. Scott is the administrator for two Fitbit user groups, the Red Tennis Shoe Fitbit Group and the Red Tennis Shoe Rebounders Fitbit Group. Rebounders are members who jump on a mini trampoline to count steps.

“I was conned into buying my first rebounder last November by one of my Fitbit friends, and I love it!” Scott said, adding that it’s easier on his body than power walking.

In January of 2014, he made it a goal to set Fitbit history at the Waukee Family YMCA by walking 100,000 steps in one day, going beyond the 75,000 step badge. He accomplished his goal in approximately 13 hours by taking a break after every 25,000 steps. At the time, there was no badge for this accomplishment, and Scott contacted Fitbit until they added one last November. This past January, he repeated the feat and obtained the badge he deserved.

Through engaging with Fitbit, Wiley has made a number of friends from all corners of the community and even global acquaintances.

“Some of these people have become personal friends, and most I talk to every day; we share in the daily struggles and issues we face and have fun in the groups and challenges,” he said.

Scott also said that his life has changed forever since he began walking.

“If you look beyond that little piece of plastic called a tracker you buy in the store, there is a whole other world with it,” he said. “This experience cannot be put into words; this is something special.”

YMCA
www.dmymca.org

With the dawn of a new year, a new YMCA is coming to downtown Des Moines.

The Wellmark YMCA officially opened for business on New Year’s Day as the trained YMCA staff is helping individuals continue their journey to an active, healthy lifestyle.

The new facility at 501 Grand Avenue in downtown Des Moines replaces the more than half-century-old Riverfront YMCA. According to Tim Short, executive director of the Wellmark YMCA, the new Y will offer many of the same features as the Riverfront Y, but will be better designed – and new.

“One of the things many of our members are excited about is we are getting new equipment throughout the facility, replacing most of what is currently at the Riverfront Y,” Short said. “But more than anything else, the Wellmark Y will allow us to offer more classes and fitness opportunities to meet the fitness goals of our members.

“The Riverfront Y served the downtown Des Moines community well for the past 50 plus years and we believe that the new Wellmark Y will have just as big, if not a greater impact over the next half century.”

The Wellmark Y is not only newer but much bigger than the Riverfront Y.With over 140,000 square feet of space, this world-class facility includes, among other features…

• Indoor Track – Short says the 1/8 mile track is the biggest indoor track in the city, almost twice as big as the current Riverfront Y.
• 2 Basketball Courts – the junior high length courts have markings for volleyball courts as well.
• 8 Racquetball / Handball Courts – the courts are located on the facility’s upper level with the capability of seating for tournaments.
• 2 Squash Courts – the squash courts are the only courts in the Des Moines area
• Wellness Center – the Wellness Center will be located on the upper level with the capacity of up to 100 machines.
• Cycling Studio – tiered, enclosed structure with the capacity for up to 50 bikes.
• Strength Conditioning Area – the free weight area will also be in this location.
• Yoga Studio – located on the lower level in a quiet area of the facility, the Yoga Studio is equipped with cork floors.
• Group Exercise Studio – this studio on the facility’s upper level will be used for group fitness classes including Body Pump, Zumba and Insanity.
• More than 75 weekly classes will be held in the Group Exercise, Yoga and Cycling studios with early morning, noon-time, late afternoon, early evening and
  weekend offerings.

In the coming months, an eight-lane, 50-meter pool with seating for 1500 will be completed along with a four-lane, 25-yard pool. A café is also planned in the future on the first floor just off of the main lobby.

The Wellmark Y is one of 10 branches of the YMCA of Greater Des Moines. Membership rates will remain the same as the Riverfront Y and a YMCA membership is good at locations throughout Des Moines (except for the YMCA Healthy Living Center in Clive, which has an additional fee). Membership rates are based on household income and financial assistance is available.

YMCA
www.dmymca.org

Winter’s cold, blustery weather causes many of us to suffer from dry skin.

Outside temperatures and humidity levels plummet. We retreat indoors for warmth only to encounter dry air generated by our furnace and fireplace. We attempt to stay healthy through the cold and flu season by washing our hands more frequently. It doesn’t take long before our lips and hands crack and our skin begins to feel itchy, flaky and dry.

There are a number of things you can do to help prevent dry skin, such as:

• Taking shorter showers or baths and moisturizing immediately afterwards (before your skin dries) with emollient creams.
• Turning your thermostat down.
• Using a humidifier.
• Using only alcohol-free types of hand sanitizers.
• Protecting your hands with gloves when going outside or when exposing them to water or chemicals (such as when washing dishes or using household cleaning products).
• Moisturizing again!

As we age, our skin becomes thinner and dryer. According to a survey by the National Rosacea Society, 22-23 percent of the rosacea respondents in their 50’s and 60’s, respectively, reported increased dryness. This number rose to 34 percent after age 70. There are many options for improving dry, vascular skin.

At Urban Effects, we recommend an annual skin care consultation to review skin care routines and product usage.  January is a great time to schedule a complimentary VISIA skin analysis and design a customized plan for the upcoming year. We allow enough time to evaluate your skin, products and budget and to implement a plan that addresses your skin care goals. Skin care routines and products often need to change during colder, dryer months. In some cases, certain products may need to be eliminated, used less frequently or changed to different vehicles in order to improve the condition of the skin. This process often saves you time and provides
superior results.

We offer a variety of in-office treatments that can improve dry skin. These range from light to medium chemical peels, HydraFacials™ and NANO™ laserpeels. These treatments allow the appropriate skin care regimen to penetrate and accelerate hydration. They also provide fast relief with no downtime. In addition, many with facial redness enjoy visible improvement from a FotoFacial™ BBL™.

For more information or to schedule a complimentary skin care consultation, contact Urban Effects Medspa at 987-5188.

Urban Effects Medspa
www.urbaneffectsmedspa.com

Meet Courtney Owen: MMA Fighter, Mother, Member, Y Coach 

Standing, arms crossed, in a royal blue YMCA staff shirt, Courtney Owen looks like a force of fitness to be reckoned with. Her biceps have been built not only by lifting weights, but by the ups and downs of a fitness journey well traveled.

Now a wellness coach at the Waukee Family YMCA, Owen assists members of all ages with orientation, ActivTrax and fitness testing.  But perhaps most significantly, she listens to and empowers YMCA members on their journey towards positive life change.

“I like all of the people here; you really get to know everyone,” Owen said. “Because of my own fitness goals and challenges, it’s easy for me to relate with people.”

Owen said that she has been inspired by many YMCA members striving to do their best.

“There’s a lady that has Multiple Sclerosis who rides a scooter and uses every last ounce of her independence,” Owen said. “She comes in and walks about a minute on the treadmill. She falls almost every time, but she gets back up and scoots off to her next exercise.  Members like that help you remember not to take things for granted,” she said.

She certainly has not taken getting her body back into shape for granted.

“I had my daughter six years ago, and at that time, I weighed 203 pounds,” Owen shared. “I gained something like 60 pounds while I was pregnant.”

Following the birth of her daughter, she became “obsessed with working out” in order to take her body back and beyond to a new level of fitness. Owen is a former MMA fighter, the kind that throws packed punches and kicks in the cages. Her last fight was in April 2013.

Before Owen moved to the area from southwest Iowa in the spring of 2013, she was training at a Tae Kwon Do gym. When she moved here, she needed a place to work out and the Waukee Y fit the bill. With a full weight room, a pool, and premiere small-group exercise classes, including Warrior Fit and Boot Camp, the Waukee Y became her second home.

“When a position opened up at the Y, I thought, ‘I’m here all the time, why not work here?’” she said.  So she quit her full-time job at an optometrist’s office and started working at the Y. She hasn’t looked back, only forward – to graduating from the Fire Academy later this month. Owen also works part-time on the Grimes Fire/EMS team.

When you join the YMCA of Greater Des Moines, you gain access to nine YMCA locations, many great programs and services, and a passionate staff of team members focused on helping you reach your goals. Stop in and meet with Owen, or another one of the wellness coaches, and take the first step towards a healthier life.

Waukee YMCA
www.dmymca.org