Get out, get fit JCC FITNESS INSTRUCTOR WANTS FIVE MINUTES BY BEN NOTIS Clarence Cook, a professional trainer at the JCC of Allentown, exudes positive energy, which he says is all about determination. He offers that energy to anyone working out at the JCC. “I had an injury in ninth grade playing football. I had surgery and the doctor told me that I wouldn’t be able to lift anything heavy ever again,” he explained in a low tone. “I was determined to change all that. I started working out when I was 15. Determination is an amazing component of all this. I’m all self-taught.” Cook draws on this background to teach others how to get and stay fit. “I enjoy helping people,” he explained. “I know how it changed my life; it allowed me to become healthy at a high level.” Facing an obstacle to getting fit, whether physical or otherwise? “When I was in high school, working out wasn’t in vogue. By the time I was a senior, I had rocketed past everyone,” he said.
From his experiences, Cook learned an important lesson: “You can do anything you want to do, educationally or vocationally. People will always tell you that you can’t. I don’t believe in the words ‘I can’t.’ They don’t exist for me.” Remarking on the importance of staying healthy, Cook said, “I truly believe that everyone has the ability to do this. You can do something for five to 10 minutes a day.” Getting fit may not be easy, he acknowledged. However, for him, “Giving up is not an option. If you do nothing, you will never improve. It’s not ‘fun out.’ It’s work out.”
Clarence's Top 10 health tips 1 Being strong
is not measured in how much you can lift. It’s how you feel.
2 Think of yourself
as a good person. This creates positive influences in living your life.
3 You always have to believe in yourself; everybody goes through adversity.
4 The rewards outweigh the efforts you put into getting fit.
5 Use motivation from within Don’t care what anyone else thinks.
6 You can’t compare yourself to anyone but yourself.
7 The words ‘I can’t’ do not exist in my vocabulary and they shouldn’t in yours.
8 Everyone has time There are 168 hours in a week.
9 The bottom line
is how we take care of ourselves. How we feel about ourselves is how we live our lives.
10 How many of us
watch 1-2 hours of TV a day? You have to put the time into getting fit.
SOCIALIZING, NIGHT LIFE FOR ‘ADULTS AT THE J’ BY AMY J. SAMS Adults of all ages in the Lehigh Valley have been happily connecting (and re-connecting) with other adults through a variety of programs and events offered by the Jewish Community Center of Allentown. Over 250 individuals have sampled a wide range of social, educational and "off-site" programs
since “Adults at the J” launched in 2013. JCC members and community members have enjoyed special dining experiences at Lehigh Valley restaurants in addition to several food-and-spirit-themed social events at the JCC. Many participants have experienced the arts in their own backyard with private showings
at local museums, art studios and galleries. Music and theatre performances also give Jewish adults an opportunity to socialize and experience our community's local gems together. Interested adults in the Lehigh Valley can pick and choose which programs and events they would
like to attend. All programs are advertised on the JCC website, www.allentownjcc.org, and require advance registration.
Contact the JCC at 610-435-3571 or visit www.allentownjcc.org to learn more about Adults at the J.
jewishlehighvalley.org
37