Ben Church lives in Mount Lebanon, where he was born and raised, andnow with his wife of 25 years, Janet (also a PNC YMCA member) and 2 sons (currently attending college). Ben joined PNC shortly after graduating from Grove CityCollege in 1983 where he studied accounting and played varsity soccer. He is currently working is PNC’s finance division, and when not working or working out he can be found enjoying one of his two hobbies; gardening or photography. Throughout Ben’s 20’s he ran several marathons, but after his children were born exercising came “to a screeching halt”. This past year Ben was determined to get back to his former active lifestyle and credits the
PNC YMCA as being an important part of his success.
Here is Ben’s story.
“Dateline… Thanksgiving Eve 2010. Having just eclipsed my 25th anniversary at PNC and staring down the barrel of turning 49, I needed to take a look at two indisputable facts. I had two pounds to show for each year of service, and looking ahead, the average person puts on 7-10 pounds between Thanksgiving and New Year’s. I couldn’t afford to do that.
I challenged myself to buck the trend and lose 20 pounds by New Year’s. I also contemplated the idea of reversing what sitting behind a desk for 25 years had done to me (i.e. blood pressure out of control, sleep apnea, and an inactive lifestyle), and returning to my original weight on my first day at PNC.
Never been a fan of fad diets, so “Phase 1” was to walk every night and cut out the really bad stuff in my diet. That helped get me started. By Christmas 20 pounds were gone.
However, shortly after the New Year, the weather turned bad, and I wasn’t able to get out for the exercise I needed to reach that next level.At a staff meeting, a co-worker mentioned that she had joined the YMCA, which was right across the street.
Never been a “gym” person, but figured I’d give it a try.It didn’t take long to figure out that this was the place for me. The options that the YMCA gave me were exactly what I needed. Began running, swimming and biking. By February, another 10 pounds were gone. Added some core and lifting and by March, another 10 pounds were gone. By the end of April, only 5 months from starting this thing, I had lost over 50 pounds, or approximately ¼ of my body weight.
The sleep apnea machine is in the closet and my blood pressure is well under control.
I really enjoy having the YMCA so readily available to me. Without question, I would never be able to say that I go to work at the same fitness level that I did in 1985 without the YMCA.
Thanks to you and your incredible staff.”
The PNC YMCA would like to thank Ben not only for being our first male Y Story (WOO-HOO!),
but also for allowing your story to inspire others. Congratulations on your great success! GREAT JOB, BEN!!!