When Paul Jacobs first came to the West Essex YMCA about four months ago, he couldn’t walk without a walker. Health challenges had weakened his legs, and he was also struggling with depression and loneliness. At the urging of his doctor, he decided to give the Y a try.
Paul joined a group exercise class designed specifically for older adults, focused on building strength and improving balance. The class is led by instructor Nasheed Ali, and it quickly became the anchor of Paul’s week. He now attends classes three times a week, an hour each session.
“Nasheed has helped me so much. He has given me much confidence. He is very compassionate and helpful,” Paul said.
The physical progress has been steady and real. “I am getting stronger every time I go to his class,” he said.
Paul also found community. About 30 people attend the class, and the group that once felt like strangers has become a regular part of his life, people he looks forward to seeing each week.
But for Paul, the change goes deeper than strength. He credits Nasheed and the class with lifting his mental health as much as his physical health. Without it, he said, he would be lying in bed, depressed. Instead, he has a reason to get up, a place to go, and a person in his corner who believes in his progress. He has also made a regular group of friends through going to the class.
That’s why Paul has no plans to stop, no matter how much he improves. “Even if I was much better,” he said, “I would still go to that class.”
At the Y, healthy living isn’t just about exercise. It’s about the people who show up for you, the friends who notice your progress, and the confidence that comes from showing up for yourself.