Local Leader Keeps Us In Shape | Meet Jean White
Name: Jean White (My real name is Regina which some people don’t know!)
Location: Westfield Area YMCA
Contact Information: jwhite@westfieldynj.org; jeanwhite125@yahoo.com
Tell us about yourself. Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Maplewood. As a kid, I was never into sports or athletics. Honestly, I wasn’t aware of “sports.” Back then, that kind of thing was more for boys than girls. I was just growing up and having a good time with friends. After I got married, we moved to Garwood in 1977, and I got a full-time job at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Elizabeth, working the 3–11 pm shift.
In early 1980, my neighbor asked me if I wanted to go to an “aerobics” class. So I thought, Sure, why not? I had free time since I worked evenings and didn’t have kids, so I started going to classes at the Knights of Columbus in Westfield. We would go once or twice a week and sometimes ride our bikes there. It was fun and gave me something to do.
That same year, in November, my first daughter was born 8 weeks early. The doctor said it may have been due to all the jumping around in my aerobics classes! My new baby, Sarah, spent almost 8 weeks in the hospital (where I had been employed) and received the best care. Today, she is an emergency room nurse in a hospital. Anyway, I became a full-time mother, spending my time with my new love, and exercise classes went by the wayside.
find an activity that you like so you will want to do it, stay with it, and not make excuses why you can’t do it.
What inspired you to get into fitness?
When Sarah was about 10 months old, my neighbor told me about some exercise classes being offered at the Garwood Knights of Columbus right down the street from where I lived, so off we went! Fortunately, my husband worked evenings and was able to be with Sarah while I squatted, curled, and planked. After a while, I started seeing a change in my body. I also felt stronger and had more energy to take care of my growing family. When I got pregnant with my second child, I was not allowed to do any strenuous activity, so once again, exercise was moved to the back burner. Gabrielle was born (on schedule) in December 1983. As soon as I had my doctor’s clearance, I started exercising again. At this time, the owner of the fitness program that I was now happily and fully ensconced in suggested that I start teaching classes. Huh? Me? Heck NO! But she was so persistent! “I’ll help you.” “You can do it.” “Give it a try.” Hmmm…again, me? I knew how good it felt to be out socializing, moving, and getting stronger with friends. So I took a leap of faith and reluctantly said yes. And she did help, train, and encourage me, and it turns out I could do it! And I loved it! So here I am, 40 years later, never expecting that my saying yes would land me where I am today.
How long have you been teaching at the YMCA?
I’ve been at the Y since 2000. I was hired part-time to teach water exercise and seniors, two types of classes I had never taught. However, the Y needed instructors, so I sat in on some classes, took the required training, and received certifications in both disciplines. Over the years, I have attended a variety of group fitness classes at the Y and loved them all. I went for additional training and certifications to expand my knowledge of fitness and the body and become a better teacher. I added Strength, Cycle, Seniors, TRX, HIIT, and Pilates to the list of classes I am certified to teach.
My employment at the Y went from a part-time instructor to a full-time group fitness coordinator/instructor and now Health/Wellness and AOA (Active Older Adults) Director. After Covid, I returned as a fitness instructor and continue to be in charge of senior activities. This was my dream job. I get to go to work to teach fitness classes and help people stay healthy!
Tell us more about the class you teach, Delay the Disease.
In 2011 or 2012 (I can’t remember exactly when), several Y staff were sent to a Parkinson’s exercise training called “Delay the Disease.” After 3 days of learning about Parkinson’s and how vital exercise and movement are for them, we received the required certification to teach this new program. The Y added exercise classes for people with Parkinson’s.
Our first class had about 25 people with Parkinson’s, and I was so scared to teach this new class to this new group because, again, it was uncharted territory for me. I planned on staying in the background during the first class to observe and let the other trainers lead. However, that didn’t happen. Sitting there and watching, I felt compelled to take a more active role. Maybe lead the class. Huh? Me? It was a familiar feeling, yet I wanted to help this new group. These people needed to exercise — not to lose weight or love handles — but to live. I don’t know how I did it, but I got up, took another leap of faith, and started teaching the class that day. I loved it, and I’m so glad that I did it.
As I was showering that night, I thought about what one of the members said to me after that first class. They said, “Jean, I feel like I have hope again.” I cried in the shower that night.
Being involved in the Parkinson’s community, I realize that I can make a difference. I can motivate them, help improve their physical and mental well-being, and make them smile and laugh. And they do the same for me! I am sure I get more out of the class than they do. What a blessing.
What advice can you give someone interested in making fitness a priority in 2024?
Well, first of all, find an activity that you like so you will want to do it, stay with it, and not make excuses why you can’t do it. If you hate running, then don’t run! Find something that you enjoy and will stay with. Bring someone with you so you can hold each other accountable. Exercise and walking with a buddy are always more enjoyable. If the first activity you try is awful, then move on and try something else. These days, there are so many fitness formats and facilities. There’s no excuse. Walking is great, and it’s free!
The other thing, in my opinion, is that one of the hardest things about exercising might simply be getting to where you are going! Whether you’re heading outside for a walk, going to the Y for a class, or setting your weights up in the living room to take a fitness class on Zoom, (Yes, the Y still offers Zoom classes!) Exercise itself is fine; you can modify any type of activity to make it harder or easier. It’s committing to go and do it and then taking the necessary steps to get there — that may be the hardest part!
Need motivation? Call me!