Nutrition & Wellness
Building healthy lifestyles and wellness opportunities for our members at the Edwardsville YMCA!
Nutrition Counseling
With both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in Nutrition and Dietetics from Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville (SIUE), Sarah brings a comprehensive academic foundation and a variety of practical experiences to her role at the YMCA. Her professional experience includes diverse internships in local hospitals, long-term care facilities, the SIUE Community Garden, and food banks. She also has hands-on experience providing nutrition education and counseling to Division 1 college athletes at SIUE Athletics. Each experience has deepened her ability to offer tailored, evidence-based nutrition guidance. Sarah is genuinely dedicated to empowering YMCA members with realistic, sustainable strategies for improving their health, whether through balanced nutrition plans or personalized support. Her goal is to help each individual achieve their wellness objectives and foster healthier, happier lives in the community she serves.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Your appointments will be tailored to your unique habits, lifestyle, interests and goals. At your initial appointment you can expect to answer some questions related to health history, intake, lifestyle and habits. Through evidence-based recommendations and practical strategies, Sarah assists clients in making informed decisions about their diet and lifestyle habits. Whether it’s weight management, sports nutrition, or simply improving overall well-being, Sarah is dedicated to guiding her clients on their journey to optimal health.
Set up your initial nutrition counseling appointment now by contacting Sarah at swatkins@edwymca.com.
What To Expect:
Our registered, licensed dietitian will work with you and/or your family to glean insight into unique eating habits, lifestyle, and goals. The process will allow for the dietitian and the client to work together to create a foundational action plan for improved nutrition and wellness that is practical and sustainable.
Cost:
Initial 1 Hour Session: $50
Follow Up Sessions $35 (Expires 3 months from purchase)
How to Get Started:
Register for Nutrition Counseling Package
You will then be contacted by the nutritionist, Sara Watkins at swatkins@edwymca.com. She will contact you within 72 hours of receiving your form. If you do not hear back within this time period, please contact Ann McLean at amclean@edwymca.com or 618-656-0436.
Start achieving your goals!
Nutrition Initiative Programs
Great City Race
How far can you walk or run in 10 weeks and make it home for Thanksgiving? Track your progress online as you travel from Edwardsville to Springfield (80 miles), Peoria (148 miles), Chicago (280 miles), or if you are up for the challenge to Atlanta (555 miles) or Washington DC (805 miles)! All participants will get a t-shirt marking your city/distance achieved. All Fitness levels are welcome and encouraged to participate!
Register Online ›Practical Self-Defense
Each hour-long class is partly dedicated to discussing tactics and strategies, proper attitude, awareness, avoidance, de-escalation, learning new movements and techniques; and applying those techniques using proper power generation, targeting, leverage, and positioning. The last part of class is dedicated to drills and exercises designed to improve strength and power, while helping to hardwire those techniques into the neuromuscular system. Participants should come away from each class with increased knowledge, coordination and power- both mental and physical.
Sat 10:30 – 11:25am • Meyer Center Upstairs
Members $38 • Non-Members $63