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Recovery: The Secret to Crushing Your Fitness Goals (Even After a Setback)

If you’ve ever taken a tough exercise class at the JCC, you’ve probably heard the instructor emphasize the importance of recovery.  Why? Muscles do not grow during exercise itself; they grow during recovery.  When we exercise, particularly with strength training or high-intensity activities, muscle fibers experience tiny amounts of damage. It’s not until the process of recovery that muscle growth occurs.  The good news is that …

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JCC State of Mind: January 31 2025 – CFLK Shabbat Dinner

The JCC Center for Loving Kindness (CFLK) Advisory Committee is a committed group of leaders from Greater Pittsburgh, each working to strengthen community. Over time, it became clear to us that even those who help others need space to reset. CFLK is here to answer that call, offering a moment to pause, lean on one another, and recharge. This past Friday, Advisory Committee members and guests …

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Diversity and Inclusion Month is February!

Definition: “Diversity and inclusion (D&I) are concepts that describe the value of people's differences and the importance of creating a sense of belonging for all.” Exercise can evoke strong feelings in anyone, and especially for differently abled individuals, who might feel self-conscious of our bodies or the ways in which we are able to move them. Sweating and increased temperatures may bring sensory sensations to the forefront. Maybe you …

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Learning to Lift: Part 1: Benefits of Resistance Training

The topic of resistance training has gained popularity in recent years, and it is very exciting to see from a professional’s standpoint. However, for someone who hasn’t had much experience with resistance training, it probably feels a bit overwhelming. In this series of newsletters, I hope to provide you with a basic understanding of what resistance training is, its benefits, and how to appropriately apply …

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JCC State of Mind: January 24, 2025 – Leadership Gathering

Yesterday, the JCC’s Leadership Team came together for a ½ day "advance" to assess our progress in both programs and organizational culture and to prioritize our work for the immediate future. Instead of calling our time together a "retreat," we embraced the term "advance." While "retreat" could imply stepping back, "advance" speaks to our purpose: Moving forward together, building momentum and striving toward shared goals. This …

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Whole Health Insights: Does Calorie Counting Work?

People often ask me if they should count calories to lose weight. Unfortunately, my answer is rarely what they want to hear. Like so many things in wellness and nutrition, the answer is: it’s complicated! Some people hope I’ll say, “Yes, absolutely,” and hand them a precise calorie target and a logical prescription to make the pounds melt away. Others secretly pray I’ll say, “No, it’s …

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JCC State of Mind: January 17, 2025 – Breaking Ground

As we step into a new year filled with opportunities and challenges, it’s a good time to reflect on the pivotal role the JCC plays in meeting the evolving needs of our community. Together, we are more than just a community center; we are very much a home for connections, values, growth and fun! The JCC has always been guided by our vision of activating community …

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Whole Health Insights: Struggling with your New Year’s Resolution? Time to call in Reinforcements!

We’re halfway through January, and if you’re anything like me, you might be kicking yourself for falling behind on your New Year’s resolution. My aim for 2025 was simple (or so I thought) - do more strength training. Yet, here I am, happily wandering the JCC, chatting with friends, logging extra cardio, and leaving the weights untouched. Instead of beating myself up or giving up entirely, …

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JCC State of Mind – January 10, 2025

For anyone who knows me, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that I am driven by a passion for continuous improvement and a love for measurable accomplishments. Whether it’s pushing myself in a DEKA competition, working with our team to achieve new membership milestones at the JCC, or improving our overall score on the Leading Edge Employee Experience Survey, I’ve always aimed high. Four months ago, at the JCC’s …

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JCC of Greater Pittsburgh Announces UPMC as the Local Presenting Sponsor of the 2025 JCC Maccabi Campus Games

PITTSBURGH, PA – The Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh (JCC) is excited to announce UPMC as the local presenting sponsor of the inaugural 2025 JCC Maccabi® Campus Games in Pittsburgh, taking place from August 3-8, 2025. This prestigious partnership underscores UPMC’s commitment to promoting health, wellness and community engagement throughout the region. The JCC Maccabi Campus Games are a premier athletic event, bringing together nearly …

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