Member Spotlight: Lauren Loomis

17 July 2025
Lauren and Aaron at Great Bridge Hickory YMCA

For Lauren Loomis, wellness is personal, but it’s never been something she had to do alone. A mother of four, Realtor, and part-time nutrition coach, Lauren first joined the Princess Anne Family YMCA with her family in 2017. She was a stay-at-home mom at the time, looking for something active to do with her kids, and the corporate membership through her husband, Aaron’s, work as a Longshoreman was too good to pass up. Her children could go to Stay & Play, and she could take a moment to focus on herself.

After moving to Moyock, North Carolina, Lauren started driving 20 minutes to the Great Bridge/Hickory Family YMCA, where she continues to feel supported, encouraged, and right at home.

In 2022, Lauren decided to get serious about her wellness journey by focusing on small, consistent steps. At 250 pounds, she set a realistic goal: lose one pound each week. By simply showing up and sticking with it, she exceeded that target. Today, she’s down 75 pounds and feeling stronger than ever.

While she’s taken Group Power and Spin classes, her unpredictable schedule means she often works out solo. She follows workouts from an online fitness coach she and a group of her Y friends all love, sharing routines and keeping each other motivated.

Lauren’s entire family has continued to come to the Y. Although Lauren and Aaron don’t usually train together, they support each other’s health goals. As her kids grow, they continue to find fun and connection at the Y, from day-to-day visits to summer memories at YMCA Camp Silver Beach. Her 14-year-old has attended camp twice, and her 10-year-old went for the first time this summer.

Over time, the Y has become more than just a place where they work out or go to the pool. It’s a community of support, where Lauren has built lasting friendships with other women who encourage each other through life’s challenges and triumphs.

Lasting change starts with showing up, and the Y meets you where you’re at, whether you’re just beginning your journey or three years in, like Lauren.