Student athlete creates weight-loss program for senior project

After Lillian "Lily" Younce had knee surgery in September due to past injuries from wrestling, she couldn't resume her sports activities. "I missed out on wrestling this year, which was kind of a bummer," she said. "With me just sitting around and trying to recover from my knee, I ended up gaining weight."

Inspired by her planned course of study of exercise science in college, Younce decided to put together a healthy weight-loss program for her senior year project, in partnership with her father, Joe Younce.

"My dad and I have a schedule of the things that we are to do every day," she said. "We are doing a low-carb diet and just watching what we eat. My mom helps with that because she's normally the one to do dinner when she's not working. I am still researching more things that we can accomplish."

Delayed by her four months of recovery, schoolwork, part-time job, extracurricular activities and a head cold, they finally began their program on Feb. 3. Thus far, Younce said the most fun part has been spending time with her dad and planning all the different aspects including the various types of exercise. "We start with a stretch," she said. "We ride our bikes for 30 minutes every night."

But she understands that she will need to have patience.

"So far, it's taught me that it's going to take a lot of time and management, especially since I did just have to have surgery and I'm still recovering from it," she said.

The most difficult part of the project for Younce was getting started. "Because I've been sick and busy working," she said. "But we finally maintained a good schedule."

She said her knee is much better now, and she has two more months of recovery.

After graduation, Younce said she will stay with her maternal aunt Penny Macris in Seattle to attend Pacific University in the fall, and her chosen major will tie into sports management. "I got directly admitted into the exercise science major, so I'm pretty excited."

Younce believes her experience in sports will assist her with her chosen field in relating to fellow athletes. "I think it's important because you can get to know the person more, and you can understand what they're going through, especially if you've been through the same thing," she added. "So you can help more one-on-one, and just help them train better and get them to be 100%."

Her major could also lead to other avenues, such as sports medicine, should she choose.

She added she might return to her passion for wrestling in college if it's available in the athletics program. "Other than that, I've been looking into soccer, which I've never done."

One thing that Younce will miss most about high school is her time as an athlete. "Being on the mat and being able to cheer on our teams," she said.

One thing that she will not miss? "Waking up early," she said. "I just don't like the mornings."