Childhood obesity /The Truth Hurts

Its amazing how in 2008 many individuals are still unaware of the obesity epidemic. In a country where size does matter there is no excuse for the dramatic increase of this epidemic across the board year after year. My job for the past 10 years has been to educate individuals about the importance of a healthy lifestyle that includes regular exercise and healthy eating habits. I have just recently for the past 2 years worked with a totally new market of individuals. Middle school aged kids. I opened a kids gym where children can come and consistently workout called LiteWeights Fitness Center for kids. My goal is the same as I stated earlier, to educate. The only difference is the age of my clients, same fundamentals. This experience has been fulfilling and challenging in so many ways. Fulfilling because I have been able to work with hundreds of kids giving them a head start at a healthier lifestyle. Seeing kids with low self-esteem, and serious health issues that were unthinkable in the past can be depressing. But I never let it get me down because my strength and positive attitude is what I use to help change their lives. To see the same children after months of participating in the program makes it worthwhile. Just imagine an 11 year old girl who is constantly teased at school, and doesn't participate in physical activities because of her weight. She had low self esteem, poor self image, and borderline diabetic. That was a year ago. Now imagine that same little girl winning a jump rope contest at school beating the same boys and girls who use to tease her. Now you understand how this can be fulfilling. Helping someone realize their full potential through fitness carries over in their everyday life. Teaching this potential is easy if that person is willing to listen and keep an open mind. It doesn't matter if that person is 8 years old or 80 years old. That's the fulfilling part of trying to impact the lives of children through fitness. The challenging aspect of this has not come from kids who don't know how to act, or scheduling, or motivation from children, or not enough time in my schedule, or insurance premiums, or competition from other businesses. But the only challenge in this whole endeavor has been from. GUESS





PARENTS!!!
Now your probably thinking PARENTS!!! How can they be the challenge when they are in most cases the ones to blame. Let's not play the blame game though let's solve the problem which is more important than who caused it. But, yes that has been my biggest challenge over the past two years. Parents who have no idea what to do about the little girl I talked about earlier, but still try to convince themselves that the issues their kids are faced with everyday isn't the most important item in their day planner. So your probably wondering what have they challenged me with. The answer is every excuse in the book. Time, Money, Motivation, Discipline, and of course the kids themselves. There should be no excuse why your child should not be given the chance to live a healthy lifestyle. YES, I do tell parents this everyday. Even parents who have been referred to me by their Pediatrician try to find an excuse. But no matter what they say its only an EXCUSE. I thought it would be interested to talk about the way these excuses are presented to me. I'll post these situations not to embarrass those who try to make it difficult for me to help there children, but to continue to educate individuals of the importance of a healthy lifestyle. This is just a different outlet.

There was an overweight parent that came in with questions about LiteWeights she had her very overweight 12 year old son with her and she had no idea how he gained so much weight over the years. But not important I explained how the program worked and all the services we offer. My program is very clear I don't confuse members with 10 different pricing packages or some complicated sales presentation. Her objection was not being able to fit it in her schedule because she had to make sure she had time to go to the gym. That's no problem you can drop him off for his workout and pick him up when you done. Her gym is to far from LiteWeights she said. This is just an excuse of course. I told her the only option that you have at this point is to do whatever it takes to get your son some help even if you have to drive 20 miles. She gets a little frustrated at this point because she feels I am putting to much pressure on her and telling her how to run her life. I have to be up front with parents because I am the voice for the kids who are suffering everyday and want help. Even if there feelings are hurt there's a more important issue we are faced with and that's the little boy or girl sitting in front of me. That wasn't he only objection after I overcame the first one, now after realizing this is just as important as the money she spends on fast food every month now she has to go home and think about it. THINK about what, if you can afford 40 dollars a month. She just told me she spends 80 dollars a week on fast food and cigarettes. My response, "Yes you can afford it so what is there to think about?" Nothing lets get your son started. Yes she did end up leaving and to my surprise she came back the next day and she has found a way to fit it in her schedule. She brings her son in 4 days a week and he has been a member for a year. He is doing great and they both have been losing weight they don't eat fast food anymore. He makes his mom use that money for something more important his HEALTH.