Dina_Lieberman
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Sep 11, 2008, 11:48 AM
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Motivating Overweight Youth Today for a Healthy Tomorrow
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The MobilizeYouth fitness and nutrition program for overweight youth and teens 8-16 years had its most successful Boot Camp this past July. The results were enormous due to the rigorous six and a half hour days spent in fitness, sports, swimming and weekly hiking in the country with the Bruce Trail Association. In addition, lunch guidelines were provided with awards given for the most consistency in healthy eating, and the law was laid down: no sugar drinks, no fast or prepared foods for the full month! Inches came off, weight was lost, and lots of self-confidence restored. All this is to be expected when there are expectations placed on our youth.
Going into our third after school and weekend season, there is much to share with parents who have a child with low self-esteem, one who spends little time in physical activity or hasn’t the interest or stamina to play sports; sneak eats or overeats all of which triggers nagging on the part of parents.
Usually parents’ distress about their child’s growing weight and extreme lack of physical activity prompts a call to action. They come to us to help find a solution. At MobilizeYouth, we may stop the weight gain, build strength and stamina, instill confidence in kids and teens and motivate everyone to raise the bar on their fitness, but often we see our hard-won efforts fall by the wayside due to a lack of parent support.
Lifestyle change does not happen overnight. Weight loss happens over time when parents implement meal planning guidelines, and kids are involved in three weekly physical fitness sessions – that’s when we see real progress. A commitment on the part of the family is crucial despite the hardships of cost, driving and a firm commitment to regular attendance. The MobilizeYouth experience will mean long term gain for a child who will gain the tools for healthy eating and learn about the positive aspects of being fit. Focusing on weight loss sets kids up for failure.
The strength of the MobilizeYouth program is that it helps to establish a new attitude and mindset by opening up a world of achieving good health to young people. One month of the MobilizeYouth boot camp or the 16-week September – June session achieves a new outlook. We urge parents to act on that call by making this vital commitment.
Parents can write up to $500 through the Children’s Physical Activity Tax Credit and through nutrition counselling benefits at work.
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MobilizeYouth begins September 16 – (Registration open ended)
The Columbus Centre
901 Lawrence (west of Dufferin)
Toronto, Ontario
M6A 1C3
Tuesdays/Thursdays 4:30pm – 6:00pm
Sundays 11:00am-12:30pm
Visit: MobilizeYouth
Dina Lieberman has participated in many creative pursuits from Director of Development at Opera Atelier - Toronto, Ontario - and with Diabetes and Transplant Campaigns. A filmmaker, she produced and directed Canada's first breast cancer documentary at the National Film Board. Dina's indepth experience in health care, organizational development, and fundraising provide the impetus and background for her new venture - MobilizeYouth.
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(This post was edited by Dina_Lieberman on Sep 11, 2008, 2:08 PM)
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