Story by Charles Davis. Reprinted with permission from the Green Bay Press Gazette. For Anna Williams, CJXO spells healthy.
The 13-year-old Green Bay girl jogged in between lying on a fitness floor and stretching her body into each letter.
"It's exciting, because we're all getting healthier," she said.
Seven kids and their families learned Tuesday that getting healthy could be a lot of fun at the opening of the fall session of KidShape at Bellin Health in Bellevue. In the 10-week program, kids ages 6 to 13 meet weekly and work on self-esteem, exercise and eating right.
"Childhood obesity is a problem all over the U.S.," said Roxanne Denneau, Bellin Health registered dietician. "Neighborhoods aren't exactly set up for children to play or ride their bikes to school."
The Greater Green Bay Community Foundation and Bellin employees fund the program led by a dietician, mental health professional and personal trainer.
Kids learned how to make low-fat smoothies, which can substitute for a quick breakfast or snack, and exercised to pop music. The 13 kids who finished the program last spring ate better, exercised more and watched less TV, Denneau said.
Cheryl Williams, Anna's mom, said the program covers all the bases and offers good support.
"It will help us work together as a family on healthy habits," she said.
Lisa Niespodzany of Ashwaubenon brought her son and enjoyed the nutritional ideas and family structure.
"It's probably as much for the parent, so we know how to keep them healthy," she said.