What our participants have to say...

Comments from Kids:

“I feel like a new person. I am skinnier, faster, and feel better. I don’t run out of breath as often anymore. I can savor what I am eating. I get full faster and can limit what I eat. People say I look skinnier so I feel very good. The biggest thing that happened was I feel very good about myself.”

p.s. With the things I’ve learned from Dr. Gill, Reid [exercise specialist] and Mitch [dietitian], I believe I will be very healthy my whole life.
–Brandon A., nine-year-old boy

“It’s not every day that you are offered opportunities that can change your life. About a year ago I had a physical and my weight was at an all time peak, 148 pounds. My doctor was worried about my health and my social life. He told us about this new program called Healthy LIFE, which helps teach the skills that kids need to be healthy. Before our first session, I had gained another 4 pounds, weighing in at 152 pounds.

During the first six months, I learned a lot, and made a lot of progress. I was exercising on a daily basis and eating really healthy. I was losing about a pound each week. Then I went on vacation and gained a few pounds. But in the past when I would have been discouraged about the blip I knew I had the skills to get myself back on track. And I did.

Healthy LIFE has helped me with my self confidence, and my body image. While it used to get tiring trying on bathing suit after bathing suit, now I get tired of hearing, ‘You look so good!’ Isn’t it funny how things can change in a year? I still have work to do on my body but I now have no doubt that I can do it.

I want to thank the staff at Healthy Life for being there for me during the year and supporting me through my weight-loss. For all of the skills that you have given to me during the year, I can not thank you enough. You have truly changed my life. Thank you again!”
--- Marissa B., age 13 Group 1- July 2005

“I found the program interesting and I learned a lot. I felt really good about myself because I was able to change my habits and the way I look and feel.”
--- Female participant, age 13

Healthy Changes in eating that our participants shared with us:

• “Eating more fruits and veggies (most popular response)”

• “Eating smaller portion sizes (2nd most popular response)”

• “Eating until I’m full and then stop”

• “Eating less junk food”

• “Making healthier choices”

• "Being able to fit unhealthy foods into my calorie budget"

• "Eating breakfast daily"

• "Changing from whites to whole wheat"

• "Changing from whole milk to skim"

• "Eating more vegetables and salads"

• "Stopped drinking high calorie drinks"

• "At a party do not eat all the desserts"

• "Savoring food, eating slower"

• "Deciding if hungry before eating"

• "Reading labels for fiber"

• "Not eating poorly on family vacation"

• "Stopped eating so many treats"

• "No sugar drinks"

• "Looking for a healthier option"

• "Feeling full while eating and pushing the food away"

• "Learning the skills to live a healthy life"

Healthy Changes in physical activity that our participants shared with us:

• "Walking more (most popular response)"

• "Watch less T.V. (2nd most popular response)"

• "Workout/Exercise almost every day (3rd most popular response)"

• "Riding bike to school"

• "Found fun ways to exercise"

• "Enjoy walking on the treadmill"

• "Playing basketball more"

• "Joined gym"

• "Got DDR (Dance Dance Revolution physically active video game)…and used it!"

• "Sometimes bounced on ball while watching T.V."

• "Trying out for field hockey"

• "Using the trampoline as exercise"

• "Waking up early to walk on the treadmill"

• "Go to the gym more often"

• "Play more sports"

Some evidence our kids give that they have become more fit:

• "I feel more energetic (most popular response)"

• "I can run a mile non-stop without being out of breath"

• "I enjoy daily walking with my dogs"

• "I am getting faster in swimming"

• "I did better on after-program fitness test"

• "Able to run mile in presidential fitness"

• "Able to complete a spinning class"

• "Fitness test improvement after the Healthy LIFE program"

• "Swimming at the pool"

• "Playing basketball"

• "Riding a bike"

• "My body feels good!"

How our kids say they feel about themselves after
the program:

• "I feel better about the way I look"

• "I feel better about myself"

• "I feel more positive about my body image"

• "I think I look better"

• "More positive in knowing that I can act healthy"

• "I feel better when I lose weight"

• "I lost fat on my belly so all my clothes fit and look better on me"

To learn more, contact our Program Coordinator at
(973) 322-7496 or HealthyLife@sbhcs.com