Seasons of Wellness
ACT OUT!
Find Fun in
Nutrition and Fitness
Girls on the Run
May 2019 marked a turning point for 13-year-old Sheyly. Before that, she overate, chose unhealthy foods, drank lots of soda, and exercised infrequently. She says that those behaviors contributed to bloating and fatigue. Moreover, she had high cholesterol.
This summer, CCI health & Wellness Services partnered with Girls on the Run Montgomery County to offer the first ever summer Girls on the Run program. Led by CCI staff, girls ages 10 -13, who were participants of the ACT Out program were invited to join the Girls on the Run Heart & Sole program at a reduced cost. The Girls on the Run program provides a positive, structured space where girls can learn about themselves, explore new ideas, cultivate empathy and strengthen connections. Running is incorporated into each lesson to encourage physical wellness and teach life skills such as team building, creating a support system, standing up for themselves and others and decision making. The group met twice weekly throughout the summer at the Long Branch Community Center. At the end of the summer, the girls and coaches all completed the Run Baby Run 5K. Sheyly even received a top finisher award!
Then, Sheyly began receiving services through ACT Out, CCI Health & Wellness Services’ childhood obesity management and prevention program. She met with Angela, a CCI nutritionist who taught her how to read nutrition labels, manage portion sizes, choose healthy snacks, prepare smoothies with fruits and vegetables, and drink more water. As a result, her diet changed. “I have junk food one day a week or less,” Sheyly says. Instead, she eats cucumbers, broccoli, salad, smoothies, and other healthy foods. Sheyly even started to pack a healthy lunch, rather than getting it at school. Additionally, her mom incorporates more healthy foods when cooking for the family. Angela also gave Sheyly a Fitbit fitness tracker and connected her with CCI’s Girls on the Run (GOTR) group. GOTR couples exercise with education about the importance of physical and emotional health. Starting in July, Sheyly attended GOTR practices once a week with volunteer coaches and other girls her age. “The coaches were amazing to us,” she says. “They motivated us and taught us to never give up, especially during the [CCI Run Baby Run] 5K.” Over time, Sheyly has lost weight and gained energy, which she attributes to CCI’s program: “Without ACT Out, I wouldn’t have made changes. Without GOTR over the summer, I wouldn’t have done anything like exercise.” Sheyly encourages others to participate, noting that ACT Out “helps kids have fun while being healthy.”
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The coaches were amazing to us, they motivated us and taught us to never give up, especially during the [CCI Run Baby Run] 5K” - Sheyly
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