Find Fun in Nutrition and Fitness

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.

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, they motivated us and taught us to never give up, especially during the [CCI Run Baby Run] 5K” - Sheyly

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.”

“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.”