The Welch Family
Debbie, Peter & Erin / Roswell

“We need help!” says mom Debbie when asked why her family wanted to participate in our Get Fit Makeover. “The extra 20 pounds I’ve recently gained makes it painful to even go for a brisk walk.”

Her 9-year-old daughter, Erin, gained 15 pounds when she was 4 years old while taking medication for ADHD. “We thought her height would eventually catch up with that weight gain, it has not,” says Debbie. “Erin complains about muscle aches, knee pain and doesn’t sleep well.”

Dad Peter has expressed concern for both of his girls. He recently lost over 30 pounds and saw amazing health results.

“I think Erin will benefit from this makeover with better sleep, better-fitting clothes, less frustration when we shop for clothes, better health, improved family and peer relationships, improved self-esteem, and pride in her accomplishments,” says Debbie. “Erin enjoys sports but is hesitant to try new things.” 

Debbie thinks staying organized will be the hardest part of the makeover for her family. “We need a system to plan our days and meals so that we will stick to the lifestyle changes!” Deprivation may be an issue for this mother and daughter as well. “As much as we indulge ourselves now, I still hear ‘I’m starving!’ several times a day, so it’s bound to get worse,” says Debbie.

“We really just want to feel better,” says Debbie. “We’d all love to do more outdoor activities as a family, and spend less money on fast food and snacks.”

Update: Nutrition Knowledge

Page Love of NutriFit Sport Therapy has given Debbie and Erin little tricks to help make their healthy eating changes easier. Most of the tricks also promote family time, such as weekly shopping trips to the grocery store to plan healthy meals and keeping a food diary. Love recommends more vegetables and alternatives to cookies and chocolate to help curb Erin’s sweet tooth: Health Valley Oatmeal Raisin cookies and Clif Bars. The family also received snack ideas and hints for eating out.

Just as they suspected, the hardest part for the Welch family is still planning. “Page, our nutritionist, was able to give us some healthy tips for eating out,” says Debbie. “And we’ve been following her suggestions. We are getting better, though.”

The easiest part for the family has been the support of friends and family, particularly at Erin’s school, Mill Springs Academy. “She has had teachers, staff and fellow students talking about how proud they are of her,” notes Debbie. “As a matter of fact, her best friend has worked out with her and wants to support her by going to classes at Imagym with us.”  Erin’s teachers have also allowed Debbie to take healthy snacks into the classroom, which helps all the kids make better food choices and gets Erin excited.

Debbie and Erin have both noticed that their clothes are fitting better. “As far as attitude, we are not depriving ourselves, but we are substituting fruit for fries and cool wraps for fried nuggets with a minimum of bad
attitude!” says Debbie.

Update: Making Fitness Routine

Erin has been participating in a number of classes each week at Imagym in Sandy Springs. Classes like Fit Play Cardio Blast and Resistance and Cardio Circuit are fun for Erin, but they are also helping her build strength and endurance. “Also, to complement our fitness program on the days she does not attend our classes, we have created a series of circuit training segments in an easy-to-follow format based on the fitness equipment she has at home,” says Imagym owner Carla Civita.

The Welch family says exercising regularly is saving their lives. “I think we’re going through the ‘honeymoon is over’ phase at being back to school and into the holiday season excitement phase,” says mom Debbie. “Exercise is helping us manage our stress levels.”

Erin jumps on the mini-trampoline while Debbie cooks dinner. “The circuit routine for home use Imagym gave us is really handy when we’ve got 15-30 minutes here or there or to rejuvenate during homework,” says Debbie.

Debbie’s favorite things about exercising are the stress management, the smaller waistline and the clearer skin. For Erin, it’s mainly about exercise disguised as a play date. “She thrives on the compliments that she is getting,” says Debbie. “Erin isn’t a fan of stretching because it’s ‘too slow,’ but she knows it’s important.”

Fitness is really becoming a part of the Welchs’ routine. Walking dogs with friends, taking exercise breaks during homework, and make-believe play including “Dancing with the Stars” and “I’m a Rock Star” make exercising an easy, fun addition to their lives.

Get Fit Partners:

Nutrition: Nutrifit Sport Therapy Inc. (www.nutrifitga.com), headquartered in Atlanta, was founded in 1992 by Page Love, an expert on sports nutrition and eating disorders in the Southeastern United States. In addition to consulting with individuals, athletes, teams and companies in her practice, Love is an outstanding public speaker, providing presentations about nutrition and fitness for a variety of events. She also lends her considerable expertise to reputable nutrition-oriented companies as a media spokesperson.

Love’s credentials include:

• Registered dietitian of the American Dietetic Association
• Health and fitness instructor certified by the American College of Sports Medicine
• Strength and conditioning specialist certified by the National Strength and Conditioning Association
• Nutritionist with the U.S. Tennis Association National Sports Science Committee
• Past President of the Atlanta Dietetic Association
• Past Media spokesperson for the Georgia Dietetic Association
• Recognized Young Dietitian for the State of Georgia
• Georgia Healthy Fitness Leader Award

Fitness: Located in the heart of Sandy Springs, Imagym Kids Play and Fitness (www.imagymkids.com) is an innovative leader in the kids’ health and fitness industry. Founded in 2005, Imagym has pioneered the concept of making fitness fun, engaging and a way of life for kids and their families. Known for its quality programs, state-of-the-art equipment, sought after staff and quality amenities, Imagym offers Atlanta a five-star experience, for kids and parents alike.

With great activities that include age-appropriate gymnastics, fit-play, sports skills, yoga, cardio and resistance, dance and self defense, Imagym’s year-round programs offer developmentally appropriate and progressive activities for kids ages 6 months to 12 years.

In addition to their extensive programs, Imagym offers a wide variety of programs especially developed for families’ busy lifestyles, including a semi-personal training program called KidSolutions. Working directly with a personal trainer, the young members work on specialized routines to reach their goals of improving physically in a particular sport or simply becoming more fit and healthy.

Imagym is also a great alternative for hosting field trips, birthday parties and seasonal camps. With their staff dedication and keen attention to detail, Imagym is sure to deliver an unforgettable experience.

Imagym became a Get Fit Partner because they feel that parents need to understand that getting fit is a continuous and on-going process. It is a lifestyle. “Parents should develop and maintain a more active life so they can set the example for their children and benefit from living healthier, enjoying more energy and less stress,” says Imagym Owner Carla Civita.

It is never to late to start a regimen of moderate physical activities and more balanced, healthier meals. “I highly recommend families to simply commit to get active for at least 60 minutes a day,” she says. “A daily walk in the park, outdoor games with friends and family or riding a bike are some of the numerous options for kids.” According to studies by the U.S. Surgeon General, children born today have a shorter life expectancy then their parents due to inactivity and diet.

“We, at Imagym offer a flexible and high value program in which children can attend a variety of classes so they can be introduced to a more active lifestyle and explore a wider variety of physical activities,” says Civita. “We believe that having children enjoy fun, engaging and diverse fitness classes provides them with the right formula to develop a healthier and more active lifestyle.