News :
Fitness program targets overweight teen girls
NEWS - JOURNALONLINE, July 7 2005 -- During the teen years,
young girls establish lifestyle habits that will guide them into adulthood.
A recent study reported in Health Scout News found that the amount of
regular exercise girls get in their spare time drops by more than 80
percent between elementary school and late adolescence.
Given that 15 percent of American youth are overweight,
triple the amount since the 1970s, Ladies Workout Express, a local fitness
club owned by Bill and Maureen Minicozzi, is doing something about it.
The Daytona Beach club is providing teen girls a safe, comfortable,
and friendly environment where they can exercise and receive nutritional
counseling. The summer program is free for girls, from ages 13 to 18,
until Aug. 31.
Maureen said, "We realize that many weight and health
problems are caused by habits formed early in life. That's why at Ladies
Workout Express we want to provide young women with an atmosphere where
they will feel confident and encouraged to develop positive habits that
will start them out on a path to a healthy lifestyle as an adult."
Girls of all shapes and sizes are encouraged to participate.
It is the goal of Ladies Workout Express to help teenage girls to lose
weight, tone what they have, or begin strength training for fall sports.
There is no minimum participation required, so the girls can come in
every day or just a few times a week as desired.
Obesity is considered a leading cause of cardiovascular,
orthopedic, gastrointestinal, respiratory, hormonal, neurological and
metabolic diseases, such as diabetes, but it can also manifest itself
through psychological difficulties.
Whether or not a teen is struggling with weight, body image
is an important component of an adolescent's developing identity, according
to researchers. The number of unhealthy messages in today's media and
social environments leading to body dissatisfaction have a strong potential
to affect an adolescent's sense of identity.
Specializing in women's fitness since 1984, Ladies Workout
Express provides a training regiment designed to burn 600-900 calories
in 30 minutes. The workout equipment available has 10 adjustable settings
allowing for a variable circuit training which, according to the Minicozzis,
lessens the probability of reaching a weight loss plateau.
Since teenagers require a healthful, balanced diet in order
to grow, all girls in the FitTeen program receive complimentary nutritional
counseling. "We can instill the importance of exercise in our teenage
girls but, unless we teach them how to eat responsibly and what foods
will provide the maximum nutrition, then our girls are facing an uphill
battle," Bill said. "We have seen great results from the exercise
program and the nutritional counseling."
A parent must approve and endorse appropriate paperwork
for a teen to participate in the FitTeen Program. The program was the
brainchild of the corporate offices of Ladies Workout Express and 2005
is its the third year in existence. Once summer 2005 has ended, teens
may continue at Ladies Workout Express at a cost of $14,95 per month,
half the normal rate. "In addition to the great health benefits,"
said Maureen, the program is designed to promote spending quality time
between moms and daughters."
After the summer program, girls can continue to participate
for free if their mother is a Ladies Workout Express client.
For more information about the FitTeen Program, contact
Bill and Maureen Minicozzi at Ladies Workout Express, 2623 N. Atlantic
Ave., No. 43 in the Bellair Plaza, Daytona Beach. The telephone number
is 677-4160.
Anxious to make a difference, Maureen said, "The program
is fast, simple, and easy. All you have to do is just walk through the
doors, say hi, and we'll do the rest!"
(source : www.news-journalonline.com)
