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| Students get moving with Project FIITNESS |
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| Written by Maddy Houk / Patterson Irrigator / | |
| Wednesday, 16 January 2008 | |
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“Being physically fit doesn’t mean you have to be a particular size or shape.” - Donna Mendes, Fitness Instructor  Fifteen-year-old Patterson High School student Antonio Chavez bounces on an exercise ball during a workout that's part of Project FIITNESS, an effort to improve local students' health. Photo by Elias Funez The students were warming up for a Project FIITNESS session under the guidance of Donna Mendes, who owns the Los Banos-based fitness business Donna Mendes’ Positive Changes. Participant Antonio Chavez, 15, said he considers the 24-week program important. “I believe in myself that I could lose weight,” Antonio said. “That way they won’t make fun of us, because a lot of people make fun of fat people. We want to prove we can do it and play sports and everything. I want to try out for football in the fall at Patterson High.” Project FIITNESS, which stands for Fostering Individual Improvement Through Nutrition, Exercise and Student Specialists, is a program for local students that aims to improve health habits of students at risk for health problems. Patterson High School freshman class members were weighed and had body mass index measured at the end of October. Sixty-six of the 440 freshmen were in the overweight category and 40 of them consented to following the program of motivational meetings, exercise classes and family involvement in a lifestyle change.  Feel the burn: Donna Mendes, a fitness instructor from Los Banos, demonstrates how to do situps on an exercise ball to several ninth-graders in Project FIITNESS. Photo by Elias Funez The newly formed West Valley Health Coalition started the program to improve the health of local youth. That group consists of the Patterson Unified School District, Del Puerto Health Care District, Patterson Parks and Recreation, Westside Community Alliance and insurance company Health Net. Project FIITNESS is not only about numbers on a scale, organizers say — it is about lifestyle change. During the past two months, sessions have included 12 to 20 freshmen who have walked, hiked and exercised together after school. Participant Marisol Sanchez, 14, wanted to take part because some of her family members have diabetes and high blood pressure. She said she has already learned to eat smaller portions that include vegetables and healthy foods. “At first, I just wanted to lose weight to look better,” Marisol said. “Now, it’s because of my health.” Roberto Barajas, 15, also said he participates in the program to get healthy. He has been eating right and exercising, and he enjoys being in a group. Healthy eating is key Mendes talked about healthy food choices before she led Thursday’s exercise class. She told the group that taking part in Project FIITNESS was a wonderful opportunity for the students to have a healthy lifestyle. “Being physically fit doesn’t mean you have to be a particular size or shape,” Mendes said. “You have to be strong and have stamina. The whole key is you have to move. It’s good to learn how to count calories, but it’s all about portions and how you eat. “Eat healthy — you’re going to feel so much better.”  Having fun, too: Participants run in the Apricot Valley cafeteria to get their hearts pumping. Photo by Elias Funez Lauren Cozart, health and wellness specialist for the city of Patterson’s Parks and Recreation Department, told the group that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. “Eat a bowl of cereal with fruit,” Cozart said. “You need to eat five smaller meals a day or you will mess up your metabolism.” Kathy Pon, assistant superintendent of educational services for Patterson Unified School District, coordinated Thursday’s session and reminded students about an upcoming meeting with a dietician. She said Project FIITNESS is progressing one step at a time. “We’ve all said this is not a sprint — it’s a marathon,” Pon said. “More than anything, we have to make it fun.”
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