Obesity in American children is said to be growing at epidemic proportions.
Naperville resident Eileen Murphy would like to do something about those numbers, and while she can’t help every kid overcome his or her problems, perhaps her fledgling business can inspire others.
Murphy, 41, is a mother of three children who has tried to teach her own kids good habits in terms of diet and exercise. Her plan is to offer “Fun with Fitness” — a three-days-a-week exercise and social event for kids between the ages of 5 and 11. Murphy said she hopes to address two separate issues:“One of the concerns is in regards to kids who are overweight and just not being as active as they need to be,” she said. “There’s also the child who doesn’t like to play team sports, isn’t on a travel league or that sort of thing. I feel those kids still need an activity, too.”
A computer programmer, Murphy said she began kicking around the idea to offer a basic exercise program for several months this past year. She said she has more than 10 years experience teaching and coaching.
Once she heard about the NFL Play 60 program at Thanksgiving, she jumped with both feet.
Murphy piloted her program Jan. 5. Too keep classes small, she has limited participants to no more than six per session, which will take place Monday, Wednesday and Friday for 45 minutes. One session will focus on kids 5 to 7, the other ages 8 to 11. Activities, she said, will be very fundamental.
“I’m not going to have weights and a lot of aerobic equipment,” Murphy said. “The focus will not be weight loss but rather healthy lifestyles. We will combine exercise with fun using basic aerobics, exercise balls, hula hoops, jump ropes and punching bags. There will be a short discussion at the end of each day about eating healthy — not dieting but making healthy choices.”
Photo by wishymom