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PERFECTLY FABULOUS Volume 15 Number 37 | 50¢
September 14, 2016
Alicia Ashcroft
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Learning healthier choices through the MEND Program Forget about January, September is the start of a new year; offering the crisp feeling of a fresh start. For many families, the new school year means getting back into the routine that was relaxed over summer holidays. For those who flew through last year by the seat of their pants and woefully failed to organize and prepare, it’s also a great time to re-evaluate habits and practices. First order of business: our health and fitness. Not much else matters if we are not in tip-top condition. The YMCA/YWCA’s MEND Program, a nutritional awareness and physical fitness initiative, is a great way to kick of the fall season! Standing for Mind, Exercise, Nutrition, Do it!, MEND is aimed at children ages seven to 13 and their families, the program offers two sessions a week for ten weeks. The MEND Program coordinator Kathryn Sharples is a nutritionist; she is also a single mother who understands the challenges of feeding a family on a budget. Through these classes and a field trip to the grocery store, families will learn their way around the food labels and find creative ways to make meals more interesting. Funded by the Province of BC through organizations such as Healthy Families BC, Childhood Obesity Foundation, BC Children’s Hospital, the
(L-R) Natalie watches as Aaliyah does the step with MEND facilitator Kathryn Sharples during Healthy Kids Day.
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Provincial Health Services Authority and the BC Recreation and Parks Association—this program is absolutely free for families to join. Better yet, MEND participants are provided a free three months YMCA family membership. For those who maintain regular attendance, their membership is extended by another three months. The MEND program is not a diet or a weight loss program; it is a healthy lifestyle kick-start for families. Children and parents will learn about nutrition, label reading, goal setting and the positive impact of clean eating and consistent exercise habits. Children become “MEND detectives” and will learn about fats and sugars, understand the difference between refined and unrefined foods. Through the program, facilitators will debunk myths about what foods are “friendly and unfriendly”; such common offenders are yogurt, granola bars and cereal. “No foods are forbidden”, says Kathryn, “but certain foods should be limited”. Parents will learn about time management and food preparation. More importantly, it’s a team effort for the entire family. Not only is the class a great educational, motivational opportunity to connect as a family, it’s a great way to meet new people in a positive - continued on page 2
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