Camp Helps Overweight Kids

Last Update: 5/28/2009 6:01 pm

Jim Brinkman

Jim Brinkman has been overweight his whole life. At 35-years-old he was at his heaviest of 285, he was in bad health and to the point of considering gastric bypass surgery.

One day it hit him that he needed to be in better health and lose weight. So he went on a diet by just watching what he ate and made a point to be more active.

Now, more than 100 pounds lighter, Brinkman wants to make a difference in the lives of children, where obesity seems to be far too common.

“Child obesity is growing at an alarming rate … (When I was younger) it would have been nice if someone tapped me on the shoulder and said, ‘Hey buddy, do you know what you are doing?,'” Brinkman said.

Providing that tap on the shoulder is where Brinkman thought he needed to start. He created the “Better Bodies Junior Fit Club,” a summer day camp program at 2230 Grandview Drive Ft. Mitchell, Ky 41017 aimed at teaching children ages 11 to 15 how to exercise, achieve a healthier lifestyle and build better self-esteem.

A typical day at the two-day a week camp consists of activities such as meeting with a trainer, weigh-ins, creating a food journal, exercises and hearing lectures about topics such as eating-out.

Brinkman said the program is not as much about losing weight as it is about bringing down body fat.

Brinkman said he timed the program to start right after school lets out so the young people could stay active throughout the summer.

The program's goal is for participants to return to school more “lean and mean.”

“They are probably going to hate me for the first few weeks,” Brinkman said. “I’m hoping that I can get one or more kids in this camp to be dedicated and make a life change.”

One way Brinkman tries to motivate campers is by enlarging some pictures of himself at his heaviest and showing them to the kids.

“I’d rather let them see me with my big belly and say ‘if he can do it I can do it, too.’”

The deadline to apply for Better Bodies Junior Fit Camp is May 31. For more information on the program call (859) 344-9995 or visit betterbodiesnky.com.

Kentucky Post

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