- my iParenting
- quick clicks
- recipes today articles
- recipes today q&a
- message boards
- research baby names
- prepare a birth plan
- content channels
- ip channel rss feeds
- read birth stories
- read parenting stories
- recommended books
- e-newsletters
- safety recalls
- ip diaries
- ip store
- mom of the month
- dad of the month
- editor's letter
- letters to the editor
 |
- e-newsletters
- Sign up to receive our free weekly e-newsletters
- award-winning products
The iParenting Media Awards program helps parents find the best products for their families.
Fit Camps
Losing Weight, Gaining Friends
By Teri Brown
When Jack and Susan Byrne of Clark, N.J., decided to send their 14-year-old son to a summer camp that specialized in weight loss and fitness, it wasn't because of lack of trying other options. "We tried just dieting at home, but it didn't last for long," says Susan Byrne. "John's health was a concern. His blood pressure was elevated, and the doctor kept telling us he had to do something for the weight."
After watching a program on weight loss camps for children, Susan Byrne thought that might be the answer for her son. During some research, she became intrigued with New Image Weight Loss Camps.
"I sent away for information, and they sent me a great tape to watch with John," says Byrne. "My husband and I were impressed and last May went up to visit. It's a beautiful place and looked like a great place to be!"
John was at New Image Weight Loss Camp for three weeks. It was the first time he had ever gone to camp, and Byrne was concerned with how he would manage. Her fears were unfounded as John made friends easily.
"John got a substantial education at camp," she says. "Besides always being busy and moving and active in a fun way, he made friends for life. He got the knowledge to eat healthy, to make better choices when picking snacks or meals and how to limit his portions."
When John left camp, his friends called to him on his way out, "John, stay on program!" Byrne knew that this was a life-changing experience for her son – not just a diet, but something he would take with him always.
Weight loss camps are a very real option for parents who find it difficult to regulate what their children eat.
Tony Sparber is the executive director of New Image Camps, a group of three weight loss camps in the United States. He feels the New Image Camps are as much about self-esteem as they are about learning healthy eating habits. "Our camp is more than just losing weight," says Sparber. "We focus in on the habits of the kids to allow them to make lifestyle changes."
