Getting off to a healthy start

Fitness guru Scott Cole — a Houston native, former cheerleader at the University of Texas at Austin, 1987 National Aerobics Champion, world traveler and “Abs of Steel” video star — was tired.

He was tired of reading reports about how America’s children were overweight.

After his sister died as a result of juvenile diabetes, Cole sprang into action, creating his “Get Fit America for Kids” fitness program, which incorporates Tai Chi and yoga with a healthy jolt of fun.

An estimated 16 percent of Americans ages 6 to 11 were overweight from 1999 to 2002, four times as many as in the 1960s, according to the National Center for Health Statistics.

“This is called the monkey bear,” Cole instructed about 50 children Friday morning at the Southside YMCA.

“Make monkey noises,” he said as the children mimicked his movements. “Now make bear noises.”

The room transformed into a jungle filled with monkeys, bears (and a handful of monkey-bears).

The cacophony of sound is music to Cole’s ears, because it means the kids are enjoying being active.

“It was really good,” Angel Gustavo Bejerano, 9, said.

“I had a wonderful time,” D.D. Williams, 11, concurred.

“He’s just amazing. He just jumps right in and, the kids just love him,” Children’s Miracle Network Director Rachel Shintani Dobbs said.

Cole’s trip to Odessa stemmed in part from a friendship that began in college with Rhonda Lewallen, Medical Center Hospital’s public relations coordinator, he said.

Today he will appear at Healthy Kids’ Fun Day from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Floyd Gwin Park.

MCH’s Family Health Clinic will offer free immunizations to kids ages 4 to 18, in addition to free goodies like backpacks, Frisbees and school supplies. Activities include bounce jumpers, face painting, game booths, magicians, mascots, a smokehouse and fire engine, according to a news release.

Cole, barefoot and wearing a blue sleeveless T-shirt and lightweight long pants, summed up his 20-minute presentation by breaking down fitness into four components: strength, self-appreciation, having a good time expressing yourself and letting go of stress.

He emphasized the importance of allowing kids the choice of a variety of physical activities, whether it be dancing, sports, jumping rope or martial arts.

Growing up in Texas, Cole said, exercise options consisted of “football or football.”

And don’t neglect to stretch, he said, calling it “the forgotten component of fitness.”

Cole also said school campuses should get rid of soft drinks; in fact, schools shouldn’t serve any food or beverage containing high fructose corn syrup, he said.

He reckoned that the vast majority of behaviorally related problems in schools were sugar-related.

“I was a kid once,” he said. “I know that feeling of craving sugar to the max.”

However, he continued, “A bag of Cheetos and a Coke is not lunch.”

WANT TO GO?

>> The Fun Day takes place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. today at Floyd Gwin Park