Rancho Cucamonga middle school students are getting fit
RANCHO CUCAMONGA - Raymond Martinez has a goal - to drop 20 pounds in six weeks.
To do that, the Cucamonga Middle School seventh-grader is getting fit by joining the school's boot camp, which is part of the campus free after-school sport clinic.
"This is a really cool way to get fit, it's fun and it keeps you busy after school," said Raymond, 12.
He said the after-school boot camp program, which began last week, has already taught him new stretches and different ways to work out.
To do that, the Cucamonga Middle School seventh-grader is getting fit by joining the school's boot camp, which is part of the campus free after-school sport clinic.
"This is a really cool way to get fit, it's fun and it keeps you busy after school," said Raymond, 12.
He said the after-school boot camp program, which began last week, has already taught him new stretches and different ways to work out.
"You don't have to struggle to get fit, you just have to keep a steady pace," Raymond said.
The middle school used to have a sports league for students but due to budget cuts that ended this school year, said Terry Ross, teacher and drill instructor at Cucamonga.
As a supplement the school created the after-school sports clinic program focusing on different activities for students. So far students have played football and basketball; and the teachers get involved too, Ross said.
"For a lot of kids this is the only way they would participate in an after-school activity," he said.
Like most after school sports programs, students have to maintain a 'C' average to participate.
Students are also learning how to eat and keep a healthy life-style.
Each student was given a list of diet and exercises they can do on their own to kick those not-so-healthy habits.
The recommendations:
Add more fruits and vegetables to their diets.
Cut down on saturated fat, trans fat, sodium and added sugar.
Emphasize plant-based, whole foods rather than processed foods.
Be as active as possible.
Students are also told to get adequate sleep and to stay away from unhealthy behavior like tobacco use.
Although boot camp just started, Raymond said he's already noticed some change.
"I'm more flexible and I don't have to struggle as much when I'm moving around," he said. "I'm really motivated - I'm not just doing this for my health, but so I can see a better me."
The middle school used to have a sports league for students but due to budget cuts that ended this school year, said Terry Ross, teacher and drill instructor at Cucamonga.
As a supplement the school created the after-school sports clinic program focusing on different activities for students. So far students have played football and basketball; and the teachers get involved too, Ross said.
"For a lot of kids this is the only way they would participate in an after-school activity," he said.
Like most after school sports programs, students have to maintain a 'C' average to participate.
Students are also learning how to eat and keep a healthy life-style.
Each student was given a list of diet and exercises they can do on their own to kick those not-so-healthy habits.
The recommendations:
Add more fruits and vegetables to their diets.
Cut down on saturated fat, trans fat, sodium and added sugar.
Emphasize plant-based, whole foods rather than processed foods.
Be as active as possible.
Students are also told to get adequate sleep and to stay away from unhealthy behavior like tobacco use.
Although boot camp just started, Raymond said he's already noticed some change.
"I'm more flexible and I don't have to struggle as much when I'm moving around," he said. "I'm really motivated - I'm not just doing this for my health, but so I can see a better me."
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