Parents Start Fitness 4 Kids Program in Pearland, TX

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After seeing the positive benefits that exercise and physical activity had on their children, two parents teamed up with a personal trainer in Pearland, Texas and formed Fitness 4 Kids, an after school fitness group for children of all ages.

When Alicia Watkins was only six-years old she was diagnosed with thrombocytopenia, a blood disorder which causes abnormally low levels of platelets. The disease and steroid treatment she received caused her to be inactive and soon led to a 40-pound weight gain. She also developed fatty liver and was at risk for becoming hypertensive.

By the age of 8, Alicia had her spleen removed and was on her way to recovery; however she now had to deal with other health issues related to her weight gain.

Alicia’s doctors referred her to the hospital’s Program for Healthy Bodies where she and her mother learned about eating healthier foods. Alicia’s mom,  Kimberly Severson, also started bringing her along to exercise sessions with personal trainer Zaire Wilborn, at Tom Bass Regional Park.

A few months after changing her diet and becoming physically active, Alicia lost the excess weight, the fatty liver disappeared, and she was no longer at risk for having high blood pressure.

Once Alicia’s mother and her friend Delvan Reaux saw this transformation, they started thinking about the good that this could do for other kids, especially those already at risk for diabetes or hypertension. So they formed Fitness 4 Kids in 2012.

Now the two moms, and Wilborn lead fitness classes for children on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesday evenings. Alica also serves as a role model by encouraging other children to get healthy and fit.

Read the full article from the Houston Chronicle here.