“Teaching children today to be healthy tomorrow”
The pilot program of Commit-to-be-Fit-Kids began on August 21, 2002 at Seabreeze Elementary in Jacksonville Beach, FL, which is a Duval County Public School. With evidence supporting changing lifestyles for children that decreased physical activity, the program was a "natural", especially with declining physical education programs in the local schools. Recognizing the health crisis that exist with today's youth, fitness consultant, Tony Iaquinto, and school counselor, Susan Beauchamp, joined together to provide children in the Duval County Public School System with information and instruction on how to lead a "healthy lifestyle!" This partnership marked the beginning of the "Commit-to-be-Fit-Kids" program. Since the unveiling of the program, students and parents, alike, have improved their eating habits, increased their fitness levels, and have been given the Presidential Active Lifestyle award for their achievements.
It's no secret that many of America's children are overweight, poorly nourished, and participate in a limited amount of physical activity. Obesity among children is at epidemic levels and often leads to serious health problems. If this trend continues, students, communities, and our nation will suffer!
Our schools are currently faced with a dilemma since administrators and teachers are under pressure to improve academic achievement while being held accountable for high stakes assessments. Though they understand and value the importance of nutrition, health, and physical activity as the key to a student's growth and development, they are not encouraged nor are they rewarded for providing leadership in these areas. Iaquinto and Beauchamp strongly believe that nutrition and physical education must be a major component of a school's curriculum because of the inextricable link between healthy students and their academic achievements!
In 2004, Tony V. Iaquinto co-founded with his partner Susan Beauchamp a non-profit organization called Commit to be Fit-Kids Inc. The mission of the organization was to teach children on how to lead a healthy lifestyle! To date the program has successfully had over 2000 children complete this program here in the Duval County Public School System. This represents Tony’s and Susan’s commitment to tackle the growing problem of obesity and the lack of physical education of children so these children can in turn teach their children how to lead a healthy lifestyle.
Unfortunately, Commit to be Fit -Kids Inc. has had to close its doors in May of 2010. I want to personally thank all those who promoted the Commit to be Fit-Kids program especially Susan Beauchamp. She was a tireless advocate promoting this valuable program at Seabreeze Elementary and Twin Lakes Academy Elementary for the past seven years. I am grateful for all the children and parents who participated in this program. It was great to see the positive changes in their health and wellbeing. I would also like to thank the local media for coverage of the end of year events. In addition, I would like to thank Chick-Fil-A at the Town Center for providing funding as well as food for the end of year parties. We were successful with promoting our program in general but due to the current economic climate we were unable to secure long term funding to continue operating this non-profit organization. The content of this website will still be available for some time into the future but will be also archived on www.committobefitforlife.com
However, I am pleased to announce that I will continue to offer a similar program through my for-profit company Commit to be Fit Inc. It is called Go Super Fit Kids Program. I will offer some of the same type of fitness and nutritional program for free to any local public and private schools as well as any other non-profit organizations that wish to promote health and wellness. To learn more please visit my website: www.committobefitforlife.com
Again… thanks to everyone who helped promote this program! … Tony V. Iaquinto
“Healthy bodies increase wisdom, strength, and the ability to pursue a longer life of greater choices and happiness!"