Jacques is adamant that the real difference at Fitwize is a focus on changing behaviors. “I want children to leave here knowing how to make healthy choices at a young age,” she says. Jacques points out that the ability to make healthy choices is an increasingly vital skill for kids navigating today’s “on-the-go” culture.

After speaking with 8-year-old Fitwize member Parker DiPaolo, it’s evident that he is learning to live and appreciate a healthy lifestyle. He talks about things such as reading nutrition labels, avoiding high-fructose corn syrup, and enjoying his favorite fruit (bananas). “I like all of the machines here a lot and I’m trying to save up enough fitness points to earn an iPod Nano,” he says. “I try to get here every day.” At that, his mother gives a big smile and says, “It makes you feel good as a parent to know that you’re doing something that’s good.”

Another option for parents is the YMCA GirlForce program, whose mission is “to nurture a healthier generation of girls and young women.” YMCA GirlForce has served 2,766 girls between the ages of 7 and 12 since its pilot round in Richmond in the fall of 2005. The program consists of an initial four-hour retreat followed by an eight-week session that is a complete model of the YMCA’s integrated spirit, mind, and body experience.

“The exciting thing,” says YMCA GirlForce Director Renee Kunnen, “is that Richmond is one of the few places in the country offering the eight- week follow up class to the four-hour retreat.” The eight-week course was actually developed for the YMCA GirlForce here in Richmond and funded in part by a grant from the Philip Morris USA Youth Smoking Prevention department.

Kunnen explains: “This program is so successful because we’ve been passionate about it from the moment we heard GirlForce creator Susan McDonald speak at a health education conference in 2005. Cindy Angus, associate wellness director for the YMCA Greater Richmond, just fell on the floor, saying, ‘We just have to have this in Richmond!’”

The YMCA began offering the eight-week GirlForce program in 2006 in Henrico at the Tuckahoe Family YMCA, Shady Grove Family YMCA, North Richmond YMCA Community Center, and the Chickahominy Family YMCA. Recently, the program has expanded to com -munity sites that include Saint Joseph’s Villa and Overbrook Presbyterian Church. In other parts of Greater Richmond, the program is operating at schools and health department facilities.

“The solution for obesity is certainly not to make children hate themselves with regimented diets and arduous exercise,” Kunnen notes. “The YMCA GirlForce journey involves looking inward and realizing the path is not about perfection but about discovery and continuing to move forward despite fears and perceived shortcomings.”

There are new offerings designed for boys who might benefit from a similar program. Local YMCA employees trained this summer to start a pilot program for boys this fall.