Profile: Derek

Derek is all about Sports!  When this "9 Kids Challenge" champion isn't playing baseball or basketball, he’s rooting for the Yanks or the Sixers or the Eagles.  Next year, he hopes to play football when he hits middle school.  But first, he wants to get into better shape.
   
Derek says the “9 Kids Challenge” has really helped.  He’s dropped two pant sizes since the workouts started over the summer.  And he says he can breathe a lot easier, despite the asthma that’s bothered him forever.  When he’s not at the gym, he’s often out walking with his dog, Runty.

“Big D” is a busy guy these days.  He belongs to the Cub Scouts, and is active in his church youth group, doing public service activities around his community.  The group has been building picnic tables recently.  This Fall, he combined that public service commitment with his new-found love of walking, when he took part in the Crop Walk to fight hunger.  Derek surprised himself when he finished the four-mile walk.  He almost gave up late in the day, but he was determined to reach the finish line.  He says his feet hurt for a couple of days after the Walk, but it sure felt good everywhere else!

Derek’s mom says he’s become a LOT more conscious of what he’s eating.  He reads labels, checks the calorie count, and lectures her about bringing unhealthy food into the house… especially soda!  She says the neighbors have seen him working out on TV, and shout their encouragement across the yard.  And other members of his church want to work out with him! 

After the first “9 Kids Challenge” workout in June, Derek’s mom was a little worried.  He told her it hurt to participate, and he never wanted to come back.  But that’s the last complaint she’s heard.  Today, he can’t wait to get to workouts, and he really looks forward to more success.

We’ll meet more of our “9 Kids Challenge” champions in the weeks ahead.