The Fat Kid In Gym Class!!!

Having worked in a school setting for 20 years now, this picture is a sad reality. It is so important for kids to enjoy daily exercise, to get out there and move. They need to get the heart pumping and the blood flowing. Kids need to get their daily dose of natural vitamin D and enjoy running around and having fun. With video games,more and more kids are losing themselves in their own worlds completely cutting themselves off reality.They are secluding themselves in their rooms for hours, playing violent games,eating and not interacting with anyone.Our young society is becoming more anti-social and overweight because of this phenomenon and we need to get them active to stop this vicious cycle.

Check out the following video...very interesting facts!! Watch it with your kids.....

When I see this picture, it reminds me of the pain and embarrassment that I always felt in gym class going through puberty. The awkward years where you are trying to make sense of all the physical changes in your body and living as an overweight child.

When I was in Junior High, I knew from day one that changing in front of others would be inevitable and was going to be one of my biggest challenges.I felt very embarrassed and I would always use the excuse that I had to go to the washroom and I would quickly change there. This would often make me late for my next class but I was willing to live with the consequences as long as others didn't see my fat ripples.

I was very shy and self-conscious about my weight. I was round and not the most athletic.We all wore the same green shorts and yellow t-shirt. My clothing was snug and I would always be pulling on my shirt. I developed nervous ticks with my eyes and I felt physically ill every time that we had gym.

I'm sure that the intention wasn't to make us feel uncomfortable. I believe that it was the opposite effect that they were seeking, to make everyone fit in and be on the same page.

To this day, being the smallest size that I've ever been in my life, you will still never see me changing in front of anyone in a locker room. I usually get there all ready for class or I will wait for a washroom to be available to change in private. Just goes to show you how childhood experiences can affect you for the rest of your life!!!

If you are a gym teacher, please take this into consideration when it comes to kids changing in the same room. It may not be for everyone.We as adults have to respect the wishes of kids that do no wish to expose their bodies in front of others. This should be a personal choice and there should always be separate locker rooms available for those who wish to change in private. I'm sure that a lot of kids feel this way today and I completely respect their wishes, I completely understand what they are living.

As an adult, I can now look back and understand that there was never any harm intended by any adult. I was just not comfortable in that situation.

Stay healthy....

Sylvie Thibert