Family wellness makeover: Month 2

This is Month 2 into the yearlong makeover of our family – Despina and George Morfidis and their two children, Ria and Stefi. Here are just some of their recent milestones.

Despina: Her new regular fitness program (a daily half-hour walk) is paying off: she has lost 11 pounds and eight inches since she started the program last month, and had the stamina to do a 10-kilometre walk.

She suffered her first sports-related injury, though: all that walking aggravated a condition called plantar fasciitis, which is an inflammation of tissue supporting the arch of the foot. As a result, she had to cut back on walking for a few weeks and is now wearing a special supportive heel cup
in her shoe, which she says helps.

George: He's more consistent than he used to be with fitness. He is getting to the gym three times a week, often in the evening when he would otherwise be home in front of the TV eating snacks. But George continues to struggle with his eating habits.

Ria (13): For the first time ever, she ran 800 metres without stopping and came in fifth out of 15 at her school's track-and-field day. She was ecstatic and e-mailed her trainer, Sue Forest, to thank her for teaching her how to breathe and run properly.

Stefi (10): She came first overall in her advanced recreational group in the Clarington Gymnastics Academy intra-club gymnastics competition (she won two gold, a silver and one bronze medal). She has accepted an invitation to join the club's competitive team. Congratulations Stefi!