Junior Adylene Felix has taken a stand and drastically changed her health habits. She used to go home and hang out, but now she goes home and works out to an aerobics video with her mother. She also eats healthier and runs 20-30 minutes daily. Her desire for health was influenced by Fitness for Life, a new class on campus. 

“I want to, and I look forward to learning more about nutrition,” Felix said. This class has made her zealous about her health. She enjoys being in this class and plans to take it again next year. The class is offered fourth and fifth periods. 

The instructor of Fitness for Life, Tiffany Banks, has taught Body Improvement for three years.  However, this course is somewhat of a change. Students get the privilege to learn about their body in an academic way. They learn more about themselves and do exercises too. Already it has made a major impact on many students’ lives.

In late June sophomore Luis Bello badly broke his leg in a bicycle accident. He claims that Fitness for Life has been helpful. “I have learned where to push my limits,” Bello said.

“It’s fun to watch them,” Banks said. “They learn so much about themselves.” Banks is more than willing to help her students. Instead of just instructing, she interacts with her students by exercising with them.  

Senior Marcus Duran said, “Well, I joined this class to make sure I keep myself in shape.”  He believes it has already made a difference. Duran is already an athlete, but has chosen to be a part of this program. Fitness for Life doesn’t only help individuals with their weight, but much more. 

“It is not a canned program,” Banks said. “We adjust to what the students need, we take their strengths and weaknesses and balance them out.” Students become aware of what they can and can’t do with Banks by their side directing them the right way.

Banks said this is a goal-based program and it’s up to the student on how they want to achieve.  They must make their own decision to apply them. Body improvement only focused on exercise. Students did not get to receive information about their health. They also never got to understand their body. Fitness for life is the new and improved body improvement class. Banks said it has so much more to offer to the students. 

Frequently, the students get to play games to understand their body. “I like competition, healthy competition is always good,” Banks said. At least once a week the students play games to help create new horizons. They don’t compete against each other, they compete against themselves.