Nutritionist Dawn Strozier was raised on healthy food but that didn’t stop her from adopting the high fat low fiber Standard American Diet (SAD) when she got out on her own. But a serious medical condition at age 19 forced her to think about her choices and get healthy.

“I had a moment when I passed out and I was rushed to the hospital,” recalled Strozier who is the founder of the Fitness Kidz program in L.A., which educates kids and parents on the importance of healthy lifestyle choices.

“The doctor said my stomach was as hard as a brick. Being so busy I didn’t notice that I hadn’t had a bowel movement for almost a month. So, they said the constipation was so bad I would have to have my bowel removed. I had to make a decision then to be healthy.”

Strozier who has also been a celebrity trainer for the past ten years is taking the lessons she learned to impact families across the country. Her latest DVD, “The Fitness Kidz Exercise and Fun For The Whole Family” showcases the fifteen kids who took Strozier’s challenge to get healthy and joined her on a national tour of workshops and health seminars.

It consists of a variety of high energy calorie burning routines such as Cardio Kick Boxing, led by nine year old Kayla Blackmon who takes the kids through a complete body workout that combines elements of boxing, martial arts and aerobics. Kids Cardio Pump is also included on the DVD, led by ten year old Basha Sauldsberry who takes the kids through low to high intensity exercises In the second half of the routine Strozier leads the parents and kids through a series of combinations that provide overall physical conditioning, toning and weight loss, she said.

“We teach that although kids may not be in control of what their parents buy at the grocery store or cook they can ask for better things,” she explained.

“For example I say, instead of potato chips ask for an apple or an orange, natural sugars. And then what will happen is their parents will shop differently.”

Strozier also holds classes for parents every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday morning at 7:00.

“In order for the kids to maintain their health I have to teach the parents,” she explained.

“I teach them how to cook. I have new recipes every week and I teach them how to substitute foods.”

The concept of The Fitness Kidz was started when Steve Harvey, who Strozier has trained over the years, met Broderick Sauldsberry, a young man in his teens who was having weight issues at the time and is presently one of the original members of The Fitness Kidz, she said.

“Broderick was a great kid. I worked with him for twelve weeks and he lost 40 pounds.”

During Strozier’s training sessions, other parents saw the progress and wanted their children to join the program. At that moment “The Fitness Kidz” were formed.

“Dawn Strozier is my hero,” Sauldsberry said

“I have successfully lost 40 pounds through her program and I want to motivate other kids my age to live a healthier life just as she’s motivated me.”

The group will be headed to North Carolina next to football camp with the Dallas Cowboys next week and then its on to basketball camp in Tampa, Florida.

Published in : Family, Education