Teen obesity rates have quadrupled in the last 30 years. Two years ago, Kansas City, Kansas teenager Nathan Del Rio was obese. He weighed more than 250 pounds.
Determined to take off the weight and live a healthy lifestyle, Nathan lost 40 pounds through the Phit Kids program at Children's Mercy Hospital.
"Losing the weight felt good made me feel more confident,” said Nathan. "But after a while I got lazy and stopped working out so much and that's when I gained some weight.”
Nathan is determined to lose the extra 10 pounds he gained and keep going until he is satisfied with how he looks and feels.
"I'm not going to quit trying. I'm not going to give up. I'm out there exercising again and it feels great," Nathan explained.
He enjoys skateboarding and said that doing something he likes makes it easier to exercise everyday.
I've been following Nathan for two years. I appreciate his honesty to reveal his weight and his successes along with his mistakes. I am so proud of him for setting a great example for other teens. Nathan inspires me. Thank you Nathan. I wish you every success!
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Cynthia Newsome can be reached at cynthia.newsome@kshb.com.
