January 7, 2005

Chelsea High School principal works out with Stay in Shape

Chelsea High School Principal Mort Orlov proved himself to be a good sport when he joined Stay in Shape's last workout of the semester Dec. 15. Stay in Shape is a fitness program for girls at Chelsea High School run by MGH Community Health Associates. At right, Orlov, bottom row, center, works out with the Stay in Shape participants.

The program has been gaining popularity among students and has grown from six students when it started four years ago to as many as 40 during the past school year. Principal Orlov donned a "Stay in Shape" T-shirt and kept up with the girls as they jumped rope, performed African dances, lifted weights and used hula hoops to help keep fit.

Stay in Shape meets twice a week after school during the school year. The goal of the program is to engage students in exercise and educate them about fitness, nutrition and positive body image. Ming Sun of MGH Community Health Associates, is the coordinator of Stay in Shape, and Jennifer Vetree, MS, RD, LDN, of MGH Nutrition Services, counsels the group about good eating habits.

"It is encouraging to see such an enthusiastic response to the program, especially in a time when childhood obesity is on everyone's mind," says Sun. "Now that the program is taking off, even the boys want to get in on the act."

Stay in Shape also is funded by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts' Jump Up and Go Program and Chelsea Public Schools.