Keeping it Real with Stephen Dangerfield

Q: Officer Dangerfield, many kids dislike gym class or think of it as a waste of time. What’s the importance of gym for young people?

A: Kids need to take gym for several reasons. Exercising builds self-esteem and morale. You learn how to set small goals and build [on them]. Exercise [also] helps you reach your goals with physical fitness and life.

Q: Is there a particular age group that is harder to motivate into physical fitness?

A: Once a child gets to the teenage [years], if they are not molded to do physical fitness, then they sometimes drop out because they think physical fitness involves sports, and there [is] so much more than that.

Q: Like what?

A: Running. Running is so important because it builds up your metabolism; it builds up your lungs; and it strengthens your whole body. Calisthenics. Nowadays, some young people cannot run around the block. They cannot do a sit-up, a push-up. If you don’t use the muscle, you will lose it. You must use the muscles to be stronger.

Q: What kinds of things can a parent or caregiver do to motivate a kid to exercise?

A: The first thing they can do is let their child know that everyone doesn’t have to be a world-class athlete or NBA superstar. But everyone can be in the best physical shape possible. They can tell their children to go walk around the block or jump rope instead of watching TV. They can play tag with the younger folks. Teenagers can take the steps instead of the elevator. Just get up and constantly move. Do some push-ups, some sit-ups. Anything that they can do without a full-blown gym. There are plenty of things they can do in the home to keep their body loose and fit.

Q: What kinds of problems can young people develop if they don’t get involved in fitness?

A: Diabetes, especially with African-Americans. Obesity. Heart conditions. Poor blood circulation. Poor blood circulation is a concern because if you can’t get the blood to flow through the body because the kids have the improper diet - the cheese steaks, candy, soda - then they’re on the road to a lot of problems.

Q: How does a kid get over his or her own embarrassment?

A: I believe that a kid looks to adults who are constantly trying to motivate them; to help them understand that they can be in good shape.

Q: What lessons do you try to pass to your children (Taylor Joy, 12, and twins Evan and Chandler, 9)?

A: The lessons that I try to pass on to my children are everyone can achieve goals for themselves. It’s alright to fall as long as you get back up because everyone doesn’t complete their goals the first time. If you continue to strive to the goal, you will get there. I try to stress to my children that quitting is not an option.

Q: How can a parent help a child who may be fearful or embarrassed about exercise?

A: The parent has to be very supportive of that child and help the child realize that there is a very strong person inside. The parent needs to work on the inside. Having that child realize that if you are strong on the inside, that person can radiate to the outside and that will help the child have that mental picture that they can achieve the goal. Then, the next step would be to sit down with the child and find out what the child would like to do. For example, if the child would like to run around the block without stopping. Constantly reminding the child that this is how you get there, there are going to be obstacles that are going to get in your way but you have to see the goal and you have to see through.