Keeping up with the Joneses
“I thought it would be good for Mya because it teaches kids the better choices in life and introduces new activities you can do to stay healthy,” says Justine, “For example, one day a New Zealand fencing champion came in to teach some moves.”
Before joining the programme, Mya was reluctant to get out and try new activities, says Justine, but all that’s changed. Mya now plays sport every day after school; everything from swimming to karate, tennis to netball, and she also plans to begin hip hop.
“She wants to be fit and active now. She wants to get involved. Her new attitude is ‘I can do anything I put my mind to,’” explains Justine.
It’s made a big difference to the way Justine lives life too. She’s learnt tips for preparing Mya’s school lunches, and she also enjoys the programme’s healthy cooking sessions.
“We recently cooked fish patties together. We get the recipes to take home and try ourselves,” she says, “We’ve also been taught how to read food labels.”
Last year the Jones family entered the Round the Bays fun run for the first time and they’ll be back in the starting lineup this year. They’ve been preparing with some shorter walks, and Mya has a goal: last year she completed the walk in less than one hour thirty minutes and this year she aims to beat one hour twenty.
“I’m going to take a stop watch to encourage her,” laughs Justine, “Last year the people who lived beside around the bays had their hoses out and it’ll be great to have that again. The kids kept themselves going by saying, ‘I have to get to the next hose!’”
For the first time in its 30 year history, the event has sold out. About 12,000 people will take part on Sunday; 10,000 in the fun run and 2,000 in the marathon.
More info at www.amiroundthebays.co.nz
Round the Bays, February 26.









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