Commit to be fit For Kids -

“Teaching children today to be healthy tomorrow”

The pilot program of Commit-to-be-Fit-Kids began on August 21, 2002 at Seabreeze Elementary in Jacksonville Beach, FL, which is a Duval County Public School. With evidence supporting changing lifestyles for children that decreased physical activity, the program was a "natural", especially with declining physical education programs in the local schools. Recognizing the health crisis that exist with today's youth, fitness consultant, Tony Iaquinto, and school counselor, Susan Beauchamp, joined together to provide children in the Duval County Public School System with information and instruction on how to lead a "healthy lifestyle!" This partnership marked the beginning of the "Commit-to-be-Fit-Kids" program. Since the unveiling of the program, students and parents, alike, have improved their eating habits, increased their fitness levels, and have been given the Presidential Active Lifestyle award for their achievements.

It's no secret that many of America's children are overweight, poorly nourished, and participate in a limited amount of physical activity. Obesity among children is at epidemic levels and often leads to serious health problems. If this trend continues, students, communities, and our nation will suffer!

Our schools are currently faced with a dilemma since administrators and teachers are under pressure to improve academic achievement while being held accountable for high stakes assessments. Though they understand and value the importance of nutrition, health, and physical activity as the key to a student's growth and development, they are not encouraged nor are they rewarded for providing leadership in these areas. Iaquinto and Beauchamp strongly believe that nutrition and physical education must be a major component of a school's curriculum because of the inextricable link between healthy students and their academic achievements!

In 2004, Tony V. Iaquinto co-founded with his partner Susan Beauchamp a non-profit organization called Commit to be Fit-Kids Inc. The mission of the organization was to teach children on how to lead a healthy lifestyle! To date the program has successfully had over 2000 children complete this program here in the Duval County Public School System. This represents Tony’s and Susan’s commitment to tackle the growing problem of obesity and the lack of physical education of children so these children can in turn teach their children how to lead a healthy lifestyle.

Unfortunately, Commit to be Fit -Kids Inc. has had to close its doors in May of 2010. I want to personally thank all those who promoted the Commit to be Fit-Kids program especially Susan Beauchamp. She was a tireless advocate promoting this valuable program at Seabreeze Elementary and Twin Lakes Academy Elementary for the past seven years. I am grateful for all the children and parents who participated in this program. It was great to see the positive changes in their health and wellbeing. I would also like to thank the local media for coverage of the end of year events. In addition, I would like to thank Chick-Fil-A at the Town Center for providing funding as well as food for the end of year parties. We were successful with promoting our program in general but due to the current economic climate we were unable to secure long term funding to continue operating this non-profit organization. The content of this website will still be available for some time into the future but will be also archived on www.committobefitforlife.com

However, I am pleased to announce that I will continue to offer a similar program through my for-profit company Commit to be Fit Inc. It is called Go Super Fit Kids Program. I will offer some of the same type of fitness and nutritional program for free to any local public and private schools as well as any other non-profit organizations that wish to promote health and wellness. To learn more please visit my website: www.committobefitforlife.com
Again… thanks to everyone who helped promote this program! … Tony V. Iaquinto

“Healthy bodies increase wisdom, strength, and the ability to pursue a longer life of greater choices and happiness!"

Copyright © 2007 Commit to be Fit Kids, Inc.
Information on this page is provided for informational purposes and is not meant to substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professional. Please always consult your physician before starting any new diet or exercise programs. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem, promptly contact your health care provider.

Recognizing the health crisis that exists with today's youth, fitness consultant, Tony Iaquinto, and school counselor, Susan Beauchamp, joined together to provide children in the Duval County Public School System with information and instruction on how to lead a "healthy lifestyle!" This partnership marked the beginning of the "Commit-to-be-Fit-Kids" program on August 21, 2002, at Seabreeze Elementary School. Since the debut of the program, students and parents, alike, have improved their eating habits, increased their fitness levels, and have been given the Presidential Active Lifestyle award for their achievements.

One out of every four children in the United States is considered overweight.

Twenty-two percent of children ages 5-10 years have one or more risk factors for heart disease or diabetes. However, sixty percent of overweight children 5-10 years of age have one or more risk factors. While such data concerns researchers, it should also be alarming to America's school administrators. Research clearly indicates that children who lack in exercise and proper nutrition also contribute to greater absenteeism, truancy, behavioral problems, poor academics, and lower standardized test scores.

Policymakers need to address this serious issue with adequate funding for schools so that health and physical education instruction are not placed on the "chopping block" when funds are limited. The irony of this situation is that our nation spends an estimated $120 billion annually on health related problems. Since our children are a large bulk of this expenditure, it seems clear that a wiser investment would be to educate them on the value of exercise and nutrition as a lifelong commitment. Unfortunately, this has not been the case thus far, so Tony Iaquinto and Susan Beauchamp have taken the “bull by the horns” with the "Commit-to-be-Fit-Kids" program now in its sixth year. and has tremendous support from its faculty and parent groups!

As a result of the program’s success, Mr. Iaquinto and Mrs. Beauchamp have created a company called Commit to be Fit-Kids, Inc. Currently, they are a non-profit organization and their motto is "Teaching Children Today To Be Healthy Tomorrow!"

Tony V. Iaquinto is a nationally recognized fitness and weight management consultant who began his fitness career in 1978. That same year he started training to become a tri-athlete while he worked part time in a gym. In 1981 he began working full time at Palm-Aire an exclusive spa, pampering and immersing Hollywood stars in boot camp personal training to help them prepare for their next roles. He eventually met a Crown Prince who requested that Iaquinto become his personal trainer. Iaquinto accepted the job and helped the prince lose one hundred pounds in six months! In 1984 Iaquinto started his own company called Personal Fitness, Inc. He has also been the fitness director for numerous health clubs, co-owner of a gym, and was the 1985 Mr. Hollywood for his body building skills.

As President of Commit to be Fit, Inc. from 1999 throught 2004, was a fitness-consulting firm based in Jacksonville Florida, Iaquinto provided medical diagnostic testing of body fat, healthy lifestyle counseling, comprehensive weight management programs, personal training, corporate wellness, and lectures on health and fitness. He also offered these services through local health food stores, health clubs, exercise equipment stores, doctors' offices and companies with wellness programs. Working with corporations to increase awareness of fitness, hydration and nutrition, Iaquinto presented two-hour seminars educating and motivating executives towards a "healthier lifestyle!"

Utilizing twenty-nine years of experience in teaching people how to live healthier, Iaquinto's objective today is to encourage administrators to implement the Commit to Be Fit-Kids program in their curriculum. With declining budgets and growing accountability, educators need to focus on positive outlets for their students. Since one portion of the program is the CTBF "Kids Challenge," students can be challenged to raise their fitness levels and nutritional awareness, which is an excellent way to ensure the health and physical well-being of the children in our schools!

A large part of Mr. Iaquinto's dedication to fitness is his own history of overcoming childhood obesity. He wants to help others who struggle with being fit. Concerned about the frightening statistics—60 percent of adults and 33 percent of children in America are overweight—Iaquinto will do what it takes to lead people to healthy living. "I give people the whole truth and tell them it's going to be the hardest thing they've ever done. You can't buy your health; you must earn it! But, if you work to change to living a healthy lifestyle, you'll see that it's worth the challenge." –Tony Iaquinto

Currently, Mr. Iaquinto is a management consultant for (GNC) General Nutrition Center and the Program Director for www.committobefitforlife.com. In addition, he has served on several committees and participates in many valuable organizations, including:

Mayor's Council on Fitness and Well-being.

The Duval County Health Department Coalition on Childhood Obesity Prevention and Physical Activity and Fitness.

Task Force Resource Volunteer to The Jacksonville City Council Education Task Force 2002-2003.

Expo Chairman of the Bank Of America Bike Jacksonville event 2003.

The goal of Commit to be Fit-Kids, Inc. is to educate, motivate and demonstrate the need for physical fitness and proper nutrition for every child in America!

"I'm just one guy trying to make a difference. Remember, if you don't take care of your health, no one else will!"—Tony Iaquinto.