Girls on the Run, a non-profit based in Charlotte, and its founder Molly Barker are on a mission to inspire 3rd to 8th grade girls to, “Celebrate their bodies, Honor their Voices; Embrace their Gifts and Activate their Power.”
As a mother to a pre-adolescent girl, Molly understands the importance and need for conversations around puberty and growing up, especially as girls cross the bridge from little girl to woman-hood.
She has the following tips on how girls can stay healthy, motivated and be fearless as they celebrate their Amazing Arms, amazing legs and amazing spirits with total confidence during the Summer:
· Wearing a good sports bra, athletic shoes that fit fast-growing feet and wearing a good antiperspirant/deodorant like Secret Scent Expressions—for strong wetness and odor protection really do the job to help girls stay focused on staying active.
· The key to not just staying active, but BEING active is having fun with it! If running isn’t your thing, do something that is. Zumba is fast becoming one of the most inspiring and fun activities you can do to have fun, keep moving and get your groove on! The best places to get out and move? Freedom Park offers a fabulous side-walk-trail around the well-known “duck” lake.
· Figure out whether you enjoy exercising alone or with people. Some exercisers/runners prefer the company of friends. Meeting a friend at the park for a morning run makes you more accountable. If she is going to be waiting for you at 8;00 a.m., you feel a greater sense of needing to “show up”!
· It’s downright HOT in Charlotte in the summer. So keeping cool, hydrated and comfortable is key to having fun while being active. Running, walking and hanging out in the outdoors is something you might consider doing first thing in the morning. Or hit the well-shaded trails out at McDowell Park or the Davidson College Cross Country Course.
To learn more check Girls on the Run, check out at www.girlsontherun.org!
Charlotte Area News From All Local Sources
