Teacher wants to motivate tiny tots, parents by example

Kimberly Shane Pelenio from Philippines is a trained nurse and teacher. But, she has figured out that fitness is her true calling.
Pelenio, 29, is among the thousands of Dubai residents who have taken up the 30x30 Dubai Fitness Challenge and inspire others to sweat it out too.
"I have always been a fitness enthusiast. I run and play volleyball regularly. So, when the Dubai Fitness Challenge (DFC) was announced, I was one among the first to throw my hat into the ring," she said.
Pelenio, who works at the Beautiful Minds Nursery in Al Garhoud, has taken up the fitness challenge along with a few of her colleagues. 
"We are six of us and everyday we do a one-and-a-half hour fitness session combining Kung fu, cross-fit training and meditation. I am aiming to improve my balance, core and flexibility through this fitness regime.
"Some of us do it in the morning before work while others exercise in the evening after work. The idea is that we follow through the challenge and never give up," said Pelenio.
She said the city-wide fitness initiative is motivating people - young and old - to find time to workout and stay fit. 
"I am seeing a lot of people, who never gave a serious thought about fitness, actively joining group lessons, thanks to this fitness challenge. We are also encouraging as many people from our nursery too."
Pelenio said she is starting a cross-fit training for parents. 
"I am trying to encourage more parents to take up fitness. We want the children to watch their parents workout so that the importance of fitness is instilled in them as well."
anjana@khaleejtimes.com

• Dubai Fitness Challenge