Meet the Ercks: Steve, Julie, Dan and Aaron, the family that bravely stepped forward to go public with their fitness odyssey.
When the Fitness section asked for readers willing to share their quest for a healthier lifestyle, the Ercks were among the respondents. They seemed like a perfect fit. Like most American families, they’re constantly juggling school duties, work requirements and extracurricular activities at the expense of exercise and smart nutrition choices.
When time is tight, they hit the drive-through lane at fast-food restaurants, or plunder the freezer for a quick meal instead of cooking a well-balanced meal from fresh ingredients.
The Erck boys are in a growth phase — hungry almost as soon as the previous meal’s dishes are washed, and never seem to eat enough to feel full.
Their parents, in that pattern recognizable to others approaching middle age, find themselves with better intentions than results — tackling but abandoning diets and hesitant to pay steep gym membership fees.
Because their problems resonate with so many of us, we thought the Erck family members were good candidates for a fitness makeover that will include consulting with a registered dietitian, working out with personal trainers and learning how to redefine their approach to eating and exercise.
We’ll follow their workouts at the Apex Recreation Center, go supermarket shopping and update the family pantry as the Ercks make their transition from a sedentary lifestyle.
They face the challenge of trading in their trusty snack standbys — sugary cereal, ice cream and corn dogs — for fresh fruit, vegetables and protein with high-fiber cereals and crackers.
Their suppertime vegetable repertoire, formerly limited to green beans, broccoli and baby carrots, is being expanded to include plants they never considered eating, and some they never knew existed.
Julie and Steve Erck are high school sweethearts who moved from Rapid City, S.D., to Denver. Steve Erck is a network manager for Colorado PERA, a public employees’ retirement organization. During adulthood, his weight has fluctuated, but well-intended diets always seemed to lose steam after initial success.
“I’m interested in losing some weight and getting fit — not necessarily to run a marathon but get in better shape,” Steve Erck said.
Julie Erck home-schools their sons, Dan, 14, and Aaron, 11, at the Ercks’ Arvada home. She grew up in a family in which she was identified as “the fat one,” a tag that seemed unshakable.
“I’d like to drop some weight, lose some inches — especially on my thighs — and feel good about myself,” she said.
Dan Erck, tall and a little beefy, is going along with the fitness makeover in the good- natured spirit of family togetherness.
Aaron Erck, who is about average for a preteen, with the soft padded frame of someone who spends more time on the couch than on his feet, is doubtful about this program but hopes to become more athletic.
Next month: Learning a workout routine
Claire Martin: 303-954-1477 or cmartin@denverpost.com
