KatNap Fitness helps people of all sizes, fitness levels stay in shape

BURBANK, Calif. (KABC) -- KatNap Fitness is meant for those who are injured, just starting out or people who are plus-sized and want an exercise program that doesn't leave them feeling overly sore or discouraged.

Kat Napolitano realized a while ago that eating boiled chicken and dancing all day to maintain her size-four figure wasn't working for her.

She decided to accept her genes and embrace being full figured while still finding ways to get in shape.

"I realized that there's a huge market out there that just is not being serviced," Napolitano said.

She discovered an immediate following.

"I want something that's going to be fun, energetic, but not going to kill my body," said Roxanne Lee of Toluca Lake.

Due to her love of dancing, Lee has overuse injuries.

"I have bad hips, I've got a bad back from dancing my entire life. My weight has gone up and down and up and down," Lee said.

Brian Schulze got a little too competitive doing CrossFit and developed limitations.

"I have a knee injury, and I like to workout. This is a really nice alternative for me to still stay fit," Schulze said.

People carrying a little extra weight may wonder, even if they're dieting, just how important is exercise? The answer: Very important.

Experts say physical activity is an extremely important part to controlling weight along with improving things like bone density, lowering blood pressure and depression.

Looking at data from 218,000 adults and almost 20,000 children, one thing is clear - exercise can reduce the influence of the obesity gene.

"Regular physical exercise is a part of your life on a regular basis in order to stay healthy," said Napolitano.

To share her insights with others, Napolitano developed her KatNap Fitness program - which you can get through the Web or on a DVD. The program offers cardio jam, kick box, weight training and more, starting with 30-minute workouts for $10 a month.

"It just makes me feel so great to know that I'm helping in some way for people to keep on their fitness track," said Napolitano.