Maria Velasquez, right, punches the air as she leads a group of women in aerobic exercises at the formerly drug- and crime-ridden Stiern Park in Bakersfield. (Brian Vander Brug / Los Angeles Times)
Rubi Garcia, left, eats an apple in her stroller while waiting for her mother to finish exercises at Stiern Park in Bakersfield. A determined group of mothers in the community is fighting obesity rates by getting out of the house to exercise. (Brian Vander Brug / Los Angeles Times)
The Stiern Park exercise group members are focused on providing a healthy lifestyle for their families. (Brian Vander Brug / Los Angeles Times)
