Richard Luscombe The Trust has been running FIT FANS, a 12-week course in which participants receive nutrition, wellbeing, and health advice alongside a fitness programme, for three years. The first three cohorts have yielded unbelievable results. Over 1,500kg in weight has been lost across almost 300 members who have completed the course.
Launched in January 2020 at 30 Clubs in England, and now supported by the Rank Foundation, the EFL Trust’s FIT FANS programme aims to use the magnetism of football to tackle obesity in thousands of fans across the UK. The programme shows individuals how to:
- Improve their eating habits by reducing portion sizes and swapping fatty and sugary foods for fruit, vegetables, and high fibre foods.
- Achieve at least 45 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity on most days of the week. Participants receive weekly exercise sessions at the football stadium for 12 weeks and follow a personal pedometer-based walking programme that encourages them to fit physical activity into their daily lives.
- Use tried-and-tested behaviour change techniques to become more active and improve their diet. These include regular self-monitoring of their weight, pedometer step counts, and setting SMART goals to make changes that can be sustained long-term.
Argyle FIT FANS participant Adrian Brewer began the 12-week course weighing 143.5kg. He lost a whopping 30kg, now weighing in at 113.1kg. He said: “The programme has helped me to reach a number of goals. I am so much fitter and can even do 20-plus mile bike rides.
“Whilst the programme was not a competition as such, I have treated it this way to help motivate myself. Having other members around, and plenty of people to support you, has also been great, and I have met many people who will remain friends after the event.”
As well as excellent weight loss results, 96% of group members reported feeling more satisfied with life following the completion of the programme, while 89% reported being happier in general. Seven in 10 group participants also reported reduced anxiety levels.
Starting on Tuesday, 5 March the Trust will be delivering a female programme at Central Park Hub every Tuesday between 6.30pm and 8pm. In order to qualify to take part, participants must be aged between 30 and 65, have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 28 or above, and a waist measurement of over 31 inches.
For more information, or to register your interest, please email fitfans@pafc.co.uk.
For further information on the programme please click the below link:
