Innovative scheme kick-starts huge weight loss for Swindon football fans
News
[caption id=“attachment_5595” align=“alignright” width=“300”]
Football Fans in Training[/caption] When 30 Swindon Town football fans were united in their goal to lose weight they scored an impressive victory, having collectively shed more than 40 stone in the space of just three months. The men, aged between 35 to 65 who came from all walks of life and levels of fitness, were taking part in an innovative programme called Football Fans In Training (FFIT) which kicked off in January and helped them ring positive changes to their diet and exercise routines through a shared love of the beautiful game. Thrilled with the scheme’s success, and its visible impact on their waistlines, the participants are so determined to maintain their new-found fitness that they’re still meeting up to play footie together and keep supporting each other every step and kick of the way. The initiative proved just the tonic for lifelong Swindon Town supporter Roman Piotrowski, a 55-year-old construction design consultant, who has already lost more than three stone and completely transformed his lifestyle. The dad-of-two, from Covingham, said: “It has completely turned my life around and I want to say a massive thank you. I was sleepwalking my way to a heart attack, but now I’m on the right track and feel so much better physically and mentally. It’s brilliant.” At the start of the course, Roman tipped the scales at 23 stone after his weight had been steadily rising since he hit 40, stopped playing football and slipped into unhealthy eating habits. “It’s very easy to fall into a lazy routine and if you’re not moving about much, you’re not burning it off. I got promoted at work, stopped playing football and started eating more takeaways,” he said. “I didn’t binge eat, but the pounds just piled on over the years – all those odd biscuits with your tea, an extra sandwich or treat kebab add up and it becomes a vicious circle because the bigger you are, the harder it is to move, so you make excuses and don’t do it.” Three years ago Roman was diagnosed with high blood pressure and type two diabetes, but still struggled to find the motivation to change his sedentary ways. “I suffer from low mood so although I knew I should do something, I struggled to take action. I’ve been a Town fan since I was a young lad so when I heard about it I thought it’s right up my street because we’ll all be in the same boat and have our following of the club in common,” he said. “It totally surpassed my expectations. The coaches are fantastic – full of encouragement and empathy. I’ve also made some great friends and despite being a little older, it didn’t matter – I got stuck in and got back into the swing of it.” Roman’s typical daily diet now features porridge with fruit for breakfast, a healthy sandwich using wholemeal bread and a small bag of baked crisps for lunch, and a salad for dinner with a piece of fruit for snacking. He said: “I’ve found a great app called My Fitness Pal which means I can monitor my calories really easily. I’m also using my stepometer to make sure I’m doing enough physical activity. My doctor won’t believe it when he sees me – and I’m not done yet, this is just first base. I’m determined to keep it going and get down to around 15 stone.” The Council-run scheme, delivered in partnership with Swindon Town Football in the Community Trust, features information and advice about a range of topics, such as alcohol and portion size, along with physical activity sessions, including football skills and circuit training. FFIT also kick-started a healthier lifestyle for Barry Palmer, who has shed more than two stone. Barry, a 48-year-old warehouse leader at Honda from Stratton, said: “It was just the kick I needed. I’ve been into football all my life and still train a local club, but over the years you become less active and doing shift work makes it easy to reach for things like crisps, pasties and chocolate.” Since completing FFIT Barry is back down to 16 stone – the lightest he has been in two decades – through becoming more active and cutting out junk food. “I walk the kids to school and get more involved in the football training, having previously stood on the sidelines. I’ve stopped having fried breakfasts in the staff canteen and snacking on convenience food. To be honest, I don’t miss it because I feel so much better now and have stacks more energy. I eat healthily and save the trips to the chippie for an occasional treat,” the dad-of-four said. “The camaraderie has been fantastic. We’re all determined to stick with it and are travelling up to Scotland to play in a football tournament in June, so there’s that to prepare for. We’ve made mates for life and I’m really grateful for the opportunity which has sorted us all out.” Mark Starr, a 48-year-old sign language interpreter, from Wroughton, has overhauled his lifestyle with equally impressive results. The dad-of-four, who has lost more than two and a half stone and turned teetotal, said: “I used to be quite fit but now I’m even fitter and faster. I can’t quite believe it – this programme has been absolutely amazing and I can fit back into jeans from nearly 10 years ago.” Picking up a takeaway curry and washing it down with a bottle of wine had become a regular habit and as Mark’s weight crept up, he became less active and more lethargic. “I basically got lazy and was drinking too much. After work, if it was a bad day I consoled myself with wine and if it was a good day I celebrated with some. I didn’t realise how many calories it contains and the takeaways weren’t helping either,” he said. “I had joined gyms in the past, but never enjoyed it. This scheme was great because we all liked football and were a bit past our best. The coaches’ enthusiasm and expertise helped us to see that we could change and get back to where we used to be or even better.” These days Mark spends his spare time playing football with his nine-year-old son Thomas, going for long walks with his wife Dawn, running or trying out different workouts and experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen. He said: “I’ve never been more active or positive and I don’t miss the booze one bit. It’s like being given a whole new lease of life and I’m saving so much money as well. I’ve signed up for two marathons and despite building up my training, thankfully the knee problems I’ve had in the past haven’t returned. I feel totally transformed.” The next intake for Football Fans in Training starts in September. If you’re a football fan and want to find out more or join up, contact Jon Holloway by emailing jon@stfc-fitc.co.uk or calling: (01793) 421303
Football Fans in Training[/caption] When 30 Swindon Town football fans were united in their goal to lose weight they scored an impressive victory, having collectively shed more than 40 stone in the space of just three months. The men, aged between 35 to 65 who came from all walks of life and levels of fitness, were taking part in an innovative programme called Football Fans In Training (FFIT) which kicked off in January and helped them ring positive changes to their diet and exercise routines through a shared love of the beautiful game. Thrilled with the scheme’s success, and its visible impact on their waistlines, the participants are so determined to maintain their new-found fitness that they’re still meeting up to play footie together and keep supporting each other every step and kick of the way. The initiative proved just the tonic for lifelong Swindon Town supporter Roman Piotrowski, a 55-year-old construction design consultant, who has already lost more than three stone and completely transformed his lifestyle. The dad-of-two, from Covingham, said: “It has completely turned my life around and I want to say a massive thank you. I was sleepwalking my way to a heart attack, but now I’m on the right track and feel so much better physically and mentally. It’s brilliant.” At the start of the course, Roman tipped the scales at 23 stone after his weight had been steadily rising since he hit 40, stopped playing football and slipped into unhealthy eating habits. “It’s very easy to fall into a lazy routine and if you’re not moving about much, you’re not burning it off. I got promoted at work, stopped playing football and started eating more takeaways,” he said. “I didn’t binge eat, but the pounds just piled on over the years – all those odd biscuits with your tea, an extra sandwich or treat kebab add up and it becomes a vicious circle because the bigger you are, the harder it is to move, so you make excuses and don’t do it.” Three years ago Roman was diagnosed with high blood pressure and type two diabetes, but still struggled to find the motivation to change his sedentary ways. “I suffer from low mood so although I knew I should do something, I struggled to take action. I’ve been a Town fan since I was a young lad so when I heard about it I thought it’s right up my street because we’ll all be in the same boat and have our following of the club in common,” he said. “It totally surpassed my expectations. The coaches are fantastic – full of encouragement and empathy. I’ve also made some great friends and despite being a little older, it didn’t matter – I got stuck in and got back into the swing of it.” Roman’s typical daily diet now features porridge with fruit for breakfast, a healthy sandwich using wholemeal bread and a small bag of baked crisps for lunch, and a salad for dinner with a piece of fruit for snacking. He said: “I’ve found a great app called My Fitness Pal which means I can monitor my calories really easily. I’m also using my stepometer to make sure I’m doing enough physical activity. My doctor won’t believe it when he sees me – and I’m not done yet, this is just first base. I’m determined to keep it going and get down to around 15 stone.” The Council-run scheme, delivered in partnership with Swindon Town Football in the Community Trust, features information and advice about a range of topics, such as alcohol and portion size, along with physical activity sessions, including football skills and circuit training. FFIT also kick-started a healthier lifestyle for Barry Palmer, who has shed more than two stone. Barry, a 48-year-old warehouse leader at Honda from Stratton, said: “It was just the kick I needed. I’ve been into football all my life and still train a local club, but over the years you become less active and doing shift work makes it easy to reach for things like crisps, pasties and chocolate.” Since completing FFIT Barry is back down to 16 stone – the lightest he has been in two decades – through becoming more active and cutting out junk food. “I walk the kids to school and get more involved in the football training, having previously stood on the sidelines. I’ve stopped having fried breakfasts in the staff canteen and snacking on convenience food. To be honest, I don’t miss it because I feel so much better now and have stacks more energy. I eat healthily and save the trips to the chippie for an occasional treat,” the dad-of-four said. “The camaraderie has been fantastic. We’re all determined to stick with it and are travelling up to Scotland to play in a football tournament in June, so there’s that to prepare for. We’ve made mates for life and I’m really grateful for the opportunity which has sorted us all out.” Mark Starr, a 48-year-old sign language interpreter, from Wroughton, has overhauled his lifestyle with equally impressive results. The dad-of-four, who has lost more than two and a half stone and turned teetotal, said: “I used to be quite fit but now I’m even fitter and faster. I can’t quite believe it – this programme has been absolutely amazing and I can fit back into jeans from nearly 10 years ago.” Picking up a takeaway curry and washing it down with a bottle of wine had become a regular habit and as Mark’s weight crept up, he became less active and more lethargic. “I basically got lazy and was drinking too much. After work, if it was a bad day I consoled myself with wine and if it was a good day I celebrated with some. I didn’t realise how many calories it contains and the takeaways weren’t helping either,” he said. “I had joined gyms in the past, but never enjoyed it. This scheme was great because we all liked football and were a bit past our best. The coaches’ enthusiasm and expertise helped us to see that we could change and get back to where we used to be or even better.” These days Mark spends his spare time playing football with his nine-year-old son Thomas, going for long walks with his wife Dawn, running or trying out different workouts and experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen. He said: “I’ve never been more active or positive and I don’t miss the booze one bit. It’s like being given a whole new lease of life and I’m saving so much money as well. I’ve signed up for two marathons and despite building up my training, thankfully the knee problems I’ve had in the past haven’t returned. I feel totally transformed.” The next intake for Football Fans in Training starts in September. If you’re a football fan and want to find out more or join up, contact Jon Holloway by emailing jon@stfc-fitc.co.uk or calling: (01793) 421303
Be social
We love our supporters.
And we love what we do. But we couldn’t do it without these great people that get behind us. Be a supporter.
Contact Us