Heavy Mob steals a march on their rivals

DAWN ECKERSLEY — with our Get Moving To Health volunteers every step of the way — reports on how the teams shaped up after their first week on the programme.

IT may be very early days but the gloves are well and truly off as our teams battle it out to be crowned the ultimate Get Moving to Health champions.

The Heavy Mob got off to a flying start gaining 58 points — putting them six in front of Wide Load who managed 52.

Congratulations must go to out to our teams as they have all managed to lose at least two pounds each putting them on track to make the 10 pounds at 10 weeks target.

Half of our recruits gained maximum points this week with four losing a point for failing to complete those all important food diaries.

Bridgette Fox dropped two points as an unfortunate injury meant she couldn’t manage her mandatory three gym sessions and Roger Hindle scored six out of 10 as he is away on a pre-booked holiday.

With all the gang — bar Roger, who was busy sunning himself — gaining maximum points for effort during the Nordic Walking class our recruits will get the chance to boost their scores with their first nutrition session with dietician Louise Brown next week.

Here they’ll learn how to make sensible food choices rather than just giving up on everything they enjoy as well as finding out what makes up a perfectly balanced plate.

The following week, the teams will head over to Chadderton Sports Centre for a gruelling circuit class where they’ll have to jab, squat and lunge their way through an hour of sheer hell.

There’s a long way to go until we crown the winning team — who will receive a glamorous make over courtesy of Debenhams - and the prize is anyone’s for the taking.

Wide Load already have some ground to make up and with cheeseburger loving cheeky Chaddy the Owl on board, who knows how they’ll fare over the coming weeks.

Read next week’s reports to find out.

Capt. Maggie gets the bug for exercise

A YEARNING to set a good example and the fear of needing the fire service to help her through the front door were the only incentives Maggie Hurley needed to sign up for Get Moving To Health.

The 43-year-old, who is community and volunteer co-ordinator for Age Concern, is already starting to see results just a week into the programme.

She said: “I co-ordinate activities for over 50s and organise cookery sessions between pensioners and school children and I feel I am a very poor role model. I always feel uncomfortable when I am trying to encourage people to exercise and usually make a joke about my body so I knew it was time to sort myself out.”

Maggie has been to Slimming World classes in Shaw for the past three years and has occasionally lost weight only to see if go back on again.

But cutting back on food was not Maggie’s biggest worry — it was the thought of exercise that made her sweat.

She said: “It has been years since I exercised. I always said I would diet for the rest of my life rather than put a pair of trainers on my feet but now I am finding myself doing three exercise classes a week, swimming and counting my steps on a pedometer.

“I lost 6lbs in the first week which is the same amount I lost when I gave birth to my son. My sons Sean and Liam are very fit and my stepson Jordan runs every morning so I am hoping to join them as soon as possible.

“My family are rallying round to help me in any way they can by making me lunch to take to work, checking my portion sizes and doing the housework and my friends are always texting me to ask how it’s going.

“Getting up off the sofa after a hard day at work to do some exercise can be a real struggle but I force myself for the good of my team, my health and my huge backside and I do feel so much better when I have done it.”

Maggie is relishing her role as leader of The Heavy Mob and has already encouraged most of her team to take to the water for regular hearty swimming sessions.

And after seeing old photographs of herself looking younger, slimmer and fitter, Maggie is determined to take control of her life and make changes that she will stick to for life.

She said: “I think it will take a lot longer than 10 weeks — more like years of healthy eating, exercise and a very good plastic surgeon. But this is not a quick fix, it’s the introduction to my new way of life. It will take a long time to fix the mess I have made of my health and my body over the years but I am certain I will see it through — I don’t want to be fat and 50.

“I would advise anyone thinking of starting a health programme to stop the talk and do the walk. I have always found an excuse not to exercise but after seeing the results of doing it for just a few weeks all my excuses have been thrown in the bin.”

Big Al hits treadmill
HE only signed up for the Get Moving To Health programme to stop his wife nagging but radio presenter Big Al is already starting to see results.

The father of three, who can be heard on 96.2 The Revolution on weekdays from 10am to 2pm, admits he was “sick of being the fat bloke on the radio” and knew the time had come to sort himself out.

Despite his love of kebabs and curry, the 40-year-old has thrown himself into every challenge head on and has already started shedding the pounds.

After just one week Big Al — a member of Team Wide Load — had gone down a notch on his belt and had become a regular in the gym.

His initial moaning about having to soak his aching muscles in early morning baths soon faded when he started to see real results and took full advantage of his free weekly treatments at Oldham College.

He said: “I’ve had to drastically change my eating habits and drastically increase my exercise. My old form of exercise consisted of walking to the car, I’m now out walking my dog each day, instead of leaaving it to the kids and in the gym three times a week.

“I’ve also started playing badminton again. I’ve got loads more energy and I get a free massage every week. I’m missing meat pie, chips and gravy but I’m getting there.”

When he does hit the gym Big Al favours the treadmill where he can zone out and listen to his colleagues at The Revolution but he’s not a big fan of the bike as it hurts his bottom!

Big Al is determined to keep up the good work when the 10 weeks are up and he believes he can achieve long-lasting success with a little help from his friends and family.

He said: “At the end of the programme I want a figure that puts a smile on my face rather than a smirk on everyone else’s.

“If there is anyone out there thinking of starting a healthy eating and exercise programme I would say to them ‘don’t think for one second that you’re alone’. Get along to your nearest health and fitness centre and watch yourself change.”

READ Deputy Editor David Whaley’s website blog plus daily exercise tips and recipes. Join us and Get Moving to a Healthier lifestyle!

Visit www.oldham-chronicle.co.uk and click on the Get Moving to Health section