Nicola ready to lead team to win

Week 2

WEEK TWO: Bad weather wipes out session with nutritionist

AFTER a bumpy start Wide Load team leader Nicola Melvin is full of life and raring to go.

The 41-year-old, who is a family support worker at Radclyffe School in Chadderton, wondered what she had let herself in for when she walked into the first Get Moving To Health meeting.

But now the mother of three is dropping the pounds fast thanks to her new found love of exercise.

She said: “I did experience withdrawal symptoms from the lack of fat and sugar and walking into a mixed gym was daunting at first but you learn to adapt and people have started to tell me that I look healthier and have a glow.

“I miss my puddings and Chinese food but I keep telling myself it will be worth it. I have also massively cut down my wine intake and only have two glasses on Saturday nights now.”

Nicola’s husband Alan does most of the cooking and is keeping her on the straight and narrow as are children Connor, Jay and Ashleigh who are doing everything they can to keep mum on track.

She said: “Alan has been preparing my lunches for work and cooking my meals at home and friends keep ringing me up and congratulating me as they are tracking my progress in the Chronicle.”

Nicola’s biggest surprise was finding out how friendly her fellow team mates — and rivals The Heavy Mob — are and how well they all get on.

Her only main concern is team mate Chaddy the Owl who doesn’t seem to be able to control his urges for cheeseburgers, chips and puddings.

Nicola said: “I’m going to have to keep a close eye on him so if anyone sees him enjoying a pie during half -time at Boundary Park I want to be the first to know about it.”

It’s only a 10-week programme but Nicola is determined her good work will not be wasted.

She said: “I will definitely keep up the good work when the 10 weeks are up and I will be encouraging my team to do the same. My aim is to lose at least three stones by the end of the year.

“I would advise anyone wanting to lead a healthier lifestyle to stop finding excuses —just do it. There’s nothing to be scared of.”Double points

up for grabs




THE Chronicle dynamic dozen — all volunteers on this year’s get Moving to Health programme, found themselves victims of the big freeze this week.



Their Monday night weigh-in and group session was postponed due to the snow.

Jackie Handley, project leader from sponsors Oldham Community Leisure (OCL) said: “It was obvious on Monday morning that getting all the participants to Oldham Sports Centre was going to be impossible so it was cancelled.

The two teams — The Heavy Mob, led by Age Concern co-ordinator Maggie Hurley and Wide Load, captained by Radclyffe School support worker Nicola Melvin (see story left) — were due to get some handy tips on healthy eating from NHS Oldham nutritionist Louise Brown.

While the teams are now well into their own personal fitness programmes at the local OCL sports centres, some of them are struggling with the food side of the equation so it has been decided that Louise will deliver her healthy advice at next Monday’s session.

Here the two teams will also be weighed and have their session plans checked to make sure they have been keeping up with the exercise.

It means that double points will be on offer so with The Heavy Mob holding a six-point lead going into week two, it could be a chance for Wide Load to close the gap.




AFTER a bumpy start Wide Load team leader Nicola Melvin is full of life and raring to go.



The 41-year-old, who is a family support worker at Radclyffe School in Chadderton, wondered what she had let herself in for when she walked into the first Get Moving To Health meeting.

But now the mother of three is dropping the pounds fast thanks to her new found love of exercise.

She said: “I did experience withdrawal symptoms from the lack of fat and sugar and walking into a mixed gym was daunting at first but you learn to adapt and people have started to tell me that I look healthier and have a glow.

“I miss my puddings and Chinese food but I keep telling myself it will be worth it. I have also massively cut down my wine intake and only have two glasses on Saturday nights now.”

Nicola’s husband Alan does most of the cooking and is keeping her on the straight and narrow as are children Connor, Jay and Ashleigh who are doing everything they can to keep mum on track.

She said: “Alan has been preparing my lunches for work and cooking my meals at home and friends keep ringing me up and congratulating me as they are tracking my progress in the Chronicle.”

Nicola’s biggest surprise was finding out how friendly her fellow team mates — and rivals The Heavy Mob — are and how well they all get on.

Her only main concern is team mate Chaddy the Owl who doesn’t seem to be able to control his urges for cheeseburgers, chips and puddings.

Nicola said: “I’m going to have to keep a close eye on him so if anyone sees him enjoying a pie during half -time at Boundary Park I want to be the first to know about it.”

It’s only a 10-week programme but Nicola is determined her good work will not be wasted.

She said: “I will definitely keep up the good work when the 10 weeks are up and I will be encouraging my team to do the same. My aim is to lose at least three stones by the end of the year.

“I would advise anyone wanting to lead a healthier lifestyle to stop finding excuses —just do it. There’s nothing to be scared of.”