Back in the old routine!
Date published: 19 January 2009
AS the Chronicle gears up to introduce a brand new band of volunteers to the wonderful world of weight loss, reporter DAWN ECKERSLEY spoke to previous recruits who have kept up the good work of the Get Moving To Health programme . . .
Charlotte Deakin
Charlotte had tried everything — from surviving on rations of boiled rice and spam to stuffing her face with diet pills — in a bid to lose weight.
So the programme’s youngest ever recruit at 28 was ready to give GMTH her best shot.
Charlotte had never been unhappy with her size but admitted she had an unhealthy relationship with food and swung between 11 and 13 stone.
She relished the chance to learn how to eat healthily and found herself actually looking forward to regular exercise sessions.
The devoted Oldham Roughyeds fan fitted her new regime in around her passion for rugby and her dedication saw her reach her target weight loss of 10lbs.
“While she admits to letting herself go a bit at Christmas, Charlotte has kept the weight off and recently renewed her membership with Oldham Community Leisure.
She said: “I would recommend the GMTH programme to anyone. My attitude to eating and exercise has changed and I definitely feel more confident now.
“I would advise the new recruits to go into all the classes with an open mind and try everything — they might be surprised and actually end up liking something they thought they would hate.
“I would also advise them to take full advantage of their free gym pass — it really is a valuable resource.”
Alison Keane
Alison was fed up of being the fat aunt at family gatherings so the 36-year-old signed up for the Chronicle’s first ever GMTH programme back in January, 2007.
The mother-of-one, who teaches dance at Newbridge School, quickly found her motivation and a combination of low-fat versions of her favourite foods and more exercise saw the pounds drop off.
Alison, from Moorside, piled on the pounds when her father, Philip Kay, died suddenly after suffering a heart attack seven years ago. Her grief led Alison to swap her hobbies of amateur dramatics and dancing for comfort eating.
But she soon found her way back to health and fitness and regained her love of performing.
She was also pleased to forge solid friendships on the GMTH programme. Over the course of the 14 weeks, Alison lost 15lbs and whittled her waist by 13cm.
And in the two years since GMTH, Alison has kept up the good work and has stuck to her healthy eating plan with great success.
She said: “People keep telling me I’ve done really well to keep the weight off and it feels really nice to be complimented.
“I exercise three times a week and I really enjoy it. I also have lots more energy and I am always in a good mood because I’m much happier with the way I look.
“I would advise this year’s recruits to take full advantage of the opportunity, go for it 100 percent and enjoy the experience — it really is life changing.”
Don’t miss Wednesday’s Chronicle for the launch of the 2009 programme — The Local Champions’ Fit Club Challenge!
This year’s initiative will also feature daily recipes and fitness tips on a special Get Moving to Health section on the Chronicle website. Visit www.oldham-chronicle.co.uk
