Fit Club teams ready for challenge

Launched tonight: Third year of Chronicle campaign to urge Oldhamers to lead a healthier lifestyle of exercise and good food

DAWN ECKERSLEY is with our volunteers every step of the way for the next 10 weeks.



ON your marks, get set, go! The race to fight the flab is well and truly on as the Chronicle enlists a brand new bunch of recruits for the third Get Moving To Health campaign.



During the first and second GMTH campaigns we witnessed strong bonding and firm friendships formed for individual gain but all that is about to change. This year, there’s a twist.

The 12 volunteers — all familiar local faces — will be split into two teams who will battle it out to be crowned Get Moving champions over the next 10 weeks.

In team one, captained by Maggie Hurley, we have Dave McGealy, Chris Hamilton, Malana Bridge, Joan Hague and John Carhart — and they’ve christened themselves “The Heavy Mob”.

In team two, led by Nicola Melvin, we have Roger Hindle, Bridgette Fox, Bernard Stone, radio presenter Big Al and Latics mascot Chaddy the Owl — and they came up with the team name “Wide Load”!

Over the course of the programme, team members will sweat it out in the gym and learn how to make their diet healthier without giving up everything they love in a bid to win points for their team.

Points will be awarded for hitting weight loss targets, attending a minimum number of exercise sessions, turning up to group sessions, keeping a food diary and showing commitment and effort.

Previous years have seen volunteers go above and beyond their weight loss targets as they try their hand at gruelling tasks such as spinning, fitball and the dreaded circuits.

This year, our gang will attempt Nordic walking and get all technological with a Wii Fit session as they try to drop 10lbs during the 10-week programme.

A maximum of 10 points can be awarded to each team member with a maximum team score of 60 points up for grabs each week.

The team with the most points at the end of the 10 week programme will see their efforts rewarded with a glamorous makeover courtesy of Debenhams.

And Oldham College are lending their support to all the participants by offering them a free weekly feel-good session such as pedicures, massage, haircuts and beauty therapy.

So, who will step up to the plate and do their bit for the team?

Catch up with the recruits in next Wednesday’s Chronicle and see how they’ve done in their first week.



Weights and measures



THE HEAVY MOB



Maggie Hurley, Community and volunteer services co-ordinator, Age Concern; Chris Hamilton, Chief Executive, Oldham Roughyeds; John Carhart, Sports Centre assistant, OCLL; Joan Hague, Landlady, Whitehouse Inn; Malana Bridge, Supervisor, Debenhams; Dave McGealy, Manager, Oldham Community Radio 99.7FM




Total weight



96st 13lbs


Weights range



12st 8lbs to 17st 13lbs.


BMI



The lowest Body Mass Index is 30.4 while the highest is 47.8.


Waist



Measurements range from 88cm to 127cm.


Height



The shortest group member is 5ft, the tallest 5ft 8ins.


WIDE LOAD

Nicola Melvin, family support worker, Radclyffe School; BIG AL, presenter, 96.2 The Revolution; Bridgette Fox, Health improvement services, NHS Oldham; Bernard Stone, company secretary, Oldham Evening Chronicle; Chaddy the Owl, Latics mascot; Roger Hindle, councillor and credit controller, Money Controls


Total weight

96st 12lbs

Weights range

The lowest weight is 13st 8lbs with the highest 21st .

BMI

Body Mass Index’s range from 27 to 44.4.

Waist

Measurements range from 103cm to127cm.

Height

The shortest group member is 5ft 3ins, the tallest 5ft 11ins.

HOW THEY WILL SCORE POINTS

Attend three exercise sessions a week — up to 3

To lose recommended 2lbs weight per week- up to 2

To attend group training sessions -1

To show commitment and effort - up to 3

To keep food diary - 1