Public Health England have launched a major new adult health campaign to seize the opportunity for a national reset moment on health, and the EFL Trust FIT FANS Programme is part of the campaign. FIT FANS is a FREE health programme for men and women aged 35-65 who are looking to lose weight, get fitter and lead a more active life.
63% of adults in the UK are overweight or living with obesity and this extra weight can cause pressure to build up around vital organs, making it harder for the body to fight against diseases like cancer and heart disease. By reducing your weight to a healthy level, you can also cut your risk of being critically ill with COVID-19.
Throughout the season, EFL Clubs and Club Community Organisations (CCOs) deliver a number of programmes to help individuals reduce their weight and improve their overall physical health. This includes FIT FANS which is a 12 week programme currently run by over 30 clubs that has continued throughout the Coronavirus pandemic, with many sessions adapted to be delivered online. Thousands of participants have taken part across the network and over 10,000 people have tuned in to the FIT FANS online campaign that was launched in April and is still available here.
Andy, who took part in the first Fit Millers programme, said: “The first FIT MILLERS will take a special place in all those that contributed, if you remember it for the extreme weather conditions, the odd leg injury or the Covid -19, the 2020 FIT MILLERS was a great experience. I'd like to thank Emma, Ryan, Mark, and all the crew for helping me to change my life for the better and hopefully the lives of those to come.”
To support people to live healthier lives, Public Health England’s Better Health campaign provides a variety of tools and apps to help you make healthier food choices, become more active and prevent future weight gain. One of these tools is a Weight Loss Plan app, which provides 12 weeks’ worth of engaging content that can be personalised and tailored to the goals and needs of the individual.
If you want to find out more about how to make sustainable lifestyle change, go behind the scenes at your club, learn about healthy eating and take part in an exercise programme, you can find your local FIT FANS session www.rucst.co.uk. And don’t worry, our FIT FANS often say with FIT FANS they are too busy having fun to realise that they are exercising.
FIT FANS has helped 1000’s of people – football fans just like you – to achieve long-term improvements in weight loss, physical activity, diet and general wellbeing. Participants on average lost over 5% of their body weight during the 12 week programme.
FIT FANS is delivered in partnership with Public Health England. For help and support to lose weight, visit nhs.uk/BetterHealth.
Clark Robertson joins the group prior to the Covid-19 outbreak.