FIT FANS with Preston North End helped repair a broken relationship with Stephen’s personal health.

Prior to Stephen’s journey on the FIT FANS programme at Preston North End Community and Education Trust, the world as he knew it was turned upside down. March 2020, the month that COVID-19 shook the whole of the United Kingdom, and many were advised to work from home and await further guidance. This was the start of a rapid decline for Stephen, and his health and wellbeing

Sadly, Stephen’s father passed away in 2020 too, and it left him feeling “broken” as his health took a backseat. Very quickly, he went from having a routine and a small amount of daily exercise to almost nothing. He sat for long periods of time whether that be at his work desk or on the sofa of an evening. As a result, Stephen noticed a significant decline in both his physical and mental health and at just 40 years old he knew that something needed to be actioned to change this.

One day, Stephen’s wife came home and told him that she had booked him in for his over 40’s health check, something he had been trying to avoid in the past but now owes her a lot of gratitude for doing so. All the tests and measurements that were taken, came back with some alarming results. He was diagnosed with Type II diabetes, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure. Stephen was thrown into a world of appointments, medications and following a list of dos and don’ts that he had never experienced before.

He explained: “Back in June 2021, my weight was 152kg (when I started Fit Fans, I weighed a bit less – 141.6kg), my BMI in June 2021 was 52. In terms of diabetes (Type II), I was at 61.”
Stephen spotted an advertisement at his local GP for our FIT FANS programme at Preston North End Community and Education Trust. He thought that the programme was something that suited him, and he described himself as “the perfect candidate” and that he “ticked every box”.

The Trust contacted Stephen in the Summer of 2021, but with no avail. In December 2021, there was a breakthrough and Stephen enquired once more and was enrolled onto the programme.

On the 17th January 2022, Stephen had his initial consultation at Week 0. Stephen weighed in at 141.6kg (22.3 stone), with a waist measurement of 144cm, a blood pressure reading of 176/104. Stephen was “devastated” at the numbers the FTI FANS programme has uncovered.

Average weight loss statistics for the FIT FANS programme are impressive and exceed those of many other programmes. On average women lose well over 3kg and men over 5.5kg by the end of the 12 weeks. We also have evidence that lifestyle change, and weight loss are sustained over the following 12 months. More than 90% of men and 85% of women lose weight during the programme with many losing a clinically significant amount. Our data shows FIT FANS helps people to increase physical activity, and reduce sedentary time, leading to weight loss, a significant reduction in reduction in blood pressure, and improvement in self-reported mental wellbeing measures.

Stephen engaged in the programme immediately with motivation to change evident. He completed at least 30 minutes of exercise every day and slowly noticed the pain he once felt when exercising was no longer there, and his enjoyment for moving his body grew and grew.

Not only did FIT FANS help Stephen with increasing his physical activity again but also provided him with the education about food, portions, drink, and exercise.

He said: “My most recent checks have all been fantastic (according to my diabetic nurse), my weight is 120kg currently, my BMI is 41 (she described this as phenomenal) and my Type II diabetes is 41, which is actually considered as pre-diabetic (this is the result that I wanted most), the target for me was to have this less than 48 and she says this is a fabulous achievement.”

FIT FANS has had such a dramatic affect on Stephen, his confidence, and his physical and mental health that he now attends other provisions that the Trust offers as well as visiting new cohorts of FIT FANS to share his own experience. A story that both Stephen and everyone involved at PNECET can be proud of.

Stephen expresses: “I’d just like to say once again how grateful I am to the whole Team at PNECET, I couldn’t have done this without your help, encouragement and support.”

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