Public Health England have launched a major new adult health campaign to seize the opportunity for a national reset moment of health, and the EFL Trust FIT FANS Programme is part of the campaign.
Nearly two thirds (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 within a healthy range, 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 - the EFL's national version of Club Doncaster's pioneering Fit Rovers programme - which is now being run as a 12-week programme by more than 30 clubs. FIT FANS (and Fit Rovers) have continued throughout the Coronavirus pandemic with many sessions adapted to be delivered online by Club Doncaster Foundation's Scott Copeland.
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.
Fit Rovers has proved life changing as in the case of Molly:
To improve health and wellbeing, individuals should aim to have a BMI below 25 and above 18.5. NICE recommends that Black, Asian and minority ethnic groups should aim to have a BMI below 23 and above 18.5 to avoid risks to health.
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.
For help and support to lose weight, visit nhs.uk/BetterHealth
To find out more about how to make a long term and sustainable lifestyle change, go behind the scenes at your club, learn about healthy eating and take part is an exercise programme email fitrovers@clubdoncasterfoundation.co.uk
Alternatively, if you want to get started at home - visit the Foundation's Home Goals Facebook page and YouTube channel for great healthy eating and excercise tips.