Our popular Football Fans in Training (FFIT) returns to The Valley this month to offer more men in Greenwich the chance to become more active.
FFIT is a 13-week lifestyle programme that aims to help Men between 35-65, who have a waist size of 38 inches or more improve their health.
Starting at 7pm on Monday, January 16th, the course educates those involved about their diet and nutrition. They’ll take part in gentle physical activity and learn how to make healthier lifestyle choices once the programme finishes.
They’ll be 12 weekly stadium-based training sessions with SPFL coaches and pedometer-based homework, which encourages those involved increase their daily step count.
The sessions will gradually improve fitness, strength and flexibility, aiming get the men up to the current recommendations for physical activity, which is 30 minutes of moderate activity on most days of the week.
By the end of the programme, men should be, with an improved diet, achieving recommended levels for weight loss, or 45-60 minutes of moderate activity on most days of the week.
Chris Smith, from Eltham, took place in the previous FFIT course, which finished late last year. He picked up a leaflet about it at his GP surgery and thought it was a great way to become healthier.
“I knew I needed to lose weight,” he said, “I just needed a little motivation. I’d been going to the gym but I wasn’t enjoying it. And when you don’t enjoy something, it’s so much harder to keep it up.
“I didn’t know what to expect, but it sounded a lot better than using a treadmill on my own, and it was. The guys on my course were a really nice bunch. You can have a laugh and a joke but still be sensible and take the sessions seriously because we’re all there for the same reason.
“The camaraderie between us all is great and everyone running the sessions are always willing you to do well.
And it didn’t take him long to see some results. He started going to CACT’s weekly walking football sessions alongside the FFIT and has lost more than six stone, and counting, as well as noticing many other changes.
He said: “I couldn’t even really walk in a straight line with a ball when I first started the walking football. Now I can turn a lot quicker and my agility has really improved.
“When I used to go to the gym, as soon as I felt a tiny niggle I’d just stop my session and go home. Now, if I feel a twinge I’ll either try and walk through it or stop for a few minutes and re-join the session when I’m ready.
“All the guys tell me when I’m improving too; it’s so encouraging to know I’m not the only one who can tell I’m getting better.”
If you want to come along, sessions take place every Monday evening. If you’d like to sign up, call 0800 470 4831 or email matt.phillips@cact.org.uk. The class meets every Monday, starting from Monday, January 16th at 7pm at the following address:
Valley Central
The Valley
Floyd Road
Charlton
London,
SE7 8BL
You can also find more information about the course on the FFIT website.
Find out more about Chris’s story on the Greenwich Get Active site.