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There’s an ideal opportunity for men to be the latest signing to ‘Shape Up’ and reap the health benefits after the festive period, as a new weight management course gets under way in Borehamwood.
The 12-week programme called ‘Shape Up’ focusses on combatting the growing problem of obesity amongst middle aged men in Hertfordshire and is aimed at men aged 18 to 65 with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or over. Participants can go to www.shapeupherts.com/do-i-qualify and use the NHS BMI calculator to find out their BMI.
Sessions will take place at Allum Hall in Borehamwood on Monday nights between 7:30pm and 9pm from 7 January.
Participants meet up weekly for a 90 minute session consisting of a 30 minute educational segment and a 60 minute physical activity session. These two segments are delivered with the aim to develop a healthy relationship with food and change unhealthy behaviours and habits that cause weight gain.
Shape Up has seen over 850 men engage in sessions across Hertfordshire with participants recording a staggering collective weight loss of over 3.1 tonnes with 23.6 million calories burned over that time. Improvements in mental health have also been seen with 93% of participants reporting improved self-esteem.
Shape Up has already changed lives by encouraging men to think about the causes of obesity and how, by making changes to their lifestyle, they can reduce the risk of obesity related diseases such as diabetes and heart disease.
A previous participant in Potters Bar, said: “Shape Up has been great. It has been eye-opening seeing what I’ve actually been eating through the food diary. It has changed the way I think about food and exercising.”
Obesity is a national problem, and one that is growing fast. Currently 63% of adults who live in Hertsmere are carrying excess weight and this is predicted to rise. Promoting a healthy weight and increasing the levels of physical activity will help lead to a reduction in risk of major diseases, such as diabetes and coronary heart disease.
This course is open and accessible to all, delivering at a number of different venues across Hertfordshire. Participants can get involved with Shape Up by contacting 01923 494391 or rhys.ratcliffe@watfordfc.com. For more information visit the Shape Up website: www.shapeupherts.com
The free Shape Up weight management course is funded by the Premier League Charitable Fund, PFA, Hertfordshire County Council Public Health and Hertsmere Health and Wellbeing Partnership. The male-only programme is delivered by Watford FC’s Community Sports and Education Trust.
For more information about health and exercise in Hertsmere visit our Physical Activity and Healthy Eating page: www.hertsmere.gov.uk/health
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