Fit To Tackle Blog – Week Nine

Fit To Tackle Blog – Week 9

Have we mentioned the steps at Halliwell Jones Stadium? I’m pretty sure we have. The steps are a bit of a FTT institution, and it’s become tradition that each intake completes the Steps Challenge – basically a loop of the stadium running (or walking) every step in the stadium. That’s around 2,000 steps.

Ladies and gentlemen, for FTT 14, that time came on Monday night.

And they smashed it!

Every single person there on Monday evening completed the steps challenge and it was an incredible achievement.

And just as important as the physical achievement was the moral support given by the group to each other. It’s not an easy task at all, and really requires people to dig deep, summon up every last bit of mental strength and energy and just get through it, taking each set of steps at a time.

And that support and encouragement can’t be underestimated.

So a big WELL DONE to everyone.

And speaking of support and encouragement – this week is National Volunteers Week, so it’s only right to pay tribute to our fabulous Fit To Tackle Mentors – whose contribution to the programme cannot be underestimated!

Barry, Cherree, Colin, Julie, Kev, Mark, Paul – these brilliant volunteers turn out to every session week in, week out, lending their support to participants, cheering them on, giving them advice, and generally being an incredible positive force within FTT.

So why do they do it?

Julie (pictured above with Cheree after they did the recent Mancehster 10K) says: “My FTT journey started on FTT 7 – I had been struggling to lose weight even though I was going to the gym 5 or 6 times a week. Barry [now a fellow mentor] recommended FTT so I signed up and absolutely loved it from day one. I was the ‘biggest loser’ on the course, found some self-confidence and made new friends for life.

“I was privileged to be asked back as a mentor and it is the best thing I have ever done. Being a mentor has given me the opportunity to continue with my own fitness but also to be able to give something back. I love to see the changes in people from week 1 to week 12 – not just the weightloss but the change in physique, fitness and confidence.

“I’m like a ‘proud mum’ whenever they complete a task such as the step challenge. FTT has become a way of life for me and I am honoured to be part of such an amazing team of mentors and coaches.”

Adds fellow mentor Mark AKA Gibbo (pictured below with FTT coach Tom): “My journey also started on FTT7 – up to the point of applying I’d tried all sorts of diets, falling in and out of love with the gym with no results and one day I decided (while on my second bag of pork scratchings!) that I needed to do something about it.

“The first 3-4 weeks of FTT were very tough and I did contemplate quitting one night sat in my car after putting half a pound on. But I decided to carry on and use that negative and turn it into a positive. I finished having lost over 2 stone, and have lost 3 in total. FTT changed my life and changed it even more when I was asked if I would like to be a mentor – let’s just say I didn’t need asking twice.

“I love being a mentor, it helps me give back to a course that gave me so much. It’s a way of life for me and by being a mentor on FTT I get a great sense of satisfaction watching people change whether it be their shape, size or general attitude to life. Apart from being a parent it’s the best unpaid job you can get!”

Anyone who has completed FTT knows how important the mentors are, so Barry, Cherree, Colin, Julie, Kev, Mark, Paul – thank you!!!!!! Just stop making everyone do all those steps would you!