Fit Fans
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The FitFans project was commissioned by NHS Hull to provide weight loss support for all people in Hull delivering safe effective weight loss through specialist lifestyle and exercise programmes. In particular the project was initially designed to target overweight and obese men over the age of 40 including those from hard to reach categories living in areas of high socio-economic deprivation.
FitFans aims to build a network of high profile mentor led aspirational community based weight loss programmes, and is delivered in conjunction with local professional and amateur sports clubs with programmes operating from sports stadia and other community outlets.
The FitFans approach we believe sits well with the ambition of engaging males in particular onto weight management programmes as well as bringing the whole aspect of healthy eating and active lives for residents back into the community and away from clinical settings.
Following the success of the men’s service the 
service was introduced to run alongside the men’s programme delivering a separate women’s weight management programme specifically designed for women.
During the structured 12 week programme FitFans and FitFans For Her explains why diets don’t work and why quick fixes quickly fail, exploring the many issues relating to food and nutrition, examining the consequences of our behaviour. Fitfans teaches the fundamentals of long-term weight management through an improved relationship with physical activity and the accompanying benefits; optimum long-term health and wellness.
By linking weight loss to a sporting venue FitFans has so far succeeded in attracting 1,500 men and women who want to lose or maintain a healthy weight. Kate Birkenhead, Health Improvement Manager for NHS Hull, said: “Using the city’s best-known sporting venues for the courses is key to FitFans’ appeal. Participants are able to train in the same places as their football and rugby heroes and receive the same expert advice. It creates a real sense of team spirit and I’m delighted that so far 1500 men (and women) will be fitter and healthier as a result of Fit Fans.”
For more information please see our Fit Fans website www.fitfans.co.uk
