'Biggest Loser' competition with Wolverhampton residents

Residents living on a small estate in Wolverhampton have always enjoyed the occasional walk. But recently they decided they needed to make a change, for good.

Marie Lane set up her project to help local people lose weight and reduce their risk of getting heart disease.

'Biggest Loser' competition

With a grant of just under £2,000, the group hosted a 12 week Biggest Loser competition based on circuit sessions involving a carousel of activities involving leg lifts, big ball exercises, lunges, boxing, star jumps and mini hurdles.

We have a laugh. I’ve made lots of friends here and seeing them each week is what motivates me.

Lisa Hughes, 41, got involved for two important reasons: she has diabetes and was keen to lose the weight she put on after having four children. She already enjoys walking her two dogs daily for exercise, but she especially likes the social aspect of coming to these classes.

“We have a laugh. I’ve made lots of friends here and seeing them each week is what motivates me.”

Marie says the weigh-ins at the beginning of each session are what keep her motivated.

“They spur me on: I want to show everyone that I’ve lost the weight. And there’s the element of competition as well, which encourages people to keep shifting the weight.”

The Biggest Loser Competition’s success is the combination of physical activity with heart health education sessions, which enable participants to make positive and sustained changes.

George Clayton, one of the instructors, says the project has been invaluable for the area.

“Some people can’t afford to go to the gym or they’re afraid of not achieving what they want to achieve in such a public setting. But coming here helps them because they get more one to one attention.”

There are lots of groups across the UK doing their bit to improve the heart health of local residents, why not join in the fun with your project?

For more information on any of these projects, or on how you can help improve heart health in your local community, contact the Help a Heart Grant team on 0207 554 0396.