Francine Hoddy can empathise with anyone battling to lose weight.

A former couch potato who battled with obesity, Francine had endured ‘stick insects’ looking her up and down and being told in no uncertain terms how unfit she was through her own gym experiences.

So four-and-a-half years ago when she opened We Are Not A Gym in Enterprise Way, Idle, she was determined her fitness centre would be different, and it is. Lycra and mirrors along with competitive fitness are most certainly banned! It’s hard to believe that 18 years ago Francine was a heavyweight, but after shedding the pounds she’s now using her experience, and the knowledge and training she has since acquired by becoming a health professional and setting up her own gym, to help others.

“I went to college and decided to learn a bit more for myself,” says Francine.

She enrolled on a training course run by the YMCA, one of the industry leaders in fitness, according to Francine, and gained experience working in local gyms.

“Then I did more training, more courses and more qualifications, and became a personal trainer.”

Francine went freelance helping people to get fit before landing a contract with a toning tables manufacturer, training instructors both at home and abroad to use the equipment, “all the time getting my savings together to open up my own place,” she says.

Since opening her own gym, Francine tells me her greatest job satisfaction is helping people change their lives. She’s also conscious there are many more in similar situations who may need her help and support, which is why she has recently devised what she believes is a unique initiative to help people shed the pounds and keep them off.

Francine’s unique walking-talking weight-loss course is aimed at men and women who aren’t currently exercising, would like to start but are not really sure how to go about it.

“I know from my own experience how difficult it can be to take the first steps on the road to weight loss, especially when you are totally unfit, have several stones to lose and feel you are on your own.

“The thought of going to a gym or putting on a swimming costume are just too much to bear.

“Research has shown one of the easiest ways to start improving your fitness and reducing weight is to start going for walks. When you are on the large side it takes a lot of courage to get out and take those first steps.

“With this in mind, I have developed a 12-week course which will include a weekly weigh-in session combined with a healthy eating talk and initially just a ten-minute walk. In the beginning we will be talking more than walking but over the weeks we will build up to more walking than talking.

“By the end of the 12-week course participants will have gained a good understanding of healthy eating, improved their overall fitness enough to walk at a good pace for around 45 minutes, made new friends, gained confidence and started to lose weight.”

Francine acknowledges while there are many slimming clubs and walking groups out there, being a registered health professional and having the experience of losing weight herself, she can bring a different dimension to helping people lose weight and maintain their trimmed down shape. “It works for me and hundreds of people I have helped over the past 12 years or so,” she says.

I ask what qualities candidates wanting to follow her into the fitness industry need. “Patience, understanding, empathy; and they need to be enthusiastic and self-motivated.”

Francine’s walking-talking weight loss course costs £5 per week. For more information call (01274) 610404. Or to find out more about leisure and fitness courses contact Bradford College on (01274) 433333.