Helping people to lose weight and gain confidence

She has not looked back. The mother-of-five was referred by her doctor to take part in BEEP (Bradford Encouraging Exercise in People), a Bradford Council-run scheme urging individuals to become more active, more often.

Its exercise referral programme - which offers heavily discounted exercise choices with bespoke plans designed for the individual - includes a year-long follow up support service, to monitor their progress.

Activities at Bradford Council’s leisure centres and community venues include gym-based exercise, swimming, group exercise classes, walking, cycling, home-based programmes, weight management services and many more options.

Tanya was referred to BEEP after tests revealed her to be at high risk of diabetes and began to visit the gym regularly, under the guidance of its Active Health team.

“Over five months I had tried to lose weight but I could not do it on my own,” she says. “When I started with BEEP I was the biggest I have ever been and weighed more than 13 stone. I had a trapped nerve in my shoulder and that limited the amount of exercise I did. But I found the more I did, the easier it got and it became unstuck by itself.”

A single parent with children aged between four and 18, Tanya was aware of the need to stay fit. “I have to be as healthy as I can be for them as well as for myself,” she says.

She was offered a choice of gyms and decided upon Council-run Shipley Gym. “I try to go three times a week,” she says. “Now that my youngest has started school it is easier.”

As well as using the exercise equipment, Tanya takes part in classes including circuit training and spin, and has begun gardening. She combines exercise with a healthy eating plan, cutting out cakes, biscuits and other fattening foods.

In the first six months she lost more than a stone. “I could not wear the gym clothes I set out with,” she says. She is no longer classed as obese. “I feel so much better. If you really want to do it, it will happen.”

Managed by Bradford Council’s department of sport and culture, the BEEP scheme began in 1995 and has benefitted more than 25,000 people. This year a new follow-up support service was introduced, helping clients over a year-long period.

The programme includes a full health screening before, during and after, including blood pressure, lung functions, weight and waist circumference checks. Participants are offered reduced price membership after 12 weeks, plus 12 months of follow up support to ensure they continue their healthy lifestyle.

The programmes also give access to specific sessions to encourage group support and help people to make new friends.

Those referred suffer from a wide range of conditions including high blood pressure, heart disease, mental health issues and obesity.

Ivor Morgan from Wibsey also signed up for the scheme. After being totally inactive, he now exercises for two hours a day, six days a week at the gym at Richard Dunn Sports Centre and follows a low-carbohydrate diet.

“I have got osteoarthritis in both knees and this year I have had keyhole surgery. “I have not been able to go out much and the weight piled on. I just felt so down and had no motivation.”

His doctor referred him to the scheme. “They weighed me at the sports centre and took measurements and blood pressure, then someone showed me how to use the equipment,” he says. He started at 21 stone, 10lbs and has lost almost four stone.

“My wardrobe is now useless,” he says, “All my stuff is too big.”

He continues to suffer problems with his knees but is able to walk further than he has in the past. “I now play golf and go for walks with my wife.”

As well as reducing his risk of heart disease, his new regime has lifted his spirits. “I feel so much better,” he says.

As well as weight loss and improving self-esteem, the medical benefits are many, including helping to reduce the risk of stroke, helping to control diabetes, cutting chances of developing high blood pressure and improving respiratory functions.

Active Health Specialist Manager Mark Webster joined the service in 2008 as a BEEP practitioner. “We see great improvements in wellbeing over the 12 weeks,” he says. “Such as confidence, physical health, self-esteem and enjoyment of life.”

There has been great success for those who have completed 12 weeks. For women there is an average total body weight loss per person of 8.6kg/19lbs or 9.55 per cent and for men the figures are 5.6kg/12.3lbs or 5.5per cent.

By week four, 76 per cent of people who were previously inactive had become active. Annually, BEEP offers around 6,500 appointments and follow up calls per year based on 1,300 patients. Almost three-quarters of them come from the top 30 per cent most deprived areas in Bradford.

“This is helping tackle health inequalities that we know exist in these areas of Bradford by supporting those who most need it in making healthier lifestyle choices,” says Mark.

The scheme works in partnership with other health groups across the district including Bradford Beating Diabetes, the voluntary sector, Bradford Falls Prevention Exercise Service and Bradford Disability Sport and Leisure.

Future plans include engaging with more people, especially harder to reach groups from certain communities, offering more one to one and group support. Says Mark: “We also want to ensure that each individual has the skills and confidence to sustain their own healthy behaviour change and then pass it on.”

Andrew Burns, business development manager in Bradford Council’s department of sport and culture, says: “Being more active can help prevent and manage medical conditions including, depression, anxiety, type 2 diabetes, hypertension and obesity which are risk factors for coronary heart disease. It can also help with personal well-being.”

Doctors, practice nurses, and other health professional can refer patients to BEEP.

For more information visit activebradford.com or bradford.gov.uk/sport-and-activities or ring 01274 435388.