Football Fans in Training

Barry's a success story for Football Fans in Training

Story courtesy of the Celtic website www.celticfc.net

No matter how you express this: six stones, three-quarters of a hundredweight, 84 pounds or 38.1 kilogrammes, this is a wonderful achievement in weight loss, and all accomplished in nine months following a health and fitness course at Celtic Park.

Step forward Celtic supporter Barry Sloan, whose weight loss is the equivalent of 200 half-time pies or over 90 SPL footballs.

‘Football Fans in Training’ (FFIT) is a Scottish Premier League Trust initiative and one of the many Celtic Foundation projects aimed at improving the health and well-being of local communities. This is the third season Celtic has participated in the project aimed at men between 35 and 65 who have a waist measurement of over 38 inches.

Each course lasts for 12 weeks and every week involves some physical activity in the gym. ‘Classroom’ sessions help participants learn about healthier eating and easy steps which can be taken to improve eating habits and improve fitness.

The Celtic course is funded by the Scottish Government and Football Pools and is run by Celtic Foundation coaches.

Season ticket holder Barry Sloan saw the FFIT initiative being highlighted on television. He was already aware of having gained too much weight, being very unfit and beginning to be concerned about his raised blood pressure. He, therefore, got in touch with the SPL, stating that he’d like to take part in a course at Celtic Park.

Last week he explained his experiences to the Celtic View. He said: “The attraction of losing some weight and leading a healthier lifestyle was the motivation for joining FFIT.

“I was uncertain who else would be on the course, but the big thing for me was the fact that it took place at Celtic Park.

“It was a wonderful feeling to walk in the front door at the stadium and take part in educational sessions in the lounges. Most inspiring of all, though, was jogging around the track in the magnificent stadium and doing physical work in the gym.

“I needn’t have worried about mixing with the other participants. The camaraderie which quickly built up was very motivational, and even although the sessions took place on Friday nights when I was used to relaxing at home with a glass or two of wine and a pizza, it was no hardship to spend the hours on the course.

“My main aim was weight loss, and during the 12-week duration of the classes I lost three stones. I was really encouraged by this and it was sufficient incentive to carry on with my new healthy-eating regime and over nine months I’ve now lost six stones.

“I give all the credit to the education we received on healthy eating. I now know about saturated fats, and what’s good to eat and what’s good to avoid.

“Another great benefit to my health is the lowering of my blood pressure. It’s now slightly below what the medical people would say is the target. And all of this was done through weight control and exercise. I did not need any medication, much to the satisfaction of my GP.

“It’s really wonderful the way the club is used to inspire people like me. In particular, I’d like to thank Celtic Foundation coaches Simon Farrelly and Jamie Reid who did so much to encourage us all and make Friday nights so enjoyable.”

Simon Farrelly is, of course, thrilled at such outstanding success and he added: “Barry is just as much an inspiration to us coaches as Celtic has been for him."

For more information on the various health and wellbeing programmes run by the Celtic Foundation throughout the year, please contact co-ordinator Brian Delaney on 0141-551 4266 or email: [email protected]