This entry was posted on Monday, November 25th, 2013at 2:12 pm by zoe.leahy@activenation.org.uk

GP Referral Helps Lee Lose 7-And-A-Half Stone!

A prison custody officer lost 7-and-a-half stone after taking up the challenge to get active and lose some weight.

Lee Bradley, 44, topped the scales at 23-and-a-half stone at his heaviest, but thanks to a sensible diet and a lot of exercise he is now feeling better than ever.

Lee took part in the Active Nation Lincoln 10k Road Race in April, more recently he completed 5k races at Saxilby and Gainsborough and is already planning a 10k cross country assault in Derbyshire in March.

He said: “In June 2012 I decided that enough was enough. I joined a diet group for my eating and cracked it. In August I started at Yarborough Leisure Centre as a GP exercise referral and I haven’t looked back since!

“In my job it was handy to have the extra weight, but everything else was a struggle – silly things like tying my shoe laces would leave me out of breath.”

Lee’s blood pressure always used to borderline on the high side, but since losing the weight and increasing his exercise levels it is now well within a healthy range.

“My advice to anybody else who is in the same position as I was 18 months ago is crack on with it! Just do it! Find the focus and the motivation to do it. I did, and I won’t ever go back to that,” said Lee.

The Exercise Referral Programme is a public health sponsored scheme for adults aged 18 plus with specific medical conditions. Throughout Lincolnshire the service has more than 4,000 patients taking part each year. The aim is to increase activity levels and fitness in general through using a number of one to one sessions with trained GP Referral specialists. The free 12-week programme is individually tailored to meet the patient’s needs. Individuals may reduce medication, increase their fitness level, feel and look better after completing the 12-week course.

Joanna Blackwell is from Lincolnshire City Council’s Healthy Lifestyles Team which helps to co-ordinate the scheme. She said: “The Healthy Lifestyles Team has been supporting local people for over 10 years and is pleased to be working with partners including Active Nation to provide people with opportunities and fantastic support to help them change their lives for the better.”

Lee added: “This has transformed my life. I would not have dared to go out running on the streets before, but now I love it. It’s a breath of fresh air to me now. I feel fantastic and would encourage others to do the same as me.”

• For more information about the exercise referral programme please see your GP.