Following a 12-week programme of dedicated training and hard work, Northampton Saints’ MoveLike A Pro coach Jamie Higgins is delighted with how this year’s participants have got on.
Designed for both men and women aged between 20 and 65 and funded by the National Lottery and Sport England, Premiership Rugby’s Move Like A Pro(MLAP) initiative offers both classroom and activity-based health interventions – including physical activity, diet changes, social connectedness and mental wellbeing.
And with the health and fitness course concluding at Franklin’s Gardens last month, the participants lost a grand total of 60.5kg - that's a massive 9.5 stone - and increased their individual average daily step count by at least 2,000 steps.
“The guys have really come together while smashing their goals; the sheer number of kilos they’ve lost speaks for itself."
Jamie Higgins, Move Like a Pro Coach
Higgins, who led the group from making the initial life-changing adjustments through to achieving their goals, expressed his pride in the group’s progress.
“I’m delighted to see how far they’ve all come on this programme; the sheer number of kilos they’ve lost speaks for itself,” he commented.
“The guys have really come together while smashing their goals and I think that will give them a great platform to continue on their fitness and well-being journeys.
“I’m very proud of what they’ve achieved and know that they are truly grateful to Premiership Rugby, the National Lottery and Sport England for running this scheme.”
Over the course of the 12-week MLAP programme, the group embarked on a step-by-step journey to improve their health, taking educational advice on nutrition and learning different types of strength training exercises.
And the participants echoed Higgins’ happiness, saying the process had been truly revolutionary for them.
“I was in a bit of a rut with wellbeing, eating and exercise,” Lee Chivers said. “I knew what I should and shouldn't be doing but often ignored it. I’m ashamed to say I was a member of a gym but hadn’t used it once before this course - I knew I needed a change.
“MLAP gave me a tool kit to make positive, bite-size changes in a fun collaborative way. I am certain the positivity will continue long after the last session has finished.”
“I have a new-found confidence now, I have made some amazing friends and have a positive attitude towards everything.”
Jordan Sinclair, Move Like a Pro Participant
Another participant, Jordan Sinclair added: “My health had gotten so bad I struggled to walk to the shops without being out of breath, I was depressed in myself and used to shut myself off from the world. But since taking part in MLAP, I have completely turned over a new leaf.
“I have a new-found confidence now, I have made some amazing friends and have a positive attitude towards everything.”
And fellow participant Kim Blake echoed her comrades’ thoughts: “I signed up for this with great trepidation, not knowing if I would be capable of completing the course. But I have to say, I've never looked back; it has certainly turned my life around.
“I may still not be the fittest or healthiest but this course has actually been a life changer for me. I have thoroughly enjoyed the camaraderie of these past 3 months and would encourage anyone who has the opportunity to sign up in the future.”
To find out more about the MLAP programme and how to get involved, please CLICK HERE. And to find out more about Saints' other health and wellbeing programme Shape Up With Saints, please CLICK HERE or email [email protected].
