Lee Bell, 23 a care worker from Knutsford joined Knutsford Leisure Centre in November 2014 and has now lost an amazing 8⅟₂ stone.
He chose the Everybody Sport and Recreation centre because it is local and convenient for him and found the staff were really friendly and helpful when he joined.
Lee explained “My main reason for joining was for a Gallbladder operation. I was told I needed to change my diet, lose weight and get active before I could have the operation.” Support from Lee’s friend encouraged him to take the first step.
Shortly after joining his local leisure centre Lee started to make more health conscious decisions, “I made small changes to my diet, I cut out fizzy drinks, cut out all fatty/sugary foods and I also stopped eating late at night which all added to helping me lose 8⅟₂ stone.”
He continued, “When I first started I thought I couldn’t do it, I never thought I would get to where I am now. I thought everyone would stare at me because of my weight. I just wanted to prove to everybody and to myself that I could do it.”
A combination of healthy eating, working out in the fitness suite and also attending group exercise classes gave Lee the motivation he needed to keep going and reach his goal.
“To start I went 3 times a week to the gym and gradually started to incorporate classes such as insanity and 20 20 20 which I never thought I would be able to do. It didn’t take long before I started to physically feel better in myself and my confidence grew.”
Lee is most proud of losing 8⅟₂ stone. His confidence has improved and getting into smaller clothes sizes has certainly helped to motive him. He admits that you need to change your lifestyle but it soon becomes part of everyday life and exercise is more like a hobby to him now.
He commented, “The feeling after going to the gym makes me feel happy and like I have achieved something.”
Lees top tips for anybody wanting to get into making lifestyle changes is, “Just do it- forget why you are there, everyone is there for a reason whether its to get fit, tone up or lose weight. Having a gym buddy to start off with helped me and motivated me which then gave me the confidence to go to the gym and fitness classes on my own. Seeing the same people weekly at the centre helped as you make friends too.”
Supportive friends have commented to Lee “you have done amazing,” “you look completely different” and he certainly does. Lee is now recovering from a Gallbladder operation which he was able to have only a week ago.
Everybody Sport and Recreation has recently launched a summer offer for new members to sign up to 6 weeks for only £30*. The Destination Fitness offer runs until end of August as is a great way to get active during the summer months.
For more information about the facilities at Knutsford Leisure Centre and healthy weight loss programmes ran by Everybody Sport and Recreation visit: www.everybody.org.uk or email: [email protected]
*terms and conditions apply
Notes to Editor
Everybody Sport & Recreation – ‘Everybody’ is the new charitable trust established to run leisure services in the Cheshire East area. The trust aims to provide ‘leisure for life’ by changing lives through healthy recreation. The charity operates the 15 leisure facilities in the Cheshire East area as well as leisure development and outreach programmes.
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