IF you are struggling to lose weight and adopt a healthier lifestyle, a free 24-week course based at Skipton's Craven Leisure could be just what you are looking for. Here, one man says how he feels 'much more comfortable in his skin' after losing more than two stones. Lesley Tate reports.

A SKIPTON businessman is one of three North Yorkshire people who have reaped the benefits of an adult weight management programme.

George Bellas, who lives in Grassington and who has an offices supplies business in Skipton, has been following a free 24 week North Yorkshire Council run programme which combines dietary advice and exercise and in Craven is based at Craven Leisure in Skipton's Aireville Park.

George, as well as Leanne Evans and Christopher Coupland, who live in Selby, have been sharing their experiences of the programme having not only achieved a healthy weight but are now eating more healthily and have increased their physical activity.

The free course runs for up to 24 weeks and aims to improve participants’ physical and mental health by helping them to eat well and exercise more. Craven people can not only enjoy the benefits of the well quipped gym and swimming pool at Craven Leisure, but they can also swim at Settle and District Pool.

Those signing up to the programme receive a personalised weight loss plan and friendly, highly skilled weight management advisors help them at every step through online, telephone and face-to-face support.

Father-of-three Mr Bellas joined the programme as he knew he needed to lose weight to lower his soaring blood pressure. He had also been diagnosed prediabetic.

Since completing the Healthy Lifestyles programme at Craven Leisure, he said he has not only lost more than two stones, but he now exercises at least twice a week at the leisure centre and his diet has changed considerably for the better.

“The weight loss has resulted in less pressure on my joints when moving,” the 46-year-old said. “I can swim faster now which helps, but most of all I feel more confident and more comfortable in my own skin. Also, my blood pressure is a lower now.”

Mr Bellas added: “If you wish to lose weight and live more healthily, then this free programme should be your first call. I would like to thank the Healthy Lifestyles staff at Craven Leisure for their investment in me. I have really enjoyed the journey.”

For Christopher Coupland, taking part in the programme has been even more of a life-changer - whereas before he could only walk short distances, he now takes part in regular park walks.

Before joining the Move it Lose it programme in Selby, Mr Coupland could not walk more than 500 metres without pain in his hips and knee and he weighed 28-and-a-half stones. He admits completing the course has given him a new lease of life after he lost seven stones in weight.

He said: “The course has changed my life. I am the lightest I have been in 30 years, and I have built up fitness levels to the point that to date I have completed 27 park walks. I went from not walking at all to completing my first five-kilometre walk and without stopping and achieving a personal best time. My outlook to life and my mental health has greatly improved.”

North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for health and adult services, Cllr Michael Harrison, said: “The proof of the programme’s worth is in the words of those who have used it to make such positive differences to their lives. For anyone who is thinking of starting it, it is not just about counting calories and getting weighed and trying to follow recipes at home.

“It is a much more holistic approach to weight loss and a healthier lifestyle. All credit goes to the participants for their commitment, and I hope their words encourage others who need support to seek it and make the changes they want to see in their lives.”

The council’s adult weight management service is for people aged over 18 who live, work or are registered with a GP in North Yorkshire. It is available to people with a BMI of 30 or above, or anyone with a BMI of 25 or above who is also in a black or minority ethnic group, or has conditions such as Type 2 diabetes, heart disease or hypertension.

The Healthy Lifestyles programme at Craven Leisure in Skipton is a free weight management programme that combines exercise with nutritional advice to help people to lose weight, change their lifestyle and improve their health and wellbeing. Clients have access to the gym and swimming pool at Craven Leisure and also at Settle Pool.

More details about the adult weight management programme held at venues across North Yorkshire can be found at: www.northyorks.gov.uk/healthyweight