THE LEADERS of the FFIT Cymru health series have achieved stunning results as they successfully lost over 10 stone in weight and transformed their health in seven weeks.
After following FFIT Cymru’s special food and exercise plans, the five leaders have made significant progress in terms of fitness, nutrition and overall health, including completing the FFIT Cymru Parkrun 5K challenge after six weeks of the journey.
The leaders were guided by the series’ three experts, trainee dietitian and former Great British Bake off star, Beca Lyne-Pirkis, fitness instructor Rae Carpenter and psychologist Dr Ioan Rees.
Dr Ioan said: “They did brilliantly. It’s a different mental challenge for everyone – there are ups and there are downs, both of which are equally important on the journey. I think we’ve seen progress in all five and what they’ve done is discover their own ability to improve.”
Bethan Davies, aged 39, from Merthyr Tydfil
Bethan works as a Language Charter Officer and lives with her partner Ian and their 11 year old daughter, Nel. Bethan challenged herself to lose weight before she turned 40 next January and she is well on the way to achieving her aim. Through eating healthily, having the opportunity to dance with one of her Strictly heroes, Amy Dowden, and completing the Parkrun FFIT Cymru 5k Challenge, she has achieved fantastic results, losing 34 inches of her body – nearly three feet – and two stone and six pounds in weight.
Bethan said: “I’ve learned how to live a healthy life, what to eat and how to keep fit. I’ve learned how to love myself again and just to live, I feel like I’ve started living life properly now. It’s been a great experience. I didn’t expect it to change my life so much but it has transformed every aspect really, from my health, my fitness, my happiness and my confidence, and we’re closer as a family…it’s been priceless.”
Wendy Thomas, aged 58, Aberystwyth
Having suffered with long covid during the previous lockdown, Wendy wanted to rediscover her enjoyment of exercise. And she has certainly done that, clocking the most number of steps over the seven weeks – a staggering 770,326 in total. Over that time, she has lost two stone and one pound, and lost 29 inches off her body.
Wendy said: “When I started, I never thought I would be where I am now. It has been such an amazing experience, which has been difficult at times, but I never thought the plan would have worked as it did. I’m so proud and I can’t believe what I’ve achieved in this short time. FFIT Cymru has saved me. I wasn’t living my life before, but now I am and I want to carry on this way.”
Twm Jones, aged 59, Llanerchymedd, Anglesey
Twm is a grandfather to three grand-daughters and is a former player for Bethesda Rugby Club. After his FFIT Cymru experience, he enjoys getting up early to go running and cycling and has lost the most weight of any leader, two stone and 11 lbs over the three weeks, and also managing to completing 652,008 steps over that period.
Twm said: “Hopefully it has changed me in every way. Visually, there is a difference in how I look but I feel it has changed me internally too. I’ve learned to be a lot more disciplined with what I eat and especially with training. I never thought I could run one 5k let alone more than a dozen over the last three weeks, which in itself, is a big highlight for me. “
Ruth Roberts, aged 40, Abercynon
Ruth lives with her fiancé Alex and has been a member of the CDF Runners running club committee for many years, but now she has the confidence to run with the club too and has signed up to take part in the Cardiff Half Marathon in October. She has lost a stone and six pounds in weight and 23 inches off her body in the process.
Ruth said: “This has changed my life. To think back to how I thought of myself at first, I don’t think like that now. I have just turned around completely. I can do it now, I know I can do it. Ruth is back. I love myself now. I’ve lost weight and I’m much healthier now and I feel like I can do anything.”
Gafyn Owen, aged 48, Ty Croes, Anglesey
Working as a chef in a busy pub, Gafyn used to regularly eat fast food takeaways after his long shifts. But now, he has completely changed his mindset and left behind his old bad habits. Gafyn lost a stone and 13 pounds over the seven week period, which equates to over 12 kilograms.
He added: “I’ve stopped smoking and eating fast food, so I’ve saved myself nearly £1500 just in that time. I’ve bought a bike with that and I’m still about £600 better off in my pocket. I feel a lot better now and my mind is in the right place.”
FFIT Cymru will be back at the end of the year to see how the five leaders have continued their transformation over the next six months. Watch the entire series on demand on S4C Clic or BBC iPlayer. For more details on the food and fitness plans, visit www.s4c.cymru/ffitcymru, or follow @ffitcymru on social media.
