Just for men Project - South East

 

Who we are helping

This project helps older men in Chandlers Ford and the surrounding area.
The feedback we're received from participants so far has been good. Comments include:

• “It is so good to exercise just with other men. I am now thinking of the food that I eat and am trying hard to eat a lot better.”
• “I have lost 4 ¾ inches from my waist and can stretch much better. It’s also good being with other men‚ I haven’t missed one week and I had a wonderful time.”

Why we set up the project

We set up the 'Just for Men' project:

• To promote health and well-being amongst older adults‚ in particular men.
• To provide healthy eating options for men‚ as healthy eating impacts on the ability to undertake physical activity successfully and the maintenance of good mental health.

This project aimed for the participants to develop a fitter and happier lifestyle‚ while making new friends from their community. 

What we are doing

fit as a fiddle supported eight sessions of “Just for Men” classes. The sessions covered exercise‚ simple relaxation techniques‚ healthy eating and confidence-building.  Veronica Blake‚ an experienced tutor‚ group facilitator and personal trainer taught all of the sessions with different activities every week.

At the first session‚ the group discussed what their individual objectives and goals were‚ and Veronica then tailored the sessions to help the men achieve their goals. The men’s weight and measurements were taken at the first‚ fourth and eighth sessions‚ and they were given weekly food and exercise charts to fill in at home so they could track their progress.

At the first session‚ one participant had the goal to get fitter‚ lose inches and tone up. By the fourth session‚ he was feeling much fitter and more toned‚ and lost a total of 6 ¾ inches - 1 ¼ inches from his chest‚ 2 ¼ inches from his waist and 1 ¼ inches from his abdomen. Another participant lost a lot of weight while recovering from major surgery and wanted to gain the weight back in a healthy manner. By the last session‚ he put on 7 pounds and was feeling much fitter.

Lively debates and discussions took place each week around men’s health issues and friendships started to form amongst the men. One participant said‚ “I have something to get up for now and look forward to meeting with the other men and talking about men’s things. My health has improved as I don’t just sit in a chair all day now and I do my exercise chart daily. I have enjoyed every class and I hope it never ends.” Another participant said‚ “The men’s group is great fun and being with men each week is a real treat as I have missed the banter.”

Why we chose this approach

The sessions could be tailored to meet the needs of the participants from those who are recovering from surgery or an illness‚ to those who already participate in fitness activities.

• Men feel comfortable discussing men’s health issues and exercising together in a men’s only setting.
• The sessions were designed to be sociable and fun with lots of interaction and discussions amongst the participants.

Successes

All participants completed a monitoring form at the start of the project and an evaluation form at the final session. A fit as a fiddle staff member visited the network throughout the eight weeks to evaluate the progress of the group and to speak with the participants and instructor.

This project helped to deliver sociable‚ fun‚ and healthy lifestyles for people aged over 50. The course was such a success‚ that the men would like to continue and build upon their success with a further course being offered in the autumn.