Falcons set for Move Like a Pro return
Newcastle Falcons will team up again with Premiership Rugby and Movember in 2018 to help rugby fans get active as the popular Move Like A Pro programme returns.
Beginning week commencing January 22, Move Like a Pro is a free 12-week programme designed by professionals for people aged between 30 and 55, who love rugby but aren’t currently particularly active themselves.
Sessions are tailored to the needs of each participant with a focus on group development and creating a supportive environment, with the programme also exploring topics such as sugar content in food, portion sizes and exercise programmes that can be done anywhere, including the comfort of home.
Move Like A Pro is a partnership between Premiership Rugby and the Movember Foundation to inspire a legacy of long-term lifestyle change across the rugby fan community.
Directly linked to Movember’s vision of having an everlasting impact on the face of men’s health, Move Like a Pro believes that a world where men live happier, healthier and longer lives, starts with simply moving.
Previous participant and Falcons Fan Stephen Sparke credits the programme with allowing him to feel the fittest and healthiest he has ever been, moving from someone who did little additional exercise, to a regular participant in 5k and 10k runs.
Stephen said: “Before Move Like A Pro the only real exercise I did was the odd walk and help coach rugby at Ponteland.
“That was along with manual labour at work, pushing cages of goods around, while food wise I was buying a bag of sweets and crisps daily and eating very little fruit or veg.
“But alongside the Move Like A Pro programme I started walking three to four miles a day at first, and then started going to the gym three or four times a week, doing 5km on a treadmill, 5km on a bike with three circuits of weights each time.
“I also started done the odd 5k running event and Parkrun on a Saturday morning, while food wise I cut portion sizes down and cut down the number of sweets and crisps and started watching what I was eating.”
He added: “Since the Move Like A Pro programme finished I am now out running four to five times a week, anywhere from 15 to 20 miles a week regardless of the weather.
“I regularly enter 5k and 10k running events and have done 15 so far this year and even have a few more booked in, while I also did a 10-mile run around Edinburgh.
“I have cut down on sweets and normally buy a punnet of grapes daily, plus I have reduced portion sizes at meal times and also watch what I am eating.
“Up to now I have lost three stone in weight and have settled at the 75/76kg area and have never felt fitter or healthier. Thanks to all involved with MLAP & Newcastle Falcons.”
To register your interest in Move Like A Pro, and get updates on how to get involved, please visit **https://www.premiershiprugby.com/movelikeapro** .
