FIT Jacks helps husband and wife get fit after heart attacks
Having suffered heart attacks in recent years, Peter and Lynda Rodgers sought advice and guidance on exercise and healthy eating, and feel they have found a new lease of life since completing Swansea City AFC Foundation's FIT Jacks programme.
Peter suffered a heart attack in May 2017, but the couple’s challenges didn’t end there as Lynda suffered her first heart attack five years later in July 2022.
Lynda experienced further distress less than a year later as she fought her way through a second heart attack in April 2023.
The husband and wife actively sought exercise, mainly through public gyms, to help improve their fitness and wellbeing, but this was something Lynda in particular didn’t feel was working for her.
They instead signed up for FIT Jacks, a free 12-week health and wellbeing programme that combines information about healthier life choices with weekly fitness sessions, and Lynda and Peter feel they have made real progress since attending in Morriston.
“We’ve both had heart attacks so the discussions on healthy eating have been really valuable to us,” says Lynda.
“We did eat well because of the dietary advice we were giving after the heart attacks, but there’s more to it and the coaches have explained that. They have talked us through what’s good to eat, what’s not so good to eat and the reasons behind it, which has really helped our understanding.”
“We both wanted to lose weight and get more exercise,” adds Peter.
“Although I go to the gym myself, I wanted to do a bit more and I felt that with FIT Jacks it was going to take me to a new level.”
A key feature of the FIT Jacks programme that has been particularly important for Lynda has been having the support and expertise of the Swans Foundation coaches to call upon. They were able to show her alternative exercises as she continues to manage a back injury.
“Lynda has had a back problem and we thought it would really do her good, and it has worked. She has more energy and feels better within herself,” explains Peter.
“FIT Jacks has taught Lynda that there’s always an alternative to an exercise. You can sit on a chair, use the wall, whereas in the gym she wouldn’t know that.”
Lynda is originally from Liverpool and moved to Swansea in 2004 to continue her life with Peter, but she struggled to meet new friends after moving over 150 miles away from home, leaving her feeling isolated when Peter was not around.
Not only has FIT Jacks helped the couple get fitter and healthier after their heart attacks, but it has provided Lynda with a support network, a community and a group of new friends who have rejuvenated her energy.
“It’s not just the weight loss, it’s the mental side. I work from home and it’s lonely,” said Lynda.
“I don’t have any friends down here as I’m from Liverpool, so since we’ve been coming to FIT Jacks my mental health has been amazing. I’m a totally different person, the people here have been amazing and I’m gutted the programme is over.”
To date, FIT Jacks has helped more than 300 people lose over 800kg in weight and lose over 1500cm from their waistlines.
You can sign up for the next cohort of FIT Jacks, starting in September, by clicking here.