15 January 2020
People are being invited to put their names forward to be part of the new series of FFIT Cymru later this year.
The health transformation series is returning to S4C in April and entries are open throughout this month for those who would like to become one of the show's five leaders. You can apply by visiting s4c.cymru/ffitcymru. The closing date for entries is Friday 31 January.
A lot can change in a year. Just ask David Roberts, who took part in this year's edition of S4C's health transformation series, FFIT Cymru.
The day the nation was brought to raptures as Wales stormed to a gripping Six Nations victory over England at the Principality Stadium last February, David, was given some dramatic news of his own.
Weighing 19 stone 9lbs, the primary school deputy head from Caerphilly was told that his blood pressure was alarmingly high and that he needed to drastically change his ways to save his health.
David weighed 19 stone 9 lbs before he took part in FFIT Cymru.
That was the trigger for 50 year-old David to put his name forward to take part in FFIT Cymru, the television series which gives five people an unique opportunity to lose weight, get fit and change their lives for good.
Father-of-two David said: "I was told by doctors that I was very close to having a stroke, because my blood pressure was 193 over 124.
"That was the day that Wales beat England in the Six Nations last year. God knows what my blood pressure was when they scored that last try!"
Looking forward to this year's Six Nations, David's health has changed drastically.
After having his application accepted, David became one of the show's five leaders, receiving expert fitness, dietary and psychological help. Over seven weeks, viewers followed the leaders as they aimed to lose weight, change their attitude towards food and exercise and re-gain confidence in themselves.
David wholeheartedly threw himself into the process and ended up losing 3 stone and 11 lbs over the course of the seven weeks. He has continued the momentum ever since – completing the Cardiff 10k in September with fellow leaders Annaly and Matthew - and is hoping to have hit six stone weight loss target by the time Wales begin their defence of the Six Nations crown, in February.
His pupils and fellow teachers at Ysgol Heol y Celyn, in Pontypridd, have carried on with their twice-weekly FFIT Cymru-inspired aerobics sessions, while his parents, both in their 80s, are now taking regular walks as a result.
David puts his success down to setting regular small targets and is hoping to hit his six stone weight loss target by the time Wales begin their defence of the Six Nations crown, in February.
"It hasn't just changed my life, I feel like the programme has saved my life, he added. "I was one of the laziest and most unfit people in Wales – but I've been able to turn things around, so anyone can. I had no respect for my body, but now that I have, I realise that this is the only body I'll get, and it's important to keep it healthy. I can do things now that I couldn't do a year ago.
David speaking about the impact that FFIT Cymru had on him.
"I can't go up to someone and say – 'you're fat, you should try to go on FIT Cymru'. But if anyone is feeling unfit and over their weight, that's the best thing they can do. All that support is there for free – money couldn't buy the experience I had, you just can't put a price on it."
If you'd like to apply to be a part of the third series of FFIT Cymru, go to s4c.cymru/ffitcymru. The closing date for applications is Friday 31 January.
