Each year we help thousands of members achieve and then smash their fitness goals and wellbeing goals.
From all of the stories you share with us, we have seen thousands of kilograms lost, dress sizes dropped, reduced waist lines, reversed cases of diabetes, marriage proposals and plenty of new friendships formed.
Here are some of our favourite member stories from 2013.
Up first we have Lillian Chance, a 59-year-old Member from Stevens Park in Stourbridge who has recently overcome malignant cancer. She was extremely grateful for beating it, but was going through a period of still feeling quite down and unfit. She then found BMF. Lillian said her fitness level was nil before her training began last year.
She commented: “If I can do it, anyone can! When I first started, I didn’t think I could do it – I was nervous and didn’t know what to expect but I knew deep down if I didn’t challenge myself I wouldn’t change myself. I received so much encouragement and support from the friendly team of BMF instructors and after around six weeks, I felt so much fitter and happier.”
Lillian has lost two stone and dropped two dress sizes. She is now hooked on BMF and enjoys each and every minute when she is at class. "I have also made a whole new group of friends of all ages, and we all socialise with each other outside of the classes. BMF really has changed my life, there’s no doubt in my mind”.
Next up, meet Brian Rance, at 66 years young, he says he has transformed his retirement years and succeeded in halting a decline in strength that comes with getting older.
Brian saw BMF classes as a great way to keep in shape. His objective is to keep at his current level until the age of 75, which would be an outstanding achievement!
Brian added: “I’m feeling really good for my age and long may this continue; the classes certainly put me through my paces but give me a real buzz and sense of achievement. I’ve also met many friendly people at them and often go to one of the numerous social events that are organised throughout the year. I’d recommend it to anyone in their retirement years.”
Please meet Laura Priestnall. After spending years of jumping from one fad diet and ‘health kick’ to another, with no lasting results, Laura Priestnall got the incentive she needed after being diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome - a condition that can make falling pregnant extremely difficult. Laura was advised that changing to a low GI diet, to control her insulin levels, and weight loss could improve her chances of conceiving.
Knowing that a weight loss group or gym membership wasn’t going to give her the direction and encouragement she needed to succeed, she decided to join BMF in Brighton. In her first year as a BMF member Laura lost two and a half stone, dropped from a size 16 to a healthy size 12 and most importantly, fell pregnant and is now the proud mum of Adam.
Finally Ellis Birt wanted to get fit and lose weight, however, he wanted to try something different from the normal gym experience. He found his calling at BMF, and the results speak for themselves. I have lost 23kg and I'm fitter than I have ever been in my life
From not quite finishing my first (blue) session, I am now fitter than I have ever been in my life. I have ditched the junk food and stick to a healthy diet. As a result I have lost 23kg. I have reduced my chest from a 48” to a 40” and shrunk my waist from a cosy 36” to a comfortable 32”. My cholesterol is down from a high 7.1 mmol/l to 4.5, without any medications. Also my readings in a blood test that measures my long term blood glucose control suggest that I have reversed type 2 diabetes, first diagnosed a year ago.
It’s not just about weight loss in the fitness tests my 1500m run gone from 11:33 mins to 6:11 mins in 18 months, and I've close to doubled my repetitions in the strength test. The power of teamwork to encourage you cannot be under-estimated, and the three levels (bib colours) mean that you work to your level regardless of how fit you are. BMF has helped to keep me motivated, and has encouraged me to keep going."
Do you have a story that you would like to share with us?
Please email yourbmfstory@britmilfit.com
What a year we have had. If you are interested in seeing many calories or miles we have run this year and some other cool facts and figures from a year at BMF please click here.
We look forward to hearing from you.