Antoinette Frearson, of Potter Heigham, was speaking about Life 4 Life, a programme aimed at obese adults who want to adopt a healthier lifestyle, and learn more about exercise and nutrition.

Coordinated by Paul Wilson and the Norfolk Life team at the Great Yarmouth Community Trust, the programme is commissioned by and run in partnership with NHS Norfolk. All Norfolk adults who are obese are welcome to join.

Antoinette, 35, said: “I know that I am overweight and have attended various classes in the past but I also knew that there must have been another way of losing weight by just eating good wholesome nutritious food and watching portion sizes coupled with regular exercise – a straightforward and sensible way of losing weight


“I don’t get enough exercise – I knew that. And although I try to eat healthily, like my old school reports – I could do better!”

LIFE stands for Lifestyle, Improvements, Food and Exercise, and the sessions are delivered to groups of 12-15 adults. Booking is essential.

Antoinette started her Life 4 Life course in August 2010, and is still in touch with the service now. Her waist measurement was 119cm at the start of the course and 104cm at the end, and has gone down to 101cm!

“They have been very supportive and there is a feedback service where they contact you after specific intervals to see how you are getting on and to offer advice if you have hit any problems/challenges,” she said.


“I feel more in control of what I eat and I know what I should eat and what I shouldn’t. As a vegetarian I now ensure I get enough protein every day. This helps me keep fuller for longer so I am not tempted to snack on sugary/fatty foods.”

Life 4 Life can help adults who have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 25-40, or a waist measurement of more than 37-40in for men, and about 31-34in for women.

The team can work out your BMI if you’re unsure of it, and will then join you up to the Life 4 Life programme, or advise you on what other services you can access. All participants must be aged 18 and over.

Antoinette thought she was eating fairly healthily, but has found the support of the programme invaluable. She learned to swim last year and now goes swimming twice a week.

“I love every minute! The support from Life 4 Life has been brilliant,” she said.

“I hit a rough patch when I came home from my holiday in October. I felt quite low as I felt that I had undone everything that I had achieved so far.


“But Paul Wilson was brilliant. He gave me encouragement and told me not to feel a failure. Losing weight for good is about changing ingrained attitudes about eating habits etc, and this is not done overnight.”

The four-week programme consists of a two-hour session each week, covering nutrition and exercise theory. It has been written by exercise and nutrition specialists, and is delivered by qualified Life 4 Life trainers.

Topics covered include metabolism, food labelling, food groups, benefits of exercise, goal setting, barriers to exercise – and more.

Antoinette said: “The key is to find some sort of form of exercise that is accessible to you and that you love. This could range from training for a marathon to going out three times a week for a good long brisk walk with the dog!


“If you don’t enjoy the exercise you will make excuses not to go – I have been there and done that! Find something you love to do and you will WANT to do that every week – and that’s half the battle.”

There are currently Life 4 Life trainers in Great Yarmouth, Thetford, Norwich, Diss, Reepham and Holt, and the list of venues is set to increase. It’s a programme that Antoinette wholeheartedly recommends.

She said: “Do not waste another day. Life is too short and made shorter still if you are at risk of developing life threatening conditions because of your weight.


“The classes are a revelation and when you start slowly but surely achieving your goals this will give you the positivity to keep going. And if, like me, you have setbacks – stop beating yourself up and worst still, don’t give up. Tomorrow is another day.”

Paul Wilson added: “Life 4 Life gives people the knowledge and skills to begin their healthier lifestyle – and stick to it!


“Antoinette’s story is a great example of what a person can achieve, and we congratulate her on her success so far. We hope her experience will inspire others to consider the programme.


“Sessions are designed to be interactive, interesting and fun. They are held in local, accessible locations.”

Lucy Macleod, NHS Norfolk’s Consultant in Public Health, said: “In Norfolk, on average, more than a quarter – 26.85% – of all adults are obese.


“Antoinette’s story shows how beneficial the programme can be. We would urge those interested to contact Life 4 Life today.”