Nurse puts his heart into weight loss

A cardiac intensive care nurse has avoided becoming one of his own patients by joining the award winning fitness scheme Fitness Unlimited.

Neil Crichton-Smith, 41, from Hillsborough, sought help from Fitness Unlimited specialists at Concord Sports Centre in Shiregreen because obesity, high blood pressure and back pain were putting a massive strain on his health.

When Neil tipped the scales at 20 and a half stones in 2008, it wasn’t long before the heart surgeons he worked with at the Northern General Hospital were on his case.

Neil said: “I remember a surgeon saying I’d be on his table in two years if I wasn’t careful. I look after patients in intensive care after heart surgery but I didn’t really think of me being in their place.

“I went on some electronic scales and they said I was 38 per cent body fat. I was even offered an ECG at work because I was sweating so much doing normal day to day tasks.”

The wake up calls prompted Neil to visit with his GP, where he requested to be seen by Concord’s Fitness Specialist Dave Birds after recommendations from his friends about their GP Referral scheme.

During the 12-week course in July 2008 Neil was shown a cardiovascular programme which involved weights and would be overseen by Dave Birds.

Neil added: “Dave was very useful by teaching me how to exercise without hurting my back. I became a Fitness Unlimited member straight after the 12 week programme had finished. I enjoyed it, it was working and was good value for money.”

Now Neil uses Fitness Unlimited up for five times a week by making use of some of the four centres membership gives access to.

Neil said: “Fitness Unlimited is a great membership because wherever I am I can go to the gym. I do a gym session at least once a week before or after work at Concord because it’s close to the hospital. But I live in Hillsborough so out of work I will visit Hillsborough Leisure Centre. Then if I come shopping or I want to go swimming I will go to Ponds Forge.

“I enjoy all aspects of the centres by using the gym, swimming pools and fitness classes. I’ve become a regular at the aerobics class Body Attack and have made a few friends there. It’s quite addictive so I see the same people and they really keep me going.”

Neil started his time at Concord at 19 stones but has since dropped dramatically to 15 stones and three pounds in less than two years.

He has reduced two of his types of medication by half, his blood pressure is now low, and his back pain has gone.

Neil said: “People still keep telling me how great I look. I have more confidence, I’m happier and I enjoy work more because it’s not physically unpleasant. I like my clothes now too. Before I couldn’t buy anything that I liked and I had to have suits made to measure. But now I can buy off the hanger and I can wear what I want!”

The four venues Fitness Unlimited grant access to are the world-class Ponds Forge International Sports Centre, four times leisure centre of the year winner Hillsborough Leisure Centre, Concord Sports Centre and Don Valley Stadium, all operated by Sheffield International Venues (SIV).

For more information on how to join, call 0114 2233419 or join online here