The arrival of November introduced this 12 months’s Prostate United marketing campaign to an in depth, with Prostate Most cancers UK elevating consciousness of their unimaginable trigger by means of the month of October.
MAN v FAT member Rob Kedge was as soon as once more within the thick of the fundraising for this 12 months’s marketing campaign, having been an enormous advocate of the charity in recent times.
We caught up with him to search out out extra about why he acquired concerned once more this 12 months. It’s also possible to learn extra about Prostate United on Prostate Most cancers UK’s web site and donate to Rob’s fundraising right here.
Why did you determine to become involved in Prostate United once more this 12 months?
It was a no brainer for me. After elevating over £500 doing this final 12 months, and bettering my well being on the similar time, I used to be prepared and primed to hitch up once more! This 12 months although, I’ve boosted up my supposed goal distance from 150km to 300km – happy to say I’ve smashed that focus on with virtually per week to go!
How a lot have you ever loved getting out for day by day train and the way a lot has it benefitted your psychological and bodily well being?
I’m a kind of individuals who must see an achievement from all the things they do. By this, I imply it’s extremely unlikely you will note me operating across the block except there’s a cause I needed to exit!
Figuring out that I’ve set myself a tricky goal to hit, and having the ability to observe my progress (and share with the world) provides me the motivation to essentially push myself all through October – the humorous factor is, this 12 months it actually appears to have turn into an incredible escape for me too.
I’m awaiting an evaluation for ADHD, and I’ve discovered that going for a cycle, specifically, has been good for clearing my head a bit and serving to me handle. An actual second of readability for me this 12 months!
How essential is the Prostate Most cancers UK message in encouraging guys to pay attention to their well being?
It’s large! My Dad sadly died of prostate most cancers 10 years in the past so I’ve a vested curiosity, nevertheless what was most upsetting about him getting the most cancers is that there was by no means any subject together with his prostate. He acquired some ache in his foot which acquired progressively worse, and when checked out, it transpired he had a secondary most cancers. I’m certain loads of males know to look out for indicators of hassle with their prostate, however it’s so essential to contemplate that ANY ache or points must be investigated urgently. If my Dad had recognized this, I do marvel if his most cancers may need been stopped or handled sooner – it may need given him at the very least extra time.
Us males are so used to being the sturdy ones and never bothering docs with something that isn’t principally close to dying – we have to know that one thing pretty innocuous may wish additional investigation, so the publicity Prostate Most cancers UK convey is hopefully making loads of males take their well being extra critically. They’re making an attempt to get a screening programme in place as effectively – do you know prostate most cancers is the one most cancers within the UK which doesn’t have one at a sure age? That must be modified as quickly as potential!
Which different bodily challenges will you be looking for within the coming months?
Oh blimey… effectively, my physique is fairly drained after this month, so we’ll should see what I can handle. I’m correctly stepping into my biking now – I experience to and from my MAN v FAT periods on Friday nights to avoid wasting on the bus fare, in addition to a few different player-arranged 5 / 7-a-side video games throughout the week, however the cause I acquired my bike is to get to and from my day job (I’m a Probation Officer), so I feel maybe I must look into doing that. It’s all about confidence and stamina – my workplace is nearly 10 miles away – however from a standing begin, I’m now in a position to do round 7 or 8 miles in a single go, so I’m getting there.
The opposite factor I actually wish to get into is stuff like yoga – I’ve finished bits and items, and the stretching actually does assist. It takes a bit persistence because of the steadiness side, however it actually works effectively with the cardio from soccer!
For my subsequent charity problem, there’s discuss of a distance strolling occasion in Windsor in April, so I’m wanting into that. I don’t take pleasure in operating except it’s chasing a ball or one other footballer, so strolling fits me high quality. The web is stuffed with all types of hikes and walks and runs and what-have-you, so I’ll maintain wanting if that doesn’t occur. Just a few of us MAN v FAT guys did Mount Snowdon in August, additionally for Prostate Most cancers UK, however I sadly had a panic assault very early on and couldn’t handle it… Two months later I really feel loads stronger, so if I maintain this up I may completely persuaded to strive once more subsequent 12 months! All of us did elevate loads of money for the charity although.
You’re approaching 20% weight reduction with MAN v FAT – how a lot has it remodeled your life and what are your finish targets on the programme?
It’s not possible to overstate the distinction coming to Sunbury MAN v FAT has made to my life. I’ve an 11-year-old daughter who’s a bundle of power and loves her soccer, and I instructed myself I wanted to enhance my health if I used to be ever to a) present her the way to play and b) sustain along with her, so a barely tipsy dialog in a pub with a buddy led to me signing up. I actually attended my first session per week later – no queueing to get on board meant no time to hen out!
That was the top of Could 2024, so I’m almost 18 months in. I’ve no thought how a lot I’ve misplaced precisely, however I do know I’m down two garments sizes, which is simply wonderful! I’m teetering on the sting of that 20% and I’m determined to get the certificates so it will probably go on my wall together with the others. Shedding this weight has helped so lots of my well being issues – my knee arthritis is a lot better, whereas the excessive ldl cholesterol and blood strain have each gone away. Even my bronchial asthma is healthier managed! I did have a scare final October once I needed to have an angiogram because of ache in my chest once I was taking part in footy, however fortunately no ongoing points, and dropping extra weight has cleared up any issues there too.
I’m 47 now and I really feel like I’ve reclaimed my life – after virtually 30 years of not taking part in soccer in any respect (utilizing an previous knee damage as my excuse), I now hate lacking any periods with MAN v FAT – it’s so essential to each my bodily and psychological wellbeing. The membership has some nice lads, I’ve made correct buddies and, because of the crew adjustments each 3 seasons, it’s not restricted to half a dozen teammates both. There’s one thing actually soothing about strolling in and saying hello to everyone, everybody encouraging you to do effectively on the scales (however not on the pitch!), it’s like a assist group!
So far as finish targets, I maintain having a weight in thoughts, however it does shift now and again. By way of kilos, I’m into double figures now which is nice to see, however I don’t wish to cease going. I do know it will get more durable to shed some pounds as you go on – the physique will get used to routines and I’ve hit a few plateaus already – the massive problem is making the precise adjustments to make sure issues maintain getting in the precise route.
Our coach Ali is new to MAN v FAT however is basically motivating, and he understands that psychological well being can dictate meals consumption a bit, so is joyful to speak about that aspect of issues as effectively. Clearly the burden loss is the massive factor with MAN v FAT, however I do wish to set myself little soccer targets as effectively, and for subsequent season I wish to rating at the very least three targets and in addition save a penalty (I cut up my time on pitch and in purpose). It’s not an finish purpose, however it’s the following step as I can’t shoot for toffee and penalties are actually tough on tiny 5-a-side pitches – I’ll see how I get on!
