TV chef’s Geordie fight
TV SHOW ON MISSION TO CUT TOON’S WEIGHT BY 100,000 LBS
TV CHEF Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall’s mission to cut 100,000lbs from Geordies’ weight hit TV screens last night.
The first episode of Britain’s Fat Fight saw Hugh visit the Toon to try and sell cabbages in Walker, as part of his and the council’s ‘Newcastle CAN’ campaign to make the city healthier by changing attitudes towards food and exercise.
The show runs for three more weeks, but the campaign will continue for at least the rest of the year.
WHAT IS NEWCASTLE CAN?
River Cottage star Hugh spent 16 months working with the council, encouraging people to change their diet and exercise habits.
More than 7,500 signed up and lost a collective 80,000lb.
That’s still 20,000lb short of the target set, but Newcastle City Council has committed to running the campaign for another year.
Speaking to The Chronicle in January, Hugh was proud of the significant changes made by Geordies during the fat fight.
He said: “The whole idea is to make as many connections in the city as possible and to try and prove when a community comes together people can achieve more than they can on their own, he said.
“Turning your life around if you’re ill, if you’re overweight or because you’re trapped in a food poverty cycle, it’s really hard.”
SO HOW CAN YOU GET INVOLVED?
If you live or work in Tyne and Wear, you can sign up at www.newcastlecan. com/#join
You are then asked to keep a weight diary so the campaign can track your progress.
WHAT DO I GET IF I SIGN UP?
Newcastle CAN will send you recipes, healthy eating tips and fitness ideas.
The campaign will also contact you with information about relevant activities in your area.
WHEN IS BRITAIN’S FAT FIGHT ON TV?
You can watch Britain’s Fat Fight on BBC One at 9pm on Wednesdays.
The first of four episodes aired on Wednesday, April 26.
You can also search for it on the iPlayer.