Fit Farmers programme transforming the lives of farmers across County Roscommon

The Fit Farmers initiative is continuing to improve the lives and health of people in the county and across the region.

A six week programme recently concluded in Gorthaganny in North West Roscommon and was a tremendous success. The Fit Farmers initiative is a comprehensive health and wellness programme tailored exclusively for farmers.

From shedding pounds and trimming waistlines to adopting more nutritious diets, engaging in regular exercise, improving sleep patterns and mastering stress management, the farmers of Gorthaganny are celebrating the profound achievements of this transformative programme.

Laura Tully, the South Roscommon nurse who founded the programme in 2019, facilitates the programme for Roscommon Sports Partnership. It consists of weekly health education and promotion workshops, followed by the 'Fitsticks for Farmers' physical activity workout. Additional weekend group walks and talks throughout the county boosted comradery in addition to the physical and mental well-being of all who attended.

A celebratory finalé event was held at the Marian Hall in Gorthaganny to acknowledge the efforts of the 17 men and four women who completed the programme. Farmers who undertook the programme ranged in age from 51 to 74 years.

Speaking at the event, Laura acknowledged the efforts of the group and presented some of the early outcomes of the targeted intervention.

"I am astounded at the notable results and what these improvements mean for you all in terms of boosting your health and reducing your risk of illness,” the Ballydangan woman said. “You've exceeded all the goals we set, and whilst it wasn't our primary goal, in terms of weight loss the participants lost on average 3kg per person, an overall loss of 65kg, as well as over 100cm reduction across your waistlines. The vast improvements measured in fitness levels, lower limb strength, blood pressure, mood and sleep scores when compared with those just six weeks ago, have surpassed all my expectations,” she said.

The feedback from participants was hugely positive, said Laura, with many citing their enjoyment of being part of a social group and having a more positive outlook on life throughout the programme.

"The real work for the fit farmers of Gorthaganny begins now though, sustaining the changes you've embraced during my time with you all can be challenging, your plan to continue working out weekly together in the lead up to Christmas and to meet for weekend walks and talks is a brilliant plan to overcome the challenges of this time of year,” said Laura. “I can't wait to visit you all again in early 2024 to see how you go."

She said that the health charity Croí joined the group one evening during the programme to discuss heart health, and the group donated €300 to the charity as a token of appreciation. There were also talks on sleep, cancer, healthy eating, and stress Chairperson of Gorthaganny Community Development, Seamus Crawley told the Herald the area was delighted to participate in the much sought after programme.

“We approached the Sports Partnership about the Fit Farmer programme. They were very co-operative and we were given the opportunity to put it on in Gorthaganny.” Seamus said that programme proved very popular and was over-subscribed, with people from the wider area signing up.

“At the start people might have been a bit apprehensive but Laura made everyone feel very comfortable. As well as exercise, people also got a lot of health information during it. We all enjoyed it and I think everybody got something out of it.” Seamus, who took part in the programme himself, said he would recommend it to others.

“There is so much information given, simple things like the risk of skin cancer and the need to have the factor 50 in the tractor and the jeep. Keeping an eye on your blood pressure,” he said. “It was very beneficial.” He also thanked Damien Martin of Roscommon Sports Partnership and fitness instructor James Judge.

 Sabrina Lawless, Roscommon Healthy County Coordinator, congratulated all the farmers who took part in the Gorthaganny initiative. “Their achievements are absolutely fantastic and I want to express my thanks to Laura Tully, the Roscommon Sports Partnership and Healthy Roscommon for making the Fit Farmers programme a success,” said Sabrina.

“The Fit Framers Programme aligns perfectly with the principles of Healthy Ireland, a programme administered by Pobal on behalf of the Department of Health. It’s all about creating an environment where everyone, including our hardworking farmers, can enjoy the best of physical and mental health.” 

She said that the objectives of the Healthy Ireland Framework was to boost health and wellbeing. “We strive for more healthy people at every stage of life, reducing health inequalities, and making sure our community stays well. It’s like a roadmap to good health,” Sabrina added.

“Recognising the unique challenges faced by farmers, the Fit Farmers Programme steps in. We get it that our farmers are very busy, working long hours and sometimes alone, may have less time for targeted exercise and maybe not always having the most balanced diet. But our Gorthaganny farmers showed up and entered the programme and have shown that it is never too late to step up and make positive changes to the health and wellbeing. The Gorthaganny farmers’ commitment to their health and wellbeing is seriously impressive and I could see the whole community cheering their success. There will be more Fit Farmer programmes in 2024 and we look forward to meeting our new recruits then.”