Spotting a Livewell poster in the rheumatology ward at Florence Nightingale Community Hospital changed Claire’s live forever.
Living with multiple health conditions including Rheumatoid and Psortiatic arthritis, severe asthma and high blood pressure, Claire relied on a mix of medications and steroids to manage her inflammation and symptoms. The combination of drugs, particularly steroids, led to weight gain which exacerbated her joint pain – creating a vicious cycle.
Claire (47) from Oakwood, also faces challenges with dyspraxia, a condition affecting motor skills, balance and coordination and, as a result, had little confidence for taking part in group exercise or sport.
After a year on the programme, the busy mum from Oakwood who works as a childminder during the week and a team leader at a homeless shelter on weekends, has seen remarkable improvements in her health and fitness.
Here she shares why taking the step to join Livewell was the best decision she’s made:
“Having done no formal exercise since school, I was nervous about signing up for Livewell. I didn’t even tell my family or friends and almost didn’t attend the new starter group at Lees Brook School that cold January evening. But I had heard good things about the service and decided to give a try since it was free, and I had nothing to lose.
Advisors, Casey and Stu welcomed everyone warmly, and seeing other clients who were also a bit anxious, yet hopeful reassured me.
The healthy eating discussions were helpful, but the first exercise part of the session filled me with dread. I embarrassingly explained to Casey and Stu about my coordination difficulties, mentioning that tasks easy for most, like a star jump, felt impossible for me. I couldn’t jump, use a skipping rope, squat or lunge. However, thanks to the advisors’ patience and understanding, I left the first session smiling, feeling happy I’d got through it. I improved each week, and they never tired of providing step-by-step instructions.
During the first week, we set long-term goals. While others aimed to drop dress sizes or lose a certain amount of weight, my goal was to do one burpee on Christmas Day!
A few weeks into the programme, I ventured to Andy’s circuits class and found him equally supportive, giving words of motivation and reassurance as I stumbled with the moves and sought help.
Soon after I started the Weekend Workout class while continuing the two circuits sessions and started to feel more confident and complete the exercises independently.
My journey wasn’t without challenges. I faced several setbacks including a series of chest infections leading to a partially collapsed lung and flood damage to our home, forcing us into a hotel for 14 weeks. Casey’s encouragement kept me motivated, and I eagerly returned to the programme after three-month planned break.
I’ve involved others in my road to better health – roping team members in exercises during our weekend night shifts. The three-year-old children I care for love the energy I bring, even showing their parents how to squat and lunge!
Having disliked PE at school, I never imagined enjoying exercise this much. It’s transformed my mobility, breathing and the types of less evasive medication I can now take. The clinicians involved in my care are all impressed with my progress and improvements to my health. I’ve not been admitted into hospital this last year and I’ve been able to fight infections more effectively.
During Christmas at Center Parcs, instead of relaxing in the hot tub like I used to, I played badminton with my children and rode a bike for the first time in 26 years. On Christmas Day, I didn’t do just one burpee; I completed five all with a great sense of satisfaction!
The goals didn’t stop there. My 21-year-old daughter, Saffron, encouraged me to join her in the Lincoln 10km, in her university city, this April.
The race coincided with the Derby 10km, but I was so doubtful about completing it that I opted for a different place where no one knew me. Crossing the finish line with my supportive daughter cheering me on, was a proud moment. I completed it in a good time, despite battling another chest infection.
I’m grateful to Casey, Stu and Andy at Livewell for their support, as well as my husband, Phil who has been kind enough to wake up early on Saturdays to drive me to the Weekend Workout classes because he understands its importance to me.”
Claire successfully lost 18% of her body weight (2.5 stone) which Livewell advisor, Casey Baxter believes is down to having a positive mindset and resilience:
“Claire is a very positive person who doesn’t let obstacles get in her way. Her amazing health improvements, from overcoming a collapsed lung to alleviating her joint pain and enhancing her mobility are incredible. Claire is an inspiring role model, especially within Livewell, demonstrating that perseverance towards your goals can lead to success, regardless of life’s challenges. Additionally, she actively engages in our Facebook group, sharing her story and encouraging others.”
