An NHS Health Check led Debbie to re-evaluate her lifestyle and join the Livewell service for weight loss support.
In 10 months, she’s lost 10% of her body weight and now 64-year-old Debbie feels years younger and is happy to have turned her health around.
Advisor Niamh nominated Debbie for her commitment and positivity despite grieving for her sister, battling with coeliac disease, and overcoming cancer.
Discover Debbie’s journey to better health:
“I’ve struggled with my weight for most of my adult life. TV dinners and frozen meals had taken hold in my teenage years – back then parents believed it to be a modern and healthy way to eat as there was little information in the 70s about ultra processed foods.
The only time I wasn’t overweight was when we were trying to start a family 36 years ago. At that point I was a size 12.
Having cancer treatment through the pandemic and then the tragic loss of my sister, which I’m still coming to terms with, meant I often ate emotionally, and a lot of the wrong things. I had spells of high intensity exercise and gym memberships over the years with Crown Green and indoor bowls keeping me partly active, but no real consistency.
I had a health check at my surgery just before Christmas last year. Hearing the nurse explain that I was obese, pre-diabetic and had high blood pressure and high cholesterol was scary and disheartening but she also told me about Livewell and how making a few changes could help reverse things.
I walked into the first Mackworth group in January with a positive mental attitude, ready to start the year-long programme and focus on my goals. I’d already lost some weight whilst waiting to join so I felt ready to succeed no matter what.
Most of us know what we should and should not be eating but having it highlighted in an encouraging and informative way by advisors, Niamh and Kirsty refocussed my attention, particularly on portion sizes and cooking healthy meals from scratch.
The circuits class as part of the meetings did me a lot of good. I put 110% into the first session, and I suffered the next two days, but after a few weeks my fitness improved and the pain in my knees eased. Most importantly, I started to look forward to it.
Niamh explained that in addition to supporting weight loss in older adults, increasing lean protein consumption can support healthy ageing by preserving muscle and strength and therefore reducing the risk of falls. It worked! The pounds steadily shifted as the weeks went on and I felt stronger and fitter.
Eating like this is now a way of life, even on holiday. However, I don’t deprive myself and enjoy the odd dessert if I want one but since I’ve started eating more healthily, I don’t crave sugar in the same way I used to.
My husband jokes that I’m a fidget now but that’s simply because I have more energy. I’m generally more active whether that’s shopping, walking, pottering around the house or gardening.
Friends and family have noticed the changes to my appearance and it’s nice to get complements which is encouragement in itself to keep going. I’ve also loved wearing my smaller sized clothes, which I stored just in case – it feels like I have a whole new wardrobe without spending any money.
Niamh and the other advisors are supportive without being critical – their praise and motivation is confidence building. It’s also helpful to hear other clients’ stories and share ideas and experiences at the quarterly reviews.
I’ve lost 14 kilos so far and I’m halfway to reaching a healthy weight for my height. I am hoping to eventually come off my blood pressure tablets as I approach my final goal.
As a retiree I’m happier, healthier and stronger than I was when I was working. All those squats and body weight exercises are paying off and knowing I’m less likely to have issues with my knees and hips in the future makes me feel more youthful than I did 10 years ago!”
Livewell advisor, Niamh Cripps said:
Debbie’s Five Top Tips
Be positive, ride the peaks and troughs – have strategies in place for when things don’t go as planned and think of your small goals.
Plot where you want to be once a month – review your progress and be flexible with your goals. Pop into a drop-in to get advice and motivation from the Livewell team.
Be determined from the start to be successful – having the right mindset makes all the difference. Think ‘I can do this’ and you will.
Drink plenty of water – one of the most underrated changes you can easily make. Drinking two litres can help reduce appetite, burn more calories, lubricate joints, protect organs and more! I sip small amounts throughout the day.
A way of life - try not to look at your programme as a diet – eating nutritious foods, staying hydrated and exercising regularly are part of a lifelong healthy lifestyle.