At the start of her journey, Val (59) from Alvaston weighed 18 stone and was in desperate need of a hip replacement. The arthritis in her hip had shortened her leg by 2.5 inches, severely affecting her quality of life. Despite the pain, she managed to take care of herself and continue working, though it took her three times longer to complete everyday tasks. Her surgeon advised her to lose weight due to her high BMI, which was too heavy for surgery.
Val, originally from Canada but born in England, relocated to Derby in 2022. Determined to improve her health to qualify for surgery, she joined the Livewell programme in January 2024. She began attending the St Martin’s activation group with Andy, who she says provided immense support and encouragement. In addition to Circuits at St Martin’s Community Centre in Alvaston, she also participated in Move and Tone classes with Yasmin, Boxwell with Joe and other fitness activities including the gym. Through dedication and hard work, she managed to lose weight and improve her fitness.
Before joining Livewell, she struggled with daily activities living in a two-storey house. She relied on microwave meals and had limited mobility. However, Livewell taught her to read food labels, make healthier choices, and prepare nutritious meals. She became more intentional about her diet, incorporating lean proteins, vegetables, and low-calorie options into her meals.
Her perseverance paid off when she qualified for a hip replacement in April 2024, having reduced her BMI from 43.5 to 39 in four months. Six weeks after surgery, she returned to circuits using crutches instead of a walker. She even managed a holiday to Lanzarote, which would have been impossible before her weight loss.
Throughout her journey, she said she received unwavering support from Andy and the Livewell team. Their encouragement and genuine care made a significant difference in her progress. She also found yoga beneficial, helping her become more flexible and compensating for her hip and knee issues.
In December 2024, she underwent knee replacement surgery and is on track to rejoin Livewell by the end of February. Her determination to keep losing weight and support her new joints remains strong. She has experienced numerous benefits, including better sleep, increased confidence, and improved mobility.
Her journey is a testament to the power of determination and the right support system. She plans to volunteer with Livewell and continue sharing her story to inspire others. Having lost almost three stone and 15% of her body weight, she is looking forward to buying new clothes and visiting Canada in September.
Speaking about the less obvious benefits, she remarked: “I can now do things I couldn’t before, such as climb a ladder, fly comfortably on an aeroplane without needing a seatbelt extension, and walk through a door frame with ease. Even my office chair doesn’t complain as much! I’m no longer afraid to travel since my weight is within limits, which has greatly boosted my confidence.”
Val attributes her success to the supportive environment and the caring team ethos. She shared, "The atmosphere at Livewell meetings was welcoming and non-judgemental. I felt comfortable sharing both my progress and challenges with Andy in confidence. He and the other advisors believed in me, even when I couldn't believe in myself – they are true cheerleaders!"
Her advice to others is straightforward: "Don't give up. You can do more exercise than you think, even if your mobility is limited. Doing something is better than doing nothing. If you can't do five minutes, start with two. If you can't stand, sit and move your arms and legs. It all adds up. I’ve progressed from using a four-wheel walking frame to just one crutch, which I hope to give up completely once I’ve recovered from my knee operation."
Val’s story is a reminder that with perseverance and the right support, anyone can achieve their health and fitness goals.
Val’s Top Tips
- Plan ahead: I plan meals for the week and turn leftovers from my Sunday lunch into healthy midweek meals like chicken salad and soup.
- Be creative: Healthy eating doesn’t have to be boring. I mix herbs, lemon, and vinegar with low-fat mayonnaise for a tasty salad dressing that is less fatty than mayo alone.
- Can-do attitude: Don’t be discouraged from joining Livewell classes if you think you’re not fit or mobile enough. The advisors will adapt the moves and provide a chair if, like me, you need to sit between exercises.
- Maintain and enhance body strength as you age – I engage in regular strength training at the gym, which is crucial for everyone, especially women over 50, to reduce and prevent bone loss. Lifting weights builds muscle, burns more calories, protects against injuries and falls, and supports joint health.