My Story – Sheila

I think most of my adult life I had always been on some sort of diet , I’d lose weight and put it back on.

5 years ago I had my first knee replacement and was overweight and had to have the the other knee replaced 2 years later , my Grandson was born just after my 2nd operation, by now both knees were still painful and I had several painkilling injections to alleviate the pain, but nothing worked, at this time I decided that I needed to lose weight , not for anyone else but for my own health benefit, so I started walking.
I found that walking was a great start and I walked through the pain of both knees.
At this time Amanda started to challenge me on fit bit , I didn’t think I was that competitive, but I saw her steps getting well ahead of me, then I got up and walked more.
I was working at this time and got up early to get my steps in. I was surprised how the weight was falling off and as I was turning 60 in 2018, I was determined to be fitter , not necessarily slimmer but this happened as a result of getting fit.
I achieved a weight loss of around 5/6 stone and when I had my annual knee check up, the consultant could not believe the change. Although both knees are still not good, (they have both moved and will need replacing eventually)I feel the benefit of walking far outweighed the pain.
Last October while at my over 60 workout class I was asked why I didn’t run, and said well I have both knees replaced, and one of the trainers said so have I, and you only get one life so live it !!!

I went to stay at Amanda’s and we started the couch to 5k nhs app, oh my goodness I was exhausted after the first week , so repeated each week until it became easier.
I have now finished week 9 but haven’t achieved 5k in 30 minutes, but I did manage to achieve it in 41.5 minutes. The smile on my face was something else, I have signed up for my first 5k run in March so hopefully I will be ready for this.

I never believed people when they said if I can do it so can you, and to be honest I still don’t see myself as slim but the compliments I get from different walks of life are amazing and make me feel great. so the saying is correct , if I can , so can you.
Just small steps each day amounts to greater leaps later on . I can now run after my grandson, take him swimming and enjoy the time we spend together. I still eat what I want but the portion size is now smaller as I don’t need to overeat, and I don’t like the feeling of stuffing my face !!!
I love being able to wear my jeans and look reasonable and not lumpy.

So if this motivates just one older person or anyone of any age, ability and size , that would be fantastic, and that is honestly how you will feel FANTASTIC.