- Lost 17% body weight
- Reduced BMI from 31.7 to 26.2
- Weight loss: 2stone 2lbs
Maria lost 17% of her body weight and taught herself to swim with her new-found confidence during 2022. She is starting 2023 with her sight set on reaching a healthy BMI to qualify for an NHS breast reduction.
The community nurse joined the Council’s healthy lifestyle service, Livewell over a year ago after putting on weight during the pandemic.
Maria (51) shares her story:
“In November 2021 I joined Livewell feeling heavily overweight and struggling with my health. I was on medication for familial hypertension and high cholesterol and suffered with back ache and breathlessness.
Food was my crux during the lockdowns. Stuck at home in the evenings, I enjoyed trying new recipes and ate more than I should. I paid no attention to fat content or calories.
My friend told me about Livewell so I decided to give it a go, I had nothing to lose. My back ache was becoming more painful and being a healthy weight for at least 12 months is one of the key criteria for an NHS-funded breast reduction in Derby.
My advisor Joe helped get me started on the programme and encouraged me to try Livewell’s exercise sessions. Coming up with 100 reasons not to go, I eventually talked myself around and walked through the door of the Boxwell class full of nerves.
Advisor Lauran and the other members welcomed me and instantly put me at ease. It was such a relief! There was no judgement, just a happy acceptance of us all being in the same boat of wanting to lose weight. I soon made friends and looked forward to going, it was a real social occasion. As my stamina increased and my fitness improved, I noticed my wobbly bits toning up.
Feeling more confident, I tried Livewell’s ladies only Dance IT with Casey. It’s such a nice group of supportive women and my concerns about having two left feet soon vanished as we giggled our way through a fun dance routine.
Thanks to Joe’s advice I stopped skipping breakfast and lunch and started eating three balanced meals a day. I enjoy salads and homemade soups for lunch and check food labels and portion sizes. I’ve made swaps based on filling healthy foods that give me the most satisfaction.
Pleased with improvements to my fitness, I wasn’t as happy with my weight loss progress. Joe suggested I try strength-based workouts in the gym whilst reassuring me that steady weight loss is more likely to stay off long term. He encouraged me to stick at it and that consistency would pay off.
Empowered from my positive experiences of the classes, I booked on to a gym induction at Derby Arena where they put a tailored programme together for me. Having never lifted weights, I gave it a go and loved it! Now I use weight machines every other night and love the difference it’s making – I feel stronger, leaner and more toned.
I have a life-long fear of water and I’d given up learning to swim. With my growing self-belief I felt ready to overcome my anxiety and teach myself. Choosing a quiet pool in Breedon, I watched YouTube videos and pushed myself to put my face in the water and take my feet off the bottom. I took floats and started to trust they would hold me up. After a few weeks, I’d conquered my fear and I’m chuffed that I can almost swim a full length now.
My healthier lifestyle has helped to reduce by blood pressure and cholesterol and I have so much more energy. I have a little way to go but I’m determined to get to a healthy weight and stay there. I won’t revert to my old habits. My work colleagues compliment me on my achievement and my husband and twin sons are proud of me.”
Livewell advisor, Joe Wilkinson added:
“Maria was a pleasure to work with, she made time every month to have a chat, ask questions, take advice and put any guidance into action. Throughout her 12-month journey, Maria made changes to her nutrition and activity that helped her to lose weight in a sensible and sustained way.”