“Two years ago, I could barely walk to the end of my road, now I’m celebrating completing a 10k race.”
Georgina joined Livewell 12 months ago after starting to make lifestyle changes but feeling she needed extra support to move on.
The 32-year-old from Chaddesden was nominated by her advisor, Kirsty for overcoming several setbacks during her journey that would have seen many throw in the towel but Georgina, ever more determined, has kept her focus as she explains her story:
“Losing a bit of weight and starting to walk more, I was ready to take my weight loss to the next level but was unsure about how to do it. Previous attempts with diet clubs hadn’t worked out and left me with an unhealthy relationship with food.
I signed up to Livewell on the recommendation of a friend and attended the same activation group in Mackworth with her in summer last year.
Kirsty and the team were great. We all felt empowered to try the exercise sessions and learn about the fundamentals of healthy eating.
I threw myself into everything on offer and took part in my first exercise class on the hottest day of 2022! Jiggling along to the music at Dance Fit at Springwood was hard work but I felt invigorated after. My mum was so impressed that she joined Livewell not long after me!
Getting started in the gym was daunting but Kirsty put me at ease during my induction at Derby Arena. She gave me a simple but effective plan to follow three times a week that challenged me at just the right level whilst boosting my confidence. It gave me the boost to start playing squash again – a hobby I haven’t done for years.
Just a month into my weight loss journey I felt ready to stop smoking. Even though Livewell offers a service that helps smokers to quit, I tackled it head on and used will power and exercise to get me through the cravings.
In September my sister-in-law suggested we sign up for the Derby 10k in Spring this year. I’d never run a mile never mind six so I downloaded the Couch to 5k app and used the treadmills at Springwood’s gym to gradually increase my stamina.
Before I started Livewell, I didn’t pay attention to portions or how much fat and sugar was in food. I ate plenty of fruit and vegetables but I’d tuck into bacon sandwiches, crisps and chocolate. I’d got into bad habits of snacking whilst cooking and having bread with meals.
Learning about food groups and portion sizes prompted me to try a vegetarian diet. Not because meal and fish are bad for you but because I wanted to enjoy a wider variety of plant-based dishes.
Discovering planning is key to eating well, I choose varied meals for the week ahead and shop and then batch cook in advance.
A typical day for me now includes a breakfast of granola, yogurt and banana, a salad of cous cous and pea protein with veggie sticks for lunch and a homemade mushroom cottage pie for dinner. I’ve swapped sugary and fatty treats for fruit.
It was all going so well when a routine operation in November to remove a cyst on my neck turned into a nasty infection and halted my exercise routine for three months. Up to this point the pounds had been coming off consistently - it was bitterly disappointing to see my fitness drop and weight creep up. Kirsty was supportive, checking in on me by text and suggesting ways I could keep going with healthy eating alone during my recovery. It was nice to have someone to motivate me.
Just as I got the green light to exercise again in January, I was struck with the painful foot condition, plantar fasciitis. At the same time, we received devasting news that my dad was diagnosed with bowel cancer. It seemed everything was against me.
Thinking about the journey my dad had before him made me more resolute to succeed. We decided to run for Bowel Cancer UK and despite the foot pain, I struggled with my training and completed Parkruns which left me unable to walk for several days after.
Completing the Derby 10k in March was emotional. I was the last to cross the line but I never gave up, my body was capable of so much more than I thought. Seeing my dad so proud made it all worthwhile and we clocked up £600 in donations.
I haven’t been able to run or walk much since then until now but it’s just a temporary set-back. I’m back in the gym, walking on my work breaks and boogying away at DanceFit.
Flying as an overweight passenger used to make me anxious but I’ve recently returned from Portugal feeling fine about travelling, knowing I’m doing what I can to be fit and healthy. Worrying about everyone looking at me is a thing of the past. My mindset and relationship with my body and food has completely changed.
Other Clients of the Month were my inspiration, I never dreamt I would be one of them myself!”
Livewell advisor, Kirsty added:
"Georgina has been positive from her very first activation. She really got involved in the classes that were on offer and took on board all the advice we offer around making better food choices and portion sizes. It is an incredible achievement that Georgina has also stopped smoking during her weight loss journey. I am pleased to see what a positive effect Livewell has had on Georgina’s health. I am really proud of her for running the Derby 10k and managing to meet her goals even against numerous setbacks."
