“The Fit Fans course has enabled me to take control of my life again!”

We’d like to share the incredible road to recovery of a recent Fit Trotter. Our participant wished to remain anonymous, but you can read her truly inspirational story below.

 

I signed up for Fit Fans as my friends were already undertaking the programme on the previous cohort. I had been feeling very stiff and sluggish, couldn’t get my thoughts together properly and felt generally a little fed up with my lifestyle for quite some time. I had lost a family member only 12 months before and I was feeling quite low. I suffered with almost daily migraines and was really struggling. My friends had recommended Fit Fans as a way of “breaking up the norm” and trying to change my mindset so I thought why not? It can’t hurt to try.

 

A few days later I woke up for work and was unable to lift my left arm, or move myself to get out of bed. My left side felt alien to me and I couldn’t move my arm or leg. I panicked, feeling something was seriously wrong and my husband called an ambulance. We thought I was having a stroke or something! The ambulance rushed me to Bolton hospital and I underwent a CT scan and blood tests and then finally an MRI scan. I slowly regained the ability to move after a couple of hours but was kept in hospital for a couple of days under observation.

 

On discharge I was given a suspected diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis. I was devastated and felt very depressed. I felt like there was no point in changing my lifestyle if I was going to have to deal with this diagnosis given that I was going to be a prisoner in my own body eventually anyway.

 

The following week I received an email from Jack Barnes advising I had been accepted onto the Fit Fans course. It was a bit of a kick in the guts and I felt it was a bit of a waste of time now as I was going to be a prisoner to my own body in any event. I almost replied to cancel my place but I was really angry with myself for even thinking of giving up at the age of only 47!

 

I started to do some research into MS and learned that a healthy lifestyle and exercise may help with some symptoms – particularly the daily constant pain and stiffness, muscle cramps, being unable to sleep or even breathe properly on some days.

 

And so I thought “what harm can it do?” I though that I could drop out if it became too hard but thought I’d go along to see what it was all about.

 

Week 0 was difficult. I almost walked out of the stadium entrance believing that I was probably wasting my time as well as those that were taking the course.

 

I met a lovely lady who told me she was very very nervous to start. I was also very anxious however I’ve always tried to help other people and could see this lady needed more encouragement than I did and so we trudged up the stairs to Media South together.

 

Jack met us and was immediately so enthusiastic and welcoming! My first step to hopefully feeling a little bit better or at least a little more positive had begun.  I’d made it into the room at least. I decided that I wouldn’t tell anyone about my diagnosis. I hadn’t come to terms with it myself and so didn’t want to put the burden onto anyone else and so I kept it to myself and tried to act as “normal” as possible.

 

The first few weeks were hard. I was constantly battling my own body. I’d started to lose my balance a little and still suffered daily pain, cramps, stiffness and a feeling of overwhelming sadness. Sometimes it would last a few minutes. Other times it would last for hours or a couple of days.

 

Many a time I would sit in the car contemplating just going home and then would talk myself out of going home and make my way unto the stadium each week. Always greeted with a warm and friendly smile from Jack and Joe and the other ladies in the cohort.

 

For the first 2-3 weeks, whilst I attended Fit Fans weekly I didn’t really feel it was making any difference other than I’d made a few friends.  I still felt slow and sluggish, unbalanced and quite low, however the more we learned about changing our lifestyle, setting goals and increasing physical activity the more I thought it might just help.  I’d already started making changes such as eating breakfast, cooking healthier meals and reducing snacks throughout the day.  We started doing circuits which I found difficult as I would get severe cramps on my legs and would have weakness in my arms. I also had daily headaches and brain fog which would make concentration on the simplest tasks really difficult whether that be at home or work.

 

We had a group WhatsApp and I found it incredibly motivating to read what the other ladies were doing and how they had made changes together with the positive impact they had on them.

 

I had started with severe tremors in my hands and arms which lasted days at a time together with muscle spasms and a constant severe fatigue but still kept trying different exercises and meal ideas that were posted on the group page.

 

Each week we would learn more about calorie counting, portion sizes, myths about dieting and how small changes can have a big impact.

 

By week 6 I was feeling stronger and fitter than I had for a long time. Circuits each week became more fun and a little competitive.  Not just between the ladies I had bonded with but with myself. I pushed myself harder each week and started doing extra exercises such as circuits, dance videos, walking and stretches at home and during lunchtimes at work.

 

The MS symptoms did not decrease as such but seemed to become a little less aggressive.  I still didn’t believe that I had lost any weight but felt better in myself. At the week 6 weigh in I discovered that I had not only lost weight but centimetres as well! I was astounded and so so grateful for the motivation that Jack, Joe and Zoe had given me.

 

The weekly enthusiasm from the team, especially Jack, was infectious. Ladies shared stories from their week – about meals out, changes to drinking habits, holidays and their general emotional health.  We shared recipes and even “down days” with each other.

 

Week after week I became more motivated. I still struggled with symptoms but these lasted only a few hours rather than days at a time.

 

The daily muscle spasms were also eased by doing some exercise.  Stretches that we’d learned at fit fans really helped me and have become part of my daily routine alongside the physiotherapy that I’d begun.

 

I joined an MS Support Group and mentioned to the group leader about Fit Fans. She was very keen to learn how much this has benefitted me and when I told her what took place each week she was amazed. She confirmed that a healthy diet and physical activity does ease MS symptoms and in some cases can help to reduce either the frequency or severity of relapses.

 

The fact that the weekly exercise is only as difficult as you want it to be is such a bonus and very helpful to participants with physical challenges. On the days where I have particularly aggressive tremors or balance issues I can still do the physical activity taught at Fit Fans and it actually eases the symptoms on almost each occasion.

 

Recently, I had an appointment with my physiotherapist. She was astounded at the change in my muscle tone and overall core strength and how much more balanced I am in my posture. I no longer struggle to get out of bed in a morning and can stand from a chair and walk straight away on most days, without having to stand still to gain my balance first.

 

The Fit Fans course has enabled me to take control of my life again. My future is uncertain but I feel stronger and healthier than ever before.

 

I lost 4kg and 7cm over the 12 week course. I was overjoyed; particularly as I had 2 courses of steroids during this time which caused me to gain weight.

 

Without Fit Fans and particularly Jack; who motivated and inspired us each week; I truly believe I would be facing a much bleaker future.

 

Fit Fans continues to be a part of my life.  I still do the “circuits” 2-3 times a week at home as well as walking daily.  At the start of the course my base steps were 3-4K per day.  Now I rarely drop below 15k steps every day.  I have the motivation to carry on to ensure I have a good prognosis and a healthier future and for that I will forever be grateful.

 

If you’d like to sign up to Fit Fans, please contact jbarnes@bwitc.org.uk