Elaine Reading phoned me at the end of January explaining that she had had both knees replaced and wanted to get back into walking. I suggested she tried our absolute beginner group. I called Elaine after her first walk to see how she had got on, she said she was in a lot of pain with swelling but the ice packs had helped!
You can imagine how pleased I am 6 weeks later to learn how she has stuck with the walking and is gaining the rewards. I feel her story could motivate others who feel it is an impossible road back to fitness…….
‘There was no way I could walk two miles. I knew by the panic in my friends’ eyes that they were imagining rescue helicopters hovering over Sutton Park as I told them of my plan. It wasn’t long ago that I was a fully paid up member of the the blue badge parking scheme, so two miles was my Everest expedition.
Diagnosed with osteoarthritis in my twenties and now in my early sixties, I had put off the inevitable knee replacement until last summer and then had them both replaced together. With hindsight that was not the best decision I have made, one at a time would have been more sensible.
But joining the SE Fitness beginners walking group was one of my better ideas. I needed emotional support as I lacked confidence and received this from the two leaders who took turns walking at my tortoise pace and giving me constant reassurance.
An hour later I was in seventh heaven, although I did have ice packs on my knees and pain killers in my blood as soon as I got home! But I had done it; the feeling of elation was incredible.
Six weeks on I am walking fast and easily, no more ice packs or painkillers and now I am wondering when I will be able to move up to the three mile group. I have total confidence that I will be given all the support and encouragement I need to reach my goals. Now, exactly how far is base camp on Everest?’