I started the Adult Live Well programme when my Doctor referred me in 2022. For the first few weeks I was going once a week. If I’m honest there were days I thought I can’t be bothered, but I knew I had to do something about my health. I was at my heaviest, over 20 stone. I meet with Shaneen, I thought to myself after my first meeting Shaneen was friendly and non-judgemental and made me feel comfortable. She never pushed me to anything I didn’t want to, she just wanted me to do the scheme and attend all my appointments and said if I wanted to do the gym that was fine. I told her I don’t do gyms and I was too embarrassed to go in. After a few weeks Shaneen spoke to me about swimming and the water aerobics class- I decided to go. I told Shaneen I was scared and embarrassed, but she made me feel at ease and even walked in with me on my first class. I really enjoyed it, but I had to stop going as I class I attended was being removed from the timetable. Shaneen then told me she was no longer doing evening appointments, so I started seeing Dale.
After attending appointments and talking to Dale for a few months, Dale asked me about going in the gym. I was very hesitant and insecure. Dale asked if I would at least have a look around, so I agreed. Dale walked me around the gym and made me feel at ease and said if I had any issues he would sort it. So then I decided to give it a go. I started in the gym in May 2023. When I started in the gym Shaneen and Aiden got me into a workout plan that suited my needs. I go twice a week and really enjoy going, I really miss it if I don’t go. I’ve now lost 6 stone in total! My Live Well programme has now come to an end, but I have joined the gym to continue my success. There really were no bad experiences. If you put the work in and really want it, then this programme really works. It’s the best decision I ever made! I want to thank Shaneen, Dale and Aiden for all the support & help and getting me to realise what danger my body was in. Without the help and support of the staff I may not be here now writing this.

My primary purpose of enrolling on the Live Well programme was to improve my mobility. However, the benefits I’ve gained have been so much more than just that. Throughout my time on the Live Well programme, I have lost 30kgs! To say my ability to carry out daily tasks prior to the programme was limited is an understatement. I could just about manage my stairs at home, but I had to use the lift everywhere else I went, including the Leisure Centre. I needed help to put my shoes and socks on and was struggling to walk with my crutches. I couldn’t do any physical activity and I was having frequent falls before starting my exercise journey and whilst I do still have the odd one they are definitely not as frequent as they used to be. My knee used to give way but now it’s a lot stronger thanks to the work I do at the gym and I also use a brace to support it. I am still walking with crutches but I can actually walk ambulatory now rather than taking a small step at a time and I’m actually starting to just use one single stick when I’m at home which is brilliant progress! I am now also using the stairs in a lot of places, including up the stairs to the gym! I couldn’t go anywhere near a swimming pool prior to being on the scheme but thanks to Dale, he got me in the pool doing exercises under constant supervision and now I can exercise independently in the pool and I regularly attend aqua fit sessions every week! I have had a few barriers in my journey involving a few broken bones but thanks to the staff at Hornsea Leisure Centre they have really helped me know when to push me or when to pull back a little. They are professional and know exactly what they’re doing and are so good on so many levels. They are brilliant people and I can’t sing their praises highly enough for the help they have given me. To anyone unsure whether to be referred or to join the gym, I would say go for it! Do your best and stay committed, the benefits have got better the more I’ve stuck at it. I have kept going for my Grandchildren and will continue to do so. The scheme overall has lifted my mood, I can see a huge difference in my home life and my son and daughter have noticed a massive difference in me. I have really enjoyed rising to the challenge and I’m looking forward to what the future holds.

Since starting on the Live Well Scheme here in Driffield Leisure Centre, I have lost nearly 5 stone in weight. I know it's a lot of weight to lose in a year, but I did it gradually and healthily with the right guidance of my main fitness instructors. I was referred in the scheme due to my weight and to improve my high blood pressure. I must admit my confidence was low when I first started here in the gym, but I feel like I'm a different person now, feeling so much better about myself knowing that I'm doing something right and even more motivated to keep on going. My family, friends and workmates have also noticed the positive difference in me, looking better not just physically, but also my overall mood has improved.
Since making positive changes on my lifestyle and nutrition, apart from the overall weight loss, I also lost inches around my waist, improved my hydration levels, gained lean muscle, and have a better metabolism. I would like to thank Jan and Harry for always helping and guiding me with the right exercises in the gym, checking my diet and weight regularly with the use of Boditrax machine, which I think is a great piece of kit as it shows everything for you and it's good to know and understand on what you are losing or gaining whether it's muscle, fat or water.
The staff here in Driffield Leisure are all very kind, helpful and encouraging. Jan did my NHS Health Checks which have given me better understanding of my cholesterol levels, the good and the bad cholesterols and other factors that can have an impact on our health such as physical activity levels, smoking, environment, alcohol consumption, hereditary illnesses, etc. Jan and Harry with their professional knowledge and experience have given me good advice on the nutrition side of things, which food types I need to eat more, food that I need to cut down and avoid. It has helped me realised that if l don't make changes on my lifestyle and diet, my health will be more at risk with heart, kidney, liver, and circulatory.