"Very stupidly I started smoking in my teens and continued to smoke until I was 50 despite the fact that I am a nurse and should know better.

As a consequence by the time I hit 50 I was exceptionally unfit and got breathless just looking at a hill, I had also put on weight since I had stopped running round the wards and started a less physical job. I have never been “sporty” and other than hockey I would do anything to avoid physical activity so by the time I was 50 I had begun to feel like an old women.

I started going to FITISM a few years ago as much for something to do rather than any specific plans to get fit however despite knowing I was unfit I was shocked at just how hard I found the sessions. Despite this everyone was incredibly encouraging and FITISM is designed in such a way as to make all of us regardless of our fitness level feel accepted and supported.

Slowly, very slowly I began to do better and FITISM has given me an entirely new out look on life. My joints are more flexible and my knees less stiff so that I can move easily. I also found I went down two dress sizes which was an unexpected bonus. FITISM has improved my body but as importantly it has had a significant impact on the way I feel, I am much more positive about myself, more confident and generally happier. I regard boot camp as my “medicine” which I take 3 times a week whatever the weather.

I will probably always be at the back of the pack as my smoking has almost certainly had a lasting impact on my breathing however I measure my progress not by what others can do but what I can do now that I couldn’t do before. I set myself small goals which so far I have achieved. I have done the Race for Life for the past 4 years and managed to do 5k without stopping for the past 2 years slightly reducing my time each year.

Though my progress is slow I feel a huge sense of achievement and have become committed to regular exercise to continue improving my level of fitness and mental wellbeing.

Thank you all at FITISM for making this possible"