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‘You Can be Fat and Fit!’
Wednesday 20 th August 2008
The call from the woman who claims Durham Leisure Helped Save her life. Despite nursing horrendous injuries sustained in a fall on a shopping trip 55 year old Jean Carr from Witton Gilbert, can’t wait to get back in the gym at Sherburn Leisure. Why? Because prior to her accident Jean had beaten off more than 3 decades of agoraphobia and obesity and was taking vital footsteps to a new healthy and vibrant life.
Weighing 23 stone 12 lbs when her GP referred her to exercise on prescription in May, within just 2 months Jean lost 2 ½ stone and significantly increased her cardio vascular fitness. Spurring her on was husband Eddie who works out along side her. When the worst happened, and Jean missed a step on a stair case, doctors told her it was thanks to her increased fitness level that she survived the resulting surgery so well.
Now on the road to recovery following a double shoulder replacement operation resulting from her fall this inspirational woman is rearing to go once more.
Central to her message is her desire to get people who've ducked out of exercise back on track. Getting fitter is giving me so much confidence. When you're overweight you feel as ugly inside as you do on the outside. I can't wait to get back in the gym. I felt like my life was over. I didn't feel good about myself. Going to the gym makes me feel like a different person . I can't believe I wasted 33 years of my life. I want everyone to know you can be fat and fit!'
On her mission to help transform the lives of other men and women in Durham Jean wants to encourage everyone to take up the Council on it's offer of free sport and exercise for a year, which is part of the 'Active Durham' campaign. It's a programme which features themed months dedicated to providing everything from free cycle hire to a month of free gym membership.
'It's fantastic, brilliant, I couldn't have thought of a better idea myself! Getting fitter has changed my life. I would give any amount of money to buy the feeling I get when I've been to the gym.'
From September all Durham Leisure venues will feature free bike and equipment hire, including specially adapted bikes for disabled cyclists and child tag alongs. You can even take a guided ride at your local leisure centre free. Register online at durhamcity.gov.uk/Leisure