"Small moves to taking back control"
Jules has taken regaining her independence one small move at a time. From brushing her teeth to returning to work, it’s been a journey. Jules lives with an autoimmune condition and arthritis which means she experiences tiredness and pain. In 2023 her conditions worsened and meant she gave up work, and doing things she enjoys. After a visit to her GP she started to see a health coach regularly. Over the past three years she has gradually been able to do more, she says “movement has been a big part of my healing… I almost don’t recognise how little I could do two or three years ago”
By taking it slowly and listening to her body she’s been able to get back out to the gorgeous environment where she lives in Ryde, she can walk her dogs along the beach and make a meal for her husband and two daughters again. She’s also just gone back to work part time, regaining control of her body and her life.
“Every day was about trying things out, and I did recognise that doing something was often better than doing nothing”
How does Jules move?
Jules’s journey started off with small functional moves at home. It even started in bed just moving her wrists, she progressed to standing whilst brushing her teeth, and eventually she was able to do push ups against a wall and heel raises on the stairs. Sit to stands - getting in and out of the chair- were key to her getting some strength back.
Out of the house, she would take it one step at a time. Gradually increasing the distance she could walk, from the end of the road to ten minutes away. Now, she can walk her two rescue dogs along the beach.
Progress wasn’t linear she said:
“Sometimes it felt time one step forward and two steps back but a little bit everyday led me to where I am now... just celebrate the small victories.”
She’s still listening to her body and adapting each day. The journey isn’t over, but she feels like her world is much bigger.
Get moving like Jules
You can speak to your GP about referral to a local health and wellbeing coach or other support such a social prescriber. Here you can see the variety of roles available to help you start being active.
- Jules accessed her health coach through One Wight Health.
- The We Are Undefeatable App is completely free with activity designed especially for people with long term health conditions
- The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Activity Finder can help you find something local to you
If you would like to share your experience about being active with a long-term condition, to help inspire and encourage others to get moving, please contact marketing@energiseme.org.
