JULIE’S STORY

@juliewhite3582

I’m Julie and I have fibromyalgia:
Without getting into the nitty gritty, I have gone from being almost housebound to attending the gym twice a week and 2 Zumba classes. It doesn’t sound a lot to most gym goers but this has taken me 3years training with Marta to get to where I am today.
4 years ago my physical and mental health was at its lowest.
I had no coordination, I could barely walk around my lounge, I was in constant pain and totally fatigued. I had severe reactions to prescribed medications to “help” with the fibromyalgia. I hit rock bottom and from that day I decided to do something about it.
I spent a year teaching myself to walk without falling over or pulling doors open over my feet, being able to pick a cup up without knocking it over. I progressed to walking around the garden, eventually moving on to going out for very short walks, and on it went. I began to have more energy so I’d go swimming. After a year of building myself up, both physically and mentally, I found Marta.
Marta has worked with me, learning when to push me, when I thought I could do no more and also knowing when to stop me. She has taught me how to eat healthily to get the most from my body.
Over the last 3yrs, I have laughed and I have cried. I’ve learnt to recognise what is fibromyalgia pain and what is muscle burn. It’s been hard work and I have shown myself that I have sheer guts and determination. Marta has been by my side throughout. Always supportive and encouraging.
So 3 years on from meeting Marta and I am the fittest, both mentally and physically, that I have ever been. I still have some way to go, but right now, my body is ready to take on more physical activity and most days I feel I do not have fibromyalgia at all, I am just about symptom free!! I feel I owe my life to Marta, for her expertise, knowledge, encouragement, empathy and friendship.
So anyone out there that feels they cannot do it, believe me, YOU CAN.