I have been a slim person all my life, even after having 2 children, I was able to return to my pre-baby weight without any struggles and have always thought I was healthy and fit. I had reached my 40s without any serious health conditions but did suffer the occasional back pain, which I chose to ignore being a busy mum.
However, my world turned upside down in May 2023. I was hospitalised for severe back pain with several contributing factors. I was so incapacitated it affected my life. I struggled to function properly as I needed to constantly lie down throughout the day for a considerable amount of time. Daily, I was on several medications, using heat packs and stretches to help alleviate the pain. One doctor suggested I do core strengthening work to help with recovery. My sister suggested I see Emma, as she offered personal training and massages. I was skeptical but was desperate to avoid continual medication, so I called Emma and walked into my first PT session with her in September 2023.
Whilst I could and continue to only commit to one session a week due to other commitments, training with Emma and her team has completely changed my life. I’ve come to understand being slim does not necessarily mean fit and or strong.
Slowly, training weekly for the past 2 years, I have seen the benefits of building muscle and strength which has led to improvements in my life. I have now ceased all prescription medications, I am pain free and my posture has improved. I am now proud that I can lift almost 90% of my body weight and show my children how strong I have become.
The strength I have gained has translated to being independent in everyday life, like lifting 24 x 600mL water bottles and carrying it through the shops with ease, and carrying my 40kg son on my back when he was fatigued. Previously, I heavily relied on my husband for these tasks. On a recent holiday, I had the confidence in myself to go in a single kayak to cross from one island to another, and had the strength to row upstream against the current for at least 500m to help my son who was having an allergic reaction. Without the training, I would not have had the confidence to attempt and accomplish this.
I have been asked by friends, why opt for personal training instead of regular gym membership. For me, Emma provides my individual plan and ensures each exercise movement I complete is done correctly, thus ensuring optimal use of my time and reduces the risk of potential injury. Being time poor, seeing Emma weekly, is scheduled in and it is the time just for me. Consistency is the key to my progress and success.
I have treated the cause of my back pain, not just alleviated the symptoms. There is no quick fix and the cost of doing nothing would have been far greater. My next goal is to lift my whole body weight and more.
Thank you Emma and your team for guiding and supporting me through my journey. You have helped to change my life.
Written By: Emma Jackson
