Training at M Club with MS
Gaynor Jones was diagnosed with MS at 26-years-old and writes: “No one told me how to keep my symptoms at bay so I assumed working full time and eating generally well was OK. “My consultant neurologist advised me to move back up north so my family could help me when I was in a wheelchair. The NHS also just prescribed me general painkillers, anti-spasmodic drugs and/or disease modifying treatment, none of which make you any better, just hopefully stops you getting any worse. “The NHS physio simply prescribed me the simple exercise of standing on my tip toes 10 times daily, along with aids such as the wheelchair and walking stick.
“I felt I needed to do a lot more than just standing on my toes, so after looking at several local gyms I joined M Club because they promised me a personal trainer, and assigned Craig Silkens to help me.
“At first I’m not sure if he knew where my limitations were or how far he could push me, but I’m open to any help, and with Craig’s experience I put my trust in him.
“I am now working on my core to help my balance and posture, which is something I never thought I’d be able to do. I’m also lifting weights, using the gym machines with absolute confidence, and although walking into the gym initially was a daunting experience because of my elbow crutch and unsure as to what people might think, with my new found confidence and self-belief, I don’t care.
“I am really starting to reap the rewards – physically, aesthetically and mentally. Craig has advised me on my diet which has improved dramatically and, in turn, has helped keep certain unwanted symptoms at bay.
“I know that I have to push myself, convincing my mind that my body needs the gym, because if I don’t then my body will go backwards and I’ll be letting myself down, but in a weird way I’d feel like I’m letting Craig down because of the amount of time and energy he has invested in me.
“I know that 18 years of having MS will not reverse back in 18 weeks or 18 months, but seeing how far I’ve come
in the last several weeks under expert guidance, I am genuinely very excited about what the future holds for me now.”
Gaynor is, without doubt, a project of a client and every week I learn
something new about her condition, but every week we also overcome a hurdle.
This is down to Gaynor’s tenacity and willing to experiment with new training ideas and never giving up,even when she’s exhausted.
For this I applaud her and say that everyone reading this article should take inspiration from it. Regardless of your physical ability, we can all make improvements to our health. For further information on MS check out www.mssociety.org.uk
