Heart attack survivor given new purpose in life thanks to Bognor health trainers

Heart attack survivor Ann Davies has praised Bognor Regis health trainers for saving her life.

Ann had been warned further health problems were likely to see her require a heart bypass operation. She gave up smoking but realised she needed to lose weight and lessen her chances of developing diabetes and high blood pressure.

She heard about health trainers Claire Pearce and Tessa Neighbour and decided to see what they could offer at the Bersted Green Learning Centre.

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Less than five months later, her weight has dropped by more than a stone, her clothes size has shrunk and she is considering a return to her beloved horseriding.

Ann, 65, of Larch Close, said: "Coming to the centre has given me a new purpose and probably saved my life.

"I would have given up on my efforts if I had been on my own. It's brilliant at the centre. The trainers give you all the help and encouragement you could want without being patronising.

"Even if you've made a mistake, they help you work out what went wrong and how to overcome it in the future."

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Ann suffered a heart attack four years ago when she was on a downward spiral.

Her health problems threatened to recur when her weight crept up to 15st 11lb by the middle of this year through eating too much and exercising too little.

But now she has reduced her weight to 14st 7lb and has gone from clothes size 22 to 18. She is walking further than for many years thanks to her new dietary regime of fresh fruit and vegetables.

On top of this, she wants to visit Arundel Riding Stables to indulge her past love of horseriding. That is an incentive to continue to reduce her weight to her eventual target of 10st.

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Her health trainer is Tessa Nightingale, 56. She and her colleague, Claire Pearce, moved into their current offices in Hazel Road next to Bersted Green Court housing scheme from a community centre in June.

Claire, 29, said: "The biggest pull for people to come to see us is to lose weight and the second most popular reason is the desire to do more exercise.

"We are so pleased with how the health trainer service has taken off in this area.

"It is such a privilege to work with people who are making these lifestyle changes and very rewarding to see individuals achieving their goals."

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Their total client list is about 50. They see the individuals on a one-to-one basis for up to eight sessions over six months.

Claire and Tessa began work in January after having been taken on as part of a government drive when national research showed those who lived in deprived areas were dying earlier.

With five wards in the Bognor area '“ Pevensey, Orchard, Hotham, Marine and Bersted '“ among the 20 most deprived areas in the southeast, the need for action in the town was obvious.

West Meads GP Lynne Kirkwood has backed their work.

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To tell us where in the world you are reading this story click here to add yourself to our readers' map. "We often see patients who are struggling with lifestyle changes and some practical advice as well as one-to-one support can be invaluable to them," she said.

Anyone over 18 can see the health trainers, but their work is focused on people who live in the five deprived areas. Appointments and more information on 01243 828783.

What do you think? Send a letter to [email protected] or leave a comment below.

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