At the end of November I finally asked my doctor (I was long term GP averse - over 10 years) if I could have something done about my knee, which was locking several times a day and making many days complete right-offs re-walking, even round the house. By January I'd had an MRI and an operation booked for a torn meniscus ligament, the result of an injury way back in 2005. In mid-April, I had my op, courtesy of the NHS. Before I went to the GP I was aware of being terribly overweight (for me a female at 5' 2.5"), I couldn't climb the stairs without gasping. I started to cut my calories but didn't buy a scale until after the trip to the the GP which put me at a fraction under 12 stone, so on the basis that one tends to lose a lot in the first three/four weeks I was probably closer to 12.5 stone at the beginning. Sorting out another problem , anaemia (women's problems!), helped a little with my stairs issue, but I was still very unfit. At first I cut calories without any help but I stalled a little in March, and after a bit of Googling found Myfitnesspal. So I started logging. What this has done for me is to make sure I'm eating healthily, covering all my nutrients and counting everything, including the milk in my tea. I had my arthroscopy on my knee (thank you Roman Miller, Peninsula NHS Treatment Centre) and started C25K a couple of weeks later (the op was totally life-changing and by doing the physio I was totally amazed at the speed of my recovery). I have continued to drop weight and am now a fraction of a pound over 9 stone. I have had a couple of minor setbacks that have taken away time. When I had my op it also revealed stupid high blood pressure (219/135), but that meant I got a 24 hour monitor and was properly diagnosed. I also had a TIA 3 weeks ago (mini-stroke), the GP I saw thought symptoms I had were not side effects of the BP med and referred me immediately to a TIA clinic and in a couple of days I was MRI'd again and diagnosed (brilliant service). This has really focussed my mind on tweaking my diet further, cutting out alcohol altogether (had already cut it majorly), ensuring I don't eat too much sweet stuff, even if calories allow, and cutting the sodium level further - all of which I can do with myfinesspal. My cholesterol level was already good and my weight, as I've said, is now fine. I personally put the hypertension down to my anxiety levels which have been with me for as long as I remember and an inability to truly relax. But now I am relaxing, without drinking a couple of glasses of prosecco to get there. I really do think that the running has done this. Last night I ran 30 minutes for the first time (I'm 53 and have not run for that amount of time since I was 15). On finishing, the feeling I got was like drinking a cup of cocoa, by the fire, wrapped up in a blanket - so cosy, contented and relaxed. I'm on w8r1 but it was a good run so I went for it. I could have carried on, but it seemed prudent to stop, having proved to myself that I could do it. My blood pressure has dropped further than expected for the initial dose of BP meds (I also have to take anti-coagulants and statins for the minor improvement they might bring in case of further TIAs or worse). I can think of no other real reason for this better than expected result than the chemicals released by the longer runs and the feel good factor of having achieved the mins, with the weight loss, and the change in body shape (I developed runners lines up my abdomen pretty quickly and I'd never had those before in my life). My self-esteem has risen. I can now fit comfortably in to a dress I wore when my husband first asked me 'out' at 21, which I keep for sentimental reasons and although I am not as light as when I was 7 weeks pregnant (8st 7lb according to my maternity notes - another sentimental keepsake), looking at pictures I have I'm clearly slimmer - change in body composition I assume). So for those who are still reading, well done! C25K really does build endurance! A big thank you to the GP's I have recently seen, a big thank you again to Roman Miller who has given me back my life and to the NHS for giving me C25K, not only giving me much improved cardiac and bodily fitness (and better BP) but also giving me a naturally induced peace of mind.
Thank you NHS - a bit of an essay.: At the end... - Couch to 5K
Thank you NHS - a bit of an essay.
Wow! Fab post there! Great read! Doff my cap to you .... you've done brilliantly 
Long may you reign supreme in control of all your health issues and remain, slim, serene and yep, even just a little smug - you deserve it!!!
Cool Runnings!
Yes smug! Some days positively bubbly! It's usually only my long-suffering husband (and running partner) who has to listen to me waxing lyrical about how good I feel!
Good for you - so you should be!
Don't worry about waxing lyrical here - think we all love that kind of thing Wax away!
Wow what a story! Your much improved health and fitness stand as a testament to your own personal strength and determination to take responsibility for your life. But they're also a testament to our wonderful NHS, which does so many amazing things and is just about hanging on in there despite the funding cuts, PFIs and privatisations. Sorry to get political, but if we don't shout about it, we'll lose it. Many many congratulations on all you've achieved and three cheers for the NHS
I just feel so lucky - without the knee op I would have got more and more disabled, never found out about the BP issue, probably would have a stroke sooner rather than later, and wouldn't have been able to run and thus finally get some peace and raise my self-esteem. The NHS and the doctors and nurses I have seen have played a blinder!
That's a brilliant story - I'm glad you felt that the NHS gave you good service and treated you well. I'm an NHS worker and pretty passionate about it - it always infuriates me all the negative attention it gets, so it's nice to hear a positive story. Your recovery and weightloss is pretty amazing too - proof that you dont need faddy diets, just eating less and moving more. I think you have earned the right to be incredibly proud of what you've achieved!
Thank you!
Fantastic effort QT200QT600. An amazing story and great achievements. Absolutely echo your sentiments on the NHS. All the staff I have met have been brilliant. Some GPs less so but they too are overworked. Brilliant weight loss - sounds like you've really got a grasp on your health and what works for you. It's wonderful you've run for 30 mins. Congratulations and take it steady Week 9 will be a breeze as you've already cracked the 30. Well done and good luck with the rest of the programme
Thank you!
Wow that is a great post QT200QT600, you have done amazingly well! Sounds to me like you and the NHS together are a success story. Well done for doing a 30 minute run and keep posting and letting us know how everything goes. You will be graduating soon! x 
Yes, nearly at the end - or more positively - at the beginning - need to create new challenges in my running for post-grad adventures - and maybe consider some lifting for my puny arm muscles? Getting carried away now!
Fantastic post, you have done so well to turn your life around....well done. And as a former nurse, who worked in the NHS for over 25 years, I'd like to say thank you for acknowledging the good work that is done within the organisation....it's easy to knock the institution but it does some amazing work and it's good to hear that people still appreciate it....long may it continue. Good luck with your continued fitness and health.
I know someone has mentioned this before, but the C25K programme does need more publicity in doctors' surgeries - I found it by random Googling on running - but posters could plant the seed of an idea whilst waiting for your appointment. It's such a good programme!
Wow that is an amazing story and thank you for sharing it with us! Congratulations Good luck with the rest of the programme but it sounds like you are doing a brilliant job. Pleased keep us updated on your progress!
Thank you!
Amazing story, QT! When you finally took charge, by gosh, you went all the way!
i am an American transplant, and very pro-NHS. I dread to think the where you would be now if the decision to finally deal with your knee wasnt simply a matter of making the appontment.
Exactly....the NHS is one thing the UK can be very proud of!
What a great post! Congratulations on all of the progress you have made with your health and running.
You are a prime example of what we can do for ourselves with the help of our wonderful NHS. At a time when we hear about statins for all, bariatric surgery for the obese and that exercise can hugely reduce the risk of dementia, the NHS is really missing a trick by not publicising C25k. The key is the self realisation of your situation but the solution is for the individual to take control, as you have, of your future health, happiness and well being. Members of this community have produced a poster, which I hope we shall have cleared for distribution shortly, and I would urge you to impress on your health professionals the importance of C25k in your brilliant change in your life and health.
Wishing you all the best for your last few runs and the rest of your life as a runner.
Thank you.....I certainly will be publicising C25K to all and sundry (including health profs) and will be more than happy to ask for a poster to be displayed in the surgery too.
My doctor doesn't seem to have heard of C25K. How daft is that? He's really pleased at the huge drop in my blood pressure readings... We often moan about NHS, but C25K is brilliant! I found it by googling how to start running, after watching this year's London Marathon. Why aren't there HUGE posters in every doctor's waiting room? It could be so much more positive than the ones about how to spot a stroke or a heart attack.............
Absolutely true, and I think it's important to stress that the C25K is aimed at almost everyone...hopefully the poster will show older runners rather than 'young uns' so that people can identify with them rather than think it's only for the Paula Radcliffs of this world and not for them.
Not what you're looking for?
You may also like...
Thank you Laura, the NHS and fellow C25Kers!!! I finally did it!!!!!!!!!
Mojo, Go-Mo and Thank You Samantha Murphy
Just to say thank you
Thank you to C25K and Iannoda Truffe
Bye-bye intervals 👋🏼, back to the longer runs again 😊 and a personal thank you to our wonderful NHS 🌈💖
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!
THANK YOU
