I took up more physical exercise when I realised I was becoming more overweight, nearing 40, and older family members were starting to pass away too early. Bereavement spurred me on to exercise more as it gave me a focus to channel my feelings towards. I started exercising for myself and found it helped my mental health. I never went down the slippery slope of depression, and I put this all down to exercise. Friends, and colleagues noticed the enjoyment I was getting out of it, and wanted a piece of the action.
I now write a weekly blog of my exercise antics and it is posted on my work intranet called ‘Fit-Nurse Friday’. Another blog is sent to my local community emails. I have been recognised and people have told me how much they are benefitting on the ideas I write about. This gives me so much pleasure knowing I feel good, and I’m passing that feeling on to others. After the ‘Fit Nurse Friday’ post came out about my love for press ups at the top of each mountain I visit, the professor at work asked me to show him my press-up technique, in the middle of a ward round! The patient was very pleased this was about to happen.
Sadly occasionally I have had work colleagues from around the hospital as a patient. They have recognised me from the weekly blog posted on a Friday, and have told me how it has encouraged them to try longer walks, ride their bike, or join their grandchildren playing in the garden.
You can also view a podcast of Michelle speaking to the Cheshire and Merseyside Resilience Hub via https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3OcSal9FP4Y
“I gave up my car for work 2 years ago and got on my bike. I’d always cycled for leisure and thought it would be good rehab for a previously broken leg. The main reason though was the environmental impact of driving lots of short distances in a car. Since then, I’ve cycled to work every day and made home visits by bike or on foot. I live in Chester and work in a city-centre practice though our practice population is far and wide.
My GP bag clips on a bike rack, and a rainfall radar phone app helps me time showers if it’s raining – I’ve only ever got soaked twice and simply changed into scrubs at work whilst my trousers dried out! Visits take slightly longer, but I come back to surgery refreshed and energised.
I love that I can use routes that are not available to cars and sneak down little alleys to get to places when traffic is grid locked. The look on patients’ faces when I turn up on my bike is always worthwhile and it means I can truly preach what I practice. As well as keeping me fit I hope it inspires others to look at what is possible. Now I’ve given up my parking space I’m not going back.”
“As a GP I’m really passionate about offering alternatives to a normal prescription; I’ve been inviting my patients along to Southport parkrun with me for years now – it’s a fantastic medicine as it works like a dream for mental health, cardiac problems, people wanting to improve their fitness and those who are isolated. I take part in parkrun most weeks, and have seen countless patients completely change their outlook and behaviours in life as a result of taking part, as well as improving their physical health. I would recommend other clinicians to refer their patients to parkrun, plus have a go at walking, jogging or running themselves! There is the Royal College of GPs parkrun practice initiative that makes it easy for GP Practices to get involved and creates a real sense of buzz and togetherness when practice staff take part together.”
Find out more about some of the inspiring patient stories through Simon’s parkrun blog, and you can also read a paper that Simon has co-written in the BJGP that highlights the power of physical activity within medicine.
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