No longer weighed down: Shaun’s journey from pre-diabetic to gym enthusiast at 66

Retired 66-year-old Shaun Dickinson, has lost 44 pounds in weight and reversed pre-diabetes. He has gone from a self-confessed overweight couch-potato to having the inspiration to change his eating habits and join a gym, thanks to support from Wellbeing for Life.

We had the opportunity to chat with Shaun recently about his experience with Wellbeing for Life and he explained: “My application for life insurance had been turned down after a GP’s report highlighted that I was pre-diabetic and had a fatty liver. I was shocked; my wife and I are both active and do lots of walking with my daughter’s dog, but I had noticed I would sweat a lot during our walks and did enjoy my chocolate bars and biscuits.”

After receiving the news, Shaun made an appointment to see his GP and was referred to Wellbeing for Life for weight loss support. Talking about his first experience with the service, Shaun said: “I was anxious and unsure before I came to my first session but immediately felt better after I’d been welcomed by the friendly reception staff.”

Shaun’s aim was to lose weight particularly, as he called it, his ‘Roseberry Topping tummy’, and was soon learning more about portion sizes, food groups and how to read food labels. He commented, “My wife joined me, which was great, we could support each other along the way. The biggest change for us was portion sizes, we used our hands as a measure which made it easy if we were eating out - being able to visualise the right portion without relying on weight was a great help.”

Wellbeing for Life practitioner, Julie Hughes said: “Shaun and his wife were out most days walking; however Shaun often didn’t have breakfast, and they were both missing lunch when they were out. We talked about the importance of regular meals, especially for energy levels, and discussed healthy portion sizes and understanding food labels. Shaun has done incredibly well and has taken on board all the advice and information from the Eatwise programme.”

Shaun added: “I didn’t deny myself any food, I just ate sensible portions. There was no counting calories - the only ones I count are the ones I burn off when I’m exercising!”

Shaun has also made use of the well-equipped public Gym at Healthworks.

Despite previously not liking gyms he decided to book an induction session with Wellbeing Assistant, Salvador Campbell. He was keen to explain that he didn’t want to ‘do weights’ but was more interested in cardio work and Salvador was able to show him the equipment and exercises which would help him achieve his goals.

Surprised at how much he enjoys his three times weekly sessions he said: “There’s a lovely atmosphere in the gym and it’s full of supportive people. I’m excited before each session and come out feeling invigorated.”

When asked to sum up his experience with Wellbeing for Life, Shaun said: “You’ve got to have the right mindset, the team can give you all the tools to achieve your goals, but you have to put the work in. Having said that, this process has been the most exciting and valuable thing I’ve done in my life. My health is no longer on a downward spiral, I’ve lost 44 pounds in weight, reversed diabetes and the extra exercise has helped improve my focus and mental wellbeing.

“I’m no longer worried about my weight, I’m armed with the tools to maintain my new lifestyle long-term and am looking forward to completing some of the mental health training that Wellbeing for Life offer too.”

For more information about Wellbeing for Life, contact the team on 0800 876 6887 or email cdda-tr.wbfl@nhs.net.

Wellbeing for Life is a part of Adult Wellbeing Services, delivered in partnership by Pioneering Care Partnership and County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust.