Maureen's story

When Maureen’s doctor told her she was pre-diabetic, she was frightened into taking action. But it wasn’t until a chance conversation with LiveWell at an outpatient's clinic that her life really began to turn around!

I was at an outpatient clinic, in the waiting room, when someone from LiveWell came up to ask if I had any health concerns or needed help with anything.

It was one of those moments that come along out of the blue and changed your life.

I was very lethargic, had no energy and was becoming a couch potato. I could see my health was being impacted by my lifestyle. I was not eating sensibly or exercising regularly. Some nights I had disturbed sleep making me exhausted and irritable the following day.

I knew I was overweight but told myself it would be OK. Then, after routine blood tests, my GP told me I was borderline diabetic. To be honest it really frightened me into taking action.

He advised I went on a year-long programme to look at my lifestyle. I started it, but three months in, I was going through a tough time personally and just had this massive wobble. I ended up leaving the programme, knowing that I still needed to do something urgently.

Then, this encounter with LiveWell at the outpatient's appointment. It just could not have come at a better time. It was such a relief to be able to talk to someone. I filled out a questionnaire and then had a call back chat with a LiveWell Advisor who talked through all the options and helped me choose the right one for me.

I ended up on the 12-week kick start programme, including coaching with Sally who has been a total Godsend. Personally, I need to know I have someone I can turn to, to ask things like: what am I doing wrong? Where can I go next?

Sally helped me choose an NHS app to keep track of progress and her introduction to using the app was amazing, a great help with recipes and calorie counting and how to keep a daily record, which encouraged me to stick to plan.

I have tried other diets in the past but always failed. The LiveWell coaching made me realise that, at the end of the day, only I could be responsible for the way I take care of myself and that changing my lifestyle was the only way forward.

Sally wasn’t dictating, she just got me to really think about what I was eating. The support she gave me was excellent. She even explained things like how the traffic light system works on food packaging – something I had never considered before.

I needed to get more active as part of the change, and this would help my poor sleep too. I am more energetic and try to walk everyday even if only for half an hour.

Walking gives you brain downtime and I come back feeling so much better physically and emotionally. The fresh air blows the cobwebs away and I find I am getting much better quality sleep, waking refreshed and ready to face the day.

You have to be determined to do all this for yourself. That’s why the LiveWell coaching works so well. There is no judgement just the trigger of someone giving you lots of really tailored help and encouragement.

I had tried a slimming group in the past and remember everyone clapping because someone had lost 5lbs when I had only lost 1lb that week. I felt like a failure and just so deflated and ended up dropping out.

The interesting thing is that I am still losing about a pound a week, but my mindset is now completely different, thanks to LiveWell. I have chosen this self-service option using the app combined with coaching support and that totally works for me.

My contact with LiveWell and the help given has change my whole routine and my coach and mentor Sally has been a great influence. I now eat regular healthy meals and exercise daily.

I try to be careful what I eat and stay within the recommended calorie intake for the day. My treat at the weekend is to have a nice glass of wine - my reward for trying to be good.

I feel 100% better than I did, much happier and healthier. I feel really positive and determined to keep this progress going. I’ve lost nearly a stone and have had another blood test and can see I am turning the corner on my pre-diabetes.

That chance encounter with LiveWell has really changed my life. I would recommend it to anyone. The coaching, especially, is just such an amazing offer. I can’t believe it’s free. LiveWell will find what works for you and be there by your side to keep you on track.

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