‘It’s nice to feel like someone cares’
Alice struggled with her weight and had a lot of mobility limitations, and pain in her back, feet and knees. Walking half a mile was hard and took three days to recover. In late 2019 she had a gastric bypass operation to help her lose weight, and she took up more active forms of travel.
‘I started to get my body moving and have incrementally improved,’ she says, ‘so I now intentionally – and enjoyably – move, get active and exercise when I can.’
Alice liked the idea of finding out how much she travelled by walking, cycling and scooting. She didn’t have a fitness tracker but she did have a smartphone. When she discovered the BetterPoints programme in York she was attracted by its low bar to entry.
Nobody really gives you rewards for the little things as a grown-up. It’s nice to feel like someone cares.
‘BetterPoints York appealed because it didn’t require money to get going, it’s easy, and by taking part I could improve my physical ability and support York’s active travel culture.
‘I enjoy the themed medals because nobody really gives you rewards for the little things as a grown-up. It’s nice to feel like someone cares if you bother to bike instead of drive somewhere!
‘I like the week-by-week chart showing how much activity I’ve done – I’m often surprised to see how it all adds up.’
I want to do better for myself, and encourage my family to see active travel as a regular and normal choice.
‘I started a new job near Harrogate recently. In the past I would have driven both ways. However, I have been working on my strength and stamina so I bought a cheap vintage folding bike. I ride 2.1 miles to the station, take the train, then bike 2.3 miles to my office. I do at least an hour of active travel daily – and ride nine miles in the same amount of time as it would take me to drive through rush hour traffic!’
‘I want to do better for myself, and encourage my family to see active travel as a regular and normal choice. I get to see nature, take in fresh air and birdsong – it’s so much less stressful than long traffic queues!’
Since her operation, Alice has lost 130lbs, decreased her body fat by two thirds and hugely increased her muscle mass.
I can do more, more often, than ever before … I have never felt better, more energised, or more capable.
‘I can do more, more often, than ever before. I have normalised physical activity for me and my family – scooting, walking, biking and exploring the great outdoors. I definitely feel more embarrassed if I hop in the car for a short journey!
‘I have never felt better, more energised, or more capable. I see BetterPoints as a great help on my continuing journey over the last year.’
Alice blogs about her journey with weight loss on Instagram.
