‘The diabetes has gone!’

“My husband was told he had diabetes just before Christmas last year and it made us both realise we needed to do something. We were both overweight and when we randomly came across #walk1000miles we rather nervously decided to go for it! It was hard at first but we’ve kept going, sometimes together, sometimes alone – always keeping each other motivated as we went along.

We got to 1000 miles just before our 10th wedding anniversary in September – made even more special by remembering our first dance at our wedding was The Proclaimers’ Walk 500 Miles! Along the way I’ve lost seven stone and Simon 3½ but even better – blood tests show he no longer has diabetes!

It’s such a contrast to the year before. We were both unwell with bad chests and Simon had lots of time off work. We both work for the NHS so with Covid coming along we were so glad we took the step to lose weight and reduce our risks. Walking also helped our mental health as it meant we had something to do during lockdown and a way to relax after work. It made us go out even on those cold nights!

Buying lots of nice outdoor clothes that fit is great too!

We’ve also enjoyed doing this together and it feels amazing to have done it!

I’m no longer out of breath on the stairs and I’m not afraid of hills anymore! You’ve just got to keep going and it happens. How long doesn’t matter – it’s not a race, you’re going in the right direction!”

Jayne & Simon Brown, Bradford