Mum of Seven Loses Seven Stone: How Joanne Knight Transformed Her Life Through Fitness and Determination

Joanne Knight, a 51-year-old mother of seven from Saltash, has undergone a remarkable transformation, losing over seven stone since last October. Joanne’s journey began after undergoing weight loss surgery and being medically referred to Saltash Leisure Centre’s Healthwise programme earlier this year. Her story is a testament to the profound impact that physical activity and lifestyle changes can have on health and well-being.

A New Lease on Life

At the start of her journey, Joanne weighed 21 stone and had a body mass index (BMI) of 50. She was battling multiple health issues, including type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and depression. However, with the support of her family and the dedicated team at Saltash Leisure Centre, Joanne’s life has been dramatically transformed. Her BMI has dropped to 32, and her blood pressure and blood sugar levels have seen significant improvements. Her blood sugar count, which was previously at 69, has decreased to 51 – just shy of the prediabetic range.

Support and Determination: Key Ingredients to Success

Joanne credits much of her success to the encouragement and guidance she received from the team at Saltash Leisure Centre, particularly Healthwise Facilitator Steve Fenney. “I feel so much better,” she shared. “It was daunting at first because I’d never been to a gym or done regular exercise.” Despite her initial apprehension, Joanne now regularly attends the gym, participates in aquafit sessions, and has even joined the Tamar Trotters’ Couch to 5K running programme. She now finds herself running park runs most Saturday mornings, a testament to how far she has come.

A Brighter Future Ahead

Joanne’s physical transformation has been matched by improvements in her mental health. Steve Fenney, who has closely supported Joanne through her journey, praised her progress. “She has lost 44 kilograms and is off all her medication by following an activity regime that includes swimming, fitness classes and regular resistance exercises. She has also improved her nutrition.”

Looking ahead, the focus will be on helping Joanne sustain her weight loss by boosting her metabolism and shifting her body composition to build more muscle. “Joanne is a lovely lady whose progress and achievements since joining us in February are truly remarkable,” Steve added.

Joanne’s story is an inspiring example of how determination, support, and the right environment can lead to life-changing results.

For more information on the Healthwise programme, visit better.org.uk.