Amy My Story
My Journey with Kate
I found Kate through Facebook advertising in September 2019. My son was 9 months old at the time, I felt weak, was struggling with back ache and wanted to incorporate Pilates into my exercise regime. I began with classes but soon changed to personal training sessions through Kate’s Focus on Change program. She took me through my nutrition, we discussed the changes I needed to make and she built me an exercise program that would help me achieve my goals. I never looked back. Personal training was the best route for me. It gave me the motivation and 1-2-1 attention that I needed to maintain an exercise program and achieve results. A bonus being that my son could attend the sessions with me, Kate and team were all so excellent with him and helped hold and rock him so that I could exercise uninterrupted. Once Shannon even took him around the car park in his pram to get him to sleep.
Being able to find a gym that was so warm and welcoming not just to me but my child gave me such peace of mind. As a first time mum it was very difficult dealing with the isolation as well as the other mental health challenges resulting from the massive change that being a mum brings. Being able to find a place of support both physically and mentally helped me feel like myself and has continued to help me to this day.
By Christmas 2019 Kate had helped me lose the last stone of baby weight. I even remember losing 4lbs over Christmas when everyone else was putting weight on! She had helped me change my habits where eating was concerned so I continued to make the healthier choices, yet I still ate cake! She didn’t and to this day has not been able to break my habit of daily cake consumption!!
Into 2020 we went, covid hit and whilst Kate changed her work processes over-night and took us all onto zoom, I suffered a slipped disc. I couldn’t stand up straight, was bent over by 45 degrees due to muscle spasms that didn’t clear for 2 months. I could just about walk around the house thanks to the medication I was prescribed. Luckily my son had just started walking so didn’t need carrying as much, I still managed to look after him, just. Kate was there with me every step of the way. We did zoom and gentle exercises when I was able to.
I had an MRI, saw a neuro surgeon and eventually had surgery scheduled for the end of September. I worked with Kate doing core exercises before the surgery to make sure I had all the strength I could to help me recover quicker. Straight after the surgery I didn’t have any of the pain that had plagued me since April. Then six weeks later I started to work with Kate alongside the physio at the hospital to regain my strength and confidence to be able to move normally again. I had managed to not gain weight by keeping track of my nutrition but I had lost muscle mass.
Kate continually adapted my workouts to my changing circumstances, making sure I was becoming the strongest version of me. I did not and do not want to go through a slipped disc again so anything I can do to help reduce the likelihood I continue to do.
Only a few months after surgery, I felt back to normal and gaining strength day by day. So much so that my husband and I decided to try for baby number 2. Many people thought it was madness but I felt strong and capable. By the beginning of February I was pregnant. Que heightened anxiety due to my back and thinking we should have waited longer… Anyway, Kate once more adapted my workouts and nutrition advice to best suit my pregnancy. Because I had worked with her prior to getting pregnant, I was able to maintain my exercise program with some changes to ensure the safety of myself and my baby. Kate used to be a midwife and her knowledge was invaluable. I felt safe working out with her and taking advice regarding nutrition.
I had always heard that second pregnancies led to extra weight gain compared with the first, as well as more pain and discomfort. I did not find this to be true. I gained less weight than I did with my first and I had little to no pelvic girdle pain, whereas with my first pregnancy I was given crutches by the hospital in week 19 due to not being able to put weight through my right leg and I suffered with back and hip pain throughout. I was incredibly tired due to having a toddler to run around after but I was strong and fit. I was able to carry my son around even at the end of my pregnancy. I honestly put this all down to Kate and her team at the gym. I attended for PT sessions weekly during my pregnancy, right up to the end, as well as attending a prenatal exercise class, which I only ended up attending the first few sessions as my daughter decided to surprise us a week earlier than due date! I also saw Shannon for massage throughout as well. Kate and her team provide a complete self care package. Not only exercise, but massage and a safe place to be yourself and talk openly about how you are doing.
The birth itself was a different experience to my first but equally as amazing. I enjoyed both births and honestly would go through it all again. I woke up on a Sunday morning with a few twinges but nothing that felt like contractions. We sent our son to my parents so I could relax and just chilled out for the day. I continued to get some discomfort and by 1pm was worried about reduced movements so I phoned the hospital and went in to be monitored at 4pm. I turned up, was monitored and baby was fine. By now I thought I might be having some Braxton hicks contractions, the midwife suggested an exam to see what was happening and it turned out that I was 7.5cm dilated, it was 6pm. I could not believe it. I phoned my husband to fetch the bags (thank god I had packed them already!!) and get to the hospital pronto. I walked with the midwife into the maternity unit, they offered me a wheelchair but I declined as I wasn’t in any pain, occasionally pausing for a pretty mild contraction. I remember the midwife that was going to look after me being very surprised that I was not in a wheelchair and that I was able to walk so well! I got into my room, my husband arrived and the pool was filled for me. By now my contractions were coming thick and fast. I was given gas and air, I was standing and rocking, breathing deeply and tuning out everything else. Thankfully I managed to get into the pool, continuing with gas and air, I breathed through all the contractions, just trusting my body to do what was needed. The midwife started to ask if I needed to push and I honestly didn’t feel the urge so I said no and just continued to breathe and did not push once. Then at 8pm my baby girl was born. I honestly did not push. I continued my breathing (learnt on hypnobirthing courses) and she slid into this world, the most perfect little bundle of joy.
I am so thankful that I found Kate at the time that I did. The strength she helped me to build as well as the information she gave me really contributed to the most amazing birth experience with my daughter. I wish I had sought out the kind of service that she provided before I became pregnant the first time. Hindsight is a wonderful thing and only now that I can truly see and appreciate the benefits of having personal training and continued support from Kate and her team can I understand what I had read prior to pregnancies about fitness levels and the ability to deal with both pregnancy, birth and the first weeks of having a newborn in a more positive way.
After the birth of my daughter, I started with Kate’s post-natal exercises that are suitable from approximately 4 weeks after birth. I then returned to the gym at 6 weeks post-partum. By now I trusted Kate wholeheartedly. I had zoomed with her a few days after Mia was born to introduce her and I then ventured into the gym not long after once I was driving and leaving the house (which happens very quickly with another child to keep entertained!)
I continued to work out weekly with Kate and I saw Shannon for massage. Being able to get the combination of massage and exercise in the same place had been a godsend. I have turned up with aches and pains expecting a PT session, but ending up with a massage if Shannon was not with a client. Their flexibility, knowledge and kindness has overwhelmed me many times. It really is like working out with family.
By the time by daughter was a year old, I had lost all of the weight gained during pregnancy and my core and back felt strong. I started to workout with Dom focusing on strength, getting to a point where I was lifting and squatting with weights I had never thought possible.
I see improvements every time my measurements are redone. My BMI is the best it’s ever been and I feel fit and confident, yet still able to eat LOTS of cake!
At the end of 2022 I had to take a break for 6 weeks due to my children being ill and Christmas holidays, I considered not returning, questioning the cost verse the outcome. However I quickly changed my mind. I really felt my mental and physical health struggle with the lack of exercise and contact with Kate and team.
Kate’s knowledge and ability to adapt to any situation has ensured she is a key part of my self-care routine. With personal training I am motivated and push myself further and harder than I ever would working out on my own. I have joined many gyms before coming to Kate and I have found them impersonal and daunting. I love the personal yet professional service received from everyone at Kate Campbell Fitness.
Postnatal Personal Training
