Jill Hayward is a 63-year-old female user of Ashby Leisure Centre & Lido. Last year Jill wore Size 32 clothes and suffered from anxiety, depression, diabetes, and sleep apnoea. Fast forward and on the back of an 8 stone weight loss resulting from her usage of Ashby LC & Lido, she now wears Size 14 clothes and is no longer impacted by the anxiety, depression, diabetes and sleep apnoea that were collectively crippling her wellbeing.

On the Tuesday 28th December 2023, after a serious health scare, Jill decided to make a change to try and improve her health and lifestyle. Jill changed her diet completely and in May 2024, she took advice from her son and visited the leisure centre with her husband Neil. This was quite a scary decision as she feared that she would feel uncomfortable or judged for her age and size, and might face ridicule from fitter, slimmer, younger gym users. But everyone at the gym was friendly, no one was judgemental, and Neil would always sit in the cafe to give here confidence and make sure he supported her first steps into the gym.

By surprise Jill enjoyed her exercise and took out PT sessions first with Bernie (who is always a friendly face) and then with Ollie who challenged and encouraged her to improve movement, strength and balance. She soon became a regular visiting the gym 4-5 times a week.

Before Jill started her fitness journey at the centre, she even struggled to get up out of the chair to let the dog out in the garden. Jill now feels joy from movement and walks to the shops and back with ease and is thrilled to enjoy life so much more.

Visiting the leisure centre and being active has also had a positive impact on her social wellbeing. Jill, her husband Neil, her son James and partner, and grandchild meet up for a coffee at the centre after exercise / or a family swim, and they have made new friends amongst the other centre users, now meeting up for country walks and line dancing. The difference in her life is joyous. It has given her the chance to experience freedom of movement in a way she never dreamed possible. She says “my only regret is not doing this earlier, but I’m going to live life to the full from now on!”

To help raise money for our charity partner Breast Cancer Now, Jill is taking on events and challenges inside and outside the centre! She is hoping for participants to join her for the events, so get involved!...

Line Dancing Event / Ashby LC / Monday 14th April 2025 / 10:30am-11:30am

Line Dancing Event / Whitwick & Coalville LC / Monday 21st April 2025 / 11am - 12pm

Climbing Wall Challenge / Coalville LC / Thursday 15th May 2025 / 11am - 12pm

Peak District Walk Event / September (TBC)

Abseil Challenge / September (TBC)

Zipline Challenge / October (TBC)

1000m Swim Challenge / Ashby LC / Wednesday 5th November 2025 / 11am

50KG Deadlift Challenge / Ashby LC / Wednesday 3rd December 2025 / 11am

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