Mytime Active Stories - Shelly
From Struggle to Strength: Shelly’s Health Transformation
For 35-year-old Shelly from Orpington, the journey to reclaiming her health began in the most unexpected place, an airplane seat bound for Cyprus in August 2022.
“I was squeezed between my children, trying desperately to fasten my seatbelt,” Shelly recalls. “The panic and embarrassment I felt in that moment, worrying I'd need to ask for an extension – it was overwhelming. As we took off, I made a silent promise to myself that something needed to change.”
What should have been a carefree family holiday instead became a painful reminder of how her size 22 frame was limiting her life. Throughout the holiday, simple pleasures most take for granted, walking along the beach, playing in the pool with her 10 and 14-year-old children, even basic mobility, had become challenging obstacles.
“I remember sitting with my mum one evening and just breaking down,” says Shelly. “I told her my weight wasn't just affecting how I looked, it was literally robbing me of leading a full and active life. I couldn't lift my arms above my shoulders, my knees and back were in constant pain, and even tying my shoelaces had become a struggle.”
Upon returning home, Shelly took the courageous first step that would transform her future; she contacted Mytime Active’s Walnuts Leisure Centre and scheduled an appointment with a personal trainer.
Shelly says: “That first meeting with my PT, Sarah, changed everything. For the first time I felt someone was truly listening to me, not just seeing another person who needed to lose weight. My trainer understood my challenges and had practical ideas tailored specifically to help me.”
Rather than focusing on weight loss, Shelly's trainer prioritised improving her mobility. They started with one to two weekly personal training sessions that Shelly valued so much she would ask family members to gift them for birthdays and Christmas instead of presents.
“I felt guilty spending money on myself at first,” she admits. “But the connection I formed with my trainer, Sarah, made all the difference. She continues to be patient and understanding, and knows exactly when to push me a little further.”
Gradually Shelly expanded her fitness routine beyond personal training. She discovered a love for swimming and now regularly completes a mile-long swim. While the Walnuts Leisure Centre undergoes its refurbishment, she’s found a welcoming alternative for her gym sessions at Crofton Halls & Sports Centre. Sarah also encouraged her to become more mindful about nutrition, introducing her to food tracking apps that helped her develop healthier eating habits.
Fast forward to August 2024 - same destination, dramatically different experience. When Shelly boarded that flight to Cyprus, now wearing size 16 clothes, the transformation was evident in more ways than one.
“The holiday was completely different this time around,” she says. “I walked more, swam more and, most importantly, I felt happier. I could fully participate in family activities without worrying about my limitations.”
By May 2025, Shelly had reached another milestone, purchasing her first pair of size 14 jeans. Yet she's quick to emphasise that the numbers on clothing tags only tell a small part of her story.
“Although I've lost a considerable amount of weight, what matters most is how amazing I feel,” Shelly explains. “My body shape continues to change in positive ways, but the real victory is in what I can now do. My back pain has improved, my knees don't ache anymore and the mobility in my arms is fantastic. I'm constantly surprised by what my body is capable of now.”
Shelly’s daily routine has transformed completely. She now walks every day, visits the gym and pool regularly, and continues her personal training sessions. In April 2025, she even embarked on a Couch to 5K programme, something she never imagined possible.
“I never thought I could run, but I'm absolutely loving it,” she says. “The headspace I get while running is incredible, and even in just a few weeks my breathing has improved dramatically. At work I have much more energy and I can navigate the warehouse with ease, squeezing through spaces that would have been impossible before.”
The ripple effects of Shelly's transformation extend beyond her own experience. “My family is incredibly proud,” she shares. “But more importantly, I'm showing my children that it's never too late to make positive changes in your life.”
Looking toward the future, Shelly has set ambitious goals with Mytime Active's continued support. She hopes to complete a 10K run, join group exercise classes she previously felt unable to keep up with, and participate in Mytime Active's Santa Dash in December.
Shelly's health journey demonstrates what Mytime Active is all about, that true fitness transformation isn't just about how you look, but about enhancing how you live. Through support, understanding and a focus on a long-term approach to wellbeing, Shelly didn't just lose weight; she gained a new life.
Shelly reflects: “The journey hasn't always been easy, but having Mytime Active alongside me has made all the difference. They didn't just help me become smaller, they helped me become stronger and happier, and that's worth more than any number on a scale could ever be.”