Janet's story

My caring role

I have been a carer for many years now. I was very naïve when I first started – carers pushed people around in wheelchairs or looked after someone who was sick in bed. They didn’t look after someone with a mental illness – did they? I soon learnt this wasn’t the case and I have looked after someone with chronic, complex mental health problems for many years now.

Finding activities I enjoy

I am currently taking part in two online exercise classes each week, the first one to help strengthen my bones is called Osteoblast and the other one I have taken up recently is called Soca which is an hour of dancing to Caribbean carnival music. These classes are sponsored by my local authority.

In addition I have found on the internet a series of indoor walking classes – where you can walk any distance from one mile to 5 kilometres, it’s free on YouTube and it can be done in your own living room.

I really enjoy these activities because they give me a sense of wellbeing and of physical achievement. They also contribute to my feelings of independence and happiness.

Also because they are online I can do them at a time to suit me and which fits in with my caring responsibilities. I currently do not have to travel anywhere to exercise.

I began the walking programme a few years ago and in addition to walking round the park I would try (time permitting) to walk to various appointments rather than take the bus or the tube. I started this because I just wanted a simple way to keep fit but walking everywhere can be time consuming which is why I began the walking at home programmes.

I also enjoy just going out for walk in the local park, warming up by walking at a normal pace for five minutes or so, then walking very briskly for ten or fifteen minutes and then cooling down and maybe doing a few stretches or using the outdoor gym machines you find in so many parks nowadays. Additionally, I like walking up and down the stairs at the block of flats where I live, just going up and down the stairs as many times as I can. These exercises are effective and furthermore they don’t cost anything.

Motivating myself

My main motivation for exercising is firstly for my own health and to lose weight and also for the feeling of wellbeing it gives me. As the instructor in my walking programme says, “walking is the medicine for life”, and the beauty of these kinds of programmes is that they can be done at any time and as it is indoors the weather doesn’t matter.

Overcoming the barriers

The main barriers to my exercising are really my own laziness, I can do these indoor exercises at any time but getting started is often the hardest bit. Also as a carer some days are just so difficult. I find exercising in the morning is best for me since I always get too busy and too tired as the day goes on.

My top tips

My top tips for exercising are first of all, find an activity that you like, that’s very important, and secondly stick to it. Start small and gradually increase the amount you do. Find a time too that suits you best and fits in with your lifestyle and caring responsibilities.