IFI gym supports Jenny to enjoy a new lifestyle and eliminate insulin
Staff at Portway Lifestyle Centre, an Inclusive Fitness Initiative accredited gym in the Midlands, have supported Jenny Barclay to lose nearly six stone. Thanks to Jenny’s complete lifestyle overhaul, she has eliminated her dependence on insulin.
Jenny, who is 46 and from West Bromwich, has a learning disability. She has successfully combined much healthier eating habits at home with regular classes and a bespoke gym programme at Sandwell Leisure Trust facility, Portway Lifestyle Centre in Oldbury.
Jenny has struggled with her weight most of her adult life and being overweight means, she also had health-related issues. She had diabetes for many years and until recently had to control it by injecting insulin twice a day.
Now a regular in the gym and sports hall at Portway, Sandwell Council’s Adult Services team based at the centre have helped Jenny enjoy a new lifestyle. Team member Erica Scott (also from West Bromwich) devised a tailor-made gym programme for Jenny, which allows for some unsteadiness on her feet. The staff at Portway have introduced Jenny to a host of fun sports classes for disabled visitors like cricket, tennis, basketball, football and hockey.
Jenny says:
"Coming to Portway has changed my life. I am much healthier and don’t need to inject insulin anymore. I love all the classes and Erica helps me on the machines – it’s great.”
Watch Jenny in action at Portway
Portway leads the way as a centre of excellence for disabled people. It is one of the few ‘Excellent’ accredited Inclusive Fitness Initiative (IFI) facilities in the Midlands.
The Inclusive Fitness Initiative (IFI) was established over 10 years ago, now with a national coverage of 400 IFI Mark accredited gym facilities. Managed by the English Federation of Disability Sport (EFDS) the IFI Mark is recognised as fundamental in addressing inequality in physical activity. It reaches inactive populations and raises awareness of the benefits of exercise to get more disabled people physically active.
Recently awarded the top assessment level of ‘excellent’, Portway is reaping the benefits of IFI. By complying with the 'IFI Mark' standards, Portway Lifestyle Centre publicly delivers on its commitment to quality of service to disabled customers, plus inclusion and equality for all members to participate. The charitable organisation Sandwell Leisure Trust manages Portway’s facilities.
Jenny's sister Karen says the family doctor can’t quite believe what she’s achieved either and Jenny’s whole outlook on life has changed too. Karen is Jenny’s carer over the weekends and Karen’s daughter, Jo, looks after her full time in the week.
Karen explains:
“Our mum used to care for Jenny and, I guess, she was old school, letting Jenny eat whatever she wanted and not encouraging her to exercise because of her condition. When mum died two years ago, Jenny was nearly 16 stone, very unfit and quite poorly, so we decided to do something about it – and haven’t looked back since.
“Jenny is still allowed the odd treat, but we’ve had to be strict to make her better. Jenny is a lot more confident and outgoing now, she helps out at home and even picks her own clothes, plus Jenny loves going to Portway and the feeling of independence and achievement it gives her. One of the main problems of being overweight was her ulcerated legs, which meant she couldn’t swim, but now we can’t keep Jenny out of the pool there.”
John Harling, manager of Portway Lifestyle Centre, adds:
“It’s nothing short of a transformation and this ongoing commitment to regular exercise and a controlled diet has had such a positive impact on Jenny’s life. She recognises the benefits herself and totally buys into it – and it just goes to show that lifestyle changes can be made by anyone at any time.”
