A Journey to Recovery with Horizon Leisure: Tracey’s Story

Tracey, 60, from Waterlooville had to give up her job in a bank when she was just 40 years old due to poor health and mobility issues and has been plagued with health issues ever since. Over the years she has gradually put weight on and has had complications with arthritis, high blood pressure, and breathlessness. Now, 20 years on, with the help of Horizon Leisure’s Exercise on Referral team, she’s turning her life around.

“In August 2023, I had emergency spinal surgery, after suffering with a cyst on a vertebra which made me largely immobile for six months leading up to the operation. I was largely bedbound, in constant pain, and barely able to walk, relying heavily on pain relief. Unfortunately, during this time, I gained even more weight. My surgeon advised me that losing weight would be crucial for my recovery and overall health. While I knew I needed to make these changes, I also knew I needed the reassurance and support to make lasting improvements.”

After being cleared by her NHS physiotherapist, in October 2023 Tracey received a health referral to Horizon Leisure. With this support, she began a transformative health journey, taking full advantage of Horizon Leisure’s diverse wellness programmes.

Tracey says: “To begin with my NHS physiotherapist recommended only water-based activities to gently ease me back into movement. I met with the health referral team at Horizon Leisure, who undertook a health check, discussed my physical conditions, and talked about what might be best for me.  I started by simply walking up and down in the water at their swimming pools.  I felt so apprehensive, particularly about my weight, but enjoyed the freedom of being in the water. I knew these were just small steps, but it finally felt like I was beginning to make progress. The team at Horizon Leisure were so supportive and suggested I come attend their Long-Term Health Conditions physio-led swimming sessions at Havant Leisure Centre.

“Naturally I was nervous to start something new, but the instructor’s advice was outstanding. The class, which includes mobility exercises and gentle swimming, had lots of people recovering from different surgeries, injuries and health conditions, and it was a really inclusive and supportive environment; everyone was so friendly. The group’s warmth made me feel at ease and my confidence quickly grew.”

As Tracey regained mobility and confidence, she started attending Horizon Leisure’s Aqua classes.  She says: “I love the aquatics class, it’s such fun. It’s low impact but so energetic, plus there’s great music. I also love how diverse the group is, men, women, young, old, thin, fat….it really made me feel I fitted in there, that there was no judgement, and I could feel my strength and mobility was improving too!”

Tracey then went on to complete Horizon Leisure’s six-week adult swimming lessons to help improve her overall swimming technique.

Land Based Activities at Horizon Leisure

By January 2024, Tracey fitness levels had improved, and with the support of the Horizon Team she began to explore exercises out of the pool.

Tracey says: “I joined the ‘This Girl Can’ classes and to begin with found it tough going. I felt incredibly self-conscious. I hated what I was wearing and would sometimes get a chair to support me or to rest. But I soon began to relax as the group was so welcoming and the instructor made lots of helpful adaptations for me. The camaraderie and light-hearted atmosphere turned the classes into a fun experience where fitness and laughter went hand-in-hand, and as long as we were moving it didn’t matter what we looked like.”

Tracey has enrolled in the Horizon’s Flourish programme, a free initiative funded by Hampshire County Council to help women achieve healthy weight goals, and Horizon’s Beat It programme designed to educate participants on managing high blood pressure.

Tracey says: “The Flourish and Beat It programs were both educational and inspiring, combining exercise sessions like Indoor Circuits and Tai Chi with insights into healthier eating and lifestyle choices. I started the Flourish programme in April and completed it in July. I’m due for my 12-week follow-up in October to assess my progress.

“I’ve also met some incredible women in these groups, and we continue to support and champion each other. We still stay in touch regularly, keeping that bond strong.”

FLOURISH Results

Tracey says: “After a year of consistent effort I have achieved remarkable improvements in my health. I am so proud of myself.  I have lost 22kg, significantly reduced my back pain, and lowered my blood pressure. My mobility has greatly improved. I can now walk further and attend a mixture of five classes a week, something unimaginable just months ago. I’ve also gained a supportive network of new friends.  Coming to the leisure centre has also provided me with a structure and routine, all at a very affordable rate.

“Horizon Leisure’s comprehensive and community-focused programmes have played a pivotal role in my recovery. From water-based rehabilitation to land-based classes, Horizon has provided the resources, support and environment I needed to start to transform my health. I’m incredibly grateful to the Horizon Team and look forward to continuing my wellness journey with them.”