Jo shares her experience with the DVCC

"I’m Jo. I have been a member of the DVCC for just over a year now and try to fit in as many sessions as I can in a week.

I run my own business and also work part-time for a London based hedge fund – a slightly crazy work situation borne out of the need to accommodate a husband who works long hours and looking after the house and the family. I am not dissimilar to other DVCC members, all of whom seem to juggle work, family, commuting and other commitments.

When I am not doing all that, I enjoy maintaining a healthy lifestyle and trying to improve my strength and fitness.

To be honest, it feels a bit weird even writing that. Just over a year ago I was in a very different place – I was waking with palpitations in the night, I needed two grown men to get me up off the snow when I fell over skiing, I booked a doctor’s appointment as I was convinced there must be something medically wrong with me and I was ashamed at what I saw in the mirror.

I was confused by all the ‘noise’ there is out there – books, blogs, magazines, social media – on the best approach to diet and fitness. I was using up so much mental energy and capacity making false bargains and promises to myself only for them to fail, that it was impacting on my outlook and enjoyment of life.

Inspiration was hard to find – the role models for those of us over the age 40 (30 even) are few and far between. I have never looked good in a cropped gym top, put kale in a smoothie nor do I aspire to – my motivations were and are completely different.

Change came from finally plucking up the courage to give the DVCC a month’s trial last year – what was, at the time, a last ditch effort to overhaul my lifestyle. Inspiration to carry on beyond that trial came from the excellent trainers who are 100% positive, friendly and support you all the way, no matter where you are starting from or where you are hoping to get to.

You are always treated as an individual and never patronised or judged, only encouraged to push through, to achieve what you are capable of (even if you didn’t know what that is) and to give your best every time. That, plus motivation from the community of fellow members who are inspirational in a multitude of ways.

So yes, after more than a year of being helped along the way, I do enjoy the feeling that comes with trying to live a healthier life, enjoying it to the full and importantly the feeling that it’s something entirely sustainable."