Angela tells us of the perks to being active

Angela Hadden, who’s been attending Be Active…Live Well classes and Health Walks, has told us about her experience of attending the activities that have helped her to build confidence and increased her awareness of how the activities can support in self-management or prevention of health conditions.

We’re delighted to share Angela’s story.

Angela said: “I worked in various shops and was always too busy working to have time to be active, when I wasn’t working I was too tired to do anything. I did go to aerobics classes with Dorothy in Montrose a long time ago. With being busy bringing up family I never went to the gym and I was not into exercise.

I had a knee replacement op in 2020 and started the Joe Wicks exercises on TV, my daughters also found house work exercises and stretching that I could do which was fun.

My husband was referred to the Be Active…Live Well programme, so I accompanied him to the classes.

I completed the 12 weeks strength and balance Active Start programme with Graham, a Health and Wellbeing Advisor. As well as Graham,  Amanda and Jennifer were great and helped us to learn how to get up if we fell. We even sang along to the songs at the classes which was good fun.

I really enjoy the company and we all get on with each other – chatting away in the class. It’s motivational with all ages attending up to the age of 97! I found it was a good support and we help each other to keep going.

I am engaged in the programme and I don’t want to leave my partner alone as his health isn’t good. However, due to depression I want to get out the house and chat to people. For instance, I lost 5 family members in a year but I focus on the good times. I like to look at the flowers around the area at the Health Walks from Montrose Sports Centre and to be out in nature. I also enjoy speaking to people on the walks.

My advice to anyone with a long term health condition would be to come along! Come and have a good laugh and natter. There’s lots of comradery and support on the Health Walks which keep me going and helps me to switch off when I am out on a walk.”

You can find out more about Healthy Steps Health Walks which are free and available to everyone here.

Be Active…Live Well classes can be attended through referral, learn more about the programme here.