Hello and welcome to LiveWell Fitness
My name is Vicky Pudney and I am a Cancer and Exercise Rehabilitation and Clinical Exercise Specialist.
I focus on working with people with a diagnosis of cancer and/or common clinical conditions eg. hypertension, obesity and osteoporosis.
If you would like to improve your fitness or functional ability, reduce fatigue and the side effects of your condition and treatments, improve your mental well-being, confidence and overall quality of life then you have come to the right place.
Exercise and movement is a powerful tool to help you recover, reduce symptoms and side effects and regain normality and quality of life again. Not to mention reduce the risk or recurrence or further comorbidities. Unfortunately for many people not knowing what exercise to do safely or where to begin can prevent them from being active.
Historically, the advice from doctors has been to rest but there has been growing evidence over the past 20 years to the contrary. Moving more and being less sedentary is now being prescribed Macmillan refers to exercise as a 'hidden wonder drug for people living with cancer'.
I also work as a Personal Trainer for clients without health conditions.
How I can help you
Your situation is unique and this is reflected in my approach. I will work with you to establish a highly personalised, safe and effective fitness programme to build, rebuild or maintain strength, cardiovascular fitness and mobility before, during and after cancer treatment or with a chronic condition. All at a safe and the correct pace and level for you - whether your goal is to be less sedentary and engage in basic active daily living or something more physically challenging.
It's more that just about physical fitness though. I can help you manage fatigue, feel more energised, improve your confidence, mental well-being, and quality of life and reduce both short and long term side effects. There is also compelling evidence that exercise can reduce the risk of recurrence by 30-40% (Macmillan).
As well as more traditional forms of cardiovascular and resistance training, I will encourage you to explore different and fun ways of exercising, using different equipment and exploring relaxation techniques. If you are new to exercise, have restricted mobility or any other limiting factors you’ll be pleased to know that there are many low impact exercises we can work with - including chair work – which will still make a big impact. I can also help guide and support you with eating a healthy and balanced diet.
Ensuring the process is ‘person centred’ is a cornerstone of my practice. This means that everything we do is driven by you - your medical condition(s), your lifestyle, your likes and dislikes, your goals and even how you feel on any particular day. Together we can address any barriers to exercise that you may have and where needed mould the right mindset to make positive changes. But most importantly, my aim will be for you to enjoy the fitness journey.
Some examples of goals I can help you with:
- rebuilding cardio vascular fitness, muscular strength, mobility and balance lost through treatment
- maintaining fitness and strength during treatment
- getting back to performing active daily living tasks eg. mowing the lawn, getting dressed, housework, walking the dog, playing with grandchildren etc.
- improving fitness or losing weight before surgery or other treatment
- becoming active for the first time
- training for a specific goal eg. a 5km charity run or a marathon
- feeling healthier
- improved mental well being
- reconnecting with your body after treatment
- feeling more in control, more confident and better about yourself. Feeling more like your old self or establishing a 'new normal'
- behaviour change
How we can work together
We will work together 1-1 - either ‘face to face’ or online from the comfort and convenience of your own home. If you are local, face to face sessions can be arranged at your home, at my home gym on the Buckinghamshire/Hertfordshire borders or at an appropriate outdoor location.
I understand the importance for flexibility – both regarding the timings of sessions and the need to reschedule on days where you may not be feeling up to it. Depending on what you are looking for, I can support you on an ongoing basis, for a set time before, during or after treatment or just as a one-off consultation for some advice.
I am also happy to liaise with your GP. or medical team where necessary.
My qualifications include Level 4 Cancer and Exercise Rehabilitation, Level 3 Exercise Referral (chronic conditions) and Level 3 Personal Trainer.
I am fully insured, DBS checked and hold an up-to-date First Aid certificate.