"This group has been life-changing for me"
I feel the need to write a review for the Wellness Walks that I’ve been going to run by Karl.
I joined his group last August after being my husbands sole carer 24/7, for many years until he sadly died last June.
By the time he passed away, I was emotionally drained, I was utterly exhausted, worn out, overweight and very unfit. Not to mention that my self esteem and confidence was at an all time low.
Basically, I just didn’t want to be here.
Somehow, I managed to drag myself to one of Karl’s walks. It was only a short one, so it was a good start. I was terrified, but I got there and from that moment, I felt reassured, welcomed, inspired and a part of the group.
Almost 6 months on, I am a totally different person. So much so, I don’t recognise myself!
I’ve lost almost three stone in weight, I’m a lot fitter than I’ve been in many years, I’ve made so many good friends, I laugh all the time, I feel included, I’ve so much confidence in myself that I now feel able to encourage and inspire new walkers to the group.
This group has been life changing for me and I honestly don’t know where I would be now without it. It’s opened up so many new doors for me that I would never have felt possible last year. I’m never at home. If I’m not walking, I’m socialising, helping others, or just living life to the full. I now love life and can’t cram enough into it! Life is for living and thanks to Karl, that what I now do.
Karl is a very kind, warm hearted and caring man. Not to mention very professional, experienced and empathetic. He’s a great walk leader and I often joke with the other walkers that we’d follow him into the depths of hell, such is our trust in him. He walks at the pace of the slowest walker, so no-one gets left behind. This is so important when you’re that person, as I used to be.
These walks really are life changing and life saving. The first step is the hardest, but after that, it gets so much easier!
I hope in time, more walks like Karl’s become available to those that need them and people are able to have confidence to take that first step.