Reactivate Case Studies

As a local GP, Sonia Birgani from Beaconsfield, is well aware of the benefits of exercise. However as a busy mum of four, with children aged 4, 7, 10 and 13, she was struggling to do it in practice. It wasn’t until she and a friend saw a flyer about a Beginners’ Jogging Class earlier in the year that she thought she’d found the answer. “I’m always encouraging my patients to exercise. Now it’s my turn!”

Sonia admits that when she went along to the Beginners’ Jogging Class, a weekly group which meets at the Beacon Centre in Beaconsfield on Tuesday mornings, she had some reservations. “I was quite nervous to start with. But I soon realised that I needn’t have worried!” For Sonia one of the things that made her most relaxed was that everyone was in the same boat. “It was great meeting like minded mums. We really keep each other going. And we even practice in between the class so we can build our stamina.”

After going along to a Beginners’ Jogging Class, Sonia was soon hooked. “I don’t need any encouragement to keep going. Now I have the running bug!” And to prove it Sonia entered a local 10k race this summer with her husband. After only being able to “run half a mile at the most” back in February, Sonia is delighted with her progress. Sonia ran the Wycombe 10k in just 1hr 9 minutes and was delighted with her ‘nice shiny medal’. And that’s not the only thing she’s pleased with. “I have lost 1½ stone, dropped two dress sizes and my blood pressure is down. Jogging makes me feel great. The only thing is I have to buy a whole new wardrobe now!” And Sonia’s husband has also benefitted by losing 3½ stone as he jogs along with her.

After enjoying the class so much, Sonia is keen to let others know about it. “It’s a bit of fun. I had no expectations when I started and look at me now! You can go as easily as you want to. And can just drop in. It’s not a fixed course with fees and it’s cheap.” So there’s never been a better time to heed a doctor’s advice!