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A bump in the road When doctors told Karen Walker she’d have to lose weight to try IVF, she decided it was time to pull on her trainers. The result was better than she’d ever dared hope…
My husband and I have been trying for a baby for eight years, and finally decided to try IVF. But when we talked to the doctors, they said that to be eligible for IVF, I’d have to lose five and a half stone.
Happily married in October 2013
I already walked my dogs regularly, but it was obvious I’d have to do more exercise. My friend Arlene Botha had set up a jogscotland group called The Galavanters in our home town of Galashiels, and she persuaded me to go along.
I started in April 2015, and I was a bit nervous about it, but Arelene’s a good friend, and she was so supportive - she makes everybody welcome. It doesn’t matter what size you are, how fit you are, it doesn’t matter if you can only run for 20 seconds, she makes you feel welcome and she can see your potential. I just absolutely loved it - I quickly got the fitness bug and wanted to run the whole time. It makes you feel really good about yourself. You’re not just being left to get on with it - they gradually build you up in a 10 week block so that you’re never out of your depth and you feel supported - you’re broken in at a good pace.
stride jogscotland magazine
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Summer 2016