Meet Yvonne Percy, York’s magical disappearing woman.
After a health scare Yvonne, 54, has shed nearly 6 stone in just 12 months – and to celebrate she’s clocking up one million steps in a great charity trek.
A year ago Yvonne visited her GP after feeling unwell. It was then she found out that her blood glucose levels were so high she was on the brink of developing type 2 diabetes.
And that’s when she embarked on a lifestyle change that has transformed her wellbeing.
Complete transformation
And this is what Yvonne looks like today – a remarkable transformation.
The grandmother-of-two weighed more than 17 stone at her heaviest. And the diabetes warning brought her up short.
“At the time I was overweight, it was something I have always struggled with but I knew I had to make some changes,” Yvonne said.
“Both my parents have type 2 and my mother had an amputation as a result, so I know how serious the condition is and the impact it can have on people’s lives.”
With the support of her doctor, Yvonne changed her diet and began exercising more.
She said: “I started ‘Aqua fit’ as well as cycling and switched to a lower calorie diet which helped me lose weight.
“After losing 3 stone I found it easier to get out and walk more, which has helped me fit more exercise into everyday life.”
Back to normal
Within three months her blood glucose levels were back in the normal range but Yvonne, who now works as an independent weight consultant, was determined not to let her hard work go to waste.
She found out about the Diabetes UK One Million Step Challenge and decided to push herself further.
The challenge, which began on July 1 and runs until 30 September, invites people to push themselves out of their comfort zone, by taking one million steps over three months and getting sponsored for every stride.
Well on the way
Yvonne has already completed 700,000 steps. She said:
It’s helped improve my overall fitness and my mobility. I can’t believe how much more energy I have. It has become addictive – I definitely want to continue, even when it’s over.
Louise Simonian, regional fundraiser for Diabetes UK said: “We are extremely grateful to Yvonne for taking part in the One Million Steps Challenge and for all her hard work raising awareness of diabetes.
“Every penny raised will help us to support the millions of people living with diabetes in the UK so please give generously to back Yvonne and support her amazing effort.”
You can sponsor Yvonne by visiting her Just Giving page here.
How the York ME Community helps sufferers cope with ‘the new normal’
‘It’s the perfect night out.’ York Soup returns to boost local projects
Calling all artists – would you like to be part of a unique exhibition?