Member Spotlight: Fez
How do you feel about physical activity?
Honestly I hate it. I even adjusted my peritoneal dialysis machine to skip P.E. Lessons at school. As I've grown up though, I do realise it's important and I do need to get healthier, but I don't enjoy it if I'm honest. *Author’s note: we love honesty at Beam!
What barriers have you had to keeping active?
Lack of motivation, consistency, obviously having a stomach filled with kidneys gives me a big, uncomfortable belly, lack of time, and procrastination.
What has helped you to overcome your barriers to moving more?
My new transplant and realising I'm not getting any younger. It’s my third transplant now, and I really don't feel like doing round four. So I’ve started making more sensible adjustments to my life, such as more exercise and better eating.
How has Beam helped you to keep active or changed your perspective on physical activity?
I like that you can do it at home, so no gym, and no ‘gym heads’ around to put me off or look and stare. The option to take an On Demand video is good, so if I miss a live class, I can still do something later in the day. There’s variety too, so it’s not all ‘weights and treadmill’. I do try and do something different every time, and through Beam I’ve tried Yoga, Pilates, HIIT, and the Get Moving class.
What else makes you feel good?
So much makes me feel good! As I admitted, I'm not into exercise, but I have learnt the importance of it recently.
Family time is amazing for me, the banter, the jokes, hanging out with my cousin’s gatherings with lots of food and just the general fun - all this was pre-COVID. Friends are the family you choose, and with my renal friends there is a certain level you just click at that is a little different then normal friends, but they’re no more or less important than catching up with stories and adventures all my friends have been on. Of course, there’s the usual stuff people tend to enjoy, entertainment, movies, TV shows, music, going to the cinema, playing pool and snooker.
I've been in isolation since March (only going out for transplant and clinic), so I'm really missing humans the most at the moment, and as much as zoom and teams can keep me in touch with people, I would really like a hug - as soppy as that sounds from a grown man!
The things I do like food wise I know are not the healthiest choices and I have been working on eating better and trying to cook more to get more vegetables and fruits in. But part of me will probably never be able to say no to things like chocolate eclairs and mac & cheese!
What are you looking forward to, and your goals for the future?
I guess one thing I’m currently looking forward to is seeing results of these changes, eating better and exercising on Beam, and hopefully may reach a point that my stomach isn't just a big blob. Everyday is a forward step, and I want to be stronger, especially in my joints, so balance is better. Exercising will also keep my mind relaxed, so I stop worrying, thinking about everything and anything, and will just be able to shut everything off. Also I want to quit smoking. I am trying, it's really hard though and while I've tried patches, E-cigs and cold turkey none of those options are working for me just yet.