Welcome to LiveWell Fitness
My name is Vicky Pudney, and I am a Cancer Rehabilitation and Clinical Exercise Specialist. I work with people who have/have had a cancer diagnosis and/or a common clinical condition.
Research has shown that being more active during and after cancer treatment can help improve longer-term outcomes and support recovery.
Historically, the advice from doctors has been to rest but growing evidence over the past 20 years has debunked this theory. Moving more and being less sedentary is now being prescribed. Macmillan refers to exercise as a 'hidden wonder drug for people living with cancer'.
Exercise and movement are powerful tools to help you recover, reduce symptoms and the side effects of your treatment, and improve mental wellbeing, confidence, functional fitness and quality of life. They can also reduce the risk of recurrence or further comorbidities. Unfortunately for many people not knowing what exercise to do safely or where to begin can prevent them from being active.
How I can help you
Your situation is unique and this is reflected in my approach. I will work with you to establish a highly personalised, safe and effective fitness programme to build, rebuild or maintain strength, cardiovascular fitness and mobility before, during and after cancer treatment or with a chronic condition. All at a safe and the correct pace and level for you, whether your goal is to be less sedentary and engage in basic active daily living or something more physically challenging.
It's more than just about physical fitness though. I can help you manage fatigue, feel more energised, improve your confidence, mental well-being, and quality of life and reduce both short- and long-term side effects. There is also compelling evidence that exercise can reduce the risk of recurrence by 30-40% (Macmillan).
As well as more traditional forms of cardiovascular and resistance training, I will encourage you to explore different and fun ways of exercising, using different equipment and relaxation techniques. If you are new to exercise, have restricted mobility or any other limiting factors you’ll be pleased to know that there are many low impact exercises we can work with, including chair work, which will still make a big difference. I can also help guide and support you with eating a healthy and balanced diet.
Ensuring the process is ‘person centred’ is a cornerstone of my practice. This means that everything we do is driven by you - your medical condition(s), your lifestyle, your likes and dislikes, your goals and even how you feel on any particular day. Together we can address any barriers to exercise that you may have and where needed mould the right mindset to make positive changes. But most importantly, my aim will be for you to enjoy the fitness journey.
Goals I can help you with:
- rebuilding cardiovascular fitness, muscular strength, mobility and balance lost through treatment
- maintaining fitness and strength (physically and mentally) during treatment
- returning to active daily living tasks eg. mowing the lawn, housework, playing with grandchildren etc.
- improving fitness or losing weight before surgery or other treatment
- feeling healthier and more energised
- improving emotional well-being and sleep
- training for a specific goal eg. a 5km charity run or a marathon
- reconnecting and feeling more confident with your body after treatment
- becoming active for the first time
- behaviour change
How we can work together
I offer 1-1 sessions, both ‘face to face’ or online. If you are local, face to face sessions can be arranged at your home, at my home gym on the Buckinghamshire/Hertfordshire borders or at an appropriate outdoor location. I also run a small group session at Aqua Vale in Aylesbury on a Wednesday 2.30 - 3.30pm.
I understand the importance for flexibility – both regarding the timings of sessions and the need to reschedule on days where you may not be feeling up to it.
Depending on what you are looking for, I can support you on an ongoing basis, for a set time before, during or after treatment or just as a one-off consultation for some advice.
I am also happy to liaise with your GP. or medical team where necessary. My qualifications include Level 4 Cancer and Exercise Rehabilitation, Level 3 Exercise Referral (chronic conditions) and Level 3 Personal Trainer.
I am fully insured, DBS checked and hold an up to date First Aid certificate.
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