I started Beachside in February on a challenge because my friend Megan had been nagging me to try it for ages. I had been having nightmares for about 8 years and hardly slept most nights and I had never exercised in my life. At 59kgs I knew I was skinny but I hated looking at my body in the mirror and it felt so out of reach to ever have a body that I liked.

I was so scared to start because I thought there would be people judging my body and my fitness level. But I was greeted by such a group of welcoming kind and supportive people at Beachside my worries were straight away put to ease. By week three of the challenge I was absolutely hooked on my new healthy lifestyle and friends!

My family saw the change in me and my step daughter, Maddie, decided to join with me. Exercising together started to build such a great bond and promoted such a healthy lifestyle at home that we’ve never looked back. With much hassling from Maddie and I, my husband Jay came along for a trial. Since then Our whole life has completely changed in a way I never thought was possible-

I sleep every night, I feel good when I see a fit person standing in the mirror, our little family has become so much closer and I have made some amazing friends and can’t believe the support I have received from the trainers, especially with my back issues, the trainers helped me realise what I could still do, how I can still get stronger even with an injury like that and what an achievement it was. They helped me learn to listen to my body and learn when to push myself.

I am now 54.5 kg and swell as the regular classes I aim for 3 stretch and sessions a week. It has made such difference to my healing and I can feel myself getting stronger each session and able to achieve things that at first I was scared to do.

Jemma Allibon