Mum To Take On Great Manchester Run
Six months ago Helena Ridsdale was so unfit and overweight she found it an ordeal to even use the stairs at home.
But after embarking on a healthy eating diet and fitness regime, the Heywood mum-of-two is now preparing to take part in the Great Manchester Run on Sunday, May 22.
An unflattering photograph of Helena out walking with husband Colin persuaded her to her change of lifestyle.
"My eldest son Dan took a picture of me puffing up a small hill and that was my wake up call," explained 50-year-old Helena, who is Head of Online for fashion retailer Littlewoods Clearance in Manchester.
"I weighed 19 stones and was a size 26 but hadn't become unfit overnight – it was a culmination of years of eating and drinking to excess. I joined a gym with my best friend and have lost five and a five and half stones and I'm now a size 16. To start with I was just walking on a treadmill but I got fitter and now also attend spin classes."
"I used to walk the school cross-country races, yet now I'm looking forward to running 10k on one of Manchester's biggest sporting occasions of the year. I'm still in a state of shock after completing a 7k training run a few days ago."
Helena cut sugar from her diet and reduced her alcohol intake, investing the money in her personal training sessions and her gym membership at The Village, Bury.
"I have porridge for breakfast, a fish or chicken salad at lunch and a light evening meal. I hated running at first but now really enjoy it and the sense of achievement is brilliant.
"Exercise gives you the best feeling and I feel better every day. My husband's only complaint is that I keep having to buy new clothes!"
Helena will undertake the Great Manchester Run with her personal trainer Luke Harreld whom she credit with giving her the motivation and confidence to sign up for the run. He said: "Helena has done exceptionally well and stuck to her goals once she set her mind to it."
To enter the Great Manchester Run on Sunday, May 22, go to www.greatrun.org/Manchester
Helena is raising funds for the mental health charity Mind, having suffered from depression herself in the past. To sponsor Helena go to www.virginmoneygiving.com/HelenaRidsdale
Related Articles
1/11
Reigning team champions return to Birmingham
As winners of last year’s Business Challenge, Solihull School returns to the start line for the AJ Bell Great Birmingham Run.
Groundbreaking Joint Venture for Future of Athletics in the UK
UK Athletics (UKA), The Great Run Company (GRC) and London Marathon Events (LME) today announced the creation of a new joint venture, Athletic Ventures.
Doting Brothers Set to Race in Memory of Baby Sister
Two loving brothers from Newcastle-Under-Lyme are limbering up to take on the AJ Bell Junior and Mini Great Birmingham Run in memory of their little sister.
Great Birmingham Run scores a hat-trick!
With a month to go before the AJ Bell Great Birmingham Run, the three football clubs are encouraging fans to run for their community foundations.
Arup are up for the challenge on Sunday 5 May
39 runners from engineering giant Arup are taking on the AJ Bell Great Birmingham Run Business Challenge.
Taking it in Their Stride in Memory of a Friend
One team of Great Birmingham Run runners is gearing up for a challenge that goes beyond the miles they'll pound on the pavement.
10 Reasons you should run the AJ Bell Great Birmingham Run
As we countdown to event day on 5 May, we spell out 10 reasons why you should get involved and (if you haven’t already!) sign up.
Emon’s expert tips for training during Ramadan
A reality TV star who ran back to back marathons while fasting during Ramadan is now aiming to inspire his fellow Muslim runners.
Power of Running: Andrew Porter
Andrew Porter, 47, has ran every Great Manchester Run 10k since it started in 2003. Read Andrew's story.
Power of Running: Halee Robinson
After falling out of love with running Halee signed up for the Great Birmingham Run and hasn't looked back. Read Halee's story.
Power of Running: Helen Ryvar
Helen Ryvar is the Guinness World Record Holder for running the most consecutive half marathons, hitting 111 back in 2021. Read Helen's story.
