After being told when I was pregnant with my first child that it was unwise to do any form of exercise, I was very confused about what I could and couldn’t do this time around. I find being pregnant a very difficult time in itself and having previously been a very active person I know the benefits regular exercise can have on both mood and in combating anxiety. I knew what I wanted to do but didn’t know what was safe to do and didn’t have a plan. I think everyone has reservations about starting something new. There’s always the element of the unknown. There’s also the element of “if I make this commitment, will I actually be able to stick to it?”

Even just from the trial session I felt my mood lifted and felt more confident in myself. It felt good to be investing in myself (rather than just my home or wardrobe) and has given me motivation to be a lot more productive in my day-to-day life. You can’t argue with the release of endorphins and a new purpose to your day. Confidence that I’m able to do what I enjoy and look after myself at the same time as looking after my growing baby. So much about pregnancy and motherhood feels like a sacrifice – I feel like through my sessions I’m finding a part of myself that had been pushed to the side. Things are steadily improving. I have something for myself to look forwards to each week and, with Sue’s guidance, am able to create myself a little programme of exercises to do at home – a little downtime away from a screen that allows me to switch off from my to-do list. Something my mind has been craving for a very long time.

Just go for it, sign up. Investing in your physical and mental health is one of the best things you can do for both yourself and your baby. No amount of junk food eating or online shopping will make you feel as good as the time you spend with Sue. Promise! Anna Gladwish (Tunbridge Wells, Kent)

I had no challenges to start with but since the start of my sessions I have developed pelvic girdle pain (PGP) quite early on in pregnancy (23 weeks) which has been quite limiting in many ways, and since then, I’m more concerned about whether labour and birth could be more complicated than first hoped and with not being able to do so much activity/exercise I’m a bit more nervous about my physical and mental health during my last few months of pregnancy.

I always feel like I’ve achieved something after each session with Sue. They give me a boost of energy and enthusiasm too, not just from the great exercises but also from chatting to Sue and how encouraging she is and the best thing I’ve taken away from my sessions so far are just about looking after myself and listening to my body. Also finding ways to keep exercising, despite my PGP, and knowing that it’s good to rest.

Things haven’t gone in the way we had hoped because of PGP. But I still feel so encouraged and uplifted and more reassured about pregnancy and labour after my sessions with Sue, and there is NOTHING to be unsure about as starting with Sue was one of the best decisions I’ve made since becoming pregnant. I highly recommend her and think every pregnant lady should see her! Sarah Taylor (Tunbridge Wells, Kent)

My biggest frustration was feeling like I had already lost a lot of my fitness before I started seeing Sue – before getting pregnant I had been super fit, doing 6-8 intense exercise sessions a week and it had taken me a long time to get there. When I got pregnant I was so tired I just couldn’t keep it up and so, by the time I came to Sue, I had hardly done any exercise at all for about 4-5 months. I was worried about how I would feel doing less intense sessions. I wasn’t really worried about the sessions themselves because I felt very comfortable and Sue was so approachable when we met before I started.

I always left a session feeling boosted, that I had had some proper ‘me’ time and, importantly, time to refocus on me and the baby (which sometimes got a little lost between my elder son, work and various personal things going on). I never felt exhausted and just felt happy to have got my body moving. I now know the importance of keeping things in perspective and being proud of what I have achieved as a Mum. The importance of prioritising health, not feeling guilty if life (or hormones!) gets in the way. I just feel glad to have kept my body moving during pregnancy.

Due to not feeling too well towards the end and having my “birth date” brought forward, I did not complete as many sessions as I would have liked. However, I believe the sessions I have done have helped me as much mentally (in terms of feeling positive) as physically. Feeling a little nervous is natural but Sue is so welcoming and approachable, she puts anyone at ease. The exercise will be adjusted to the person’s level – anything from no exercise at all to super fit – and I cannot imagine anyone coming and not feeling comfortable and it was a positive experience. The private studio means that no one else is there and you can take things at a pace that’s right for you. I would suggest to anyone that they should give it a go. Jodie Adoki (Crowborough, Kent)

I was looking for a way to get back in shape after my 2nd child who was 2 at the time and didn’t have any reservations about working with Sue as one of my good friends recommended her and she was in fantastic shape.

I loved working out with Sue as she was efficient, challenging and very encouraging and I never felt like she was easy on me or that there was too much chit chat. She was also very insistent on good form.

Sue also introduced me to TRX and taught me great form, which I still remember today when I’m working out.

Natalie D Ceppi

I put on way too much weight due to eating and drinking too much and got to a stage where I could not handle the way I looked anymore, so I joined a gym and got Sue as my Personal Trainer. I was very nervous to start with, but Sue was a great Trainer and she made every session great fun and I enjoyed a good laugh with Sue whilst training. I was finally on my way to a healthier and fitter me.

Although I am busy working and bringing up my family I still find a way to do some form of exercise everyday and to eat good healthy food. Thanks Sue for getting me started on the right track.

Julie Whitby

I’ve known Sue for over 7 years now and originally met her when she became my Personal Trainer at Fitness First. I was in fairly poor physical shape when I started working with Sue and can honestly say she helped to turn my life around both physically and in the end mentally. I had spinal complications (aggravated by the birth of my twins) and Sue was both very aware of how to modify my exercises and also of how hard to push me to succeed.

Sue is compassionate, motivating, professional and above all clearly loves to help people to achieve their goals. I would highly recommend her to anyone and if we were still in the same country, I would happily be working out with her.

Mel Harrison