TRULY
Unstoppable Being able to workout and enjoy fitness is something we sometimes take forgranted. It’s often seen as an easy and accessible par t of day-to-day life; but what if you had a condition that reduced your movement ability meaning you struggled to perfor m daily tasks. Would you still see it as a simple aspect of life?
Candice Sweeney, a 32 year old fitness lover from London. She was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis around 8 years ago and has been adapting ever since. We spoke to her about how her condition has effected her fitness journey and what adaptations she has had to make...
the lining of the joints. It is an autoimmune disease and is incurable. Common symptoms are; weaker immune system, joint pain, swelling, fatigue, body stiffness, numbness and flu-like symptoms. There are more complicated symptoms that can develop also.”
So Candice, when did you first get into fitness?
How did it feel being diagnosed?
“I have been into fitness since I was about 21 but wasn’t always consistent with it. I have been consistent and more educated in training for about 5 years now. I got into it initially as I started to go to the gym with friends, I really loved the positive feelings it gave me and I knew it was something I enjoyed. Over the years, I have learnt more about training and how the body works and developed the style of training that I enjoy most and what works best for my goals.”
“I was 24 when I was diagnosed. I was having issues where my joints would be so swollen and there were days when I couldn’t move my hands as it was so painful. They did lots of tests and confirmed it was RA. It’s incurable so they gave me pills to take everyday for the rest of my life. It was scary because I had never had any health issues before and I was scared for how it may progress as I got older and how it would impact my day to day life.”
What is Rheumatoid Arthritis?
How have you adapted to life with RA?
“Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) causes joint inflammation and pain. It happens when the immune system doesn’t work properly and attacks
“Initially RA did affect my training as my body would be tired, swollen or sore often so I couldn’t be consistent with my training. A few
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