Spotlight on local resident - P Charles

I was such an active child back in Jamaica...

I’m a 73 year old, retired nurse - I worked as a district nurse for many years. It was my first job when I came to England, I also lived in Hackney for over 40 years. I was born in Jamaica (Manchester - Mandeville) - which is the real country part of yard (home), and maybe best described as England's equivalent to the more rural parts like Cambridgeshire or Suffolk. I grew up with my uncle, aunt and 2 cousins and attended the local comprehensive in Mandeville up until the age of 17. 

Back in the day (as a youth) I remember that I would climb trees, pick fruit (coconuts and mangoes) from trees, I definitely was a handful as a child I’d always be on the go, and just loved food - and condensed milk - I would burst the can and sneak to drink it. 

“I’ve always loved food - and as a youth had the luxury of picking it freshly”

Coming to England in the 1970’s was a complete shock to the system...

I remember the ‘cold’ being so intense. It was almost unbearable (I wear layers upon layers) and to be honest I’m still fighting that battle.

I came to see the UK as a nurse and have worked (all over London) I’ve literally covered everywhere. My role meant that I moved a lot - constantly ranging from private care/ visits to patients to being on the ward. Cheshire was my first post and it truly was a challenge in many different ways ranging from long hours / extensive distance, prejudices and racism. I worked long hours for a small amount of money and accomodation.

“I remember being a size 8 - 10, I had a small frame and huge afro - I looked like Angela Davis”

I started to gain weight in my early 30s

At 34 I had my first child, and based on that I had to slow down and focus on being a mother - at this point I slowly began to gain weight, it crept up on me and I literally was or felt like ‘the size of a house’ my activity levels had dropped substantially and my diet adapted over time to the more quick fix processed foods. Getting the foods that I was used to in those times was difficult and before I knew it I was eating pasta and packaged meats.

By the time I knew it I was a size 24+ and pregnant again - my body ached and just always felt heavy, after having my last child I remember having enough of feeling heavy and my body hurting so I decided to visit the GP who then referred me onto Homerton hospital I was told that…

“I had arthritis from head to toe, and I was completely devastated, I was offered lots of medication but knew that this wasn’t the route that I wanted to go down” 

I decided the arthritis wasn’t going to get the better of me...

I had to dig deep as a mother, wife, nurse and woman - and think of different ways of dealing with my condition that didn’t involve drugs and heavy medication. I began to attend Aqua Aerobics at the Hackney Baths, just off of lower clapton - I hated it, I hated talking to people, taking my clothes off and being in my swimsuit and most of all moving in cold water. 

But I attended (mostly) every week and I slowly began to see a change and feel different - and through that I started to explore other activities such as the gym.

In the gym the change came slightly quicker and I loved it - I even made friends, I would go to the sauna and steam and enjoy great conversations (mostly women moaning about their kids and husbands). I fell in love with the gym and really enjoyed listening to young people's music, particularly ‘50 cent’ while I was on the treadmill - I’d get such a buzz.

At 73 I’m now back to the size I was as a young adult

Losing weight wasn’t the goal necessarily but it means that I can move a little quicker and still enjoy my yams, rice and peas and ackee and saltfish at my leisure.

 “I love my hard food - and don’t feel guilty at all for eating it anymore”

Over lockdown, I struggled as I couldn't access the gym - being at home really took its toll on my mental health - and I slowly felt the bones starting to ache again, so I decided to walk, i started off slow and gently built up my stamina - and now I’m proud to say that I do maybe 30,000 - 40,000 steps a day. I incorporate walking into my daily chores i.e. going to the market. 

“I love Walthamstow market (one kilometre/ 8 or so miles) and maybe walk the length of the market 2 or 3 times - my excuse is I’m looking for the perfect plantain or avocado”.

I feel at my strongest and if I had to put an age on myself I would say I feel like a 30 year old

I love nature (it reminds me of home), so other than visiting the markets I set myself challenges and go for long walks over the marshes and to Stratford and back. I hug the trees because I see and feel their beauty and they work hard for us. My routes now are more green so I stay off of the main road due to exhaust fumes.

“Dancing is my thing - I’m very good, I don’t have headphones so - I don’t really listen to anything when I’m on the move… but when I get home and put Beres Hammond on, my poor neighbours must hate me”  

Life is for living and I intend to stay healthy, active and moving for as long as God permits.

Find out more information about King’s Park Moving Together.