EXCELLENT EFFORT HANNAH!

When Hannah Morrison joined Fitbug in September it came as a massive surprise to her that she was only taking 5,000 steps a day. Three months on, she's taking the magic 10,000 a day and got the spring back in to each and every step!

Self-confessed foody, Hannah Morrison found that the combination of having young children and living close to all her local amenities was taking its toll on her body.

After years of being really active, she no longer had to travel far to do things, as a result she was piling on the pounds.

As she got bigger her self-confidence started to shrink and she became progressively less happy within herself.

“I used to live in the middle of nowhere, so if I wanted to go anywhere I had to get on my bike.

“I would cycle to and from work and sometimes I’d even ride home in my lunch break. As a result I was always really fit and healthy,” she says.

“Then I had children and we moved somewhere a little less remote and I wasn’t nearly as active as I used to be.

“As a result I was getting bigger; the bigger I got the more miserable I became.”

Although Hannah was well aware that she wasn’t as active as she had been, it was still a shock to discover she was actually doing half the recommended amount of activity.

She adds: “when I joined Fitbug, I was doing the school run with my baby in a buggy and the two children I child-mind for standing on the buggy board.

“It used to be really hard work and I just assumed that I must easily be taking the recommended 10,000 steps a day.

“When my Bug told me I was doing just 5,000 it came as a bit of a surprise, but it gave me the motivation I needed to do more.

“Straight away, I started to think about doing more exercise and I soon discovered that I was living in the wrong place to record any aerobic steps - seven minutes from the school and seven minutes from the shops!

“It made me realise that I would either need to find a long way round, go out separately to get my steps in or do both - I’ve opted for the last one and now I really do take 10,000 steps a day.”

While some members find that it takes time to feel better, for Hannah all the extra effort started to pay off immediately.

“Within a week, I had started to feel better and the school run stopped being the hard slog that it was.

“I soon became a different person, so much more confident and energetic, and whenever I have a really good day - 23,000 steps is my record - I feel absolutely fantastic.

“In November, buoyed by my new energy levels, I decided to join the gym. At my fitness assessment I was told that although I am overweight, I am fit and my lung capacity is above average. I put that entirely down to the walking!”

As well being motivated by feeling better and better, Hannah has been amazed to find another aspect of the Fitbug programme spurring her on: Fantasy Footfall.

“When I read about Fantasy Footfall, I thought it was really rather sad and I couldn’t imagine using it. I was wrong!

“I’ve signed up for loads of leagues and everyone says that it has brought out a competitive side in me that they didn’t know I had!

“I know that names of the people around me in the leagues and I will try to do a little bit extra just to overtake or catch up with someone who is just above me.

“I’ve also enjoyed swapping ideas and other people’s experiences on the Fitbug forum.”

So what advice does December’s member of the month have for fellow fitbuggers?

“Sometimes it’s just not possible to leave the house, so I put some loud music on and step on the spot," she recommends.

“I might do this while I am cooking or cleaning, but beware, it doesn’t work too well when you are ironing because you iron the creases in!

“I’ve also bought a mini-trampoline that I use once the children have gone to bed. It’s a great fun way to top up the steps.

“Don’t be afraid of walking up and down your street to get the last bit of your steps total either - you’ll feel so much better knowing it’s been a pink day!”

If you think you could be our next member of the month - and receive a free Fitbug membership as your reward, tell us why.