This year I plan to do 20,220 minutes of spinning. That’s roughly 55 minutes every day. 

My motivation to do this it to raise money for Kidney research Uk.

Around 3 million people in the uk have chronic kidney disease (ckd). Right now 63,000 are being treated for kidney failure. I have CKD and at some point in my life I will need some form of renal replacement therapy. 

I was born with Omphalocele. (Some of my intestines and organs on the outside of my body and had a Vesicoureteral reflux (from bladder to kidney). I underwent surgery at different stages of childhood. This left my kidneys damaged and with reduced function. Over the years my kidneys as expected have got progressively worse and now operate below 30%. I live a perfectly normal life and try to remain as active as possible. When my kidneys drop below 20% I will need further treatment and will most likely start having to think about having a kidney transplant.

Despite being aware of having damaged kidneys I was made aware of the reality at the end of 2020 when getting regular bloods done. 

I have always tried to stay fit and healthy and being active has always been important to me. In 2021 I have felt the impact on my health and been the most inactive I have ever been. I feel the heaviest and most out of shape I ever have and have had lots of excuses for this - 3 young daughters, busy family life, new dog, work, all the usual stuff. I even bought a spin bike which I have maybe used 8 or 9 times. However I know this year after receiving news that should have motivated me I let it get the better of me mentally. So 2022 I will take on a challenge to improve my overall health, prolong any potential transplant, and raise some money along the way for a charity that supports so many impacted by Kidney disease. They are working hard to support 3 million with their research the least I can do is give something back. 

I want to raise money so I have to share my story and challenge but also by making this public I am now accountable and I have to do it. So I will keep asking for sponsorship if you keep telling me to get on my bike! 

Don’t worry for those fitness fanatics who are thinking I can keep the bike on a light spin and have a few snacks and watch the football while getting the minutes in I will set some parameters (minimum active kcals, minimum average heart rate, only one mars bar per session). I will alter these as the weeks progress as my fitness improves I should have to change these. To start I will ensure for every 55mins I burn a minimum of 600 active kcals.

You can sponsor me here and please share to your stories and help me raise money and give Kidney research uk a follow.