A city woman has dropped almost eight stone and seven dress sizes by pounding 10,000 steps a day through the heartbreak of losing her mother.
Rachael Murison weighed 23st 11lb when she first started walking every day last May, 10 months after her mother Linda Massie died from oesophageal cancer at the age of 59.
Now the 36-year-old is down to 16st 1lb after a year of doing the Walk All Over Cancer to raise cash for Cancer Research UK. So far £4,000 has been donated to the cause as a result of her efforts.
Mrs Murison, who lives in Peterculter with husband Kenny and son James, 11, recalled the shocking moment her mother revealed she had the illness.
She said: “Mum just about collapsed in my arms due to the shock.
“I’ve never had to support my mum as much as I did that day. The doctor explained that it would be too dangerous to remove the tumour. It was the summer and mum came away with us all on a family holiday a few days later. It turned out to be our last family holiday together and it was magical. I have so much admiration for my mum’s bravery and everything she went through.”
Mrs Murison was diagnosed with depression after losing her mother and remembers she “had no energy and struggled to walk anywhere at all.
“I knew something had to change and I had to get fitter,” she said.
“When I’m out walking, I think of mum all the time. I tell myself, ‘Don’t stop when you’re tired; stop when you’re done’.
“I’m so active now and I’m even training for my first 26-mile walk.
“As well as walking, I do boxercise twice a week and I’m always on the go. My dad and my son come with me on some of my walks so it’s become a real family thing. But it was mum who inspired me. Now I’m hoping that I’ll inspire others.”
“Walking is my special time when I can think through everything that’s going on in my life. “The fitness benefits have been brilliant and the weight has just gradually come off over the year. My husband had never seen me wearing jeans before. Now I’m happy to wear jeans. “The last year has felt like an emotional rollercoaster but I’m proud of everything I’ve achieved. It feels like my mum has been there with me every step of the way.”
To sign up to be sponsored to walk 10,000 steps every day in June for Cancer Research UK, visit www.cruk.org/walkallover
