A CARLISLE woman says her life has been turned around by exercise having previously been unable to leave the house due to her mental health.

Megan Cupid, 25, has been living with anxiety since she was 15 and she started her first job.

After seeking help she was advised to use medication to help her deal with the symptoms, with her tablet intake eventually reaching 14 a day.

“I first felt I needed support when I was leaving school and entering the working world,” she explained.

“This step was huge, and I became extremely anxious.

“I will always remember telling my granda that I needed help because I wasn’t normal.

“He always told me that I didn’t need help, I needed support and he was right.

“He used to say, ‘no one’s normal lass’.”

The Walby Farm Park worker of 10 years, who works supporting the catering department, found that everything in life was difficult and that the medication made her feel numb.

After realising that she was wasting her life, she decided to take matters into her own hands by joining a Carlisle gym.

“I became a house mouse, it wasn’t healthy,” she said.

“Realising I was wasting my life, I knew something had to change, otherwise I wasn’t going to get any better.

“After trying other gyms that I wasn’t comfortable with, my friend suggested that I tried Bannatyne’s (on Kingstown Road in the Belah area of the city).”

Megan said her visit to the gym was a challenge, but one that was worth it.

“Walking through that door for the first time was a massive achievement.

“I felt relaxed and put at ease by the staff, who are always friendly and happy to help.

“Bannatyne’s became my safe place.

“I would walk into the gym with a negative mindset and walk out with a positive one.

“Exercise became my stress release and I hadn’t even realised how much progress I had made.”

After discovering comfort through fitness, Megan decided to set herself goals for improving both her physical and mental health.

She also set about offering support to other people going through similar problems, to try and help them through their grey days.

Megan added: “Living with mental health issues is difficult and some days are worse than others.

“You’ve got to remember, you’re not alone.

“Not everyone needs medical help but we can all benefit from support and reassurance from others.”

The 25-year-old is thankful for those who have been there for her throughout her most difficult times.

“I’d like to say a huge thank you to my friends, family and work family, but also to the staff at Bannatyne, in particular Steph, who have supported me and given me the courage to tell my story,” she said.

“I hope this will help someone through their difficult time, don’t ever feel alone.”