'Starting weight training at 42 transformed my life with ADHD'
Gill Carby, 44, an infrastructure delivery manager from Manchester says regular exercise has strengthened both her body and brain. For ADHD Awareness Month, she shares her story with Women's Health.
Up until my 40s, I lived in a cycle of punishment; I would binge on chocolate, biscuits and energy drinks during the day, then run on a treadmill as fast as I could every evening, to chastise myself for eating so poorly. Without knowing I had ADHD, it was impossible to regulate my emotions; my tumultuous relationship with food and exercise reflected that.
My career was affected, too. I couldn’t concentrate in the office during the day, so I was forced to stay behind and work once everyone had left. Little did I know this would be so significant; my manager recognised my work ethic, and I was awarded a large bonus. After being hospitalised with pneumonia in 2008, following weeks of overworking and no sleep, I’d long-known I needed to improve my health – I just had no idea how. I wanted a coach, which I couldn’t afford.
So, the very same month I received my bonus in March 2022, I signed up to a 12-week programme at Ultimate Performance (UP) in London. Gemma Atkinson inspired me – she had previously shared her results from training at UP, and her story wasn’t about perfection – it was about getting mentally and physically stronger with will and determination.
My coach Callum set me a personalised nutrition, exercise and supplement programme, involving weight training together three mornings per week, 10k steps every day before work (I struggle to get away from work once I start), and a high protein diet to support muscle recovery. Despite not being diagnosed by this point, my symptoms improved within three weeks; my mood swings stabilised, I felt mentally clearer, and I could finally switch my brain off to sleep.
Fast-forward seven months, and upon taking my daughter Leah to the GP to discuss her mood swings – which we put down to puberty – she was diagnosed with ADHD. The doctor explained that this tends to run in families, and after a discussion about my own symptoms, I was also diagnosed. The relief was huge. Finally, I understood why my moods were so unpredictable – and why everyone else around me seemed to find tasks I struggled with so easy.
From then on, Callum adapted how we trained and the supplements I took to support my progress. We avoided training to failure – where your muscles physically cannot do another rep – since one of my ADHD symptoms is low self-worth and the impact of perceived failure cripples me (I’d historically tried ignoring this). Alongside a low dose of prescriptive ADHD medication, I also began taking UP’s Estro Support supplement – oestrogen declines naturally with age, and low oestrogen means low dopamine, which exacerbates the mental impact of ADHD, like poor concentration and fatigue.
Since first joining UP, I've lost 12kg and halved my body fat percentage, but most significantly, my life has been on such a consistent positive trajectory that I have continued to earn further pay rises and bonuses that have enabled me to retain my membership. I still train with my UP coach three times weekly, and I’ll walk or do Pilates on the other days. UP didn’t just teach me how to exercise, it taught me how to be the best version of myself. You can’t put a price on that.
Proudest strength PB: 100kg on the sled pull.
Biggest ADHD accomplishment: Being promoted to director – I hope this shows all neurodivergent people that professional success is possible.
Gym kit hit: A bench. It’s the foundation of so many of my favourite exercises.
Read now: How to practise self-compassion and become more confident
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