‘I HAVEN’T HAD TO USE AN ASTHMA INHALER FOR THE FIRST TIME IN NEARLY 30 YEARS’

MAUREEN WINDRIDGE,

64, is a book-keeper. She is divorced, does not have children and lives in Milton Keynes. Her starting weight was 10st 8lb and she is 5ft 2in. Maureen, right, says: ‘I haven’t exercised in more than 15 years, and I drive everywhere – even to the shops, which are just minutes away. Lunch is often grabbed from a motorway service station, and I eat large portions of meat, potatoes, rice or pasta for my evening meal. I was diagnosed with asthma nearly 30 years ago and have used two inhalers ever since, and found out I had type 2 diabetes when I was 57. I’m fed up with being lethargic.’

GOAL

To improve energy, posture and breathing.

THE PLAN

Max Watson, Maureen’s personal trainer at Virgin Active in Milton Keynes, says: ‘She hunches slightly, so we needed to increase her upper body and back strength by doing lots of stretching, twisting and lifting weights. Working the muscles in her upper back will open up her shoulders and help her stand straighter so she can breathe more easily. She also did two 20-minute sessions a week on the treadmill and exercise bike, with short bursts of one-minute running or cycling, then rest for a minute, to repeat. This is highintensity interval training which is proven to be effective in weight loss and to improve cardiovascular health. In terms of her diet, Maureen should try salads for lunch and a lighter dinner with quinoa or couscous – easy to find ready-made at service stations.’

SIX WEEKS LATER

Maureen says: ‘This has been a revelation, and alongside the personal training sessions I’ve been walking for an hour every other day. Most astonishingly, I haven’t had to use my inhaler to relieve my asthma for the first time in nearly 30 years.’

Max says: ‘Maureen has achieved a remarkable improvement. Her posture is better and the flexibility in her back muscles has increased, releasing the tension across her upper back. With improved heart and lung fitness, this will have helped her breathing.’

Dr Ashton says: ‘Cardiovascular fitness has a direct effect on asthma symptoms, but it’s good to see Maureen’s blood sugar has come down too. She’ll have reduced her risk of heart attack, and if she continues, she may even get rid of her diabetes.’