HOW I GET FIT DONE
After years of inactivity, acting agent Jess Alford, 40, from London, started strength training – and she hasn’t looked back
How one reader got fit for her 40th
I used to joke that I was allergic to exercise. I hated sports at school and was, for want of a better word, lazy. My diet was relatively healthy – although I probably ate more than I needed to – but my lack of movement meant that my weight steadily increased throughout my teens and twenties. I’d go on a diet every now and then, but I was always looking for a quick fix, and after a few weeks, I’d find myself back at square one. Then, in the summer of 2019, something shifted. I can’t really pinpoint the lightbulb moment. At 16st 11lb, I was unhappy and insecure, and the desire to make a change crept up on me. With my 40th birthday looming, it felt like the time had come – and a fad diet wasn’t going to cut it. I wanted to get fit. But the idea of exercising was intimidating and completely alien. I wanted guidance, so I explored gyms near my office in Soho and signed up for 10 sessions at Fitness Lab, a small personal training studio. My first session in August 2019 was horrendous. I was battling my way through banded hip thrusts when I thought, ‘This is it – game over. I can’t do this.’ But when I arrived back at my office, my face puce, my colleagues were so supportive and their encouragement was just the lift I needed. So, muscles still achy, I was back at the studio a few days later for my next session.
By the time I finished those 10 sessions five weeks later, I realised I was quite enjoying my workouts. I loved the fact that every week I could do a little bit more. Another unexpected benefit was that I’d effectively booked in time for myself. It was the best therapy – an opportunity to switch off and focus entirely on myself. Without hesitation, I signed up for another 50 sessions with my PT, Jack Coxall. I was all in. My twice-weekly hour-long full-body sessions were based on strength fundamentals – squats, deadlifts and rows. As for my cardio fitness, Jack gave me the goal of hitting 10,000 steps a day and, when that became too easy, 15,000. He also had me tracking my calories with Myfitnesspal, and set me a weekly calorie allowance rather than a daily one, which gave me a bit more freedom. I didn’t cut out any foods at all. In the morning, I’d have overnight oats with mixed berries, yoghurt and peanut butter; for lunch, chicken breast with sweet potato wedges and stir-fried veg; and for dinner, shepherd’s pie or salmon and veg.
By my 40th in March 2020, I’d lost 3st 6lb. Of course, that same month, the UK went into lockdown – and without access to the gym, I worried I’d slip back into my old sedentary ways. But having my programme to focus on helped keep me focused. I kept up my twiceweekly strength sessions (using just my body weight at first until I managed to get hold of some weights) and daily walks. In May, I bought a bike and, when restrictions eased, I started cycling into work every day, which is about seven miles each way. Back in the office, my colleagues didn’t recognise me. Sometimes, I didn’t, either. Now, almost two years since I started my fitness journey, I’ve lost 6st 6lb. I still can’t believe what I’ve achieved – from nearly crying over banded hip thrusts to being able to do them with a 110kg barbell. But what I’m most proud of is choosing to do something for my health, even though it was really scary. It was one of the bravest things I’ve ever done.