Capt Maggie catches bug for exercise

A YEARNING to set a good example and the fear of needing the fire service to help her through the front door were the only incentives Maggie Hurley needed to sign up for Get Moving To Health.

The 43-year-old, who is community and volunteer co-ordinator for Age Concern, is already starting to see results just a week into the programme.

She said: ''I co-ordinate activities for over 50s and organise cookery sessions between pensioners and school children and I feel I am a very poor role model. I always feel uncomfortable when I am trying to encourage people to exercise and usually make a joke about my body so I knew it was time to sort myself out.''

Maggie has been to Slimming World classes in Shaw for the past three years and has occasionally lost weight only to see if go back on again. But cutting back on food was not Maggie's biggest worry - it was the thought of exercise that made her sweat.

She said: ''It has been years since I exercised. I always said I would diet for the rest of my life rather than put a pair of trainers on my feet but now I am finding myself doing three exercise classes a week, swimming and counting my steps on a pedometer.

''I lost 6lbs in the first week which is the same amount I lost when I gave birth to my son. My sons Sean and Liam are very fit and my stepson Jordan runs every morning so I am hoping to join them as soon as possible.

''My family are rallying round to help me in any way they can by making me lunch to take to work, checking my portion sizes and doing the housework and my friends are always texting me to ask how it's going.

''Getting up off the sofa after a hard day at work to do some exercise can be a real struggle but I force myself for the good of my team, my health and my huge backside and I do feel so much better when I have done it.''

Maggie is relishing her role as leader of The Heavy Mob and has already encouraged most of her team to take to the water for regular hearty swimming sessions.

And after seeing old photographs of herself looking younger, slimmer and fitter, Maggie is determined to take control of her life and make changes that she will stick to for life. She said: ''I think it will take a lot longer than 10 weeks - more like years of healthy eating, exercise and a very good plastic surgeon. But this is not a quick fix, it's the introduction to my new way of life. It will take a long time to fix the mess I have made of my health and my body over the years but I am certain I will see it through- I don't want to be fat and 50.

''I would advise anyone thinking of starting a health programme to stop the talk and do the walk. I have always found an excuse not to exercise but after seeing the results of doing it for just a few weeks all my excuses have been thrown in the bin.''