Prize for fit achiever

Daleys Point resident Laura Lewis will be named the Peninsula Leisure Centre's Achiever of the Year, receiving a one-year gold membership pass as her prize.

Leisure Centre officers said that nine months ago, 81 year old Laura wore size 22 clothes, found it difficult to bend, and thought she had "left it too late to ever be fit again".

Laura is now a size 12 and spends five days a week working out.

Health and fitness instructor Mr Daniel Summers said the centre had chosen Youth Week to present the award because "exercise has become Laura's fountain of youth".

"She's an inspiration to us all."

Laura first approached the centre last June asking if it was "too late" to start a get fit program.

"As well as being overweight, I'd had hip and shoulder replacements the year before and had very little mobility," Ms Lewis said.

"When I first started on the exercise program, the instructor had to help me get my shoes on and put my feet onto the exercise bike pedals.

"Initially, I could only manage 15 minutes exercise at a time, whereas now I visit the centre five times a week for up to two and a half hours at a time, I get really annoyed if something keeps me from getting there."

Laura includes the exercise bike, a resistance program, weight exercises and three to four sessions in the hydrotherapy pool in her weekly program.

"I'm only telling my story because it might help others like me," Ms Lewis said

"I'm completely changed. I feel like a new person, really contented, full of life and I don't get so tired anymore.

"My advice is it's never too late. I'm sorry I didn't start exercising years ago."

Press release, 11 Apr 2007 Marion Newall, Gosford Council