'I've loved helping people keep fit for 40 years'

"I've loved it, I've absolutely loved it and I think that's what has kept me going."

Those are the words of fitness instructor Lynne Thompson, who has been helping the people of Worcester keep in shape for 40 years.

And despite recently celebrating her 79th birthday, Thompson has vowed to carry on for as long as she can with the classes, some of which still attract people who were there at the beginning.

After four decades of work under her belt at Perdiswell Leisure Centre in the city, she says she feels "very lucky" to still be doing what she loves, including everything from zumba to pump classes.

Discussing how her career had developed, Thompson explained: "We've [also] got things like aqua, body combat, balance - all these sorts of things.

"There's such a choice, so there's all these changes over the years and I've done a little bit of everything.

"Back in the day I used to do aerobics, which was fairly high impact. But as the years go on, you sort of tone things down to your body."

"At the end of the day it's not about only physical exercise, it's about mental attitude as well," the instructor said.

"I think that's helpful because while you're doing a class you can forget everything else."

Thompson said her oldest client is 92, but even her younger members have told her how inspired they are by her.

"A lot of them say it gives them motivation that I'm still here, because I do have a lot of people in my classes who are younger than me, obviously," she said.

"But I do have people who are older than me, who have been in my class since I started. They were probably at the centre before I came here," Thompson continued.

"I think the frightening thing for me is meeting people who used to come with their children, as babies, all these years ago and they come and they're now telling me their son or their daughter is 30-odd.

"But it kind of keeps me going, as well."

Asked about tips about staying fit while aging, she said: "Moderation is the thing. Don't go mad, don't kill yourself off.

"I think it's about being able to adapt, listen to your body to a certain extent but if we listened to our body too much we probably wouldn't do anything at all.

"But I think it's about enjoying and living for the day, not thinking too much about what has happened."

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