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A supergran guide to keeping fit

Helen Tither
30/ 9/2008

SUPERGRAN Ellen Kehoe proves you are never too old to try something new - with a different keep fit class for every day of the week.

She agreed to tell us how she does it as part of our I Love Me health campaign, in association with the NHS. In return we gave her a pampering makeover - for more pictures of her transformation, click on the picture gallery...

WALKING through the lobby of Salford's five-star Lowry Hotel, it's hard to keep up with go-get-em grandma Ellen Kehoe. As the rest of us collapse in a heap in the luxury suite that is to be our base for the day's makeover, the sprightly 82-year-old is already trying on her first outfit.

"We just can't take her pace," smiles her daughter, Rosemary. "She's so busy we have to book in to her diary if we want to come round."

No wonder, as the mother-of-four from Fallowfield has a different exercise class for every day of the week - from keep fit to line-dancing. Full of energy and enthusiasm, she says life has just got busier and better since she took retirement at 65.

"I relaxed for a little bit when I retired but then I just thought I would have to do something, I didn't like sitting around," Ellen explains. "My friend mentioned a keep fit class for the over-50s and that was the start of it.

"After that we thought we'd give yoga a go as well - then I started to learn to swim. And when more keep fit classes came up I thought I'd try those as well."

However, while she is a picture of health today, Irish-born Ellen reckons it wasn't always the case. Having worked as a cleaner and dinner lady, as well as raising her children, she says family life left little time for keep fit classes years ago.

"Before I retired I didn't do much exercise, apart from riding a bike to work every now and then," she admits. "But since my husband died I have found getting out to exercise had been great because you not only feel better - you meet lots of new people.

"Plus, a lot of the services are free - such as swimming, with the new free pass for the over-60s in Manchester."

Nominated for our monthly lifestyle makeover ahead of Manchester city council's Valuing Older People event - which starts tomorrow - Ellen is a shining example of the benefits of keeping fit and healthy as you get older.

"I've seen great benefits to my health," she says. "It's made an awful lot of difference to my arthritis, for instance, as the yoga I've done has helped my joints so much I've come off tablets I was taking. Exercise is great for your heart and your blood pressure - but it's good mentally too, it helps you get through if you are feeling low.

"I always know I've got something to look forward to, and because I feel fit I can do more things for myself."

THE MAKEOVER

THE MAKEOVER
ALL that exercise means Ellen has got a great figure – so there was no trouble tracking down some fab new outfits for her at Wallis in the Manchester Arndale.

As with all our I Love Me makeovers, the Arndale kindly donated £150 of vouchers to spend on her new look, which meant several choices of outfit for her final photos.

Never averse to trying new things – Ellen even wore a pair of jeans for the first time for our shoot. Proving that style knows no age limits.

Then it was off to Urban Retreat in Harvey Nichols for some top-class pampering. With some chic hair styling from Nancy at barn//it, a quick file and nail polish, and a few pampering beauty treats in the salon. And finally, some naturally glamorous make-up from Carole Gibson, for Trish McEvoy.

We think she looks fab on her first modelling assignment – but what is Ellen’s verdict?

“I’ve had a terrific time,” she smiles. “I can’t believe I was nervous about doing it – I feel really pampered. I never thought I would ever wear jeans but I feel great. Hopefully it proves that you can look and feel good, whatever your age.”