DO YOU THINK YOU COULD GET TO PEAK FITNESS AT 60? THAT’S EXACTLY WHAT FASHION EXPERT FIONA LAMBERT DID. HERE, SHE TELLS HER STORY…
WORDS: HOLLY TREACY.
This year, Fiona Lambert turned 60. But the fashion expert – who was previously MD of Jaeger, and launched George at Asda – made an important observation in the run up to this milestone: ‘I’d never overtly said my age before. People have often told me that I don’t look 60, but it made me wonder: what should a 60-year-old look or behave like?’
So, on 1 January, nine weeks before her big birthday, Lambert set herself a challenge to get into the best shape of her life. ‘I’d always thrown myself into keeping fit wholeheartedly, and I must confess, I am a goal-oriented person. But it was my personal trainer, Joss, who threw down the gauntlet and suggested I set myself the challenge ahead of my 60th birthday.
‘I think some people believe that when you reach 60 you’re almost ready to be put out to pasture, but I wanted to prove that it’s the reverse. You should be able to set new goals at this age and live your best life. I wanted to own my age and not worry about what people thought when I shared how old I was.’
As an extra incentive to achieve her goal, Lambert booked a birthday photoshoot. ‘Everybody should book a photoshoot – it was such a wonderful celebration. When I had moments of wavering, the thought of the pictures kept me on the straight and narrow. I did my “before” photo in my undies, so I decided to do my professional shoot in them, too. In fact, one of my biggest pieces of advice to others looking to get in shape, is to take a “before” picture so that you can monitor your progress.’
If you’re wondering if you have to be a gym bunny to start a challenge like this, you needn’t worry, says Lambert: ‘I was not a sporty child at all, and when I had my children, I just about managed to fit in the odd step class. But I started running about 15 years ago when my grandmother was diagnosed with throat cancer and I wanted to raise money for charity, so signed up for a sponsored 5K. It then made me think that if I wanted people to sponsor me again, I’d need to increase my challenge and push myself a little harder.’ It was this mindset that spurred Fiona on with her latest goal: ‘I am genuinely the fittest I’ve ever been. And I enjoy it.’
Lambert doesn’t take her health lightly or for granted, and the benefits reach far beyond how she looks: ‘I’m very fortunate that I have a fit, healthy, able body. My father has mobility issues, with arthritis in his kn
