When you have cancer, life’s all
about statistics. Last year I had
breast cancer and, thanks to
chemo and surgery, it’s gone. But
there’s a 40 per cent chance it will
be back within five years — like a
particularly unpleasant ex you
thought you’d shaken off.
A recent study showed that the
risk of death for breast cancer
survivors who exercised was
reduced by 68 per cent. You’d
think that would be all the
motivation I needed. But even
after that astounding stat, I would
set my alarm to work out then
stay in bed unable to face it.
A lifelong sweatphobe, I was the
girl who skived off PE in favour of
a sneaky Marlboro Light. What
I need, I thought as I lay on the
sofa, is someone to come to my
house and force me to work out.
Then, as if I’d manifested it, a
leaflet landed on my doormat for
a local personal trainer to do
exactly that. Now, every Tuesday
at 6.30am, I’m in our garden with
an upbeat musclebound man
called Ben, doing squats and
lunges. I love it, and I would do it
three times a week if I were rich.
Arguably I could save myself £40
and do it on my own, but let’s be
real: I wouldn’t. Feeling myself
get stronger and knowing it will
help me live longer is great — and
it helps that my body is looking
better too. The other day in
Pilates class (yeah, it seems
exercise is a virtuous circle),
I caught sight of my arm and
spotted the faint outline of a
biceps. Teenage me would be
horrified, but I’m fit and I like it.
‘I needed a PT
to get me moving
post-cancer’
Rosamund Dean
Style columnist3 The cult class:
Solidcore
Looking for an upgrade on your usual Pilates
class? Solidcore is the Pilates-based, full-body
workout that is sweeping America. The
50-minute class uses the usual slow and
controlled movement theory, but with a twist.
If you’re expecting super-zen meditation music
and the soothing voice of a yogi-esque
instructor, think again. In this class, you’ll be
doing your toe taps and leg lifts to thumping
music under blue neon lights, on a reformer-like
machine nicknamed “Sweatlana”. The workout
itself is intense, but results include muscular
definition, improved endurance and strength.
It’s only available in the US at the moment, but
the brand has plans to go international.Windbreaker, £179,
tracksuit bottoms,
£149, and trainers,
£179, Reebok x
Victoria Beckham10 • The Sunday Times Style