DUBAI // Twelve years ago, after being overweight all her life, Paula Savage set herself the goal of finally becoming fit before her looming 40th birthday.
Joining a Dubai slimming group sparked a lifestyle overhaul that will soon result in the Briton, who previously could not run to the end of the street, compete in what is dubbed the world’s greatest ultra-marathon – a 90-kilometre endurance race in South Africa.
After “trying them all” when it came to diets, Ms Savage said her milestone birthday was the tipping point.
“I had always been overweight but I was turning 40 in September 2004 and wanted to be fit and fabulous at 40, not fat and frumpy,” Ms Savage said.
While it was daunting going in to her first meeting, the Dubai resident said she was instantly supported by other members.
“I was set a target to lose 6 kilograms,” she said. “I lost nearly 8 kilograms in eight weeks by following a sensible healthy eating plan, using my food diary and weighing my portion sizes for awareness and exercising.”
Ms Savage was then advised by her instructor to take up exercise to spur on her weight loss.
“I had never really exercised before,” she said. “I hated the gym but had done a few aerobic classes over the years but nothing for a prolonged duration.
“However, I signed up for personal training and spinning classes and soon found out that exercise not only helped with the weight loss, it totally transformed my shape.”
The running bug came two years later when Ms Savage challenged herself to run the 10-kilometre 2007 Dubai Marathon.
“Running friends then persuaded me to train for a half-marathon with the Dubai Creek Striders, and I did it,” she said.
Ms Savage then set her sights on completing a full marathon, which she did in January 2009.
She has since completed countless half-marathons, nine full marathons and one ultra marathon, a 56-kilometre event in South Africa.
“I return to South Africa to run the 56k ultra again on Easter Saturday, followed by the 90k Comrades Ultra Marathon at the end of May,” she said.
The 51-year-old urged others to embrace slimming support groups and exercise to help lose excess weight – and keep it off.
“You need group support but, wow, end result certainly makes it all worth while.”
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