Therese still fit and fab after 35 years on the go!

A sprightly Derry 60-year-old aerobics instructor who has just retired after 35 years said she still has plenty of spring still in her step and plans to keep on moving.

Therese Lynch, from Rockfield, spent 35 years with Derry City Council teaching aerobics and keeping everyone from schoolchildren to pensioners fit and healthy.

Throughout her career spanning over three decades, Therese worked with countless people helping them enjoy exercise while still managing to keep a smile on their face.

Here, she recalls the highlights of her time being a keep-fit queen.

“There are so many,” she laughed.

“All the people I met, everyone was lovely and I would have to say one of my best highlights was winning the Northern Ireland Aerobic Championships then going on to win the Championships in the UK back in the 80s.”

She said: “I’ve taught people of all ages from everywhere and went around the primary and secondary schools too. I always taught aerobics then did step classes, boxercise, Fit Kids, zumb, aqua Zumba and Monkeynastix.”

When asked if she was still a ‘spring chicken’ going strong, Therese, burst into a fit of infectious laughter.

“I wouldn’t say I’m a spring chicken but I’m still going strong.

“I’m going to keep going and I’ve been going to my sister Josephine’s classes since I retired to keep myself active, I’m going to her ‘zumba sculpt’ classes.”

Colleagues, friends and family threw a surprise party for Therese’s retirement in Pitcher’s Bar and Restaurant and she said she was delighted to see friendly faces from her early career.

“It was absolutely great, I had no idea about it,” she said.

“I couldn’t believe it when I saw the great staff I had worked with in Lisnagelvin 30 years ago and saw girls I hadn’t seen for years.”

She offered advice if your ‘get up and go’ has got up and went but you still needed to do something to get fit.

“Find a class and exercise that doesn’t really feel like exercise, find something that’s fun,” she said.

“You’ll really enjoy it and it’s a great way to meet people.”