David Lloyd

Just five years ago, 32 year old cancer research specialist, Shahana Ahamad tipped the scales at 24 stone and was morbidly obese.  Her weight had ruled her life for several years which led her to exclude herself socially and physically and find solace in food.

Joining David Lloyd Leisure in Cambridge in 2004 was the start of her transformation.  Combining her own self belief, a new diet regime and an exercise makeover with the help from her personal trainer at David Lloyd Leisure, Shahana lost a staggering 14 stone.

Shahana also went on to fulfill her ultimate goal by completing the Flora London Marathon in under 4½ hours in May 2009.  Despite suffering from a fractured hip and an Achilles tendon injury during her training, she was able to combine rehabilitation into her programme and achieve her goal.

Commenting on her achievement, Shanana Ahmad, said, “For so long I thought I would always be overweight and didn’t feel I could do anything about it.  One day I realised that with the right goal combined with focus and self belief, anything was possible.  Once I’d set my heart on running a marathon, I set about turning my life around.  Working with the personal trainers at David Lloyd Leisure really helped me get a programme which enabled me to combine the right exercises and take a steady approach to my weight loss and fitness.  I found that running and cardio cycle were the best for me and I still do them every week, and enjoy it as much as ever.”

Shahana’s health and fitness regime included, a marathon training programme focusing on strength, stability, muscular endurance and stamina; speed interval sessions, tempo runs, drills, cardio cycle and advice on slow release energy sources, protein intake and rehydration.

As a result of her outstanding achievements, Shahana was the winner of David Lloyd Leisure’s first ever, UK-wide PT Hero competition. All of the clubs PTs are at the highest level on the Register of Exercise Professionals and undergo rigorous in-house training at a dedicated David Lloyd Leisure campus, which means they help members achieve their goals faster. The competition was introduced to reward and recognise the incredible results that members achieve and the excellent work PT’s do in helping them get there.