TURNING 90 is a life milestone rightly celebrated.
But fitness fanatic Rose Lennon, from Eastleigh, decided to party in her own way - by visiting the gym for her 1,000th workout.
Rose is now one of the oldest members of Curves Gym where she marked the occasion on Wednesday.
She shared a joint party with fellow gym member Jean Cradock, who celebrated her 90th birthday in September.
READ MORE: Veteran returns to training base to celebrate 100th birthday
Rose joined the gym ten years ago following a battle with cancer.
She noticed a lump on her hand that was not diagnosed as cancer until much later.
The wart soon progressed and grew much bigger.
The tumour had spread into her bone and surgery was required to remove it.
She spent her 80th birthday recovering from surgery, and said the weeks following were "lonely and sad".
READ MORE: Southampton's first postwoman celebrates her 100th birthday - and she has an amazing story to tell
In a bid to get herself moving again following the all-clear, Rose visited Curves in Eastleigh.
"I first came here and the weather was atrocious," Rose said.
"I wanted to use a walking machine but there wasn't any here. I was just about the leave when one of the girls stopped me and told me to give it a try.
"They were so kind and nice, and I was very lonely and down all the time.
"I've loved it ever since."
The pair were joined by staff members and friends from the ladies-only gym.
Rose has been active for most of her life and now has a large family made up of five generations.
She married her husband Frank 70 years ago, just two days after Valentine's Day.
The pair have two children, five grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.
Rose has now been a member of the gym for 10 years and completed her 1,000th workout on her 90th birthday.
She was given a T-shirt to celebrate the milestone.
Curves owner Michelle Goodyear organised the party with cake, cards and flowers.
Michelle has been at Curves for 17 years and described the gym as a community of ladies.
The youngest member is 15 and the oldest are 90.
The gym offers 30-minute sessions to encourage people to get active.
The gym is open to women of all ages, abilities and sizes.
Michelle said: "It's all about our ladies here at Curves.
"We are a community here, it's a place for women to come, meet other ladies, everyone is here to do the same thing.
"It's not just a women-only gym it's about helping with mental health, cardiovascular, and strength training.
"It's been such a lovely time here, it's great to be able to help the community."
A message from the Editor
Thank you for reading this article - we appreciate your support in reading the Daily Echo.
Subscribing to the Echo means you have unrestricted access to the latest news, features and Saints coverage - all with an advertising-light website.
You will also have full access to Saintsplus, your new home for Southampton FC tactical analysis, features and much, much more.
Don't just take my word for it - subscribe today.
Follow the latest breaking news in the Southampton area by searching Southampton News - Breaking News and Incidents on Facebook
Follow the latest court and crime news on our dedicated group by searching Hampshire Court and Crime News on Facebook
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here