In a week that has seen GCSE results coming in, Rachel inflicting more doom and gloom on any money we may have left and Martin Gibson getting far too much air time (IYKYK ((if you know, you know)), I celebrate today, 2 years alcohol free.

I can still remember as clear as yesterday, the moment I looked at the glass of Rosé wine I was holding, and the decision I made there and then, pouring it out on the grass and not looking back. Not once.

We all live in a world where we can make our own decisions (although having seen Derren Brown live on Wed night, I am now a bit swayed towards how much we are subconsciously influenced) and this is my decision. It need not suit or interest you, but it suits me very well!

While my driving reasons were health related, the many, many benefits have been staggering and are constantly reaffirming to me, why this was one of the best life choices I have made. I read a great post once that said along the lines of "over the age of 45, you can have the night before or the morning after, but you can't have both"! 

The 2 questions I am constantly asked are "is this forever" and "why don't you just have the occasional glass?" and my replies are that to the first, while I have never set any time frame, the current status suits me very well and has only enhanced my life in many ways and to the second - why? to what gain and for what purpose?

I still drink far too much coffee and love chocolate but embracing an AF life has seen so many benefits that I truly celebrate the start of Year 3... and the other question I am asked (with some hope usually) is that did I just give up booze to lose the weight I piled on over lockdown and the answer is sorry but no! The weight loss is all about damn hard work, lifting weights, riding my bike, making sensible food choices and long term dedication and commitment!! However, I am here to help...

How to lose  weight safely and stay stronger for longer.

I am going to be running a "How to lift weights for beginners" plan or something along those lines in October... it is a work in progress but here is a little snippet of info for those who are perhaps looking at the results of a long, lazy summer...

I quote/paraphrase  from Women's Health "Many women believe that cardio is superior for fat loss as it burns more calories minute per minute than most forms of movement and yes, a calorie deficit does contribute to weight loss.

However, intentional exercise (when you are out running or in the gym or whatever) only equates to around 15 - 30% of your total daily expenditure. So what about the other 70 - 85% of your time? This is where strength training comes in - resistance workouts are proven to build muscle and muscle burns calories while the body is at rest which aids weight loss" ( in addition to SOOOO many other benefits which I shall be referencing over the coming weeks).

So if maybe losing some weight, getting stronger, having more energy, sleeping better, having better balance and coordination, seeing improved cognitive performance, feeling more confident and being able to perform tasks more easily sounds like your thing, stick around - I have a strong Autumn planned.

N.B. I am and always will be totally devoted to Pilates and the many wonders of how it helps us. To this end, I continue to go on training courses (most recently a Reformer course in Athens) have recently bought another reformer for my own personal practice and self development, attend master trainer classes and continue to study, research and learn but I also totally embrace the need for lifting weights and as I am heading a lot closer to 60 and 50 is growing ever more distant in the rearview mirror, I am not slowing down and indeed want to learn more that I can then bring to you. I have been sporty and into fitness and exercise my entire life but I can honestly say I am stronger now than I have ever been, so if I can do it, I hope I can help you too (let's not mention my dodgy knee and the occasional memory lapse and regularly rambling about utter gibberish but you know! on the whole...)

I know those of you who are doing both Pilates and strength training can see how the two compliment each other. I see this more and more as I grow stronger with weights and feel more confident in some of the Pilates exercises that used to defeat me and I love bringing that to you.

(This is not to encourage you to ditch the cardio work by the way. Just to help understand what choices to make depending on what your goals are).

Back to Derren though... I am now looking for a blue t shirt, gold watch and Alton Towers connection.... mind totally blown!