If you are a woman over 40, I am here to tell you that there is a form of exercise that Is not a punishment for what you’ve eaten. But a vehicle for self confidence and strength that you’ve never felt before.

It can shift your perspective on what your amazing body can do and make you realise that we can very much be in our peak physical condition in our 40s and beyond.

  A few years ago, I turned 40 and had struggled with several health challenges. I felt totally disconnected from my body, I had put on weight, lost muscle tone and felt daunted by my 40s and this menopause that was ominously waiting for me in the not too distant future.

The effects of all this was I had lost a lot of confidence, I didn’t like what I saw in the mirror and I felt like my best years , physically, were behind me. I thought I was on the slippery slope to mid-life and it was probably inevitable.  

I started working out more. Which for me, a child of the 80s and 90s, meant more cardio, and a few other random exercises I liked. I ate less, and then ate loads as I was hungry. Despite working out 5 times a week, I honestly didn’t see much change in terms of my body composition, which is what I really wanted.  

And then I picked up some weights and everything changed. I really enjoyed it and started to get stronger, so I carried on. I saw muscle definition, I saw I was becoming “toned”. I felt good, I felt encouraged, I kept going.  

I never realised this would give me so much. The best bit, it gave me confidence I had never had before, ever. It gave me strength, inner and outer. From feeling disconnected and frustrated with my body, I felt connected and proud of myself.