Our heart is a vital organ that works 24/7, beating approximately 2.5 billion times over an average lifetime. If our heart stops beating, bodily functions will fail almost instantly. I never took health and fitness  too seriously, but the pandemic was quite a wakeup call - if you don't look after your body, it won't be able to look after you.

A few months ago some friends encouraged me to join the London to Brighton ride with them, and help raise money for charity in memory of our friend Bob who sadly passed away some years ago. It's a 54 mile (87km) ride, which apparently in the cycling world isn't long. As a newbie I have no idea how it'll go on the day, specially as my training has mostly been indoors on a spin bike, but I'm hoping I've done enough to finish close to the 3 hour mark on the day (subject to weather etc).

Whether or not I make the time, joining gave me the needed push to get back in to shape (and shed some of those pandemic kgs!). I'm hoping to also encourage everyone I know take a step towards a healthier lifestyle ... not from next week, or after you finish that project, or that trip... after work today, or before work tomorrow, just take 20 -30mins and do something active, then turn that into a plan.... Maybe even sign up and join us on the ride ;-)

If you leave a comment below, please include a training or healthy lifestyle tip to inspire me and others who read this page. 

Thank you for reading, and stay healthy!