As a woman in my prime, I suddenly realised how much I had been missing, and since I was 40, I have now run 3 London Marathons, various 10km runs usually within an hour in undulating settings. I took up belly dancing this year and have done two shows, more recently I did a pole dancing class, which I can only say was brilliant and very hard work.

I do belong to a gym and attend as much as I possibly can, usually 3 times a week, and do a back to back class of legs, bums and tums followed by aerobics. Its interesting to see the age groups that attend the classes and who actually works out more, mind you I am so busy enjoying myself, I am totally unaware about this aspect. I know that I come out of a class, as if someone has thrown a bucket of water over me, but I always feel marvelous.

I have also started another class called body balance which is a combination of Pilates, Yoga and Tai Chi. I am addicted.

My gym is currently undergoing major refurbishments but I used to enjoy a steam and swim, and jaccuzzi afterwards, I came away feeling calm, and able to cope with my day ahead, or sleep like a baby, depending on what I had done and when.

Its amazing how a lot of people in their 40's suddenly lose interest in sport or exercise, and I can only say, from my point of view, it improves my mental state no end, especially in the winter months. I don't think it should be made compulsory, but if more older people actually got off their back sides rather than sit around and mope about what might have been.

Equally to say, it would also be a good idea if more of the youngsters got involved with sport, rather than just hanging about on street corners. I know this is a different topic of discussion and has probably been dealt with Helium in one of its debates, but fitness training for all ages is brilliant and keeps the mind and body in good order.

My dad used to say to me about keeping the mind tidy. He was in the army and then fire brigade and still to this day in his late 70's, he is playing golf. My mum bless her, due to ill health is not as fit as she would like to be, but if she can walk somewhere she will, rather than take the bus.

It does not take much in fitness training out of your daily schedule 24 hours a day and half an hour exercise a day, its a very small price to pay for a happier mind and healthier body.

I for one love exercise and always looking for new challenges, would like to do one more marathon before I am 50 and would like to trek the Machu Picchu trail, hopefully in 2008.

Learn more about this author, Holly Golightly.
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