What's particularly good about getting active in Devon?

Welcome to my last 'This Girl Can, Devon' blog.

I hope that it's been helpful, or insightful for you? I've enjoyed writing them anyway, it's been different having someone else pick the blog titles for me.

I moved to Devon in 2004, a place which I have always loved. I moved to Devon to be close to Dartmoor and the sea, a far cry from the small village in Surrey that I grew up in.

Those two factors are by far the most important to me when it comes to being active. You can just go for a walk, along the coastpath, or up tors, everything about Devon is pretty, or awe inspiring. The scenery and environment just makes it for me.

I can leave my house in Totnes and within a minute of running I am by the river, along the trail and into the woods at Dartington, running in clean, fresh air. I have been running around so much of North and South Devon and I never tire of the views.

The other thing about Devon, and actually, the South-West in general is the community spirit. Even in larger towns there is a great spirit for supporting the local sports teams and school clubs. I also think it's a lot safer to be, I used to worry, running at night in Surrey, but the low crime down here make it a much better place to get outside into the fresh air, and train.

What better way to get active than to take a brisk walk along a windy beach, or hike on the moor? I cannot think of a better place to be, than in Devon.

Now it's your turn, we are almost halfway through January, so if you haven't started getting active, just think...'This Girl Can' get out there, go for a walk, take photos of the views, even blog your experience and get 2016 off to an active start.

Thank you for reading.

Who inspires me in getting active?

Happy New Year! We are in the month of January...The, 'This Girl Can' month!
This dodgy photo was taken when I was 15 years old. (a flipping long time ago)
This time in my life there was only one person who inspired me to get active, and, from my other blogs, you know who that was?
Of course, my Dad.

Without his inspiration and encouragement I wouldn't be doing what I am today, and so well either.
But, who today inspires me to get active? Well, that's easy, it's all my friends and clients who dig deep and get on with it, no matter what the circumstances.

My biggest hero right now is Nigel Barber....yes, I am going to name and shame all of you, because you are truly inspirational. Nigel is in a wheelchair, he jokes about being crippled, but in fact that really is the score. Yet, even considering that, Nigel trains at the gym twice a week and had taken on 2 x handbike challenges for charity, one of 12 miles and one of 15, and I was lucky enough to be able to support him on one of these.
Whatever Nigel has going on, it needs to be bottled. There are some people out there say they can't train, they have a slight pain in their knee or shoulder....Nigel can't walk! And yet he's boxing on a Saturday and lifting himself in the gym with trainer, James, putting him through his paces!
Yes, Nigel would inspire anyone I think.

And actually, anyone with a disability who still gets out there and exercises. They are the true inspiration.

Recently I've had Elise and Bethan start Insanity. Their fitness levels were not high when they started, but they still come along, give it their all and I have noticed how much better they have become. It's about getting out and trying.

And finally, my lovely friend Holly, who has severe back problems that sadly won't be getting any better, trains with me twice a week in The Box Room, doing what she can in kicking and punching. We know her limits, but she still comes in and gives it her everything.

These are just a few of the awesome. There are no excuses, even if you just stand up and sit down 20 times, you are still doing something. Knowing these, and many other inspiring people makes what I do so worthwhile.

What's your excuse? And can you bypass that and do something?