Ask anyone who knows me in what way my name links with a cardiovascular workout and they will say ‘absolutely no way!’ Cardio stuff has been a toxic, avoid at all costs, practice which binds those taking part into addictive behaviour of body and mind. It is a portal into the external beauty above all else mindset and I was having none of that, thank you very much. I want to be loved for my mind – the ‘me’ who is lovable is inside my body and not to be mistaken with my body. Do you get me?

Sadly, part of the result of being so insistent I don’t raise my heart beat above my normal static level is that I’m now a little on the fat side. Did I say that? Oh my god, did I use the word fat in a description of me? I’ve been trying to avoid that too. But diets of course are yet another portal in to a skin deep relationship with oneself, let alone others. Oh yes, I’m also pretty unfit…ok, very unfit.

Rock and a hard place – unless magic works – and it hasn’t turned me in to the Aphrodite I’d love to be, yet. What an admission.

BUT I have found the solution….play like a child.

Ingredients for a cardiovascular workout which feels like playing…….

At least 16 sq ft of clear space – inside or out, you choose.

Favourite dance music – but you’re not going to dance.

One Hula Hoop.

I’m still re-learning how to keep the hoop spinning around my belly but at least I can catch it before it hits the floor now. It’s a really good workout which I don’t even notice as I have such a laugh. This morning I managed to hula through four tracks of eighties dance music although I have to admit half that time was stopping the hoop from hitting the floor.

No gym membership fees, no special lycra outfits designed for those who look gorgeous already, and no feeling like an idiot in front of anyone but my cat. Ticks all my boxes. What about yours?