Berkshire


<p>The September noise is all about back to school, new season shopping and an abundance of fresh culture. But there&#8217;s something of the Januarys about this month – an opportunity to wipe the slate clean, reset and set good intentions as we deal with the post holiday hangover of excess rays and rosé. The bonus? Better weather and less pressure to publicly declare you goals. If you want to find your fitness mojo, drink less, resist the autumn shopping bonanza, read on.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">FIND YOUR FITNESS MOJO</h2>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Nats Levi, personal trainer at Bisham Abbey National Sports Centre</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/09/Nats-Liv-LesmIll.jpg" alt="Nats Liv LesmIll" class="wp-image-54473" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/09/Nats-Liv-LesmIll.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/09/Nats-Liv-LesmIll-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/09/Nats-Liv-LesmIll-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/09/Nats-Liv-LesmIll-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/09/Nats-Liv-LesmIll-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/09/Nats-Liv-LesmIll-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>it&#8217;s all about the four Ps: Planning (treat your workout an appointment in your diary), Priorities (your workout times are non-negotiable), People (create a top team: PT, gym buddy, friends and family) and Purpose (you need to determine the WHY in your goals). Start by setting clear and achievable fitness goals, then break them down into smaller, more manageable milestones. Consistency is key, so commit to regular exercise and gradually increase intensity to build </p>



<p>Start slowly! 2 x 30min workouts per week is a good, realistic start. Going at it too fast or taking on too long sessions early on can demotivate. Most importantly, have fun. Pick exercise you enjoy and you’ll stick with it and throw in a some group exercise classes (members are twice as likely to stick to their goals if they do). It’s asocial way to exercise and the supervision of a qualified instructor means that you are more likely to work harder.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/07/Bisham-Abbey-spin-class.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-53074" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/07/Bisham-Abbey-spin-class.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/07/Bisham-Abbey-spin-class-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/07/Bisham-Abbey-spin-class-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/07/Bisham-Abbey-spin-class-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/07/Bisham-Abbey-spin-class-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/07/Bisham-Abbey-spin-class-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Did you know that members are twice as likely to stick to their fitness goals if they incorporate group exercise classes into their fitness routine? Workout classes are a fantastic way to improve your fitness, lose weight and kick start a healthier lifestyle!</p>



<p>It takes four weeks to build a habit, and eight weeks to start seeing progress, so committing to a <a href="https://www.bishamabbeynsc.co.uk/nsc/gym-memberships/#OPTIONS">seven-week fitness fix</a> is the perfect way to get on track, and give you the kick up the bum you need to see that change. Why wait until January, when you can nail it now. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sober-september">SOBER SEPTEMBER</h2>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Rachel Jane, Muddy Stilettos Deputy Editor</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/09/62BD183D-7A22-4175-9AFE-FE1A4CA12070-2-e1694111313866.jpg" alt="Rachel Jane Muddy Stilettos Deputy Editor " class="wp-image-54468" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/09/62BD183D-7A22-4175-9AFE-FE1A4CA12070-2-e1694111313866.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/09/62BD183D-7A22-4175-9AFE-FE1A4CA12070-2-e1694111313866-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/09/62BD183D-7A22-4175-9AFE-FE1A4CA12070-2-e1694111313866-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/09/62BD183D-7A22-4175-9AFE-FE1A4CA12070-2-e1694111313866-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/09/62BD183D-7A22-4175-9AFE-FE1A4CA12070-2-e1694111313866-525x525.jpg 525w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/09/62BD183D-7A22-4175-9AFE-FE1A4CA12070-2-e1694111313866-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Before you start eye rolling at the idea of another month of angelic behaviour, this is not a &#8216;thing&#8217;. But if you&#8217;ve hit the bottle hard over the summer – no judgement, sundowners are one of life&#8217;s great pleasures – you may feel the need for a tee-total time out. This year I have largely stopped drinking. For the first time ever I committed to Dry Jan, it continued into Feb and before I knew it, it was spring. I didn&#8217;t miss the morning fuzzy head, the need to binge beige food, and basically drag my alcohol-weary bum through the day. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1800" height="2251" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/09/Wild_Idol_Rose_flavours_1800x.jpg" alt="Wild Idol Alcohol free sparkling rose" class="wp-image-54446" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/09/Wild_Idol_Rose_flavours_1800x.jpg 1800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/09/Wild_Idol_Rose_flavours_1800x-640x800.jpg 640w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/09/Wild_Idol_Rose_flavours_1800x-800x1000.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/09/Wild_Idol_Rose_flavours_1800x-320x400.jpg 320w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/09/Wild_Idol_Rose_flavours_1800x-768x960.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/09/Wild_Idol_Rose_flavours_1800x-1228x1536.jpg 1228w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/09/Wild_Idol_Rose_flavours_1800x-1638x2048.jpg 1638w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/09/Wild_Idol_Rose_flavours_1800x-420x525.jpg 420w" sizes="(max-width: 1800px) 100vw, 1800px" /></figure>



<p>The new sober curious me went on a mission to find zero alcohol drinks that didn&#8217;t taste rank – many alternatives are sweet, weird tasting knock offs, but there&#8217;s hope on the horizon. I dipped my toe in with Corona&#8217;s Zero lager. It looks and tastes just like the real thing and and Tanqueray&#8217;s 0:0 gin is also a winner, so no FOMO. Wine is problematic. At a Coworth Park dinner, the sommelier introduced me to Wild Idol alcohol-free sparkling rosé (total game changer) and paired my food with mocktails, created to complement each course. The mixologists loved the creativity as much as I did. </p>



<p>Once I discovered emperor&#8217;s new clothes-style softies I enjoyed, the habit of reaching for a nightly glass or two of Sauvignon Blanc, faded. To the point, I don&#8217;t even hanker for the alcohol-free versions. I&#8217;m no saint. I still have a few drinks, but moderation no longer sounds as dull as it once did.  </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">SHOP OR NOT?</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1328" height="1258" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/09/Virginia-Chadwyck-Healey-stylish-VCH-Style.jpg" alt="Virginia Chadwyck Healey stylish VCH Style" class="wp-image-54469" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/09/Virginia-Chadwyck-Healey-stylish-VCH-Style.jpg 1328w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/09/Virginia-Chadwyck-Healey-stylish-VCH-Style-800x758.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/09/Virginia-Chadwyck-Healey-stylish-VCH-Style-1000x947.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/09/Virginia-Chadwyck-Healey-stylish-VCH-Style-400x379.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/09/Virginia-Chadwyck-Healey-stylish-VCH-Style-768x728.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/09/Virginia-Chadwyck-Healey-stylish-VCH-Style-554x525.jpg 554w" sizes="(max-width: 1328px) 100vw, 1328px" /></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Virginia Chadwyck-Healey (aka VCH Style), <em>Grazia</em> and <em>Telegraph</em> columist, ex-<em>British Vogue</em></h3>



<p>&nbsp;Here’s my theory, we all have to slow down. We all have to shop less, whether your favourite shop is Primark or Prada. The rate of consumption is the undoing of the planet and only by slowing down and not having to have, say, a new top every time we go out with friends, is how we will see the change that we need to implement. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<p>Yes….&nbsp; We know what trends or looks have longevity (stripes, camel, military chic etc – they come round over and over) so now it’s more about working out what you actually like style-wise, what you can afford, not what you think you should like – if you really assess what’s being pumped out as ‘new season hits’, you’ve probably seen it before. Hence why I think trends per se are dead.&nbsp;</p>



<p>I actively avoid certain shops. And in doing so I save a LOT of money – and time. So then when something does speak to me, and I really work out if I will love it far beyond the first, second or 20 second outing, then I haven’t frittered away my money on other items and I can afford it. I understand it’s not as easy to avoid certain shops if you are earning at the very lowest end of the income scale. Yet I still maintain we have to rein in our spending on fashion and simply not expose ourselves to the temptation of so much newness. </p>


September re-set! Top tips for a new season lifestyle reboot

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